About These Resources
Learning daily living skills can take time, practice, patience, and the right support. These step-by-step lessons are designed to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build confidence with everyday routines at home, at school, and in the community.
Each section includes simple visual instructions, helpful reminders, and video supports when available. Individuals, families, caregivers, educators, and support professionals can use these lessons to practice skills at a pace that works best for each person.
We will continue reviewing and updating these resources to keep them helpful, accurate, and easy to use.
Need a Printable Version?
Download the Everyday Living Skills Printable Guide to see all lesson categories in one place. The guide includes QR codes and links to help families access the full online lessons.
Explore Lesson Categories
Click a category image below to open the lessons.
 Personal Care & HygienePractice daily self-care skills like staying clean, caring for your body, and building routines. |  Food, Meals & Kitchen SkillsPractice food and kitchen skills like making healthy choices, preparing simple meals, and practicing kitchen safety. |  Household Chores & CleaningPractice household skills like laundry, cleaning, making the bed, and taking out the trash. |
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 Health, Safety & Emergency SkillsPractice health and safety skills like calling 911, recognizing illness, managing medications, and sharing important health information. |  Money, Banking & Budgeting SkillsPractice money skills like making purchases, using a debit card or ATM, budgeting, saving, and managing bills. |  Community & Transportation SkillsPractice community and transportation skills like getting around safely, navigating public spaces, and participating in the community. |
 Employment & Job SkillsPractice employment skills like resumes, interviews, workplace habits, and building independence at work. |  Social, Emotional & Relationship SkillsPractice social and emotional skills like building friendships, recognizing healthy relationships, managing stress, and asking for help. |  Communication & Technology Safety SkillsPractice communication and technology skills like using voicemail and staying safe online. |
 Self-Advocacy, Civic & Decision-Making SkillsPractice self-advocacy skills like making choices, using support, managing time, speaking up, voting, and participating in everyday life. |
Technology for Everyday Indpendence
The right technology can make everyday activities safer, easier and more manageable. Depending on the person, technology may help with communication, cooking, transportation, medication schedules, household routines, time management or personal safety.
The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program allows people with disabilities and their families to learn about different devices, receive demonstrations and borrow certain equipment before deciding whether it is the right fit.
For additional apps and devices designed to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit The Arc’s Tech Toolbox.
Assistive technology should be chosen based on the person’s goals, preferences and support needs. Whenever possible, include the person in deciding which technology to use and how it will be used.
The Arc of South Carolina shares these links as informational resources and does not provide assistive technology evaluations, equipment or funding.
Want to Learn More?
The Everyday Living lessons on this page are a starting point for practicing daily skills at home, school, work, and in the community. Individuals, families, caregivers, educators, and support professionals may also find the outside resources below helpful when exploring everyday living skills, independence, and community participation.
Additional Resources
The Arc of the United States
Information and resources related to disability rights, advocacy, inclusion, and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Visit The Arc of the United States
CDC Disability Inclusion Resources
General information about disability inclusion and ways to support access and participation in everyday activities.
View CDC Disability Inclusion Resources
Institute for Community Inclusion
Resources related to community life, employment, person-centered supports, and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Explore the Institute for Community Inclusion
Find Your Local Center for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living may offer independent living skills training, peer support, advocacy, and information about local resources.
Find a Center for Independent Living
The National Council on Independent Living works to enhance the human and civil rights of all people with disabilities.
Video Resources
Some people learn best by watching a task first. These video resources may be helpful for individuals, families, caregivers, educators, and support professionals who want additional examples of everyday living skills.
Penquis ADL Video Library
A free video library with step-by-step examples of activities of daily living, including personal care, household tasks, and other everyday routines.
View Penquis ADL Videos
Life Skills 2 Learn
A video resource with lessons and examples related to life skills, communication, AAC, literacy, and daily living for people with developmental disabilities.
Visit Life Skills 2 Learn
Please note: These links are provided for additional information only. The Arc of South Carolina does not control outside websites or YouTube channels and cannot guarantee that every resource will be the right fit for every person or family.
Questions or Suggestions?
Have a question, notice an error, or want to suggest another everyday living skill? Please contact The Arc of South Carolina at thearc@arcsc.org.
