A limited number of residences for developmentally disabled adults exist. As longevity increases in our society, the needs of a growing population of developmentally disabled adults far exceed the resources available.

In Illinois in 2008, more than 20,000 developmentally disabled adults were on a waiting list for available residences. And while per capital earnings in the state are ranked 11th in the nation—with two counties hitting the top 50 highest-income list—state funding for the developmentally disabled is the lowest.

The welfare of disabled adults who outlive their caregiving parents is a societal concern. In the 1930s, the life expectancy of a child born with Down Syndrome was 10 years. Today it’s nearly 60. What will happen to these adults when their parents are no longer able to care for them?

It’s not a small concern. In Illinois, according to University of Illinois at Chicago researchers, almost 1,000 adults with disabilities live with a caregiver who is older than 60; 300 of them have caregivers older than 80. They are all on a waiting list for services. And the problem will grow. Nationwide, 682,000 adults 60 and older have developmental disabilities. The figure is expected to double to 1.3 million by 2030.

According to The Arc of Illinois, an advocacy group for the disabled:

• 200,000 individuals in Illinois have developmental disabilities
• Nearly 2% of all Americans are affected with a developmental disability
• The unemployment rate for people with any type of disability is 70%. For those with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, the unemployment rate is 90%
• More than 3,500 adults with developmental disabilities need 24-hour residential services

Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois offers a Christian alternative—a lifestyle grounded on biblically based Christian values and standards.