If you are new to OPWDD Self-Direction, you may have heard the terms:
What is the difference? And which one is right for my family member?
Both services are funded through the OPWDD and help individuals with developmental disabilities build independence, life skills, and community involvement.
The main difference is where the service happens and how skills are taught.
What Is Day Habilitation With Walls?
- Day Hab With Walls
- Day Hab Without Walls
What is the difference? And which one is right for my family member?
Both services are funded through the OPWDD and help individuals with developmental disabilities build independence, life skills, and community involvement.
The main difference is where the service happens and how skills are taught.
What Is Day Habilitation With Walls?
Day Habilitation With Walls is a center-based program.
Participants attend a specific program site during the day. Most activities happen inside that building.
Common activities include:
Day Hab With Walls may be a good fit if:
Participants attend a specific program site during the day. Most activities happen inside that building.
Common activities include:
- Daily living skills (cooking, hygiene, routines)
- Art, music, and group activities
- Social skills groups
- Structured schedules
- Occasional supervised community trips
Day Hab With Walls may be a good fit if:
- The person benefits from routine
- They need consistent supervision
- They feel comfortable in group settings
- They are not ready for mostly community-based learning
What Is Day Habilitation Without Walls?
Day Habilitation Without Walls is a community-based program.
Instead of staying in one building all day, participants spend most of their time in real-life community settings.
The community becomes the classroom.
Activities may include:
Day Hab Without Walls may be a good fit if:
What Is the Difference Between Day Hab With Walls and Without Walls?
There is no “better” option.
The right choice depends on the individual’s goals, abilities, and level of support needed.
Some individuals begin in a structured setting and later transition to a community-based program as their skills grow.
How to Add Day Habilitation to an OPWDD Self-Direction Budget
If you decide Day Habilitation is appropriate, here are the basic steps under OPWDD Self-Direction:
Step 1: Talk to Your Care Manager About Day Hab Options
Tell your Care Manager you are interested in Day Habilitation.
They can:
Step 2: Visit Day Habilitation Programs
Before making a decision, schedule visits.
Pay attention to:
Step 3: OPWDD Authorization Is Required
Once you choose a program, your Care Manager submits a request to OPWDD for approval.
Services cannot begin until OPWDD authorizes them.
Step 4: Update the Self-Direction Budget
After approval, you will work with your Support Broker to:
Instead of staying in one building all day, participants spend most of their time in real-life community settings.
The community becomes the classroom.
Activities may include:
- Grocery shopping and budgeting
- Learning public transportation
- Going to the bank
- Volunteering
- Visiting libraries and parks
- Practicing real-world social skills
Day Hab Without Walls may be a good fit if:
- The person is working toward greater independence
- They learn best through real-life experience
- They are comfortable in smaller groups
- They are preparing for employment or transition goals
What Is the Difference Between Day Hab With Walls and Without Walls?
With Walls | Without Walls |
Center-based program | Community-based program |
More structured schedule | Flexible real-world schedule |
Activities inside a facility | Activities in the community |
Routine-focused | Independence-focused |
There is no “better” option.
The right choice depends on the individual’s goals, abilities, and level of support needed.
Some individuals begin in a structured setting and later transition to a community-based program as their skills grow.
How to Add Day Habilitation to an OPWDD Self-Direction Budget
If you decide Day Habilitation is appropriate, here are the basic steps under OPWDD Self-Direction:
Step 1: Talk to Your Care Manager About Day Hab Options
Tell your Care Manager you are interested in Day Habilitation.
They can:
- Provide referrals to approved Day Hab providers
- Explain options available in your region of New York State
Step 2: Visit Day Habilitation Programs
Before making a decision, schedule visits.
Pay attention to:
- Staff interaction
- Group size
- Daily structure
- Safety and supervision
- Community involvement (for Without Walls programs)
Step 3: OPWDD Authorization Is Required
Once you choose a program, your Care Manager submits a request to OPWDD for approval.
Services cannot begin until OPWDD authorizes them.
Step 4: Update the Self-Direction Budget
After approval, you will work with your Support Broker to:
- Add Day Habilitation to the budget
- Allocate the correct funding
- Ensure the service matches the Life Plan
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