The Littleton Model Community

We envision Littleton as an inclusive community, a place where all citizens participate in business, social events, civic activities and recreation.  A Model Community provides choice and control for its citizens who, due to age or disability, require long-term supports.  A Model Community provides examples of successful development and inclusive policy-making that guide others. 

Littleton is already a model in so many ways. 

The people behind the Model Community Project felt that Littleton was the ideal place to show that including everyone benefits everyone. 

All people deserve the opportunity to participate fully in the community in which they live.  In doing so, they contribute their skills, knowledge and economic resources to the community.  Every community needs its citizens to power its economy, to contribute innovative ideas and creative solutions, and to strengthen its institutions and associations. 

Littleton is one of only six
Model Community Projects in the country. 
We are funded for three-years (ending June, 2005) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Model communities work to improve the lives of people with disabilities and long-term illness.

The population is aging

   The life expectancy for people in the US is 77.2 years.
   The number of people in NH over the age of 65 will double by and 2025. 
   In Grafton County, the number of people over 65 will triple, from 2000 to 2025.
   People over the age of 65 will make up 26% of the state population in 2025.
   41% of Americans over 65 years have a disability. 
   In this decade, the highest growth rate in the U.S. workforce will be among workers aged 55-64. 
   By 2015, nearly one in five workers will be 55 or older.

1 in 5 people has a disability

At the beginning of the 20th century, the average human lifespan was 47 years.  Today people are living longer because of healthier lifestyles, better medical technology, and better public health practices.  In addition, more people are now living with disability.  Antibiotics, better emergency medical services and other advances enable people to survive accidents and illnesses which were previously fatal.

Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority in America.  One in five people in the United States has a disability.  That's 54 million Americans.

Percentage of people with a disability

 *2000 US Census

Why it's important to ACT

   Unemployment among people with disabilities who are willing and able to work is estimated between 44% and 70%.
   People with disabilities are three times as likely to live in poverty as people without disabilities.
   People with disabilities are much more likely to consider inadequate transportation to be a problem.

   People with disabilities are less likely than people without disabilities to:

• Visit a supermarket
  Visit a department store, mall or shopping center
• Go to the movies or theater
• Go to live popular music performances
• Go to a sports event
• Go to events related to their hobbies, such as dancing or art shows

The National Organization on Disability's 2000 Harris Survey of People with Disabilities

These statistics taken together begin to paint a picture of why it's important for the community to act. 

People with disabilities are moms, sisters, dads, grandkids, grandpas, neighbors, and customers.  And the disparities facing people with disabilities today in their communities is something we can overcome together.

Some of the most significant barriers facing people with disabilities are (1) misunderstanding, negative stereotypes or fear of people with disabilities, (2) inability to enter public places for work, entertainment or commerce because of physical barriers like stairs or narrow doorways, (3) a lack of employment options, and (4) a lack of accessible transportation options (public or private). 

These three barriers make it much more difficult for a person to work, shop and play in their own community.  The Littleton Model Community Project is committed to increasing opportunities for every one in the community by overcoming these barriers whenever possible in Littleton and the surrounding area. 

Creating an inclusive community.  Local people and local partnerships are hard at work right now creating positive change in the following ways:

• Making the facilities and programs of the Town of Littleton more accessible to everyone
• Working with local businesses to attract more customers by increasing accessibility
• Developing a web-site that promotes Littleton as a Model Community, its attractions, and its opportunities
• Increasing employment opportunities for older people and individuals with disabilities
• Helping older adults and individuals with disabilities to connect with volunteer, social, and recreational opportunities in their community
• Emphasizing the value of older people and people with disabilities to the community