Family Quality of Life

What It Is

Families experience a high quality of life when their needs are met, they enjoy their time together, and they are able to do things that are important to them.  Family quality of life includes family interaction, parenting, emotional well-being, health and financial well-being, and disability-related supports. Other important aspects of quality of life are community participation and friendships.

Why It Is Important

Quality of life is important because it is the ultimate outcome of policies and services for individuals and their families. Quality of life provides a framework for supports and services that support individuals and their families. Quality of life also is a way to think about and work towards what brings satisfaction and joy to family life.

What We're Doing

The Beach Center on Disability is studying what the important aspects are in family quality of life. We want to find out what policy makers, program administrators, and service providers can do to make family quality of life better for families of children and adults with disabilities. We are looking for the things that have the biggest positive impact on family quality of life and then providing resources to professionals and families to make those things happen.