How can a person with a disability make friends?

• First, decide what interests you.
• What do you like to do?
• Is there something new you’d like to try?
• Where in your community do people who share your interests spend time?
• Check your neighborhood newspaper or ask a family member, neighbor, friend or paid staff to help you find a place to start and plan how to get there.
• When you find places where people get together who share your interest, keep going back.
• Give people a chance to get to know you. You won’t like everyone and not everyone will like you.
• Be patient, it takes time for friendships to grow.

Helping others is a great way to meet people and feel good about you. You could do volunteer work, be a friendly visitor or join in neighborhood projects. Use street smarts when meeting new people. Never meet a stranger alone. Stay in public places and make sure there are others around, but give people a chance to get to know you. You just might make a friend!

What can others do to help people with disabilities make friends?

• Everyone is different so it is best to ask the individual what kind of help he or she needs. Remember that it takes no special expertise to relate to people with mental retardation.
• Do you go fishing, camping, to sporting events or concerts?
• Invite a person with a disability who shares your interests to go along.
• Introduce them to your family and friends.
• Take time to get to know a person with a disability and let them get to know you.

People with mental retardation may go to a special place or program to make friends, but it isn’t necessary. People can make friends wherever two or more people gather together.

The resources listed below may help you or your family member develop relationship skills or find places in the community where you can meet others with similar interests.

Liberty Resources
Liberty Resources has a Social and Communication Skills class which can help you or your family member develop the skills necessary to establish relationships.

Liberty Resources
The Socialization and Recreation section of the Liberty Resources web site lists a wide variety of fun things to do in Philadelphia. While they can’t guarantee full accessibility, they do believe the listed activities to be ramp accessible with accessible bathrooms except where they have indicated otherwise. This resource includes a cross section of activities including athletics, museums, theaters, city tours and more. Participating in sports is a wonderful way to meet people and make friends. Their athletic section is particularly good with information about adapted sports opportunities in the area.

This site also lists socialization opportunities specifically for people with disabilities and nightlife opportunities for everyone!

Social/Recreational Activities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities  
Information on a variety of social/recreational activities.

Other Recreation Opportunities
Neighborhood playground and recreation centers, museums, and fun activities.

Athletic Groups and Recreation Programs
Neighborhoods Online’s information page about sports and athletic groups and recreation programs in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Recreation and Leisure Help Line
When operational, this help line will connect you with an information specialist who will provide you with information and referrals to organizations that provide recreation and leisure services for people with disabilities. Their number is 877-986-4550 voice or 877-986-5432 TTY.

Disability Central
Visit this fabulous gathering place for people with disabilities to find information, community and fun! Their Active Teen center is an online place where teens can socialize, educate each other and just have fun together.