The only facility of its kind in Ohio and one of only two in the nation, LifeTown Columbus is a realistic, indoor, 5,000 square foot “city” designed by special needs professionals specifically to allow children and teenagers with special needs to practice critical life skills they can use in the community. Teachers select each student’s LifeTown lesson based on the needs being addressed in the student’s Individual Education Plan or IEP, choosing from a cohesive, evidence-based model for life skills development designed to improve competencies in three required areas of transition skills: personal & social, independent living, pre-employment.

Beginning in kindergarten, students practice pedestrian safety using real traffic lights and interacting with volunteer police officers. They make their first bank withdrawal and purchases with real money in one of our nine venues. As students master the foundational concepts, they will graduate to more complex lessons such as learning to socialize with and care for others, managing one’s own doctor’s visits, or making and keeping appointments. For students in middle and high school, they will contemplate community employment and how to successfully apply and interview for positions.