INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
Independent Living Skills Training Services
Independent Living Skills Training may include instruction to develop independent living skills in areas such as personal care, coping, financial management, social skills, and household management. These trainings may also include education and training necessary for living in the community and participating in community activities.
Advocacy Services
Individual advocacy involves advocating on behalf of a single individual. Examples of individual advocacy can include calling a landlord on behalf of a consumer to help with widening a bathroom doorway or installing grab bars. Self-Advocacy is another form of individual advocacy that involves advocating on behalf of oneself.Systems Advocacy includes advocacy on behalf of a group or class of individuals, such as efforts to influence and implement local, state and national policy and legislative changes. Examples of Systems Advocacy include educating legislators directly about disability-related issues and/or about the implications of proposed disability-related legislation.
Peer Support Services
Staff members with like disabilities who are living independently are always available to talk with and provide support for consumers. Problem solving in areas such as learning to use community services more effectively, adjusting to a newly acquired disability, or a change in living accommodation are only a few topics that can be discussed. Individual and group support through role models encourages consumers to seek ways to enhance their quality of life and to contribute to their communities.
Information and Referral Services
We maintain comprehensive data files on resources in their service areas. Staff can provide information on accessible housing, transportation, available personal care assistants, interpreters or readers. Training materials, lending libraries, equipment or technical resources and lists of contractors or re-modelers may also be utilized.
Community Transitioning
Assisting individuals in the process of returning to independence in the community. This includes both the transition out of nursing facilities and youth transitioning to independence in employment and education.
