SERVICES

Community Services & Resources

Independence offers a variety of services to the community including accessibility compliance, community education and workshops, community collaboration, lending library and a Legislative Working Committee.

Systems Advocacy

Systems advocacy involves Independence staff working with other community groups and carrying out activities to make system-wide changes for people with disabilities. Examples of this work include advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities at a wide range of public and governmental forums.

Independence Systems Change Specialists work with other disability organizations on local, statewide and national legislative issues including:

• Adoption of Vistability designs in all new housing
• Advocating for American with Disabilities Act Compliance
• Ensuring adherence to the Olmstead Decision
• Enhancing Para transit and public transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Accessibility Compliance

Accessibility is extremely important in the daily lives of all people, but specifically persons with disabilities. Independence will provide technical assistance for businesses, agencies, and individuals in their own homes. This assistance suggests ways to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Community Education and Workshops

Independence staff provides a wide range of community education and workshops and employee in-services to raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities while also improving knowledge about our services. Available community education includes:

• Understanding Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Disability Sensitivity Training
• Universal Design in Housing
• Disability Awareness Training
• Independent Living Movement and Philosophy
• Community Issues
• Issues in Public Housing

Community Collaboration

Independence is involved with activities related to building coalitions or collaborative relationships to expand participation of individuals with disabilities in community services and programs.

Lending Library

Independence maintains a video and resource library on a variety of disability related items and makes it available to the community.

Legislative Working Committee

Independence, along with other collaborators, facilitates a Legislative Working Committee. The committee is a “pipeline” for people with disabilities, family members and advocates to network and receive information about disability related legislation.