Core Services
Core Service / 01
Advocacy
Advocacy is central to a Center for Independent Living’s mission. We offer both individual and systems advocacy. Individual advocacy is assisting an individual with a disability to protect his or her rights or to fight for needed resources. Through systems advocacy, we advance civil rights and equal access for all persons with disabilities on the local, state, and federal levels.
“I learned to be a more effective advocate”
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Information and Referral
Through information and referral, we offer guidance in locating available services and products as well as tips on how to access such services and products. Referrals can be made to many outside resources as appropriate. LIFE CIL also maintains a comprehensive list of housing rental options in our four-county service area.
“I received information on help with phones and temporary medical card”
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Independent Living Skills
A wide range of skills are needed to live independently and manage life with a disability. Instruction is available to persons with disabilities in almost any topic. We work with individuals to increase their skills to help gain more control of their lives.
Examples of instruction include budgeting, cleaning, shopping, self-advocacy, personal assistant management, effective communication, recreation and leisure, transportation, and self-care.
“Learned how to do daily shopping and cleaning for my house”
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Peer Support and Mentoring
Peer support is people with all kinds of disabilities learning from each other. Who better knows what issues that individuals with disabilities face than another person with a disability who has been there and done that? Peer mentors share experiences, feelings, and awareness of disability issues. Peer mentoring can help make a difference in an individual’s sense of self-awareness and acceptance.
We host adult and youth support groups. Contact us for more information.
“I can control my social anxiety more than ever, and I’m just a better person because of LIFE Center”
Core Services / 05
Transition
We assist people with disabilities to move out of nursing homes and other institutions into independent lifestyles of their choice; help prevent people with disabilities from entering institutions; and assist youth with disabilities in transitioning from high school to adult life.
“With the help of LIFE CIL, I am learning about choices for college and how I can get a job after high school to pay for my own place.”