by Emily Flynn, Youth/Independent Living Specialist, Solano County
I started working for Independent Living
Resources of Solano and Contra Costa County in May of 2013. In the past year I have learned so much! I have learned how people with all different disabilities can live independently in their own way.
This may mean getting them tools to budget their finances or to be able to travel on their own to appointments. It can also mean giving individuals the ability to practice and hone their advocacy skills, know and understand their rights, and how to navigate the institutional systems dedicated to protecting their rights.
When I started
as our center’s Independent Living Youth Specialist, I had very little
knowledge of what Independent Living Centers (ILCs) had to offer. Being a student with a disability I received
the accommodations I needed throughout my schooling, but I had no help outside of
school. Now, one of my biggest goals is
to make sure people with disabilities have all the support -both in and outside of school- that they need to be
successful in their chosen goals.
Emily and Rachel setting up an outreach event for Ability Tools |
An amazing benefit to my job is
how rewarding it is to teach a consumer some of the skills they can utilize to reach their full
potential. Our ILC has several different facets, offering support, education, advocacy, and outreach. The direct services we provide
to consumers include independent living skills training, educational support, assistive technology services, peer support, housing referral services and benefits counseling.
My favorite work experience at our ILC is the one-on-one work I get to do with the
consumers. Sometimes this consists of just
sitting with the individual and sharing our experiences and struggles we have both
encountered as a person with a disability, and providing advice to one another. At times I have the opportunity to do some advocacy work with the
consumer in different situations such as housing and school accommodation rights. Or, I might receive a call from individuals
who don’t know where to turn or simply have no idea what kind of help is out there
and I get to point them in the right direction and give them helpful resources.
At our
center we are also fortunate to have a benefits specialist on staff that is WIPA certified
to answer questions and guide individuals through the Social Security
process.
Another great service provided by ILCs that I myself have used, is the assistive technology
service. Ability Tools, California's Assistive Technology program, has a network of AT advocates across the state that work in ILCs. These AT specialists are able to find or loan
out durable medical equipment and other AT to individuals with disabilities that may not be
able to find or afford the equipment they need. They also assist consumers with connecting to
the AT Exchange to find AT equipment for free, low cost or to borrow or for free. The services at your local ILCs can provide you the support and skills to enable you to live a more
independent life.
The services provided
at Independent Living Centers can really change people’s lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to assist
people every day. It has changed my life and
hopefully it can change yours as well. My hope is that consumers won’t go
through the same struggles that I have experienced with my disabilities. Since ILCs are managed by mostly people with disabilities, this gives them a uniqueness that not all other nonprofits have. The goal of ILCs is to empower individuals and promote independence. I would encourage any person living with a
disability that may have questions to contact their local Independent Living Center.
Very informative blog about independent living, i like this.
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Great Job Emily & Rachel!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. Independence should always be encouraged even if only a small amount of the activity can be undertaken, it is so important toward promoting self worth and maintaining an independent lifestyle.
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