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.

We provide three kinds of advocacy services to our consumers and to the population of persons with disabilities as a whole:

• self-advocacy - working with consumers to obtain necessary services from other agencies or to address discriminatory practices;
• community advocacy - staff, board members and volunteers actively pursuing changes in the community that will make independent living attainable for all consumers; and
• systems advocacy - motivating changes and reforms in state and national regulations, laws and systems.
  

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.

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.

We transition out of nursing homes back into the community, as well as youth with disabilities graduating from high school.