| Independent living disabilities programs assist people | | | | interacting with appropriate social services. |
| with disabilities to take control of their lives by having | | | | Information and Referral |
| the same choices as non-disabled individuals. Disabled | | | | These resource centers act as a clearinghouse of |
| people want to continue living with their family, attend | | | | information concerning disability. They also make |
| the neighborhood school, use public transit, and work in | | | | appropriate referrals to assist the community in |
| jobs that are in line with their education and interests. | | | | learning about disabilities and disability related issues. |
| They do not want to be pitied nor ashamed. | | | | Independent Living Skills |
| Private programs have a comprehensive range of | | | | Classes are developed to help individuals learn basic |
| services to meet the needs of individuals of all ages | | | | and advanced skills to achieve self-reliance. Some |
| with mental retardation, learning disabilities, autism, | | | | classes include credit counseling, homemaking, |
| Asperger's Syndrome, emotional problems, brain injury, | | | | education opportunities, communication skills, |
| behavioral health, physical handicaps, and other | | | | assertiveness training, adaptive cooking, mobility training, |
| developmental disabilities. | | | | nutrition and more. |
| Independent living disabilities programs offer an | | | | Peer Counseling |
| optimum environment for self-worth, social | | | | One-on-one counseling, group counseling, and peer |
| acceptance, and growth. To make independence a | | | | support assists individuals with disabilities to help each |
| reality requires accessible housing, accessible transport, | | | | other on a cross-disability basis. Peers provide |
| as well as employment, training, and leisure. | | | | assistance and support to increase skills and |
| There are numerous services, which assist with | | | | knowledge that will overcome interpersonal, family, |
| dressing, housework, cooking, getting to work, and | | | | social, financial, interagency and other disability-related |
| even visiting friends and family. | | | | challenges. |
| The key functions of independent living resource | | | | Technical Assistance |
| centers for the disabled include: | | | | Accessibility surveys are completed for anyone |
| Advocacy | | | | interested in architectural modifications for homes, |
| Advocates resolve discrimination and denial of | | | | businesses, or public buildings. |
| services through mediation with the government, | | | | Independent living disabilities programs assist in |
| business, and service providers. They also recommend | | | | supporting individuals with disabilities in attaining |
| system changes to reflect the needs of people with | | | | independent living and the right to select their personal |
| disabilities. They assist with helping the disabled with | | | | degree of independence. |