Any
individual who resides in our service area and satisfies
at least one of the following criteria:
· An individual with a physical, mental, or sensory impairment.
· A family member or significant other of an individual
as noted above.
· Any person who is impaired in one or more major life functions
and exhibits the potential to benefit from services.
The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, is the first
comprehensive civil rights legislation that now mandates
the inclusion of people with disabilities. ADA guarantees
equal opportunities in:
| Employment |
Government
Services |
| Public
Accommodations |
Telecommunications |
Our center encourages personal advocacy to empower individuals
with disabilities. We provide information and referral on
effective means of accessing equal opportunities.
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Our Peer Counseling is based on sharing personal experiences
and knowledge of community resources.
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Our independent living skills' training provides opportunities
to increase skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to
obtain all advantages of community living. Training is available
in the following areas:
| Financial
Management |
Personal
Assistant Management |
| Continuing
Education |
Legislation/Education |
| Self-Care/Daily
Living |
Telecommunications |
| Disability
Awareness |
Transportation |
| Legal
Resources |
Self-Advocacy |
| Employment |
Transitioning |
| Housing
|
|
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Click here for list of certified interpreters.
Click here for IDHHC website and list of all Illinois certified interpreters.
TTY Distribution Program
The Illinois Telecommunication Access Corporation (ITAC)
ensures that qualified applicants (deaf, hard-of-hearing,
and speech impaired) obtain specialized telecommunication
equipment. A TTY is a small typewriter-style device that
allows a deaf or hard of hearing person to make a telephone
call directly without using another person to interpret.
We serve as the regional distribution center providing TTY
equipment, repair services, and offers training to qualified
applicants.
Community Services
Basic introductory American Sign Language classes are available
to anyone within the community. We also offer free technical
assistance regarding TTY usage, professional interpreter
services, and education.
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Our Personal Assistant Program recruits and refers personal
assistants to people with disabilities and their families.
A personal assistant performs many of the following daily
activities:
| Household
Management |
Housekeeping |
| Bowel
& Bladder Care |
Transportation |
| Meal
Preparation |
Shopping |
| Personal
Care |
|
We also offer training on interviewing, hiring, and managing
personal assistants.
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Individuals with disabilities transitioning from nursing
homes back to community life are often faced with barriers
towards independence. Our Community Reintegration Program
was established to provide choices and guidance in the following
areas:
| Case
Management |
Assistive
Equipment |
| Skills
Training |
Financial
Assistance |
| Housing
Assistance |
Community
Resources |
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Our Transition Resources Program empowers young adults with
disabilities, families, and schools to explore educational
options and transition into independent community living
as an adult. Assistance is available in the following areas:
| Individuals
with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) Technical
Assistance |
Independent
Living Skills Training |
| Social
& Recreational Activities |
Disability
Sensitivity Training |
| Self
& Parent Advocacy |
Parent
Support Groups |
| Community
Resources |
Resource
Library |
| Peer
Counseling |
Career
Planning |
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Since
the passage of the ADA, Environmental Barriers Act (EBA),
and the Illinois Accessibility Code, new construction, additions,
and renovations of both publicly and privately owned facilities
are required to be accessible. To meet this requirement
our center provides on-site accessibility audits of facilities
upon request.
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