Independent Living
This is NRCIL's core
funding and main program. It is the reason the Center exists. The listed
objectives may vary from year to year in response to the varying needs of the
community, but the following is representative of our services:
- Conduct
activities that will assist individuals in being involved in the community
and advocating on behalf of themselves and their peers.
- Identify
disability issues during the year and involve staff and volunteers in
motivating members of the community to actively pursue the issues
- Provide
assistance and advocacy to public entities on understanding rights and
responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other
Federal and State laws.
- Provide
assistance to interested individuals on understanding their rights and
responsibilities under the ADA and other Federal and State laws.
- Assist
people in developing support groups upon request.
·
Offer core independent living
services dependent upon adequate funding and community demand. These can include
but are not limited to advocacy, peer counseling, information and referral,
benefits advisement, independent living skills, housing assistance and voter
registration.
Our target service area is Jefferson and Lewis Counties but we will respond to
requests for services from individuals living in Southern St. Lawrence County
and other rural locations in Northern and Central New York.
More detailed information on the Independent Living Program is available here
Independent
Living is controlling and directing your own life. It means knowing what choices
are available, selecting what is right for the individual and taking
responsibility for one’s own actions. Independent living means being in charge
of your life, creating a community where people with disabilities attain
equality.
Systems Advocacy means making a change in the way systems operate. People are
motivated to advocate for their rights, and invited to affect the outcomes of
local, state and national issues.
We offer Benefits Planning to assist individuals with SSI, SSDI, Medicare,
Medicaid, Public Assistance, Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS), Independent
living Skills and to make informed choices about work.
Mental Health Advocacy promotes personal empowerment by assisting individuals in
accessing information, improving and developing skills and strengthening
supports.
Architectural Accessibility Consultation is also available. NRCIL maintains
materials on renovating or building accessible structures. Our trained and
qualified staff make site visits to determine accessibility and assist in design
modifications.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advocate provides our community with
consultations, seminars and training resources for individuals, businesses and
local government with accessibility guidelines and rights and responsibilities
under the ADA.
Peer Counseling is provided when an individual wants to talk to an advocate who
is a peer. Our Advocates have personal experience with disability issues and can
listen and offer ideas from a peer approach.
Housing Information assists individuals with disabilities in finding safe,
accessible and affordable housing within our community.
Information and Referrals on all types of resources, services and issues are
available.
Individual Advocacy promotes self-concept and self-advocacy. This enhances
belief in oneself to accomplish goals that are set by the individual.
Peers Together is a self-help group that is facilitated by peers. This is held
weekly in NRCIL’s community room in Watertown.
NRCIL’s Resource Area includes books, periodicals, legislative alerts,
upcoming events, job postings and pamphlets. It is available and accessible to
everyone in the community.
NRCIL’s Loan Closet contains adaptive equipment for short-term loan, including
wheel chairs, portable ramps, transfer benches, folding walkers, closed
captioning machines, grabsticks, crutches and teletypewriters.