Any
questions or comments contact: |
ILCNSCA's Mission Statement The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc. is a service and advocacy center run by and for people with disabilities. ILCNSCA supports the struggle of people who have all types of disabilities to live independently and participate fully in community life. ILCNSCA pursues this mission through a combination of self-advocacy services and community action. Self-advocacy services are designed to enable participants to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve personal independence. ILCNSCA also organizes and supports collective action by people with disabilities aimed at positive social change, the elimination of discriminatory barriers, and the creation of a supportive and fully accessible community environment. View the links below for text descriptions
In keeping with national standards for Independent Living Centers, the ILCNSCA offers the requisites of Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Information and Referral, and Advocacy. In addition, Focus Groups, Social/Recreation, Health Workshops are also offered. Independent Living Skills Training Independent Living Skills teach a person with a disability all of the essential skills necessary to function in today's complex society. Topics covered include household maintenance, meal preparation, nutrition, health maintenance, emergency medical procedure, housing search, landlord/tenant relations, financial management, transportation, civil rights/individual advocacy, and Personal Assistance management for those who will need assistance to meet daily needs which the nature of their disabilities prohibits them from doing. Working with a Peer Advocate, a Consumer will determine his/her own goals for independent living which will in turn determine the skill areas for training. The Consumer will then master these skills through a combination of visits with the Peer Advocate, written practice, homework and actual hands-on experience at the market, on the bus, in a social setting, or at the Social Security Office. For success in Independent Living, it is necessary to have confidence, to understand how to cope with being "out there" in society and being constantly viewed as "different." Family issues, sexual identification as a man or woman with a disability, and assertiveness in social and business situations are common areas of concern. In practical terms, the same Peer Advocate doing Independent Living Skills will work on these personal issues which will weave in and about the Skills training and will prove equal in importance for success in Independent Living. Information and Referral (I&R) The Center provides information continuously to individuals with disabilities, their families and friends and representatives of human service agencies and cities and towns regarding services throughout the North Shore and Cape Ann Service Area. Information & Referral keeps people informed about Independent Living possibilities, expands awareness about the mission and activities of the Center, and reinforces the fundamental Independent Living principle of participation in already available services in the mainstream to the fullest extent. The Center brings together its Members and acts in collaboration with other organizations, Independent Living Centers, and disability organizations to eliminate barriers to full social participation by individuals with disabilities in society. Advocacy may take any one of several forms including information in the Center's newsletter, technical assistance on laws and regulations to other organizations to assist them to take informed, appropriate individual or group action to improve access to their activities and services, or education of elected and appointed local and state officials on rights and benefits of participation by persons with disabilities. ADA Technical Assistance Project The Center provides consumers and community agencies with information on their rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and assists in identifying resources to achieve compliance. The Center has limited funding under Title VII Part B under the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which can be used to provide services or equipment to eligible persons with disabilities to assist them attain or maintain independence in the community. The most common uses of title VII Part B funding are for home modification, vehicle modifications, and assistive equipment for persons with disabilities in our services area. Click here for additional Title VII Part B information. The North Shore Self Help Group (NSSHG) Fund is a special fund that will be used to ensure that consumers of ILCNSCA with mobility disabilities have access to specific individualized employment supports when other resources may not be readily available. This fund exists from an endowment from the North Shore Self Help Group, founders of ILCNSCA. Click here for additional NSSHG Fund information. In keeping up to date with increased Independent Living housing needs for people with disabilities the Center has become a member of MASS ACCESS. MASS ACCESS, also known as The Accessible Housing Registry, catalogs numerous accessible or adaptable units in the state and tracks their availability. This information is updated on a daily basis and includes location, rent level, number of bedrooms, particular adaptable or accessible features, vacancy status, etc. Utilization of this system enables ILCNSCA staff to provide this crucial information directly to Consumers who are in need of housing options. Massachusetts Network of Information Providers (MNIP) MNIP is conducted via a state wide computer network. This allows Independent Living Centers and other service providers to share important information regarding services, programs, and upcoming events in the community. This network allows the Center's staff, consumers, and volunteers to research information regarding services and supports throughout Massachusetts.
[Home] | [What we do] | [ILCNSCA Staff]
|[ILCNSCA Board] | [Fundraising] | [Calendar of Events] |
