News from DAC North Eastern Washington (formerly INDEx)
Working for independence, equity and justice!
INDEPENDENT LIVING TERMS
So what do the terminology and acronyms mean? In the Independent Living (IL) Movement , it can be hard to know what to ask for when you don’t understand the words. Here is a breakdown:
>Information & Referrals – we offer guidance in locating available services and products and tips on how to access what you need.
>Advocacy – In individual advocacy we assist a person with a disability, mental health challenge, or the elderly in protecting their rights and freedoms, and empower them to fight for needed resources. Through systems advocacy, we fight for civil rights and equal access for all persons with disabilities in the local, state and federal levels.
>Peer Support – The best advice comes from those who have lived it! We are not certified peer support specialists. We are people with disabilities just like you who understand the struggles and have experience navigating difficult situations.
>IL Skills Training – We work with you to increase your skills to gain control over your life. Instruction is available to people with disabilities over many topics; budgeting, cleaning, shopping, self-advocacy, personal assistant management, effective communication, recreation & leisure, transportation, and self-care.
>Transition (Including Youth) and Diversion – We assist people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and the elderly with moving out of nursing homes and institutions into a more independent lifestyle of their choice. And we work to prevent people with disabilities from entering into institutions. We also assist youth with disabilities and mental health challenges in transition from high school to adult life.
Additional IL terminology:
Accommodations – changes that are made to remove barriers in the classroom, workplace, or society. Accommodations are changes in the environment that allows for improved access. According to the ADA they are considered “reasonable” if they do not create an undue hardship or direct threat.
Self – Advocacy – the ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you.
Self-determination – An idea that includes people choosing and setting their own goals, being involved in making life decisions, self-advocating, and working to reach their goals. You can set things up to get what you want. Self- determination contributes to positive results in employment, education, community living, and improved quality of life. Consumer Control – This refers to your right to determine the direction of your life and to make all decisions related to that direction. Consumer control is about empowerment and self-determination.
Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Discrimination in Employment – When an employer treats an individual (or group) less favorably because of a person’s protected status: race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, familial status, age (40 or older), pregnancy, citizenship, or veteran status.
Discrimination in Housing – Is illegal in nearly all housing, including private housing, public housing, and housing that receives federal funding. See – Fair Housing Act
Discrimination in Education – Civil Rights laws extend to all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries and museums that receive federal financial assistance. These include all public schools and most public and private colleges and universities.
DAC NEW
25 W Main, 3rd floor Room C-1
Spokane, WA 99201
509-606-4639