SERVICES

OPTIONS for Independence is a contact point for people with disabilities, their families, and the community in locating available services and products such as affordable, accessible housing, transportation options, adaptive equipment, support services, and more.

Independent living skills training based on the independent living philosophy is taught in organized classes or one-on-one as needed. The focus is to enable the individual to find a way to accomplish what they want to achieve.

Education is available to enhance the independence of adults with disabilities in their homes, families, and communities. Independent Living Coordinators provide classes in cooking, assertiveness, relationships, financial management, adjustment to disability, and others as consumer needs dictate. Persons with disabilities can also get help finding accessible housing, receive peer support, and work individually with staff.

Advocacy is central to the mission of OPTIONS for Independence. Individual and systems advocacy is offered. Individual Advocacy is done by teaching the individual self-advocacy skills. Individuals learn how to communicate and negotiate with agencies, service providers, employers, and others to obtain needed benefits, services, or accommodations

Systems Advocacy is done when OPTIONS for Independence works for a positive change in the community. Through public awareness activities, work promotes and affects changes at local, state, and federal levels.

Peer support brings together people with similar disabilities who may have difficulty handling specific problems relating to their disability. Support and training on community resources are provided from those who have "been there and done that" and want to share with others. Peer support is arranged individually as needed or in a group setting.

Assists students with disabilities ages 14 to 22 gain independent living skills to successfully transition from high school to community participation. Some topics taught are:

• life skills
• money and time management
• healthy relationships
• shopping
• how to look for and maintain a job
• community safety
• completing forms for jobs
• general hygiene
• riding the bus, and reading bus schedules

These skills are also taught in high school and post-high school classrooms.

Services are provided to people living in nursing facilities and other institutions who want to move to a home or community-based setting. The needs of participants are identified with assistance provided to make the transition. Referral to other appropriate agencies and support systems in the community is given as needed.

Services are also available to help divert individuals residing in the community from entering a nursing home.