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What is an Independent Living Center?
Under section 702 title VII of the ammended Rehabilitation Act of 1973, an independent living center has to be a private not-for-profit organization operated by people with dissabilities. The center will strive to serve the disabled community by providing a wide array of services while giving control to the consumers.
The organization confers control to the disabled community by including people with dissabilities as part of the Board of Governance and a majority of employments. The centers serve as a hub for people with dissabilities with the purpose of promoting Independent Living. The center will be an advocate for the individuals and ight for their rights to be independent, receive an education, find work and to become a part of their society. People who receive our free services are known as consumers.
MAVI OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SERVICES :
a) Information and Referral is an important part of our services. Consumers, or their tutors, can receive the service in person or by calling the center. We provide information verbally or in written form. People without dissabilities are also encouraged to solicit information if needed.
b) Peer Counseling is a process in which the consumer can obtain counseling from another individual who also suffers from a dissability. The counselor is a facilitator and provides support to the individual who wishes to achieve Independent Living. The consumer is thus better served by someone who can understand first hand the needs of the consumer.
c) Self Advocacy is one of the main services of an Independent Living Center. Through advocacy groups the consumer learns about the different rights and benefits they have access to. Advocacy groups help the consumer gain their autonomy by providing them with backing so they can make the changes, reach their goals and express their frustrations whenever they are treated unjustly. There are three different classes of Self Advocacy:
1. Individual: Consumers must be their own advocates. In order for this to happen they must learn the skills necessary for a good self-esteem, motivation and determination. We help them achieve this through our services.
2. Group: Through groups, consumers can interact amongs themselves and bring issues that are affecting them as a group. They can work to solve these problems together.
3. System Oriented: System oriented advocacy groups are designed to bring light to an issue in which government or other entities have developped attitudes that undermine the rights of people with dissabilities. Through self advocacy, groups and individuals, can work to change the system and promote their rights and independence.
d. Trainings are an important factor in the development of independence. We teach the basic skills needed for independent living. Normal every day tasks around the house like working with clothes, food, personal finance, personal hygiene, computers among others are very important to establish and independent living life style. This is why MAVI helps our consumers by teaching these basic skills.
Complementary Services Offered by MAVI:
Through other activities MAVI raises money to help fund other complementary services that help our local community. Some of these services include:
Conferences: Through our services we help our consumers learn about other important subjects. These conferences are held in our facilities and often touch other subjects important to the development of well rounded individuals.
Transportation: MAVI has an adapted van capable of transporting people in need of a wheelchair. It has a capacity to transport up to 4 wheelchairs or 14 seated persons. The vehicle is available for transportation to and from the center and limited to activities related to MAVI.
Activities Calendar: MAVI publishes a calendar every two months to help our community learn about the different activities that are available in our three centers. The activities are open to the public in general and are not limited to MAVI consumers.
Assistive Equipment Donations: From time to time MAVI donates assistive equipment to people in need of these. Our donations normally include walking canes, bathing wheel chairs, manual wheel chairs and other gear depending on the available resources and the need of our consumers. Normally a list is maintained and the equipment is donated accordingly by the order established by the list. If you wish to make a petition, call our center and ask about the assistive equipment donations program.
Home Adaptations: MAVI often receives donations with the intent of using these funds for home adaptations. These funds are provided so that some of our consumers with low economic resources can make the adaptations they need to live comfortably in their homes. These adaptations help the consumer gain accesability and security in their own homes through the use of ramps, wider doors, height adjusted bathroom fixtures, handles and more. If you wisth to know more about these services you may call the independent living services coordinator. The coordinator will assess your needs and inform you about the availability of funds and services of this kind.
Personal Assistance: From time to time we provide personal assistance services. These services are covered under the Title VII part B of the ammended Rehabilitation act of 1973. The service is geared towards helping individuals with low economic resources achieve a higher level of independence through personal assistance. These services cover daily activities related to mobility, personal hygienne, nutrition and help with household chores.
Computer Classes: MAVI has a computer lab equipped assistive technology and modern applications of regular use. The classes help the consumer learn about computers through the use of Microsoft Windows© and Microsoft Office© programs. The consumer will learn the basic parts of a computer, how to use them to produce documents and how to use the Internet.