Disability Advocacy and Education

Independence Empowerment Center advocates at the local, state and federal level to increase the rights of people with disabilities. Offers workshops, presentations, speakers and consultation to individuals and groups on disability-related issues. Assists persons with disabilities to access benefits; facilitates ED CD Waiver and other services available to them in the community. Provides disability related advocacy--both individual and systemic.

• Systems advocacy involves staff, board members, and volunteers initiating efforts toward making changes in the community to make it easier for individuals with disabilities to live independently. These changes may affect legislation, policy, housing, business, transportation, health care, employment opportunities, accessibility, or any other issue affecting the ability of an individual with a disability to live independently.

• Individual advocacy: staff members train and assist individuals with disabilities to understand and exercise their civil rights regarding government and other service providers, and work with individuals to obtain services from other community agencies.