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Independence First

Independence First. Milwaukee community agency Research: Independence first By: Rebecca Cleveland Kay Knaust Julia Kroll Julie Tutas. Independence First VALUES AND VISION.

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Independence First

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  1. Independence First Milwaukee community agency Research: Independence first By: Rebecca Cleveland Kay Knaust Julia Kroll Julie Tutas

  2. Independence FirstVALUES AND VISION Vision: Independence First has a vision for full inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of our community and commits itself Toward this End. The independent living philosophy holds that individuals with disabilities have the right to live with dignity and with appropriate support in their own homes, fully participate in their communities, and to control and make decisions about their lives. Consumer choice, autonomy and control define Independent Living.

  3. INDEPENDENCE FIRST A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Independence First: Community Based Located in: Milwaukee, WI (Also Waukesha, West Bend) Non-residential Independent Living Center (CIL) Facilitates & Empowers Individuals with Disabilities Through: Education Advocacy Independent Living Services Coalition Building Promotes Diversity and Multiple Participation in its Operations and Services

  4. INDEPENDENCE FIRST A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Who do they help? Disabled People of All Ages (including children) Family Members of Disabled People Businesses – Partners and Employers General Community Members

  5. INDEPENDENCE FIRST A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES What services do they offer? Skill Building Classes Employment Accessible Housing Basic Needs Recreation Opportunities Accessible Transportation Care-giving & care-giver training Creating Accessible Homes & Businesses Information & Referral Services Other Resources

  6. INDEPENDENCE FIRST A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES How do they accommodate diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds? Staff diversity – training & hiring Cultures they address: Hispanic Hmong Russian African American Culturally specific inservices Culturally specific resources Wide variety of resources accommodates a wide variety of socioeconomic statuses (i.e. middle class family with child with extreme medical costs)

  7. Independence First – Facility  Building Design - Aesthetically beautiful & Completely accessible  Warm and Welcoming  All on one level – “step-free” Environment  RUGS with DARK CENTER LINES TO Help W/ IMPAIRED VISION  colors: calming in some areas energizing in others avoids colors or patterns that would distract, aggravate, or over-stimulate persons with seizure or other disorders like ADHD  ARTWORK ON EACH wall – all ARTISTS W/ DISABILITIES  adjustable desks, Shelves, Etc for staff  Quiet Room/Library & Workout Facility  SEE Accessibility Handout

  8. Independence First – Virtual Tour

  9. Independence First – StaffDo on to others… Lead by example Inspiring diversity Employees Fluent in English, Spanish, russian and Hmong Four hearing impaired employees so most there can sign Truly involved with their consumers: Brewers and Wave games Skiing Dinners Blog with their consumers 1600 off site employees to help train businesses, consumers and their caretakers on location

  10. Independence FirstSTAFF Meet Brian…The housing policy advocate at Independence First. He is very funny, his wife and him own an adorable dog who helps them make tea and he is hearing impaired. His computer has been programmed so that he can video phone. There are also many employees that know how to sign so they can communicate with him and others at Independence First that are hearing impaired. OVER HALF OF THE ON SITE EMPLOYEES HAVE DISABILITES!! This is Tiffany…She is an abuse victim advocate at Independence First. Her cubical is so colorful with pictures from those she has helped. She has MS and is confined to her wheelchair. Her cubical has been designed specifically with her needs in mind.

  11. Independence First – Training Business Training Disability Awareness & Sensitivity Training – Indpendence First Staff with Disabilities discuss how to positively interact with individuals with disabilities, what it’s like to have a disability & live in the Community, address prejudice, discrimination & negative attitudes, Disability etiquette Accessibility Consultation – evaluation of existing facilities, blueprint renovations, construction plans for functional accessibility for all users Workforce Accommodations – training in responsibilities and/or how to accommodate workers who have a disability

  12. TRAINING Consumer Training These programs are offered to all consumers Independent Living Training – money, home & time management, communication skills, building self Esteem, goal setting, good decision making, stress management, assertiveness, etc… Computer Training - basic computer, email & internet skills with or without assistive technology devices/software Employment skills - including interviewing techniques, positively presenting oneself, how to write a resume, identification of job leads & what questions an employer can ask on an application and during an interview as it relates to disability Housing 101 - includes housing resources, laws, assistance & more Rent Smart - training in tenant's legal rights, rental applications, leases & developing good relationships with landlords Benefits Counseling & Work Incentives Planning and Assistance – assistance in making informed choices about working and how employment can/will effect continued eligibility and benefit amounts Peer Support – A person with a disability provides support, serves as a role model & provides information for another person with a disability

  13. TRAINING Personal Assistance Services Independence First’s mission is consumer choice and consumer independence. The PAS program is supported by an advisory committee made up of people with disabilities who utilize PAS services. The consumer’s choose who they want to care for them and send them in to apply. Every caregiver applicant fills out an application, has an interview, participates in skills assessment based on the care plan of the consumer they are hired for to make sure they can competently perform all the activities of daily living written in the consumers care plan and given the proper training. • All training is a requirement of Medicaid regulations. Caregivers are overseen by IF’s Registered Nurses. • Personal Assistance Services offers two types of training: • Individually to personal caregivers when they are hired • Monthly in-services for all caregivers on a range of topics – topics are typically chosen based on what caregivers would like to hear about to help them do better in the field. Examples are safety, elder care, stress management as a caregiver, hospice, specific disabilities, safety • Every caregiver receives a day of orientation at Independence First about Personal Care worker policies and procedures, belonging to an Independent Living Center, OSHA training, filling out weekly timesheets, quality assurance, etc…

  14. Independence First – School Age Children teachers can use independence first as a helpful resource for students from birth through adolescence

  15. Services for children with disabilities • Independence First is a great starting point to obtain resources for parents of children of all ages with disabilities • Birth - ??? • Child who was born with a disability • Child who has been injured or disabled

  16. Resources for Families • Independence First can provide resources to families such as: • Finding/applying for financial assistance for disability services and support • Tools for creating better accessibility for the child • Youth recreational programs • Peer support groups • Parent support groups • Care giving options • Transportation options and support • Online or phone referral service: • http://www.independencefirst.org/informationandreferralform.html

  17. Teacher Education • Independence First welcomes teachers looking for more information on: • Disability accommodation in the classroom and at school • Finding and providing resources for students and families • Disability awareness and education Contact Independence First for a tour to enhance your teaching and your ability to assist students and their families when learning about, or adjusting to, a disability.

  18. Independence First – Transition to Adulthood Independence First offers curriculum and programming at local high schools to help students with disabilities transition from school to “the real world” and adulthood This program is always in demand – there is a running waiting list Sign your school up and get them on Independence First’s yearly calendar! (Or Borrow their curriculum )

  19. Everything you wanted to know about being an adult… but were afraid to ask how to use this book you have the right to… the abc’s of disability laws who are you? A lesson on disability awareness I feel good – building your self-esteem speak out: the art of self-advocacy Yada, yada, yada: communicating with style Review: In Your Face: Dealing with Conflict & Anger Just in Time: Basic Time Management Skills Charge it! A Lesson on Budgeting Go Ahead, Make My Day: Personal Safety Tips for Teens w/ Disabilities Your Next Chapter (in life): It’s Time to Move Out! Just One More Thing: The Final Step (programming)

  20. CLASS ACTIVITY DIVIDE INTO FOUR GROUPS & Review Curriculum – “Everything you wanted to know about being an adult… but were afraid to ask” In reviewing your section of the curriculum, select 2-3 things for your group to highlight for the rest of the class How did your section of the curriculum Accommodate or make the information Pertinent for students with special needs? Groups: 1 - time management 2 – budgeting 3 - personal safety 4 - Moving out

  21. RESOURCES/PROGRAMS A Sampling of Programs Examples of Diverse Programming Housing 101 Freedom on Wheels TEPP (telecommunications) Basic Money Management Workshops Independent Living/Employment Skills New Directions (topics: respect, voting, ADA, Romance and Dating, Hobbies, Giving/Receiving Gifts) Adult Asperger Support Group Mother/Daughter Support Group (for girls ages 11-18 and mothers of all ages) Waukesha Women’s Support Group for Women w/ Disabilities Latino forum celebrating families of children with special needs

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