2. Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Southwest Center for Independent Living to remove barriers and empower independent living for all people with disabilities.

3. Independent Living Movement

4. Rooted in the
Civil Rights movement
Ed Roberts started the first Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, California in 1972

5. “Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against an injustice, they send forth a ripple of hope.”
~ Robert F. Kennedy

6. What is Independent Living?
Support for persons with disabilities in their efforts toward independence
Encouragement for persons with disabilities to make their own choices
A goal of opening doors in the community to full participation and access for all
Advocacy to change policies in government, transportation, employment, and housing

7. Centers for Independent Living
There are over 400 CILs in the United States
The majority of CIL’s board of directors and staff are persons with disabilities
We believe the strongest and most vibrant communities are those that include and embrace all people
We work toward both immediate and long-term solutions helping persons with disabilities find housing or a job, equipping a home with assistive technologies, or enhancing the person’s independent living skills
We operate from a “help out” philosophy, rather than a “hand out” philosophy

8. Missouri has 22 CILs and with 12 branch offices!

9. How to find your Center
The ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization) program is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field. It is a program of TIRR Memorial Hermann, a nationally recognized medical rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities.

10. Directory of CILS

11. Counties Served by SCIL/empower:abilities
Christian Dallas
Greene Lawrence
Polk Stone
Taney Webster

12. Center for Independent Living Five Core Services
Information and Referral
Peer Support and Counseling
Independent Living Skills Training
Advocacy (Individual and Systemic)
Transition

13. The 3 C’s
Consumer Choice
Consumer Control
Consumer Change

14. Information and Referral
Access to information and referral services in their area
This service is provided to anyone with or without a disability

15. Peer Support
Someone with a disability who has achieved independence in their own community. A resource for people to share experiences with other peers

16. Independent Living Skills Training
Developing skills to gain or re-gain independence.
learning to access transportation
cooking from a wheelchair
budgeting
technology to assist in finding new employment
social and relationship skills

17. Both Individual and Systems Advocacy are needed
Both Individual and Systems Advocacy are needed. The key is to empower individuals to act themselves by resisting the norms of dependency and working together to ensure that we can live in an integrated community
Advocacy

18. Breaking down Barriers

19. “Vote as if your life depends upon it,
because it does,”.
Justin Dart

20. Transitions
Assistance and resources for individuals currently living in nursing homes or institutions to transition into independent living.
Housing
IL Skills
Advocacy
Assisting young adults transitioning from school to work settings to live successfully.
Youth Programs

21. Advocacy for educational endeavors such as implementation of
Youth Services
Advocacy for educational endeavors such as implementation of
IEP’s and 504 plans
Driver’s Education (written portion of the test)
community resource management
social events
and more
Your Life Group: consists of both high school and post-high school youth. Meets weekly during the school year and includes special summer program

22. Community Education and Collaboration
Providing education to our community on various issues and needs
Providing disability awareness in area schools
Networking with community agencies to provide a united approach to services

23. Workshops and Groups
Fun and educational workshops and groups to enhance independence and increase social interaction

24. Access and Technology
Provides technological devices and services to enhance independence
Demonstration room devices available for:
Hard of Hearing or Deaf
Low Vision or Blind
Mobility Disabilities
Device Recycling and Exchange: Program accepts durable medical equipment in good working condition. We loan and donate the items to those with no other means of obtaining the equipment they need.
manual wheelchairs
four wheeled walkers
two wheeled walkers
standard folding walkers
quad canes
straight canes

25. Missouri Telecommunications Access Program - TAP
Provides telephone demonstrations for the Missouri Telecommunications Access Program - TAP
provides free adaptive telephones for people who cannot use a traditional phone due to a disability such as hearing loss, vision loss, memory loss or mobility limitations
Missouri offers the Internet or TAP program which provides free adaptive computer equipment (hardware and software) to people whose disability prevents them from accessing information on the internet.
magnification software
adaptive keyboards and pointing devices
speech recognition software

26. Hearing Aid Resources
Starkey Foundation -
Guidelines
$24,280 Annual income for 1 person
$125 application fee per hearing aid needed (if denied, fee is returned)

27. Consumer Directed Services In Home Services
Allows people with disabilities to obtain personal care in daily living
Remain in their own home
Hiring and directing their own care
Attendants can be family members (not a spouse)
Available in all 8 counties served
Must be Medicaid eligible, and meet level of need
Must be at least 18 and not have a guardian
In-Home Services
Traditional attendant care program
Attendants hired by the agency
Nursing services
In addition to Medicaid, Private Pay and Veterans benefits are accepted. IHS only available in Christian, Greene and Polk

28. Renovation and Modifications Programs (RAMPS)
Handrails
Walker-steps
Grab bars
Funded by fee-for-service
Grants
Donations from individuals and businesses
Income must fall within the low income HUD guidelines
Utilizes volunteers
Renovation and Modifications Programs (RAMPS)

29. Medicare CLAIM Partners CLAIM Counselors
Contact Information:
SCIL / empower:abilities
2864 S. Nettleton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
(417)
Stacie Amschler - Lead Independent Living Specialist ext 217
for those who are Deaf and use VP - (417)
Chelsea Polonus - Independent Living Specialist - ext 216
Steve Wright - Transition Specialist - ext 310