 |
WELCOME
TO dRC's INTERIM WEBSITE! The disAbility Resource Connection is all about living your life
as you choose. :: Mission Statement :: Newsletter :: About dRC :: Services :: Donate to dRC :: Contact :: |
| Mission Statement
disAbility Resource Connection facilitates empowerment, equality, integration, independence and full participation of people with disabilities. dRC provides advocacy, education, resources and support for people with disabilities, their families and the greater community. Newsletter - NEW!!!! We have 2 versions of our December 2007 Newsletter, this Newsletter is 8 pages. Please click on the version you would like to download: Black & White - a small file (500 KB) Full Color - a very large file (7.5 MB) To read PDF files, you need Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader version
5.0 or higher. Alternative Format Options When using either Window-Eyes or JAWS for Windows, reading an accessible PDF file is similar to reading a web page. PDF files can contain text, graphics, forms, and links. Both screen readers let you simply use the arrow keys to move within the document and give you the ability to get a list of links within a document. What is disAbility Resource Connection (dRC)? dRC is a 501 (c) (3) organization run and controlled by persons with disabilities. As a community-based center, people with disabilities receive assistance with a variety of daily living issues and learn the skills they need to take control of their lives- often assisted by people who have had similar experiences living with a disability. Having a professional peer with a disability can be more powerful than professionals with no disabilities in their interventions of analyzing one's situation, in assuming responsibility for one's life and in developing coping strategies. With peer support, all of us - including persons with extensive physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities - can learn to take more initiative and control over their lives. For example, peer support is
used among people with different disabilities who can share frustrations
with one another in dealing with physical and attitudinal barriers.
Besides peer support, dRC offers four core services under one roof.Core
services such as Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Independent
Living Skills, and Advocacy serve as vital links in assisting one
another with disabilities to gain independence. The success
of this delivery model is reflected upon 450 Independent Living Centers
across the country and is recognized as a 'best practice' model. 1) We provide the service that answers your questions. You will be immediately referred to staff who has expertise with your question or service need. 2) If we are unable to provide the service you have requested, we will
do everything possible to give you the right referral.We
will work with you to make sure that the referral works for you. dRC Provides Four Core Services: 2) Peer Counseling Support: The majority of our staff has a disability in which they are able to draw upon their own experiences to assist others with disabilities, explore options, solve problems constructively, and develop new independent living skills. Our staff members share many of the roles that social workers utilize in counseling participants from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities. 3) Information and Referral: Our staff provides detailed guidance and support in disseminating materials that specifically address inquiries submitted by people who call dRC or come to dRC. Referrals to other agencies are also provided, as appropriate. Assistance is also given in locating: accessible housing, assistive technology, social security information, transportation, communication access, and other topics commonly associated with disabilities. 4) Independent Living Skills Training: Our staff assists individuals in learning specific independent living skills that would empower them toward full independence. Specific skills, such as pre-employment skills, money management, interpersonal skills, community resources, daily living skills, and other areas are crucial building blocks toward an independent lifestyle. Our staff, when appropriate, also utilizes any of the four core services, in our other service areas involving: 1) Social Security Benefits Planning: Our staff assists individuals in understanding and managing the impact of their work/pay on Social Security benefits (SSI and SSDI), as well as utilization of the Social Security work incentive programs. 2) Housing Assistance: Our staff provides 1:1 housing assistance and advocacy services through identification of appropriate community resources with in mind short- and long-term housing goals. Our staff also shares expertise in universal design and accessibility issues along with extensive knowledge of government policies and regulations. First-time homebuyer education and budget counseling is also offered. 3) Adaptive Computer Skills Training: Our staff provides customized 1:1 training activities and classroom-style trainings through our state-of-the-art computer lab. Our lab possesses the latest adaptive software technologies that will benefit any kind of disability. Our staff collaborates with many community partners in providing pre-vocational skills training and computer-based independent living skills. 4) Literacy Training: Our staff provides customized literacy trainings through 1:1 instruction and through adaptive literacy software. Trainings are designed to empower individuals to utilize their newly acquired literacy skills in obtaining more independence and self-sufficiency. 5) Transitions with Youth with Disabilities: Our staff provides customized transitional services to youth with disabilities through 1:1 instruction and group activities. Trainings are designed to empower youth with disabilities in making smooth transitions to adulthood and independence. Through all of our services, our staff connects with our participants and community through peer counseling support and utilizing a variety of instruction and communication access tools in guiding our participants toward full independence and community integration. The concept of independent living is fully realized when any person with a disability has the freedom to make choices and the ability to live in the community. This is a basic civil right that should be extended to all people, regardless of disability. Within this framework, dRC works with and for the participant to promote his or her independence in the community. We provide peer support in every aspect of our services. Specific groups of people with disabilities come together to address any issues that are of interest to the group. See our December newsletter for our latest services and community activities. Donate to dRC To find out more about our Sponorship levels, and how you can become a part of our Community Wall of Recognition, please click here to download our Sponsorship & Donation form (PDF format). Contact Information disAbility Resource Connection email address: drcservices@drconline.net |
 |