Main Menu
Home
What is Independent Living?
Support Services
Emergency Help
Housing
Independent Living Skills
Advocacy & Problem-Solving
Accessibility
Technology & Adaptability
Employment
Education
Volunteering & Community Involvement
Training & Events
Issues & Advocacy
Accessible North Country
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Mentoring
Social Security Work Incentives
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance
Radio Reading Service
Voter Registration
NCCI's Mission
Staff & Board
Events Calendar
Service Statistics
Photo Album
NCCI YouTube Channel
 Send us an e-mail
North Country Center for Independence
102 Sharron Avenue
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
518-563-9058 Phone & TTY
518-563-0292 Fax
The North Country Center for Independence receives funding from:
 The NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Resource Center for Independent Living, United Way of the Adirondack Region, Clinton County Office for the Aging, Concepts of Independent Choices, New York State Medicaid, Plattsburgh City School District / 21st Century Learning Centers, the Northeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center, Stewarts Shops, Mountain Lake PBS, Northeast Public Radio, as well as civic organizations and individual donors throughout the North Country.
© 2009, North Country Center
for Independence, Ltd.
Updated: 7 / 15 / 10
|
What Is Independent Living?
  
 
From "An Orientation to Independent Living Centers", by June Isaacson Kailes
"What is independent living? Essentially, it is living just like everyone else--having opportunities to make decisions that affect one's life, being able to pursue activities of one's own choosing--limited only in the same ways that anyone else are limited.
Independent living should not be defined in terms of living on one's own, being employed in a job fitting one's capabilities and interests, or having an active social life. These are aspects of living independently. Independent living has to do with self-determination. It is having the right and the opportunity to pursue a course of action. And, it is having the freedom to fail--and to learn from one's failures--as everyone does.
There are, of course, individuals who have certain mental impairments which may affect their abilities to make complicated decisions or to pursue complex activities. For these individuals, independent living means having every opportunity to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Independent living. It isn't easy, and it can be risky. But millions of people with disabilities rate it higher than a life of dependency and narrow opportunities and unfulfilled expectations."
Independent Living is:
- An approach to disability services that relies on the strength of peer-to-peer connections ... people with disabilities providing help and support to one another.
- A movement to unite people with all kinds of disabilities, of all ages and backgrounds, in support of policies that promote equal opportunity, accessibility, and inclusion.
- A way of viewing the challenges of disability in terms of empowerment and consumer control, while embracing use of assistive technology, as well as well-designed and respectfully provided support services.
 Centers for Independent Living are funded by the federal and many state governments. There are over 600 Centers for Independent Living throughout the states and territories of the United States. Centers are independently not-for-profit agencies governed and staffed by people with disabilities. They provide core services of information & referral, independent living skills training, advocacy, and peer counseling, plus other services and programs chosen and developed by each center in response to local needs. Centers for Independent Living are not residential facilities, nor do most of them offer self-contained "day programs". Instead, Centers help each person develop his or her own goals and help them marshal the services needed to meet those goals. Services are available to anyone in a Center's community who has an interest in any disability-related issue or need.
Wikipedia reference: Ed Roberts ... founder of the Independent Living Movement
Wikipedia reference: Independent Living
At the North Country Center for Independence, we design our services to fit your goals. Whether you need a variety of services to achieve long-term goals, or just answers to some simple questions, we will do our best to assist you.
Benefits Advisement
Don't let fear of losing benefits to hold you back from working. Learn how you can return to work and still keep some of your financial or medical benefits. We can help you sort out the complex rules of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, and figure out how they apply to your unique situation. For assistance, e-mail Norman Karp, Community Work Incentives Coordinator.
 Peer Counseling
Talking with someone about your goals, experiences and feelings ... especially with someone who also has a disability ... is an important part of achieving your independence. That is what "peer counseling" is all about. If you want to talk about what you are going through now and discuss possibilities for your future, call and make an appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, e-mail Patti King, Independent Living Planning Coordinator.
Information and Referral
We can help you find answers to disability-related questions of any kind. We can handle some questions by telephone, or, come talk with us and browse our library of books, magazines, product catalogs and brochures.
Advocacy
Most people with disabilities at some point encounter discrimination or other barriers as they work towards greater independence. We can help you break down these barriers and teach you the self-advocacy skills you will need to speak effectively for yourself.
Independent Living Skills
We teach you about things like personal finances and benefits, finding a place to live, looking for a good job, developing good work habits, setting and achieving personal goals, and anything else people need to know to live independently.
Disability Rights Information
Disability rights laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination by employers, businesses, schools, and government agencies. It is important for people with disabilities to learn about these laws. At NCCI, we can help you make sense of it all, and refer you to other sources of information, support, and professional legal assistance.
Accessibility Consultation
So much of your independence depends on how buildings, sidewalks, and other parts of the environment are designed. We provide consultation on both federal and state accessibility standards. Whether you are building a simple ramp, doing renovations, or constructing a whole new building, contact us first to ensure that your work is truly "barrier-free". For assistance, e-mail John Farley, Accessibility Consultant.
Technology Solutions
From devices to make opening jars and cans easier, to the most sophisticated computer adaptations, today's technology increases the independence and productivity of people with disabilities like never before. We can help you sort out your options, try out different solutions and figure out how to get the equipment you need.
Computer and Internet Access
We have a computer workstation available for people to write letters and resumes, do other computer work, or explore disability resources on the Internet. Call us to reserve some work time and let us know if you will need any special adaptations or assistance.
Personal Assistance Services
If you qualify for Medicaid-funded home care, and you are able to organize and direct your own services, you may be able to participate in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program. Participants hire, train, and direct their own personal aides to assist them with everyday tasks they can't do for themselves. Click the link above to learn more.
Tri Lakes Center for Independence ... Ray Brook, NY.
Massena Independent Living Center ... Massena, NY.
Northern Regional Center for Independent Living ... Watertown, NY.
Southern Adirondack Independent Living ... Glens Falls, NY.
Independent Living Centers in New York State
Independent Living Centers in the United States
National Council on Independent Living
New York Association on Independent Living
New York State Independent Living Council
[Home]
|
