Description
The following describes the programs and services that ILRCSF offers the community: Peer Counseling and Peer Counselor Training ILRCSF's peer counselors are people with disabilities trained to provide counseling and support to individuals for disability-related challenges they encounter. All peer counselors are screened and provided with intensive training. ILRCSF has peer counselors at its offices on Mission Street, and at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Facility (MHRF). Benefits Planning and Employment Related Services Many people with disabilities want to work, but are frustrated by the obstacles they face when seeking employment. ILRCSF's Benefits Planning and Employment services provide workshops and counseling to assist people to explore the personal, professional and financial aspects of going to work. We also offer: information about how to apply for, get and keep benefits like SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal, Medicare and others; an employment bulletin board with job and job training listings; a weekly benefits workshop; individual counseling and workshops on employment rights, reasonable accommodations and disclosure of disability in the workplace. Housing Counseling and Advocacy ILRCSF offers a bulletin board with information about low income housing, and semi-monthly workshops on how to access low income housing in San Francisco. We also offer tenantsâ  rights counseling for tenants and landlords, advocacy around disability rights issues in housing, a monthly housing search skills workshop and information about rental assistance funds. Tools for Living-Assistive Technology Program Assistive technology (AT) includes any item, low or high tech, which makes your daily life easier â  everything from walkers and wheelchairs, to magnifying glasses, hearing aids, electronic calendars, large handled kitchen utensils and more! ILRCSF offers information and referral and public education presentations about: how to get and pay for AT; finding service providers and vendors; how to use, maintain and update AT. We also provide individual advocacy for people who have had difficulty getting their health insurance to provide a needed piece of equipment. Information and Referral Individuals with disabilities, family members and others can contact ILRCSF to find out where to go for particular services, how to deal with public agencies, where to find assistive technology, or what to do if disability-related discrimination occurs. The goal is to give people the information and tools to make their own decisions and solve their own problems, not to do it for them. Latino Outreach Program Services and advocacy are provided in Spanish in a culturally appropriate way. Program staff is bilingual, bicultural service providers who have disabilities. We work with the Latino community to access needed community and government services, such as financial and medical benefits and housing, and provide community education on disability-related issues. ILRCSF is committed to systems change advocacy with a focus on language access and disability issues for immigrants. Chinatown Outreach Program Culturally appropriate services and advocacy are available in Chinese. Program staff is bilingual, bicultural service professionals with disabilities. We assist Chinese consumers- with attention to the needs of immigrants- to effectively access community and government services, such as financial and medical benefits, IHSS and other community organizations. ILRCSF also raises community awareness of disability-related issues and advocates for systems change, particularly regarding language access to services. Services for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Persons Culturally appropriate and disability specific services are provided in American Sign Language and English, with attention to the needs of late-deafened adults. We work to increase communications access for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. Transition to Community Living Program This program works with people who currently live in long term care institutions and want to return to independent community living. Through independent living skills workshops and identification of community resources, and individual planning and advocacy, ILRCSF staff assist people with disabilities to transition out of institutions back into the community with appropriate community-based support services. Systems Change Advocacy Do you want to get involved in advocating for disability rights? You can join the ILRCSF Advocates and work on issues critical to the well being of our community, including paratransit, housing and access to health care. Independent Living philosophy recognizes that people with disabilities have the right to take responsibility for our own lives, make our own decisions, and be active participants in our communities. ILRCSF staff also provides training and technical assistance to comply with the ADA and other disability legislation. Community Leadership & Advocacy In Mentorship (CLAIM!) CLAIM!'s mission is to support the growth and development of emerging leaders with disabilities from underrepresented communities. Through peer mentorship, leadership and advocacy training and hands-on experience, CLAIM! seeks to cultivate a new generation of cross-cultural, cross disability leadership in the San Francisco community. Independent Living Skills Living independently as a person with a disability requires skills and strategies to deal effectively with physical, social, and systems-based obstacles. ILRCSF incorporates skills training into each of the programs and services described above. An example is working on self-advocacy skills, whether looking for housing or employment or managing a personal care attendant. There is no separate living skills training available. Personal assistance services are provided by the Public Authority of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Call (415) 243-4477 and ask for the Central Registry to get a list of current IHSS workers. ILRCSF staff does provide advocacy and counseling regarding personal care assistance. ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations on request, including ASL interpreters and print information in alternative formats. ILRCSF is a scent-free office in order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities. Please do not wear any scented products including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc. to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF.
