Services

Services

We Provided the following Services:

Systems Advocacy

This is defined as outreach and educational activities designed to raise awareness of both needs and capabilities of persons with disabilities. This education is targeted primarily at legislators, public officials, County and State employees of programs, and other decision-makers. The aim of this service is to create equal access and community integration for individuals living and working in Riverside County. This program also includes disaster planning for the disabled and seniors of Riverside County as well as ADA compliance reviews of businesses and emergency shelters.

Individual Advocacy

Staff assist individuals with disabilities to resolve conflicts that impede the ability of consumers to live independently. An Advocate is assigned to provide one-on-one assistance with Social Security entitlements, Medicare/Medi-Cal claims, Veterans benefits, 504 complaints, In Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Individualized Education Plans (IEP), and other personal rights violations involving disability concerns with City, State, and Federal agencies.

Peer Counseling

Staff and volunteers provide advice and support for consumers who are finding it difficult to address disability related issues. This support is provided one-on-one, in educational trainings, individual counseling, and group discussions. Group activities are provided in both English and in Spanish.

Information and Referral

The Center's staff collects and disseminates information concerning a variety of topics and resources that are of interest to persons with disabilities and the agencies that serve them. Information ranges from legislation to accessible travel to energy concerns. During the past year more than 4,600 information and referral calls were provided to community members.

Personal Assistant Referral

The agency provides a registry to assist with the identification of potential aides to assist with personal care and housekeeping tasks. Consumers needing assistance with hiring a personal care assistant can use this list.

Housing Referral

Staff provides assistance with the location of appropriate shelter. Services include a housing registry with pricing and accessible units, applications for home modifications, filing for Section VIII housing, referrals to emergency shelter and referrals to agencies that might be able to assist with rental and utility assistance.

Independent Living Skills Training

Staff works individually with consumers who need education and demonstration of adaptive techniques and equipment for daily living. Activities may include something as simple as phone use following vision loss or as complex as budgeting on a fixed income.

Assistive Technology

Workshops and trainings are provided to consumers who allow them the opportunity to utilize technology. Service Providers can also assist with acquiring the assistive technology through funding and/or exchange. Classes are available for computer evaluation and training using adaptive software.

PARADIGMS:

Staff in this project attend Individualized Education Plans (IEP) meetings. They also work with parents of children with mainstreaming, Health Intervention Plans (504 Plan), and assistive technology programs.

TEC Center:

The Technology Evaluation Computer Center is designed for community members with disabilities to use adaptive software and equipment to access the computer and Internet. The TEC Center has over 40 software applications designed for individuals with disabilities. Classes with instruction and assessment are also available.

Senior Low Vision Program

This program will teach Independent Living Skills, modifications to home appliances, advocacy and inclusion in community activities. In-home training is available.

ADA compliance reviews:

Staff experienced in the regulations regarding access and building codes can assess sites including emergency shelters for compliance with ADA standards.

Disaster Planning:

We are proud to announce the inclusion of disaster planning to our programs. In the near future we will start holding workshops to help seniors and people with disabilities plan and prepare for a disaster. The workshops will be held by an advocate certified by FEMA and Homeland security in disaster planning for people with special needs.