Independent Living Centers

The Gateway to Community Living Resources

Montana Toolkit for Self-Determination

Sponsored by The Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Independent living skills training

• Individual advocacy

• Systems advocacy

• Peer mentoring

• Peer advocacy

• Individual and family consultation

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Attendant management training

• Housing assistance and referral

• Guidance on accessibility

• Equipment loans

• Financial benefits counseling

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Independent living skills training includes:• Targeted skills training in order for you to better

access the community and live interdependently• Skills may be taught either individually or in a

group• Training may address SSA benefits, getting

needed equipment or resources for living• Disclosing a disability to an employer

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Individual and systems advocacy:• People with disabilities often have to work with a

large number of systems in their lives.  These systems can range from social security to vocational rehabilitation, from the public schools to private employers.  Independent living centers provide individual advocacy services to persons with disabilities as they travel the road to interdependence.

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Peer mentoring and peer advocacy:

• Peer mentoring includes others with disabilities helping to solve problems, learn new skills and achieve life goals

• Peer advocacy is making sure that funded supports work as they are directed by the self-determined person

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Individual and family consultation may address:

• Work experience

• Self esteem

• Family/friend network in developing vocational contacts

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Attendant management training:

• Learn how to recruit, hire and supervise the people who are paid to assist you in your life

• Help on deciding on directed or self directed services

• Training for effective communications skills

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Housing assistance and referral:

• Referral to local housing agencies

• Help with accessing home accommodation information and services

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Guidance on accessibility:• Information concerning the Americans with

Disabilities Act• Employment• Public services• Public accommodations and services operated

by private entities• Telecommunications• Miscellaneous provisions

Services Offered by ILC’s

• Financial benefits counseling:

• Applying for, and receiving Social Security benefits

• Showing you how going to work will affect all of your benefits, including Social Security payments

Get ILC information

• The internet site for the national organization for independent living centers:

• http://www.ncil.org/region.html

• To find an independent living center near you:• http://www.ilusa.com/links/ilcenters.htm• Then search the old database for state and

community locations