Our Five Core Services

The center identifies, tracks, and records the constantly growing and changing array of resources, programs and projects available to people with disabilities at the local, state and national levels. The entire team has access to and provides consumers with answers to their questions about needs, wants and desires on a daily basis. Usually starting with a phone call or E-mail and a question this is often a consumers first step toward achieving the independent life style the center promotes.

The center offers direct coaching to consumers who have personal issues that self advocacy can assist with. An advocacy support group made up of the centers leadership and contract expertise is available to assist team members in their support of each consumers self advocacy development.

Throughout its history Disability Achievement Center has played an active part in systemic advocacy at the local, state and national levels. It has lead the way on issues as diverse as adaptive accessible technology, education, employment, healthcare, transition, transportation, and voting. Often times, the personal self advocacy of a consumer points the way for the systemic advocacy efforts of the center.

Independent living skills training can take many forms. Often it is the same kind of training opportunities that anyone would like to take advantage of, but with the disability perspective, adaptation and accommodation included.

Many government and community organizations offer skills training of all kinds.  Skills include everything from agriculture to zoology and everything in between. The center looks for opportunities to form alliances with other organizations to better include people with disabilities in their skills training classes and events. The center offers its facilities to host events put on by other organizations when needed.

Change can be difficult. The Center facilitates the transition of people with disabilities from nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions to home and community based living; facilitating the transition of youth with disabilities to higher education, the workforce and/or the community. This includes Diversion services that assist those who are at risk of entering an institutional setting.

What Is a Peer Mentor?  Someone Who:

Cares about your dreams and is willing to spend time and effort to help you succeed;
Has expertise, experience and resource networks to help you meet your needs;
Has reached their own goals;
Is willing to be there to talk to and support you;
Is willing to share themselves with you;
Is a positive thinker.

Peer mentoring is an especially necessary part of the centers ongoing activities. Each member of the team brings a unique perspective on disability from personal experience. Throughout their interaction with consumers they use these experiences to offer mentoring support that can assist the consumer in understanding and managing their disability.