our services
Advocacy - may be individual, systemic, or self:individual advocacy is done on behalf of a single person;
systemic advocacy involves defending, or supporting a particular position of benefit to a group or class of people (e.g. people with disabilities);
self advocacy supports and enhances a consumer's ability to be assertive when faced with obstacles in pursuit of independent living goals.
At ACIL consumers are empowered through education of advocacy methods and encouraged to take directing roles in advocating for their own issues as well as the issues of others. ACIL trains consumers how to contact public officials and present their issues in writing, over the telephone, and by appointment. ACIL keeps consumers up-to-date about their civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing laws, and other legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
Additionally, ACIL provides access on the center's computer system and network to the latest news, amendments, and legislation concerning people with disabilities on the state and national level -- sometimes even before it is published!
To encourage and facilitate self advocacy, ACIL maintains addresses and phone numbers of state and federal public officials and educational materials for effective letter writing, phone calls, and other communication.
Information & ReferralService is based on a systematic method of accepting inquiries regarding independent living and responding from an organized data, knowledge, and experience base. ACIL provides Iamp;R services to all requesting people and organizations, regardless of the presence of a disability. I& R is a service based on a systematic method of accepting inquiries regarding independent living and responding from an organized data, knowledge, and experience base.
The majority of ACIL's I&R is accomplished over the telephone. As calls are received and requests communicated, an ACIL staff member or volunteer responds instantly by searching through a computerized database for appropriate resources.
Independent Living Skills TrainingInformation and educational programming provided to a consumer or group of consumers with the intent to develop or increase skills, knowledge, or abilities needed to live more independently. Independent Living (IL) Skills Training is information and educational programming provided to a consumer or group of consumers with the intent of developing or increasing skills, knowledge, or abilities needed to live independently.
ACIL's goal for IL skills training is to develop and implement an educational program to provide instructions on skills needed to accomplish the daily tasks of independent living. This program will also provide persons with disabilities information and linkage with community resources and services needed to gain access to the community. ACIL accomplishes this goal recruiting community volunteers who are experts in a variety of fields and disciplines to discuss topics of interest identified by consumers. At least one workshop is presented each month and open for registration to all consumers and other interested people.
Peer SupportPeer support is information, one-on-one peer mentoring, and group interactions helping people with disabilities develop mutual support, assistance, and understanding. Access Center for Independent Living, Inc. (ACIL) provides peer support in a consumer-directed manner over the telephone, in person when a consumer visits the center, or by visiting the consumer at his or her living site if necessary.
ACIL staff and volunteers have been trained in the philosophies and practices of independent living (IL) and communicate IL strategies to consumers in peer support interactions.
Community Transitioning Recycled Equipment Donated for Independence (REDI)Recycled Equipment Donated for Independence (REDI) is a program created by ACIL. Greater emphasis is on removal of physical access barriers for persons with disabilities has resulted in an increasing demand for affordable rehabilitative/adaptive equipment.
Our purpose is to provide donated durable medical equipment to increase the independence of residents in Montgomery County who have short or long term disabilities. The top seven categories of equipment were hospitals beds, wheelchairs, mattresses, bedside comodes, over-the-bed table, walkers, and bath benches. These seven categories were also the most frequently requested items that were unavailable at the time of the request.
