Center For Accessible Living Inc

TO SERVE AS AN INNOVATIVE LEADER AND COMMUNITY PARTNER IN EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL OF INDEPENDENT LIVING.

ACL PROVIDES THE BASIC SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF INDEPENDENT LIVING, SPECIFICALLY THE FIVE CORE SERVICES REQUIRED BY OUR MISSION. ADVOCACY: ADVOCATES WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONSUMERS TO RESOLVE INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION AND DENIAL OF SERVICES THROUGH MEDIATION WITH GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. ADVOCACY ALSO INCLUDES WORKING FOR SYSTEMS CHANGES THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS HELP CONSUMERS LEARN AND DEVELOP SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS THAT IMPEDE SERVICE DELIVERY, INVESTIGATE DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS, AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING PROGRAM SERVICES. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY HELPS CONSUMERS LEARN TO INTERACT WITH APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICES, TO UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ENCOURAGE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL GOALS, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT GOALS, IF DESIRED. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: THE CENTER SERVES AS A RESOURCE CENTER AND A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING DISABILITY. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PROVIDES THE KENTUCKIANA AREA WITH INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, OTHER DISABILITY LAWS, AND INDIVIDUAL ACCESS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES APPROPRIATE REFERRALS TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY IN LEARNING ABOUT DISABILITIES AND DISABILITY RELATED ISSUES. THE CENTER MAKES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS: CLASSES DEVELOP SKILLS NEEDED TO HELP CONSUMERS LEARN BASIC AND ADVANCED SKILLS TO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE FOR A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFESYTLE. CLASSES INCLUDE CREDIT COUNSELING, ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING, ADAPTIVE COOKING, MOBILITY TRAINING, NUTRITION, HOMEMAKING, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AMONG OTHERS. PEER SUPPORT: ONE-ON-ONE OR GROUP SETTINGS, PEER SUPPORT ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP EACH OTHER ON A CROSS-DISABILITY BASIS. PEERS PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INCREASE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL OVERCOME INTERPERSONAL, FAMILY, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, INTERAGENCY AND OTHER DISABILITY-RELATED CHALLENGES. TRANSITION: SERVICES THAT FACILITATE TRANSITION FROM NURSING HOMES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENCES WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AT RISK OF ENTERING INSTITUTIONS, AND FACILITATE TRANSITION OF YOUTH TO POSTSECONDARY LIFE. ACL PROPOSES TO AMEND THE EXISTING REGULARATORY DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CORE SERVICES BY ADDING THE NEW FIFTH CORE SERVICE TO THE PREVIOUS DEFINITION. THE FOUR ORIGINAL CORE SERVICES ARE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; PEER COUNSELING, INCLUDING CROSS-DISABILITY PEER COUNSELING; INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY. THE NEW FIFITH CORE SERVICE HAS THREE COMPONENTS, EACH OF WHICH MUST BE MET TO FULFILL THE FIFTH CORE SERVICE. IT REQUIRES CILS TO 1) FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES FROM NURSING HOMES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENCES, WITH THE REQUISITE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES; 2) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES WHO ARE AT RISK OF ENTERING INSTITUTIONS SO THAT THE INDIVIDUALS REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY; AND 3) FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF YOUTH WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES, WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS) UNDER SECTION 614(D) OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT, AND WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION OR OTHERWISE LEFT SCHOOL TO POSTSECONDARY LIFE.

THE CENTER EMPLOYS THREE FULL-TIME, CERTIFIED STAFF INTERPRETERS AND OVER 50 CERTIFIED, PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE INTERPRETERS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. INTERPRETERS ARE AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY. THE CENTER HAS OVER 160 BUSINESSES OR AGENCIES ACTIVIELY INVOLVED IN UTILIZING THE INTERPRETER PROGRAM AND ASSISTING CONSUMERS. ALL CENTER INTERPRETERS ADHERE TO THE NAD/RID CODE OF ETHICS. WHATEVER, THE SITUATION, THE CENTER HAS AN INTRPRETER TO FILL THE NEED. THE CENTER CAN ALSO ARRANGE SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR INTERESTED GROUPS, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL AND ADVOCACY TRAINING.

THE KENTUCKY PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT PROGRAM (PCAP) HAS ONE PURPOSE: TO ENABLE ELIGIBLE SEVERLY DISABLED ADULTS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT ALLOWS THE PARTICIPANT TO HIRE A PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT AND THEREBY ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE. PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS ARE THE ARMS AND LEGS OF THEIR EMPLOYER. THEIR SPECIFIC DUTIES CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE AREAS: 1) DOMESTIC: HOUSECLEANING, COOKING, LAUNDRY, AND SHOPPING; 2) PERSONAL: TRANSFERRING, SKIN CARE, POSITIONING, BATHING, RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES, DRESSING, GROOMING, TOILET ASSISTANCE, AND BOWEL AND BLADDER CARE; 3) TRANSPORTATION: WHEELCHAIR, AUTO AND VAN, BUS, AIRPLANES, ETC. TO BE ELIGIBLE, A PERSON MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND 1) HAVE THE FUNCTIONAL LOSS OF TWO OR MORE LIMBS; 2) NEED BETWEEN 14 AND 40 HOURS OF ATTENDANT CARE PER WEEK TO INCLUDE OVERNIGHT ATTENDANT CARE WHEN NEEDED; 3) BE CAPABLE OF INSTRUCTING AND SUPERVISING ATTENDANTS; 4) MEET INCOME ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; 5) RESIDE OR THROUGH THIS PROGRAM BE ABLE TO RESIDE IN A NON-INSTITUTIONAL SETTING; AND 6) BE CAPABLE OF PREPARING OR SUPERVISING PREPARATION OF ATTENDANT PAYROLL REPORTS AND EMPLOYER TAX STATEMENTS AFTER TRAINING BY THE CENTER.

CHOICES NAVIGATOR, THE WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSITANCE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY AND ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING TO SERVE THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY. THE CENTER WILL MAKE AVAILABLE A COMMUNITY WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATOAR, A KNOWLEDGEABLE ADVOCATE, SSA CERTIFIED, TO HELP BENEFICIARIES AND RECIPIENTS UNDERSTAND COMPLEX WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. THIS PROGRAM HELPS SSI AND SSDI DISABILITY BENEFICIARIES, AGES 14 THROUGH 64, UNDERSTAND THEIR WORK OPTIONS SO THAT THEY MAY MAKE MORE INFORMED CHOICES REGARDING WORK. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND RELATED ISSUES. AS A PART OF THIS PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS ALSO RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE.THE SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) PILOT PROJECT EMPLOYS THREE FTE KENTUCKY WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATORS (KWICS) TO PROVIDE COORDINATED SERVICE DELIVERY TO 500 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (CR) CONSUMERS WHO ARE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI) RECIPIENTS. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO THE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL 1) VR ENHANCED CONSELING TEAM APPROACH, 2) JOB DEVELOPMENT AND BUSIENSS RELATIONS AND 3) INTENSIVE WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATING SERVICES. KWIC SERVICES INCLUDE WORK INCENTIVE PLANNING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND ASSET DEVELOPMENT. THE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING, INC.'S SILC PROGRAM SERVES BOWLING GREEN AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THE STAFF DELIVERS THE INDEPENDENT LIVING CORE SERVICES OF ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, PEER SUPPORT, TRANSITION SERVICES, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL THROUGHOUT THE BOWLING GREEN SERVICE DELIVERY AREA. THESE STAFF MEMBERS WORK OUT OF THE CENTER'S LOUISVILLE AND CRESTVIEW HILLS OFFICES AND MEET WITH CONSUMERS FACE TO FACE IN PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.THE RAMPBUILDERS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING CUSTOM-DESIGNED HOME ACCESS RAMPS AND RAILINGS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SINCE THE INCORPORATION OF THE CENTER IN 1981. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, RAMPS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE RECIEPIENT. INDIVDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS CAN SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THEIR HOMES, PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND RECREATION. A RAMP PROVIDES A VERY BASIC LEVEL OF FREEDOM AND SAFETY SO THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES. OUR PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED RAMPS TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THANKS TO FUNDING FROM SOURCES THAT INCLUDE OR HAVE INCLUDED LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERMENT, LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, MEDICAID, AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. A REPUTABLE AND EXPERIENCED CONTRACTOR OR SUPPLIER BUILDS OR INSTALLS THE RAMPS TO CODE. THE COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (CCDD) GRANT IS TO PROIVDE FUNDING TO SYSTEMICALLY EXPAND THE CENTER'S PEER MENTORING PROGRAM YES! (YOUNG EMPOWERED SELF-ADVOCATES) STATEWIDE AND USE IT AS A FOUNDATION FOR STATEWIDE SELF-ADVOCACY INITIATIVE. PEER SUPPORT, INCLUDING PEER MENTORING, IS ONE OF THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE INDEPENDENT LIVING MOVEMENTS AND REMAINS ONE OF THE FIVE CORE SERVCIES PROVIDED BY CENTERS FOR INDEPENDANT LIVING NATIONWIDE. PEER MENTORING WILL BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF YES! FOR KENTUCKY. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PEER COORDINATORS WILL BE COORDINATED BY THE CENTERS'S DIRECTOR OF TRANSITION ENSURING A COMMON, CONSISTENT APPROACH, A UNIFYING VISION, AND ADHERENCE TO A SET OF STANDARDS TO BE DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY THE CENTER AND CCDD. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF SELF-ADVOCATES LINKED BY TECHNOLOGY AND A DISABILITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL TO EDUCATE, ORGANIZE AND COORDINATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN ADVOCATING POSITIVE CHANGES IN DISABILITY PUBLIC POLICY AND FUNDING FOR SERVICES.CARES ACT FUNDING WAS RECEIVED FROM ACL TO DEAL WITH PANDEMIC RELATED NEEDS. IT PAID FOR VARIOUS NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION (REMOTE TECHNOLOGY, CLEANING, AND STAFF TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ANY AND ALL CONSUMERS OF THE ORGANIZATION AFFECTED BY COVID) AND FOR DIRECT PAYMENTS TO CONSUMERS AFFECTED BY COVID FOR ITEMS SUCH AS RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD, ATTENDANT CARE, AND REMOTE TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT TO NAME JUST SOME OF THE ELIGIBLE ITEMS.874K PROGRAM - PROMOTES ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES AS THEY PERTAIN SPECIFICALLY TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATE TO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTIONS HELD EACH YEAR AT WHICH UPCOMING LEGISLATION IS DISSEMINATED.