Individual and Systems Advocacy: We will advocate for you as a member of the community. We can help you understand your civil rights and responsibilities when dealing with the government, your employer, or other service providers, and we can help you stand up for those rights if you feel you are being treated unfairly. Examples of Advocacy services: - IEP Representation - Assistance in Social Security or Social Security/Disability benefits application and appeals. - Representation in any kind of corrective action, mediation processes, and/or civil rights-related activities. Please note that we are not lawyers and we do not offer legal counsel. Independent Living Skills Training: We can help you learn skills to increase and maintain your independence. We want to help you identify and work toward your goals, and help you put together a plan to succeed. Examples of Skills Training: - Education and training as necessary to live successfully in the community - Instruction to develop skills such as financial management and budgeting, social skills, household management, and beyond. Information and Referral: We can provide information about community resources that can help you accomplish your personal goals. Some examples are acquiring and learning to use assistive technology; understanding and signing up for Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid waivers, and Social Security; and finding accessible housing. Past Referrals Have Included: - Elder Services - University of Iowa Student Disability Services - MECCA Services - The Brain Injury Alliance Peer Counseling: Over half our employees have some type of disability. As you work to become more independent yourself, we can share with you our own experiences having a disability, encountering and overcoming barriers to our independence, and how we become advocates for ourselves and for others. We have Peer Support groups serving people with disabilities from a wide range of communities, including the LGBTQ community. Examples of Peer Counseling: - Teaching and information sharing related to life experience with disability. - The Expressive Arts Group - The Invisible Disability Support Group of Greater Iowa City