Advocacy

Central to a Center for Independent Living’s mission is Advocacy.  We offer both individual and systems advocacy. 

Individual advocacy is assisting an individual with a disability to become aware of the existing disability laws and individual right protections so that they gain self-advocacy skills to help them communicate and negotiate with employers, service providers, and other agencies to obtain the needed benefits, services or accommodations they need. IRI also encourages individuals to participate in the legislative process and register to vote.

Systems advocacy is advancing civil rights and equal access for all persons with disabilities on the local, state, and federal levels. IRI carries out public awareness activities and participates in community accessibility committees to promote and put in place public policies that allow full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the communities they live.