Peer support is a very fundamental services provided by Centers for Independent Living such as IRI. Peer mentors, who themselves have disabilities can understand first-hand all the challenges a person with disabilities faces. Experiences, feelings, and awareness issues are shared in peer support workshops. Listening to other people’s challenges heightens that individual’s awareness and self-acceptance.
The workshops are designed to provide a platform for brainstorming, problem solving, and sharing of concerns, successes, and ways to address issues. The peer mentors are individuals with more experience in the disability community and serve as a positive role model to even person whose disability might be new or more recent.