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Attachment 1 Goals, Missions, and Objectives
Attachment 2 Plan for the Provision of Resources to the SILC Budget Attachment 3 Evaluation Plan Amendments Amendments to the SFY 2005-2007 SPIL, Including Resource Allocations
ATTACHMENT 1 It is understood and agreed that this SPIL, including all attachments, is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a legal binding contract. This SPIL shall in no way be construed so as to bind or obligate the State of Idaho, the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and shall not be enforceable through court action or otherwise, nor shall it be relied upon as the basis of any claim, suit or action against the State of Idaho and/or the signatories hereunder. Provided however, this paragraph shall not affect or limit the rights, responsibilities or obligations of RSA pursuant to Chapter 1, Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, nor shall it affect or limit the signatories’ rights, responsibilities or obligations pursuant to the provision contained in Attachment 2 of this SPIL identified as “Sufficient Appropriation”. GOALS, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES The Idaho State Independent Living Council (SILC) aspires to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer-support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy in order to maximize opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society. The Idaho SILC’s present Mission Statement was developed during the State Plan for Independent Living Planning Session April 29, 2004 and adopted at the SILC Quarterly Business meeting July 23, 2004. It states: The Idaho SILC’s mission is to advocate for and achieve independence, choice, self-determination, equal access and equal opportunity for Idahoans with disabilities through systems change, policy involvement and public education. In developing the above statement, Council members committed to the following responsibilities: · Develop, sign and submit, in cooperation with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) and the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI), the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for people with disabilities. The SILC will monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the SPIL. · Support the centers for independent living (CILs) and advocate for independent living (IL) services provided through state and federal programs for people with disabilities. · Gather and disseminate information, conduct studies and analyses, develop model policies, conduct training on IL philosophy, outreach to un-served and underserved populations, and work to expand and improve IL services. · Develop a plan for the provision of resources to the SILC known as Attachment 2 in the 2005-2007 SPIL. · Develop and pursue a public policy agenda that results in positive systemic change for people with disabilities. BARRIERSIdaho has unique attributes such as beautiful scenery, land that is sparsely populated and a sprawling geography. Although it is the 13th largest state in the union by size, the 2002 residence census figures show the Idaho total population at 1,341,131. This is a 28.5 percent population increase from the 1990 census. Rural areas cover 88.3 percent of the state where 36.2 percent of the total population reside. Changes in federal funding have shifted responsibility for many social services from the federal to state and local government levels and has increased pressure on state and local budgets in Idaho. This has increased the difficulty of providing quality social services. Economic difficulties in rural communities translate into increased problems for people with disabilities. Some barriers may be obvious, such as lack of ramped entrances for people who use wheelchairs, lack of interpreters or captioning for people with hearing impairments, or lack of Braille or taped copies of printed material for people who have visual impairments. Transportation within and between cities either doesn’t exist, is inconvenient, inaccessible, or is too expensive to use. Accessibility of housing, public buildings and businesses are inadequate. Personal assistance services, occupational, physical and cognitive therapies are often not available in the smaller communities or the service industry has too many people on their waiting lists to service all the needs; couple that with poor transportation facilities to get to the metropolitan areas for these services, and people tend not to receive the proper services. Since the Idaho SILC’s inception, it has been actively engaged in activities that assist in providing Idahoans with disabilities a greater voice in obtaining services that are consumer-responsive, cost-effective and community-based. Four initial focus groups were held at the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to gather input for the new three-year State Plan for Independent Living. Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) invited consumers to attend a session on February 3, 2004 in Caldwell and March 5, 2004 in Twin Falls, Living Independently for Everyone (LIFE) on February 6, 2004 in Idaho Falls, and Disability Action Center-Northwest (DAC-NW) in Coeur D’Alene on February 24, 2004. The SILC also held a Three-Year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) all day planning session April 29, 2004. Council members voiced their concerns and priorities from people with disabilities in their communities. A second round of focus groups followed this to review and comment on the draft plan. Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) invited consumers to attend a session on May 13, 2004 in Boise, Living Independently for Everyone (LIFE) on May 26, 2004 in Burley, and Disability Action Center-Northwest (DAC-NW) in Lewiston on May 17, 2004. A compilation of priorities and common themes from the focus groups and the planning session are as follows: (1) increased availability of accessible transportation statewide, (2) increased availability of affordable, accessible housing statewide, (3) the enforcement of existing civil rights laws (4) expanded and affordable health care options, including affordable prescriptions, the funding of a Medicaid Buy-In program and insurance parity for mental health services. VISIONIt is the vision of the Idaho SILC to realize the philosophy of independent living in local communities where people with disabilities reside. The SILC’s goal is to maximize opportunities and to incorporate people with disabilities into all walks of life by empowering them. The road to empowerment includes changes in the individual and systems change. Changes in the individual include recognizing and using the power of peer support and self-help groups to raise awareness that self-determination is within reach. Systems change includes further de-medicalization, de-institutionalization, strengthened public policies for equal access and further utilization of individual and system advocacy. The SILC will continue to evaluate existing programs to determine their effectiveness, and then encourage redirection of resources to provide optimum opportunities for people with disabilities. The SILC will also work to promote greater program coordination in order to reduce inappropriate and unnecessary regulatory requirements, which will allow the state to utilize a greater portion of its resources for services to individuals. DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED UNDER THE SPIL AND TIMELINES TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES
GOALS 2005—2007
· Promote and conduct activities that empower people with disabilities; · Reach out to unserved, underserved and minority populations; · Provide education and training on disability issues; · Support projects that expand and improve independent living opportunities; · Conduct activities that develop model policies for Idahoans with disabilities; · Increase the awareness and understanding of the independent living philosophy in Idaho. During the period covered by this Plan, the SILC will promote programs and services that contribute to the independence of people with disabilities. The SILC will also work toward reducing inappropriate and unnecessary regulatory requirements. Adequate resources exist in the State of Idaho to meet the needs of people with disabilities, however, it is the SILC's position that there is a need to: · Promote greater program coordination; · Evaluate programs which fail to meet the expressed needs of people with disabilities and, following such evaluation, redirect resources to provide for new and innovative choices for people with disabilities; and · Reduce the size and requirements of bureaucracies allowing the State to utilize a greater portion of its resources for services to individuals.
SILC MEMBER DEVELOPMENT 2005—2007 1. Train all SILC members on their roles, responsibilities, and the independent living philosophy. ACTIVITIES · Maintain an annual training calendar. · Continue to provide an orientation activity for all new SILC members and SILC staff. · Arrange for staff and SILC members attendance at at least one national meeting/conference per year. · Maintain a mentoring program for Council members.
2. Provide in-service training at SILC meetings. ACTIVITIES · Arrange for SILC and other State agencies to receive technical assistance from the Rural Training Centers, Regional Counselor Education Program, and National Institute on Research and Rehabilitation. · Obtain cultural diversity training. · Obtain legislative issues training. · Ensure training of SILC members on the independent living philosophy.
3. Conduct and support accessible meetings. ACTIVITIES · Enforce policy on printed materials used by the SILC and provide it to all contractors and agencies working in conjunction with the SILC. · Enforce policy regarding interpreters utilized by the SILC and provide it to all contractors and agencies working in conjunction with the SILC. · Enforce policy on accessible meeting locations used by the SILC and provide it to all contractors and agencies working in conjunction with the SILC. · Share copies of accessibility policies with State and local agencies and elected officials and conduct any needed training on the policies to aid in their implementation.
1. Create a building code approval and enforcement process that follows the universal design model. ACTIVITIES 1. Reconvene the Committee on Statewide Accessibility Standards to discuss developing legislation that incorporates the universal design and visitability models. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff
2. Advocate for the rights of parents with disabilities. ACTIVITIES 1. Support the continued funding of Fathers and Mothers Independently Living with their Youth (FAMILY) legislation. 2. Include computer training for children and parents in the Parent Support Project. 3. Educate parents about recent changes in the law and their rights. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff
3. Develop a means for delivery of urgent information and immediate action by consumers and supporters. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff.
4. Remove the bias within public policy that favors institutional care in the funding of programs for people with disabilities. ACTIVITIES 1. Develop an on-going transition fund for people moving from institutional settings into the community. 2. Develop a crisis fund to prevent institutionalization, maintaining people in their own homes. 3. Develop non-monetary resources to ease transition. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff
5. Develop and implement a strategy that would increase/expand health care options. ACTIVITIES 1. Achieve Medicaid Buy-In funding as soon as possible. 2. Take a more active role to support and work with AARP on ID RX. Responsible Parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff
6. Create flexible integrated self- directed transportation options. ACTIVITIES 1. Work with legislative interim committee on transportation. 2. Advocate for state funding of transportation and better coordination of existing public transportation sources. 3. Advocate for voucher programs that provide 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
7. In conjunction with the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), conduct a statewide conference to promote leadership development. ACTIVITIES 1. Dedicate funding from the SILC budget for training implementation. 2. Commit funding from the SILC budget to support the attendance of people with disabilities. Acquire additional funding from other sources. 3. Retain a contractor to develop and organize the leadership conference. 4. Provide training on the independent living philosophy to conference attendees. 5. Present the concepts of leadership, empowerment and self-determination to conference attendees. 6. Present information on working together in local communities to conference attendees. Responsible parties: Program Committee and SILC Staff
8. Create awareness about the independent living movement and self-advocacy in Idaho Schools. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
9. Provide in-service training for two outside service organizations. ACTIVITIES 1. Enlist SILC members to deliver presentations to interested service organizations. 2. Develop a speakers’ bureau on independent living. 3. Develop and distribute information packets on independent living for outreach to service organizations. Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
10. Reach out to the un-served and underserved populations in rural areas. ACTIVITIES 1. Maintain networks with existing grassroots organizations related to disability issues. 2. Maintain networks with existing peer groups. 3. Further work to identify rural issues that are barriers to empowerment. 4. Identify specific realistic priority areas for rural outreach. 5. Network with faith-based organizations. Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
11. Promote the civil rights (equality) of people with disabilities. ACTIVITIES 1. Continue to take a lead role in the Idahoans with Disabilities Act Task Force. 2. Advocate for the passage of the Idahoans with Disabilities Act. 3. Advocate for the simplification of other Idaho law codification dealing with disability. 4. Coordinate efforts with other civil rights groups on common issues. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC Staff
ACTIVITIES 1. Research training curriculums on how to run for public office. 2. Dedicate funding to provide training to people with disabilities on how to run for public office. 3. Recruit and select people with disabilities to participate in the training. 4. Conduct training on how to run for public office. 5. Follow-up on the success of the participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Responsible parties: Program committee and SILC Staff
2. Increase funding for housing options. ACTIVITIES 1. Advocate for increased funding for Section 8 affordable housing. 2. Work with lenders to increase funding for first time home-buyers with disabilities. 3. Work with homeowners/renters who have disabilities and others to increase access to home modifications. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
3. Create flexible integrated self- directed transportation options. ACTIVITIES 1. Work with legislative interim committee on transportation. 2. Support grass roots organizing campaigns. 3. Advocate for Medicaid to pay for more transportation. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
4. Increase/expand health care options. ACTIVITIES 1. Encourage private insurance to cover personal assistance services. 2. Achieve Medicaid Buy-In funding. 3. Take a more active role to support and work with AARP on ID RX. 4. Distribute information statewide on existing prescription assistance programs. 5. Support Mental Health Insurance parity. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
5. Increase access to Assistive Technology and Information Technology. ACTIVITIES 1. Research and advocate for Idaho tax credit on assistive technology purchases. 2. Clarify ownership of AT purchased by Medicaid for students in Idaho schools. 3. Support increased funding for IATP loan program. 4. Advocate for discounted cell phones for people with disabilities through the telephone company and request that cell phones be made available through the Health & Welfare telephone assistance program. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
6. Develop a means for delivery of urgent information and immediate action by consumers and supporters. ACTIVITIES 1. Through legislative updates, inform consumers, SILC members and interested parties of legislative actions affecting people with disabilities. 2. Identify legislators who support independent living and communicate their support to consumers, SILC members and interested parties. 3. Conduct a legislative policy session each year to identify priority issues. 4. Identify other publications distributed statewide and submit SILC articles on relevant topics. Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff.
7. Create awareness about the independent living movement and self-advocacy in Idaho Schools. ACTIVITIES 1. Identify and distribute materials that teach self-advocacy techniques to students in the public school system and inform them of issues surrounding transition to the adult world. 2. Work with colleges and universities to incorporate information on independent living into teacher training programs. 3. Evaluate the success of the pilot program in Blackfoot. 4. Advocate for increasing the use of accommodations at universities and colleges. Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
8. Provide in-service training for two outside service organizations. ACTIVITIES 1. Enlist SILC members to deliver presentations to interested service organizations. 2. Develop a speakers’ bureau on independent living. 3. Develop and distribute information packets on independent living for outreach to service organizations. 4. Include demographic information about the number of people who will acquire a disability by the age of 60. 5. Produce a Medicaid presentation on institutional versus in-home costs to appropriate organizations. Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
9. Reach out to the un-served and underserved populations in rural areas. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
10. Increase public awareness of what the SILC and CILs do in Idaho. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Program Committee and SILC Staff.
1. In conjunction with the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), conduct a statewide conference to promote leadership development. ACTIVITIES 1. Dedicate funding from the SILC budget for training implementation.
Responsible parties: Program Committee and SILC Staff.
2. Develop a means for delivery of urgent information and immediate action by consumers and supporters. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
3. Create awareness about the independent living movement and self-advocacy in Idaho Schools. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
4. Promote people with disabilities serving in policy-making positions. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Program committee and SILC Staff
5. Create flexible integrated self directed transportation options. ACTIVITIES 1. Increase availability of accessible taxi cabs. 2. Support grass roots organizing campaigns. Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
6. Provide in-service training for two outside service organizations. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
7. Reach out to the un-served and underserved populations in rural areas. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Outreach Committee and SILC Staff
8. Develop and implement a strategy that would increase/expand health care options. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
9. Increase access to Assistive Technology and Information Technology. ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Policy Committee and SILC staff
10. Advocate for people with disabilities within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamp systems in Idaho. ACTIVITIES 1. Research income criteria to qualify for food stamps and cash assistance. Responsible parties: Program Committee and SILC staff
11. Initiate the process of writing a 2008-2010 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). ACTIVITIES
Responsible parties: Planning Committee and SILC Staff Mandatory Area 1: Scope of and Arrangement for IL Services A CIL is a non-profit corporation that assists people with significant disabilities who want to live more independently. CILs are managed and staffed by people with disabilities, are always located in the communities they serve, and assist people without regard to the type of disability they have. The foundation of CIL services is the peer relationship–people with disabilities assisting other people with disabilities as role models, mentors, and counselors. Each Center is unique because it offers services based upon the particular needs of its community. At the same time, Centers are alike in that they all offer core services: information and referral, counseling, advocacy and skills training. Most people with disabilities who live in institutions are there because they believe they have no other choice. CILs assist people in arranging personal care services, locating housing, obtaining financial resources for rental deposits, etc., and this past year have successfully relocated 24 Idahoans from nursing homes or other institutions to community-based living. The services provided by CILs have also prevented 547 Idahoans from entering a nursing home or other institution this past year and allowed them to continue to live in a community-based setting. People with disabilities in North Idaho, Salmon, Riggins and American Indian Reservations lack these vital services. Each CIL is a separate non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with its own board of directors. This past year Living Independently for Everyone (LIFE), located in the southeast part of the state, received $360,628 in Title VII, Part C funding; Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC), located in Boise and Twin Falls, received $220,737; and Disability Action Center Northwest (DAC), located in Moscow receives $114,397. All of the CILs receive their funds directly from RSA. Satellites are administered by an existing Center and fill a critical need in the Idaho independent living network. Satellites make it possible for services and programs to be provided in outlying areas while avoiding the overhead of a freestanding non-profit corporation. The DAC Coeur d’Alene satellite was funded by the SILC from 1993-1999 using Title VII, Part B Funds with the amounts increasing each year. In 1999, the Idaho SILC advocated for and received state general funds in the amount of $50,000 that was then contracted to DAC-NW to fund the Coeur d’Alene satellite center. The Title VII, Part B funds previously earmarked to operate the DAC Coeur d’Alene satellite were moved to LINC to open a new satellite in the Nampa/Caldwell area.
IDAHO COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND and VISUALLY IMPAIRED The Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) is the sole agency designated by the State of Idaho to provide rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The ICBVI is committed to assisting individuals within the State who are legally blind in achieving their maximum potential. The Commission seeks to promote the full integration of citizens who are blind into the mainstream of society, both social and economic terms. The ICBVI's services are intended to increase independence and to overcome the physical, psychological, social and economic problems that may accompany blindness. Idaho is a highly rural state with an average population density of 12.6 persons per square mile. There are approximately 236,000 persons in Idaho who are over the age of 55. Among this population visual impairments are known to effect in excess of approximately 22,000 individuals. In fact, approximately 80% of Idaho's residents who experience visual impairments are aged 55 or older, and the prevalence of visual impairment increases steadily with age. One particular goal of ICBVI is to enhance the level of independence among the State's elderly population that is blind and visually impaired. This goal is pursued primarily by way of the Older Blind grant. ICBVI has incorporated the Older Blind Program into its overall plan of services for residents of the state. The Older Blind Program is designed to serve those who are 55 or older; legally or functionally blind, deaf/blind, or blind/multiply disabled. The program supplements existing ICBVI programs that include Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Comprehensive Independent Living Services, Prevention of Blindness Services, and an Assessment and Training Center in Boise. The ICBVI will conduct outreach and increase public awareness of the purpose, goals, function, and services available for the blind and visually impaired through the Commission’s Independent Living Program and the Commission’s Independent Living Services For Older Individuals Who Are Blind (ILOB) Grant. The ICBVI will improve and expand the quality and quantity of independent living services provided to the blind and visually impaired. The primary focus of the program is to facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of independent living skills among individuals who are experiencing visual impairments that summarily interfere with activities of daily living. Individuals participating in the Older Blind Program are among a growing number of Americans with access to a program designed to assist and empower them to maintain independence despite their levels of residual vision. In essence, the program is designed to extend the active life expectancy of elders who are in the process of losing their vision. Participants in the program are individuals residing in the State of Idaho, 55 years of age or older, whose visual impairments interfere with their ordinary activities of daily living. More than three out of four participants (78%) are totally or legally blind. Most individuals are referred to the program by acquaintances, health care providers, and local community agencies and organizations. For the most part, rehabilitation specialists who are dispersed geographically throughout the state serve clients in their homes. Individuals residing in all counties throughout the state benefit from the program. Objectives of the Older Blind Program include the following: __ Provide independent living services to individuals aged 55 and older who are legally or functionally blind __ Expand services within Idaho to those who make up this population __ Conduct activities that will help improve public understanding of the problems faced by this population These program objectives are designed to provide older individuals who are blind with the ability to live and function with maximum independence and self-direction within their home and community environment. In some cases, these services may assist consumers in avoiding inappropriate or premature institutionalization. OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement a statewide outreach and public education plan. All activities are ongoing. ACTIVITIES: · Distribute information packet of ICBVI services to optometrists and ophthalmologists, institutions, CILs, and other professionals statewide. · Explain ICBVI functions to an increased number of eye-care, medical, and hospital professionals throughout Idaho. · Educate retirement and senior center personnel regarding blindness, visual impairment, independent living, and services provided by the ICBVI. · Promote awareness of cross-disability philosophy. · Conduct an increased number of presentations to service clubs and church groups regarding the ICBVI's independent living services. · Conduct an annual "Open House" for legislators, service providers, clients, SILC members, and the public. · Provide information to the public regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to blindness and visual impairment. · Provide and expand grant-related independent living services to the older blind on a statewide basis, including outreach to Senior Centers, and the establishment and maintenance of support groups. · Provide and expand grant-related independent living services to the older blind on a statewide basis. · Create greater public awareness of the nature of vision loss, the availability of ICBVI services and other support services for the older blind individual. Responsible parties: IL Program Coordinator, Home Instructors, Assessment and Training Center Instructors, Information Specialist. OBJECTIVE: Incorporate and include family members and any significant others in the training plans of Assessment and Training Center students ACTIVITIES: · Interact with consumers, family members, and significant others concerning their inclusion in the overall plan of services received from ICBVI. · Provide expanded services including: home instruction, Assessment and Training Center, low vision, aids and appliances, transportation, reader services, and CCTV loaner program. · Provide low vision evaluations at the ICBVI Low Vision Clinic. Responsible parties: Assessment and Training Center personnel, Optometrist, IL Coordinator, Home Instructors, Readers and Drivers. OBJECTIVE: Counseling Services Including Psychological, Psychotherapeutic, and Related Services ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI provides such services through Home Instructors, peer support groups, or through IL contracts. Responsible parties: IL Coordinator, Home Instructors, Peer Support Group Coordinators, IL contractors. OBJECTIVE: Rehabilitation Technology ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI provides this service via an Adaptive Technologist and contractors. Services may include training, education and equipment. Responsible parties: Adaptive Technology staff. OBJECTIVE: Orientation and Mobility Training ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI provides orientation and mobility training to persons who are blind or visually impaired. This service is provided through the Assessment and Training Center and Home Instructors. Responsible parties: Assessment and Training Center Staff, Home Instructors. OBJECTIVE: Services and Training for Persons with Cognitive and Sensory Disabilities ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI trains individuals to lead independent lives and enhance their quality of life through life skills training and providing interpreter and reader services. Responsible parties: Home Instructors, Assessment and Training Center staff, IL contractors and readers. OBJECTIVE: Consumer Information Programs on Rehabilitation and Independent Living Services Available Under this Act, Especially for Minorities and Other Individuals with Disabilities Traditionally Unserved or Undeserved by Programs Under this Act ACTIVITIES: · Consumers who are deaf/blind have particular problems relating to communication; mobility and other activities of daily living that make any degree of independent living very difficult. ICBVI addresses these problems through the necessary training modality to further and enhance independence and quality of life. Responsible parties: Home Instructors, Assessment and Training Center Staff. OBJECTIVE: Education and Training Necessary for Living in the Community and Participating in Community Activities ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI provides for this need through the Assessment and Training Center, Home Instructors, and contractors. Responsible parties: Home Instructors, IL contractors. OBJECTIVE: Transportation Including Referral and Assistance ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI does not directly fund transportation programs but, on a case-by-case basis, may assist with such services for eligible independent living and ILOB clients. Responsible parties: Home Instructors. OBJECTIVE: Physical Rehabilitation · Physical rehabilitation services can be provided by ICBVI to eligible IL clients as outlined in their IL training plan. Responsible parties: Home Instructors. OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic Treatment ACTIVITIES: · Therapeutic rehabilitation services can be provided by ICBVI to eligible IL clients if needed and included as a part of the individual's IL training plan Responsible parties: Home Instructors. OBJECTIVE: Provision of Needed Prostheses and Other Appliances and Devices ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI provides aids and appliances or prostheses, if needed, through the client’s IL training plan. Responsible parties: Home Instructors. OBJECTIVE: Individual and Group Social and Recreational Services ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI offers recreational activities for its IL and ILOB clients through the Assessment and Training Center, Senior Activity Groups, and Peer Support programs. Responsible parties: IL Coordinator, Home Instructors, Assessment and Training Center staff, Peer Support Group Coordinators. OBJECTIVE: Training to Develop Skills Specifically Designed for Youths Who are Individuals with Significant Disabilities to Promote Self-Awareness and Esteem, Develop Advocacy and Self-Empowerment Skills, and Explore Career Options ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI coordinates information/referral with the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. IL services are also provided for consumers ages 16-21 years through the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP). Responsible parties: Assessment and Training Center Staff, SWEP Coordinator. OBJECTIVE: Services for Children with Significant Disabilities ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI continues to work with Special Education through the school system to develop and maintain goals of children as it relates to the IEP. Responsible parties: IL Coordinator, Home Instructors, Assessment and Training Center staff. OBJECTIVE: Community Awareness Programs to Enhance the Understanding and Integrating of People with Disabilities into Society ACTIVITIES: · Community awareness is a major part of ICBVI’s outreach activities. Media appearances, visibility in community at fraternal and service clubs, etc., all carry the message about inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. ICBVI considers this service to be a major area of responsibility of every member of the staff. In-service training components are provided to staff to prepare them to transmit this message throughout Idaho. Responsible parties: ICBVI agency staff. OBJECTIVE: Other Services that May Be Necessary and Not Inconsistent with the Provisions of the Act ACTIVITIES: · ICBVI will, when appropriate and within available fiscal resources, provide or refer to an alternate entity all other services as may be required for the consumer to be successful in the pursuit of independent living. ICBVI will, through public forums, surveys and other methods, ascertain any unmet service needs and, in future years, plan for the provision of those services. Responsible parties: ICBVI agency staff. OBJECTIVE: Independent Living Services ACTIVITIES: · Almost without exception, a loss of sight creates an immediate loss of independence. It places limitations on choices and options in life, such as reading and driving. These limitations can extend into all areas of life. Alternative techniques are the keys to overcoming these limitations. · Home Instructors, through the Assessment and Training Center, and by contractors, can apply ICBVI IL Programs in the consumer’s home. · For the ICBVI, the Home Instructor secures the necessary assessment information, applies criteria and certifies whether a person is eligible for independent living services. There are two basic criteria for eligibility that must be met by all independent living applicants to ICBVI. For the purposes of the IL State Plan, the following definitions will apply: 1. The individual is legally or functionally blind. 2. The individual demonstrates the presence of an impairment in the ability to function independently in the family or community or to engage or continue in employment. Eligibility for services is determined on functional terms and not necessarily on legal or medical terms. Taking functional limitations into consideration, an individual who has a severe visual impairment, which can be shown to impose a significant impact to the individual's capacity to live independently or to gain or maintain employment, should, therefore, be considered functionally blind and eligible for services. · The Home Instructor determines functional blindness. Functional blindness means that the individual has a severe visual impairment that, although it does not meet the legal definition of blindness, presents to the individual a functional impairment equal to or greater than might normally be present with legal blindness. Home Instructor Responsibilities The following include, but are not limited to, the Home Instructor's responsibilities in the IL Program: 1. Determine eligibility. 2. Develop IL plans. 3. Acquire medical and eye reports and other pertinent information. 4. Provide instruction - assess consumer's capabilities; determine skills needed to function independently; determine appropriate instructional methods; provide individual instruction in Braille, cane travel, alternate techniques of daily living skills such as; cooking, sewing, record keeping and personal hygiene; evaluate progress and behavior; prepare reports; prepare instructional materials; and obtain supplies and equipment for home instruction. 5. Provide counseling - counsels consumers in adjusting to blindness; counsels 6. family members regarding blindness; advise consumers on personal problems and provide support to improve consumers' attitudes; assist consumers in obtaining housing, transportation and financial services. 7. Public relations - answer questions regarding blindness and agency services; give presentations to schools and community groups. 8. Provide leadership in the identification and development of community resources benefiting the blind. 9. Provide delivery of services through the ICBVI. Assessment and Training Center The Assessment and Training Center is a program that is unique to agencies for the blind and visually impaired. However, not all state or private agencies have such a program. The Center’s focus is to present adaptive learning techniques which allow a blind person to become an independent member of society. While students are working to change attitudes and opinions about blindness, they are also learning alternative techniques when coupled with improved self-confidence and self‑esteem, provides the desire to pursue life's goals. Those alternative techniques are: 1. Braille - Students are taught to read and write Grade I and Grade II. 2. Orientation and Mobility‑ Students are taught to detect obstacles, variations in walking surfaces, steps, curbs, etc., and the ability to solve problems and process information about the surrounding environment. 3. Communication ‑ Students are taught basic typing skills, uses of the computer, common software packages, and how to access the world of information. Students also clarify career goals, determine job interests and explore job options. 4. Industrial Arts ‑ The purpose of industrial arts is to create confidence in a student by building a project using power and hand tools. This class has recently expanded by providing some basic skills such as: changing a sink drain and exploring a mockup of a light switch or a wall outlet to determine wiring connections. 5. Daily Living Skills - Students learn a variety of food preparation, cleaning, budgeting, and shopping techniques and will receive information on proper nutrition. Special sessions are also held in Personal Home Management on such topics as hair and skin care, makeup application, proper grooming, appropriate dress, and social skills. The Assessment and Training Center mixes classroom instruction with a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, camping, picnics, movies, shopping, bowling, etc. Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) Eligible young people, age 16 to 21, from around the state live in a supervised setting. They are instructed in Orientation and Mobility, using the bus system, grocery shopping, preparing meals, money management, banking and housekeeping. The first three weeks of the program also provides participants with career exploration and job seeking skills. During the last six weeks young people experience real jobs, working side-by-side with sighted co-workers. Job Coaches are available when needed. Contractual Services ‑ Independent Living The ICBVI contracts IL services that are structured according to consumer need. Presently, ILOB services for all ages are contracted with two homemak |
