is dedicated to the rights of all people with disabilities to live life
with dignity. By providing basic services; calling for the removal of
all societal and attitudinal barriers and educating the public on the
benefits of inclusion, we move towards our goal of aiding people with
disabilities to live productively in the community.
Community Resources for Independence, Inc.
encourages independence for those we serve. This is why we focus our
consumer-guided programs and services on individual rights of control.
At CRI we realize independent living cannot be
defined strictly in terms of living on one's own or being employed in
a job fitting one's capabilities and interests. These are just two aspects
of living independently. Independent Living
is self-determination.
Self-determination is having the right and the
opportunity to pursue any course of action. It is being free to fail and
to learn from those failures, in the same way as people without disabilities.
Our mission is multifaceted. Through services such
as Information and Referral, Peer
Support, Advocacy and Independent
Living Skills Training, we help persons with disabilities:
- Develop short and long term goal plans
- Prevent inappropriate placement in an institution
- Seek, gain and maintain employment or reach their educational or recreational goals
- Live in the least restrictive environment possible
Core Services
CRI has four Core Services.
You may access any of these by simply calling our toll-free number:
(800) 530-5541 or (814) 838-7222, and
speak with the Information and Referral Specialist.
A call to CRI's Information and Referral connects you with information about
our many programs and services. From interpreter referral services to housing
assistance, transportation, architectural accessibility and various other
services designed to help people with disabilities; contacting Information
and Referral is like taking a guided tour of the Center for Independent
Living.
In placing your call you may ask for an appointment to learn about Peer
Support. As a result of your inquiry you may be invited
in for a brief interview. After the interview, it is possible we will
match you with a person who will give you Peer Support. The individual
you are matched with may be a staff person or a person with a disability
similar to you. This is a unique service which is intended to help you
address the difficulties associated with a disability while promoting
personal growth.
There are other programs available to help you begin the journey to self-sufficiency.
There is Independent Living Skills
Training where you receive individualized instruction in skill areas
necessary to become as independent as possible, such as in-home mobility
and meal preparation. This training, in accordance with CRI's
philosophy, emphasizes your right to be an active, independent participant
in your community.
As an active participant in your community, you may want to get involved
in the movement to change the public's understanding of persons with disabilities.
Advocacy through Statewide Action Teams
(some sponsored by CRI), gives you the chance to address issues important
to you on an ongoing basis. Additionally, we provide training, which teaches
and encourages you to advocate for yourself.
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