Universal Design is the concept of building a home designed specifically to fit the needs of people with disabilities. It captures two main ideas: (1) fulfilling the practical needs of people with disabilities and, (2) portraying a visually pleasing design in their own homes. Deriving from the idea of being “barrier free,” universal design homes are built to avoid the need for adaptation or customized modifications that can often be costly to people with disabilities. There are a certain set of guidelines or principles that Universal Design homes follow. They are:
- Equitable use - providing for the widest range of disabilities as possible, therefore, not segregating or leaning toward any particular disability.
Continue reading the Universal Design by John Hayes article
I have to admit that sometimes it is true - I do lay down on the job.
I suppose that a different executive director at a different place of employment might not be so quick to do such a thing, much less announce that he or she does it, but it is definitely true for me. I do lay down on the job!
Continue reading the From The Executive Director by Mary D. Lopez, PhD article
In a continuing effort to add to our libary, here are three books we hope you will find interesting:
Soon Will Come The Light “A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle” by Thomas A. McKean - McKean offers a fascinating insight into the world of autism. Diagnosed late in his teens, Tom has a unique ability to be in the word of autism, yet possess the communications skills to tell us what it feels like to be behind the “wall”.
Continue reading the IEC Library by Pat Scott article
I will be offering a third sign language class at IEC this Spring. It will begin on Wednesday March 21, 2007 at 3pm. The class will be an hour and a half long for five Wednesdays. It will be an American Sign Language (ASL) class. ASL is widely used by the majority of the deaf and hard of hearing population. The class fee for each adult student is fifty dollars ($50.00) and for each child under 18 years of age is thirty dollars ($30.00). The sign language book we use is called No Nonsense Knowledge Sign Language Made Simple by Karen Lewis and Roxanne Henderson which costs you ten dollars ($10.00) if purchasing in-house. If you are truly interested, please be sure to contact IEC at 703-257-5400 and/or email Debbie Titus at dtitus@ieccil.org with your full name, contact number and email address by March 14, 2007.
from Winter 2007 Newsletter, Volume 2 Issue 1
The following piece on “Disability Etiquette” is an excerpt from the United Spinal Association “Tips on Interacting With People With Disabilities.” These tips are designed to help you understand what to do and what not to do when in the company of a person with a disability.
Continue reading the Disability Etiquette article
The Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) the Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s), and the Community Action Specialists (CAS) from the 16 CIL’s in the state of Virginia met at the General Assembly on February 7, 2007. There were about 160 advocates at the General Assembly.
Continue reading the CIL Day 2007 by Roberta McEachern article
There are many reasons individuals end up in nursing homes: lack of adequate information; lack of coordination between agencies to determine what services could support them in the community; people are unsure of whether they can live in the community independently; lack of affordable, accessible housing; low personal maintenance allowance; and lack of resources to set up a household.
Continue reading the What is a Transition Facilitator? by Stephanie George article
Do you receive phone calls requesting upfront personal information or money? Do these phone calls come at weird times during the day and night? Remember to always ask immediately for the organization’s phone number and address, and never give personal information over the phone. If you are concerned, you can do several things. Do not give bank account or financial information over the phone. If they require personal information, check with a trusted source, before returning the call. Here are some important tips to remember:
Continue reading the Phone Calls Bothering You by Andrew Coffron article
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to become a part of the Independence Empowerment Team, as your new Elderly & Disabled Consumer Directed Waiver Co-Facilitator and Community Action Specialist. I hope you will share in this enthusiasm. Allow me to give you a general idea of my background, and an idea of what I hope to accomplish while assisting the community’s involvement in the social, political, and economic movements of people with disabilities.
Continue reading the The Merging of Two Paths by Andrew Coffron article
Come the middle of March I will reach my two year mark at Independence Empowerment Center (IEC).
Although I have enjoyed my time at IEC, I will be changing my career to the position I have always desired: to remain at home and raise my children. Soon after leaving IEC, my husband and I will be blessed with the birth of our first child.
Continue reading the Saying Goodbye by Gretchen Fox article
