The Four Core Programs
Advocacy | Information & Referral | Peer Support | Independent Living Skills Training
Advocacy
Several types of advocacy services are offered at PARI,
individual advocacy is done on behalf of a single person. Systemic
advocacy involves
defending, or supporting a particular position of benefit to a group or
class of people (e.g. people
with disabilities). Self advocacy supports and enhances a consumer's
ability to be assertive when
faced with obstacles in pursuit of independent living goals. At
PARI, consumers are empowered through education of
advocacy methods and
encouraged to take directing roles in advocating for their own issues as
well as the issues of
others. PARI trains consumers how to contact public officials and
present their issues in writing,
over the telephone, and by appointment. PARI keeps consumers up-to-date
about their civil
rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act,
Fair Housing laws, and other
legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
Additionally, PARI provides
access on the center's computer system and network to the latest news,
amendments, and
legislation concerning people with disabilities on the state and
national level -- sometimes even
before it is published! To encourage and facilitate self advocacy, PARI
maintains addresses and
phone numbers of state and federal public officials and educational
materials regarding effective
letter writing, phone calls, and other forms of communication.
Information & Referral
PARI provides disability and
community
related information to all individuals with disabilities, family members,
services providers, and
community members who request it. I&R is a service based on a
systemic method of accepting
inquiries regarding independent living and using knowledge, experience,
and an organized system
of data and resources to provide accurate, well-informed responses. The
majority of PARI's I&R
is accomplished over the phone. As calls are received and requests are
communicated, an PARI
staff member responds promptly with appropriate information and resources
gathered from
searches of computerized databases.
As a leader in independent living technology, PARI develops and continuously updates a comprehensive information and referral database containing community, state, and national resource organizations serving people with disabilities. This database is available on a UNIX system at workstations throughout the center and on the Disabled Individuals Movement for Equality Network (DIMENET) computer network/bulletin board system, of which PARI is a local site. Additionally, PARI operates and maintains a library of independent living resources (books, magazines, audio tapes, video tapes, brochures, etc.) available for examination at the center or for loan.
Peer Support
Peer support is information, one-on-one peer mentoring, and
group interactions helping people
with disabilities develop mutual support, assistance, and understanding.
PARI provides peer support in a
consumer-directed manner over the
telephone, in person when a consumer visits the center, or by visiting
the consumer at his or her
living site if necessary. PARI staff and volunteers have been trained in
the philosophies and
practices of independent living (IL) and communicate IL strategies to
consumers in peer support
interactions.
Independent Living Skills Training
Independent Living Skills Training - information and
educational programming provided to a
consumer or group of consumers with the intent to develop or increase
skills, knowledge, or
abilities needed to live more independently. PARI's goal for IL skills
training is to develop and
implement an educational program to provide instructions on skills
needed to accomplish the
daily tasks of independent living. This program will also provide
persons with disabilities
information and linkage with community resources and services needed to
gain access to the
community.