Tri County Independent Living Center

Information & Referral	Individual Advocacy	Assistive Technology (A.T.)
Independent Living Skills Training	Systems Advocacy	Housing Assistance

Assisting consumers in applying for S.S.I., S.S.D.I. and other benefit programs (such as Section 8 Housing)

The Annual Respect for Abilities Fair

We provide consumers with assistance, outreach, and management support to Social Security and MediCal beneficiaries and recipients. We also can offer workshops, and our Computers for People With Disabilities Program. Contact us for more information.

We assist consumers and other interested individuals and organizations in obtaining information about disability and independent living issues, assistive technology and other community services and programs. We update resource information regularly.

We provide consumers with access to equal opportunities in exercising social, economic, educational, and legal rights. Independent Living Centers work with individuals, community organizations, and state/national networks to promote full inclusion of people with disabilities, and to improve the implementation of existing (federal, state, and local) laws.

The 'Better Care Forum' has a great Advocacy page, with videos on topics ranging from 'The Future of Long-Term Care' to 'How People with Severe Disabilities can live in their Communities'. The videos can be viewed using the Windows Media Player or the QuickTime player http://www.bettercareforum.com/index.html

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love a man that can smile in trouble - that can gather strength from distress and grow."-Thomas Paine

The purpose and mission of systems change advocacy is to help educate the public about the issues, concerns and barriers faced by people with disabilities. It is also to motivate groups of people with disabilities to work together to dismantle the same barriers that prevent them from living independently. Systems change advocacy incorporates educational programs, town hall meetings, focus groups, public service announcements, and other means to help further the cause of people with disabilities. Systems change advocates and their focus groups participate in coalitions that support individuals with disabilities and other organizations in order to work for systems change for the benefit of people with disabilities. If you have any questions regarding systems change, please contact Tri-County's Cindy Calderon at (707) 445-8404 or e-mail her at: cynthia@tilinet.org

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

We provide consumers with information, referrals, and services regarding the latest in A.T. devices that can assist them in their daily lives. These devices can include everything from walkers to voice recognition software, from electric wheelchairs to hearing aids.

Staff can tutor you on basic computer operations and/or you may work on personal projects. We also run the 'Computers for People with Disabilities' program. (See below.)

TCIL's annual Respect for Abilities Dayis held each year in July in recognition of the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. The Fair gives everyone the chance to see and learn about some of the latest advancements in assistive technology.

If you have any questions, comments and/or suggestions about Assistive Technology, please e-mail the Tri-County AT Advocate at bpritchett@tilinet.org .

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Follow this link to see tips on and examples of different types of Assistive Technology

Independent Living Skills Training:

We can offer workshops/training to consumers on various life skills, depending on the interest level. These workshops are often provided by people with disabilities. Trainings may cover issues as diverse as budgeting, meal preparation, transportation issues, personal assistance services, job seeking and self-advocacy.

Follow this link for worksheets/tips on independent living skills

Personal Care Assistance

We provide assistance to consumers regarding self-care, home management, by helping consumers find and hire affordable, competent and reliable personal assistants.

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Follow this link to go to our Links page

Housing Assistance

We provide consumers with self-advocacy training to assist in their search for affordable, accessible and available housing, and on how to remove architectural barriers. We also provide assistance with Renters & Homeowners Credits, the Section VIII Housing Program, and Homeowner and Renter Rebates.

Note: If you are you a U.S. citizen and a person with a disability, you may qualify for the State of California’s Homeowner & Rental Assistance Program. These programs allows a once-a-year payment from the State of California to qualified individuals.

Homeowner Assistance Program:

This program allows a once-a-year payment from the State of California to qualified individuals based on part of the property taxes assessed and paid on their homes. This is currently NOT available due to the most recent California State budget cuts.

Renter Assistance Program:

This program allows a once-a-year payment from the State of California to qualified individuals based on part of the property taxes that they paid indirectly when they paid their rent.This program is also not available this year due to the recent California State budget cuts.

For more information, call Tri-County at 445-8404. Bilingual (Spanish) services are available.

Follow this link for some Housing Tips

Follow this link for a local Housing list

Follow this link for a local Residential Care Home list

Community Outreach

We provide consumers and the public with educational outreach to raise awareness about disability and accessibility issues. If your business or organization would like Tri-County Independent Living staff to do a presentation about our services, please contact us at (707) 445-8404.

Independent Living Specialist

The Independent Living Specialist (ILS) performs intakes, determines the specific needs of each consumer, while obtaining that consumer's input, and then develops the independent living plan. The ILS will monitor and follow up on each consumer's progress, update consumer service records and case notes on a regular basis, and provide necessary referral information to consumers with regard to support programs that will enhance their independence. He/she will also, as determined by the consumer, assist in housing search activities, teach independent living skills, provide individual peer support and access to cross disability peer support group activities, provide assistance with needs assessment in the search for personal care attendants, teach self-advocacy skills, provide assistance with assistive technology needs, and act as an advocate for consumers. Will stay informed of local, State and Federal program requirements. Perform all mandated services and reporting as required by contract sources.

Computers for People with Disabilities Program (CPDP)

TCIL currently offers a program for people who do NOT currently own a computer. We call it the Computers for People with Disabilities Program and it has proven to be quite successful.

Are you a person who self-identifies as having a disability and you DO NOT presently own a computer? If so, then you may qualify for this program. Simply call our office at (707) 445-8404 and tell us you would like to apply for a PC via the Computers for People with Disabilities Program. This is a popular program, so there will be a waiting period, but once your name gets to the top of our list, we will call you about picking up your computer ! We ask a fee to help us keep this program going, and we will require payment at time of pick-up. We are currently offering this program to seniors and students as well as those living with disabilities. These computers are donated to us by businesses and the general public. They are used computers that we refurbish, install with a new operating system (Windows 2000 Pro), and then test out to make sure all parts are functioning normally.

INFORMATION, RULES and REGULATIONS

1) Computer requests will be completed in the order in which the applications are received. These computers are used. After a computer has been donated to us, we re-format the hard drive, install the new licensed operating system and software, install a dial-up modem if needed, and check the entire system.

2) The computer will come with; A licensed 'Windows 2000' Operating System, and 'OpenOffice'; a word processing and spreadsheet program that is fully compatible with 'Microsoft Office'. Also included are 'AVG Anti-virus', 'Spybot - Search & Destroy', and 'AdAware'; free programs that are very important to use (and update) if you are planning on using the computer to access the internet. Recipients are responsible for acquiring their own software beyond what we provide. At present, the systems we provide will include: PC with operating system and dial-up modem, mouse, monitor, and keyboard. We Do Not provide speakers, printers, or scanners or other peripherals.

3) Recipients will be charged a flat $50 service fee for the machine they receive from us. This is to help cover the cost of refurbishing the machines, and continue the operation of the program. It is expected that you will pay this $50 fee upon receiving your computer.

4) These computers are for people with disabilities, students, and seniors. So you may be asked about your disability. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but it is the only way we can assure that the machines will be going to people with disabilities.

5) These computers are for people who do not already have a computer. If you already have a computer, you are not eligible for the 'Computers for People with Disabilities program'. This is not done maliciously, but rather to ensure that these machines go to people who truly need them. (And not to someone who simply wants a second computer.)

6) Once you have received your computer, it becomes your responsibility. If any hardware issues appear within your first 30 days of ownership, call Tri-County, and we will attempt to resolve the problem. If you install software of your own during this period, the machine then becomes entirely your responsibility. After this 30 day period, you will be fully responsible for any repairs or adjustments, just like every other computer owner. (We simply do not have the time or personnel to act as repair-people / troubleshooters for everyone we donate a computer to.)

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REFUND POLICY

Once you pick up your computer, you will have 72 hours, (3 days) to determine if you would like to return it for a refund. Once this time period has passed, we will be unable to refund your payment!

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Also, bear in mind that we DO NOT 'exchange' computers!

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You will still have the '30 day repair period' in which we will make sure you have with a fully functioning and healthy computer.

7) Some basic computer instruction is provided to anyone who would like to learn through the Tri-County Independent Living Computer Lab. For more information or to set up an appointment for instruction, please call Brett Pritchett at (707) 445-8404.

8) We reserve the right to reject any request.

graphic of wheelchair symbol over-laid with computer graphic