DAAP GENERAL INFORMATION

The Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania (CILSCPA) has created the Deaf Action and Awareness Program (DAAP).

CILSCPA is a non-profit, tax exempt, community based organization and non-residential in structure. It is an agency developed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. All CILSCPA's activities are consumer controlled and focus on the individual. This office provides services to residents of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana and Somerset Counties. The program enables persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing, their families, agencies and others who would like assistance or information, the freedom to inquire about services that may not be provided by others.

Most services are provided free of charge and are available to all age groups.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Technical assistance is provided to consumers of the DAAP program as well as businesses, schools, housing authorities and service providers regarding adaptive equipment such as assistive listening devices, visual alarm systems, the necessity of interpreters and note takers, and even the proper care and maintenance of hearing aids. Information regarding compliance with the ADA, the Reauthorization of the Rehab Act, and Public Law 94-142, governing public school education is stressed. Additionally, American Sign Language classes will be offered for individuals interested in learning the basics of this language. It will be an 8 week course and will involve a registration fee and the cost of materials.

INTERPRETER REFERRAL SERVICE

The DAAP has established a list of experienced, qualified and certified interpreters. Consumers, Service Providers, and businesses may use our Inquiry Form for information on available interpreters The DAAP is not responsible for making the arrangements for interpreters or for paying for the interpreter service.

COUNSELING

The DAAP provides the following types of services:

Peer Counseling: Consumers who are Deaf or hard of hearing are teamed with our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist who has the experiences of severe hearing loss and now deafness. This counseling is informal in nature, and may include but is not limited to:

• Discussing feelings about similar experiences and emotions.
• Development of coping and problem solving skills.
• Sharing knowledge for making well informed choices.
• Empowerment through Self Advocacy and System Advocacy.
• Peer Counselors are not trained psychologists or psychiatrists but can assist consumers in establishing realistic goals for greater independence.
• Family Counseling: Provided to family members to foster an understanding of issues surrounding deafness and living with individuals who are hard of hearing.
• Support Groups: Offered for moral support and increased social interactions.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING

To improve the functional living skills of DAAP consumers, our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist provides individual and group skills training sessions in the following areas:

• Meal Preparation
• Housekeeping
• Personal Financial Management Utilization of Community Resources
• Socialization
• Interviewing Skills Completion of Job Applications
• Training provided is based entirely upon consumer choice.

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STATEWIDE ACTION TEAM (SWAT)

State Wide Action Team (SWAT) is a program done through a grant from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

The purpose of the SWAT is to unite all persons with disabilities.

The SWAT has community organizers throughout the state and each of these individuals has displayed their commitment to the disabled community.

These people are very active in the community. They are committed to providing effective implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the areas of:

• Transportation *statewide issue
• Employment *statewide issue
• Housing
• Health Care
• Accessibility
• Personal Assistance

Together in a strong network we can advocate locally, statewide and nationwide for the many issues that all Pennsylvanians with disabilities are facing.

WHAT ARE THE STATE WIDE ACTION TEAM GOALS?

Establish: implement and maintain an effective communication network for advocacy efforts, state wide and for the Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania (CILSCPA). All meetings are in accessible areas and materials are provided in alternative formats. Interpreters are also available at all meetings.

Support: on another in specific disability issues and address local, statewide and nationwide issues.

** Bring together a diverse cross-disability network of people dedicated to the Independent Living movement. Insure that the Independent Living Philosophy is practiced in all activities.

The Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania serves seven counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, and Somerset.

A full-time Community Organizer is dedicated to building the SWAT network locally.

WHAT THIS PROGRAM HOPES TO ACHIEVE:

Increasing the opportunities people with disabilities will have in regards to housing, transportation, employment and education. Personal Assistance services and accessibility issues are prime concerns to people with disabilities.

This program gives people with disabilities a voice to speak out.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a federal anti-discrimination statute. It was designed to remove the barriers which prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities.

The ADA covers five areas:

Title I	Employment
Title II	Government
Title III	Public Accommodations
Title IV	Telecommunications
Title V	Miscellaneous

For more information on the ADA, contact the Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania.

Phone: 814-949-1905 Voice/TDD 1-800-237-9009 Voice/TDD

Or write: CILSCPA 1603 Ninth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602

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WHAT IS PEER COUNSELING?

The dictionary says a peer is an “equal”. CILSCPA teams consumers with disabilities with peer counselors who share the experience of having a disability.

The counseling provided is informal and aimed at enabling the consumer to help him or herself. It may involve:

• Discussing feelings about similar experiences and emotions.
• Sharing information
• Locating social activities
• Advocating on behalf of the consumer’s rights
• Enabling the consumer to self-advocate
• Develop better coping skills
• Moral support and problem solving

WHO ARE PEER COUNSELORS

Peer Counselors are persons with disabilities who have achieved an independent lifestyle and have faced many of the frustrations now confronting the consumer. Peer Counselors are not trained psychologists or psychiatrists. They will assist the consumer in establishing realistic goals suited to that person’s search for independence.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

The consumer establishes his own goals and with the help of the peer counselor works to achieve them. They develop a written plan outlining the steps needed to reach these goals. Each goal is reviewed and revised as needed. Confidentiality is assured.

WHY PEER COUNSELING?

If you have asked yourself any of the following questions, Peer Counseling may be of some help to you:

• Why did this happen to me?
• How can I think about living independently when my abilities change from day to day?
• How can I live an independent life with a disability?
• Is there adaptive equipment that could make it easier for me to do things?
• Where and how do I get it?
• Are intimate relationships possible?
• Are people with disabilities able to work?
• How can I make my home accessible?
• What about my education?
• Can I become active in my community?

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SKILLS TRAINING:

Maybe you are wondering what an Independent Living Skills Trainer can do for you. You may have been under the microscope of every medical and rehabilitation specialist you can imagine. You think, why have another professional come into you life.

Consider this, a Skills Trainer has a unique background in activities of daily living with added knowledge of disabilities. This gives the Skills Trainer a special understanding of physical limitations and of ways to work around those limitations in doing everyday tasks like preparing a simple meal.

You may be working toward being completely independent, taking on as many household chores as possible. You may only be interested in learning to take care of yourself for a few hours while your family runs errands. Maybe there is just one task that you would like to be more independent in. Either way, a Skills Trainer will probably be able to help or find you the help you need.

Some of the areas that you and the Independent Living Skills Trainer may want to work together on could be:

• Deciding what special/adaptive clothing might be needed.
• Dressing techniques to suit your capabilities.
• Selecting household or kitchen equipment that is right for you.
• Arranging storage so it is easy and safe to use.
• Locating sources of special equipment or adaptive devices to help with activities of daily living.
• Finding the easiest way to do household chores to conserve energy.
• Teaching you good body mechanics while working to make the most of your strength.
• Work on transfer techniques.
• Help manage time more effectively.
• Make the home as safe as possible.
• Recommend simple remodeling to make the home more accessible.
• Find resources in the community to help you.

You may be surprised at some of the items on this list. Maybe you weren't aware that this service was available in your community. As you can see with an understanding of special needs, the Independent Living Skills Trainer may be a real asset to you in managing your home and family needs.

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INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

Information and Referral are integral parts of the services provided to individuals with disabilities and the communities we serve. Information on adaptive equipment, housing, OVR, accessibility, legislation, Social Security work incentives, and other subjects of interests is available. Referrals are made to provider agencies, equipment suppliers, and financial resources. CILSCPA staff maintains contact with the Office for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired for the purpose of updated information on programs, services, and benefits.

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ADVOCACY

Issues of immediate concern to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, such as work force issues, legislative rights and communication, attitudinal barriers necessitate working with private and public sectors of the community in an advocacy role. Special attention given to Titles I, II, III, and IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which govern employment, public accommodations, and telecommunications. This process empowers consumers by increasing their knowledge, choices, and self-advocacy skills.

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