Advocacy
Self Advocacy (personal advocacy): service where Consumers are taught how to achieve change in one’s own life by advocating on one’s own behalf. The goal is to stand up for yourself, protect your own rights, and achieve your own dreams.
Individual Advocacy: service on behalf of, for, and most importantly with a Consumer. This service provides training, information, referral, and intervention to, and with, individuals regarding conducting appeals and filing complaints.
Systems Advocacy: service that works to create broad based change within a system, agency, and community, implementing strategies to increase availability and accessibility of services and resources, and creating equal opportunities for large numbers of people with disabilities. Systems advocacy activities may include speaking out on issues, laws, benefits, and/or practices that affect many people with disabilities.
Information & Referral
Information and Referral consists of providing information to the public and people with disabilities on various topics of personal interest, such as architectural accessibility, adaptive equipment, civil rights, housing, personal care, and transportation. Most times, information will be accompanied by referral to an appropriate community resource or service.
Peer Mentoring
Service that allows persons with a disability to meet someone in a similar situation who has learned strategies to live life independently in the community. This service is accomplished in both individual and group settings. The purpose of this service is for people to share thoughts and ideas for becoming independent. To summarize, it is vicarious learning at its best.
IL Skills Training
Service teaches persons with disabilities methods to develop the necessary skills to take control of their lives and promote their participation in community activities. Plans are individualized and can be provided in group or individual setting. IL Skills training can be defined as becoming skilled to live an independent life.
Nursing Home Transition/Prevention & Youth Transition
TAC conducts Outreach into nursing homes, relocating eligible individuals with support systems in place back into the Community. TACIL also focuses on preventing individuals from entering nursing homes through education and advocacy. Additionally, TACIL works to provide youth with disabilities Independent Living skills training to succeed disabilities after completion of secondary education to postsecondary life.
Other TAC Initiatives
COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON ACCESSIBILITY –TAC conducts extensive presentations to service providers, local governments, and other arenas to promote education on accessibility.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES – Through Independent Living Skills Training and collaboration with area vocational rehabilitation offices, TACIL offers training in hygiene, professional etiquette, and business attire. Moreover, TACIL provides training on money management, assertiveness, and strategizing skills to maintain employment.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES – TAC offers basic employment services like job search training, resume development, mock interviewing, and other services as needed.
SUPPORT GROUPS – TAC provides support groups in the form of arts and crafts courses. Consumers create items they can use to maintain their independence while conversating with each other in a friendly environment.
ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING – TAC advocates strongly for persons with disabilities in regard to this issue and maintains close ties with area landlords to provide accessible, affordable housing for persons with disabilities.
EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET – Due to the high cost of equipment, TAC has a loan closet of equipment for persons with disabilities and their families free of charge.
RURAL OUTREACH – Because TAC serves such a vast rural area, a lot of effort is dedicated to TAC conducting Outreach in rural communities where services for persons with disabilities are in limited availability if even available. TAC advocates on behalf of these individuals to ensure persons with disabilities are not exploited or leading poor quality living.
CLOTHING BANK – TAC collects and distributes clothes to people with disabilities and (or) their families as needed. TAC also hosts a Clothing Store event every 3rd Thursday of the Month where Consumers and their families can come get clothes, clothing care products, and hygiene products while receiving IL skills training on dressing, clothing care, and hygiene.
FOOD PANTRY- TAC collects and distributes more than 2,000 lbs of food a month due to the generosity of community partners, foundations, and individual donations. The last Thursday of the month, TACIL hosts a Grocery Store event where Consumers and (or) their families can come get additional food, prepared items, and clothing care/hygiene products while receiving IL Skills Training on nutrition, eating, and personal care.