The Four Core Programs
Advocacy | Information & Referral | Peer Support | Independent Living Skills Training
Advocacy
Several types of advocacy services are offered at The Southeast Center for Independent Living,
Inc. 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 Southeast Center for Independent
Living, Inc. (SCIL), 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. SCIL trains consumers how to contact public officials and present their issues in writing,
over the telephone, and by appointment. SCIL 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, SCIL 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, SCIL 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
Southeast Center for Independent Living (SCIL) 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 SCIL's I&R
is accomplished over the phone. As calls are received and requests are communicated, an SCIL
staff member responds promptly with appropriate information and resources gathered from
searches of computerized databases.
Peer Support
Peer support is information, one-on-one peer mentoring, and group interactions helping people
with disabilities develop mutual support, assistance, and understanding. Southeast Center for
Independent Living, Inc. (SCIL) 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. SCIL 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. SCIL'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.