Service Programs

Several types of advocacy services are offered at The MetroWest 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 MetroWest Center for Independent Living, Inc. (MWCIL), 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. MWCIL trains consumers how to contact public officials and present their issues in writing, over the telephone, and by appointment.

MWCIL 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, MWCIL 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, MWCIL 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.

MetroWest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL) 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 MWCIL's I&R is accomplished over the phone. As calls are received and requests are communicated, an MWCIL staff member responds promptly with appropriate information and resources gathered from searches of computerized databases.

As a leader in independent living technology, MWCIL 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 online accessible from practically any user with Internet Access or from within our offices.

Additionally, MWCIL 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 is information, one-on-one peer mentoring, and group interactions helping people with disabilities develop mutual support, assistance, and understanding. MetroWest Center for Independent Living, Inc. (MWCIL) 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. MWCIL 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- 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. MWCIL'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.

Information coming soon...