MCIL Programs and Services
Moving Out of Institutions
MCIL provides one-on-one assistance to individuals moving from a nursing
home, or other residential institution, back into the community. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL Fact
Sheet in Adobe format].
Housing
MCIL provides information and referral on accessible, affordable, integrated
housing for people with disabilities in the Memphis area. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL
Fact Sheet in Adobe format].
Coalition for Accessible Transportation
The Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT) is a group of people from
all aspects of life throughout Memphis who are solely dedicated to working on
public transportation issues. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL Fact
Sheet in Adobe format].
PALs Youth Group
Young People Accessing Leadership Skills (PALS) is a group that instills
ideas of choice, change and inclusion and assists our youth transitioning into
adulthood with a sense of pride, confidence and self-motivation. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL Fact
Sheet in Adobe format].
Rockers 'n Rollers
Rockers 'N' Rollers is a group that instills ideas of choice, change and
inclusion and assists our young adults into community living with a sense of
pride, confidence and self-motivation. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL
Fact Sheet in Adobe format].
Peer Outreach
The Peer Outreach Program (POP) is designed for people with disabilities 12
years and older to become more independent and active in the community through
the use of one-on-one peer support. [More
Information on Moving Out of Institutions] [MCIL
Fact Sheet in Adobe format].
About Independent Living
Confronting Discrimination
People with disabilities face paternalism, isolation, and discrimination. Whether in the subtleties of being turned down for a job or the more obvious non-compliance with the Fair Housing Act or the ADA many people are unaware of their right to fight back. MCIL works beside people with disabilities to settle disputes with healthcare providers, landlords, employers, retail stores, and other public accommodations. With our community partners like ADAPT, MCIL works with government, social service agencies, housing providers, and others to enhance accessibility in our community. The Center participates in systems advocacy to influence changes that benefit all people with disabilities in the tradition of The Civil Rights movement.
Housing
Locating affordable, accessible housing is not an easy task in the Memphis Area. For people with physical disabilities who have accessibility needs, our program can facilitate the home modification process. The housing program is the direct result of MCIL's dedication to systems advocacy. In 2006 the Center working with the US Department of Justice won a discrimination complaint against local developers who violated the ADA and Fair Housing Act. Once modified to meet people's needs, tenants with disabilities typically remain in housing for a long time, and are not as subject to pressure of an expensive institution or government funded housing programs.
Employment
Unemployment rates for people with significant disabilities remain above 70%. It is difficult to meet individual and family financial needs with Social Security benefits. In addition, many people with disabilities express the desire to be employed, but don't have reliable information about their rights or about transiting from or maintaining their benefits. The ability and opportunity to obtain meaningful employment has eluded most people with disabilities in our country.
We use experience and knowledge of federal work incentive programs, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Job Accommodation Network to educate individuals and groups about workplace rights and programs to gain or maintain employment.
Knowing our rights can benefit a person with a disability during the interviewing and hiring phase. Knowing when to ask for reasonable accommodations and where resources can be found can make a big difference in maintaining a job. Others need help in communication techniques, appropriate workplace behavior, understanding the benefits process, finding resources for resumes, or even how to use employment services or classified advertisements. MCIL will work with individuals on their goals and other job readiness skills, and to teach the self-advocacy skills that will help them in the future.
Transportation
Reliable, accessible public transportation plays an important role in a person with a disability's ability to function in the community. Getting to work, to medical appointments, to social and recreational activities all depend on transportation. On a system-wide basis MCIL works to improve local transportation and educate providers about the rights of people with disabilities. Working with individuals, we assist consumers with understanding how the transportation system can work for them.
Support Services
MCIL works with individuals to identify barriers to independent living and to set goals toward each individual's independence. Many times consumers have tangible needs that are not available to them through their existing programs and service. For instance, durable medical equipment, assistive technology, or dental services may not be provided by Medicaid or Medicare, or not adequately funded. MCIL helps individuals to meet these goals as typical members of our community would without developing dependency on government or charities. Determining how employment options might affect current benefits is another support service offered. Money management skills are taught to consumers who desire them. This includes budgeting, bill paying, and organizing skills.
Additionally, the MCIL staff is primarily made up of people with disabilities who can offer peer support. Working with a peer allows the consumer to identify with the advocate and perceive the advocate as a model -- a person with a disability who is employed, self-reliant, and participating in the community.
Outreach
MCIL can provide disability sensitivity training to service providers to promote understanding of how to work with people with disabilities. MCIL is available to conduct accessibility surveys upon request. The Center maintains contacts with agencies providing qualified sign language interpreters and works with providers of healthcare and other essential services to obtain these interpreters as needed.
Peer Support
A major barrier to independence occurs because people have been isolated in various treatment programs that focus on the "problem of disability." Identity as a person with a disability and affiliation with a positive group is an important step into the community. Many people with disabilities see their experience as unique and do not encounter the depth of know-how from the larger disability community. Disability however, is part of life; and MCIL is leading our community out of the backrooms, institutions and shadows to be a part of everyday life.
The experience of planning, organizing, implementing and cooperating with other consumers for our group activities, one-on-one counseling and social and challenge activities becomes the vehicle for self acceptance. Self acceptance is necessary to move forward to self sufficiency and community reintegration. To understand what having a disability means in general, is to understand the experience of people with different disabilities and to proudly affiliate with them as a community.
Nursing Home Transition
As part of our mission to fully integrate people with disabilities into the community, MCIL takes the lead in helping people who live in institutions transition to community living. Based on the ADA and the Supreme Court Olmstead Decision, people with disabilities have the right to live in the most integrated setting, and those who are in institutions have the right to information about other choices. Our staff does outreach to nursing homes and identify people who want to make the transition. Then, we work alongside the nursing home resident to plan a successful transition, which may include a full array of services that are not supported by the State of Tennessee.
All people with disabilities neither want nor need the same things. Nor do they use the same methods to access or process information. MCIL networks with other community organizations and form collaborations that benefit our consumers. Our staff brings their personal experiences with disabilities to the table, and they learn something new from each consumer that will benefit others.
As a Center for Independent Living, all of MCIL's programs and services are consumer oriented and consumer directed. Consumers are involved in the process of creating programs through focus groups, surveys, feedback at workshops, and staff feedback. Only our consumers can define their needs.
