Core Programs

Information and Referral

Often, knowledge is the only difference between dependent and independent living. We provide information to consumers and to the community on accessibility issues, programs and services that are available both locally and provincially.

Peer Support

Sometimes, we just need to now that someone understands - someone who's been there. For people with disabilities, this service allows people to share experiences, ideas and concerns.

Research and Demonstration

We are constantly on the lookout for new information relating to people with disabilities. There are many unique needs still unmet in our community. As these needs are identified, the Centre responds by creating options.

Independent Living Skills

Certain life skills, such as assertiveness and self-direction are the very foundation of independent living. The Centre provides the one-on-one or group training needed to achieve independent living goals.

Our mandate

The disABILITY Resource Centre for Independent Living promotes the achievement of independent lviing for all consumers with disabilities living in the Kapuskasing area.

The organization shall be dedicated to the development and promotion of the independent living philosophy and the movement in the Kapuskasing region and will strive for the following principles:

Consumer Control = This priniciple ensures that the organization services and managerial structures will be governed by a minimum of 51% consumers with disabilities.

Consumer Participation = Having this principle will encourage the full participation of disabled consumers in the delivery, planning and monitoring of all major programs and activities initiated by the Centre.

Cross-Disability Constituency = Having this principle will encourage the organization to reflect a wide cross-section of the disabled community and respond to the individual unmet needs of all potential consumers of its services.

Community Involvement = Having this principle calls for ongoing consultation with a broad range of community expertise. Involving expertise at a variety of levels in the organization will ensure an appropriate level of service standards in the development and delivery of its programs.

Flexibility = Having this principle assures that the organization will respond to every changing needs. Thus, the centre should be able to "phase out" programs it had developed where they no longer serve a need or where a more appropriate service base has been found. In this process, the center will seek to avoid duplication of existing services and will seek to fill in the gaps in the comumunity's current services.