Eligibility
Anyone with a disability is welcome here. Our services are free of charge to persons with disabilities. We help people with physical, sensory (deafness, blindness), cognitive, mental/emotional, or environmental disabilities, regardless of age or income.
Outreach specialist Ellen Bethel advises a consumer that umbrellas are useful on sunny days as well as rainy days in Miami
Definition of Disability
An individual with a significant disability is one who has a severe physical, mental/emotional, cognitive, or sensory impairment which substantially limits one or more functional capacities, such as mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills (walking, talking breathing, hearing, seeing, thinking, or feeling).
Services
Systems Advocacy Our Director of Advocacy is Marc Dubin, Esq., former senior trial attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section. As the department director, he recruits, trains, and guides teams of volunteers, with and without disabilities, to serve on our Disability Advocacy Council. Advocacy Council members educate people with disabilities about the availability of services; identify gaps in services that should be remedied, identify disability issues the center should support, advocate for systemic changes, and keep the Executive Director and Board of Directors updated on the concerns and issues that affect persons with disabilities in Miami-Dade County. Director of Advocacy also trains volunteers to serve on community coalitions, alliances, boards, and committees where they can influence policies and funding decisions that affect the disability community.
Our struggle for equality focuses on several areas where policy changes are needed to enhance access to services. From 2006-2010, we are highlighting access to domestic violence services; accessible, affordable, integrated housing; access to health care, including Medicaid Reform; access to emergency shelters and services; and access to transportation. Marc wants to hear what your experiences have been when you have tried to get services or used these services. If you asked for communication aids were they provided to you? (Examples are Braille, CD-Rom, diskette, large print, audiotape, sign language interpreter, open captioning, assistive listening device, or note taker.)
Marc and our volunteers are documenting instances in which persons with disabilities have encountered problems. Marc and his team are the problem-solvers! They are effecting systems change in our county and they are not going to take “NO” for an answer when it concerns ADA compliance. If you need a problem solved, contact Marc at mdubin@pobox.com, or 1-305-896-3000.
If you would like to join our South Florida Accessible Housing Coalition, also contact Marc. The Center is working collaboratively with H.O.P.E., Inc. and many other housing organizations throughout the state to increase accessible, affordable, integrated housing for people with disabilities. This is a hot issue and we are taking advantage of the fact that so many organizations in the state and in our own community are willing to work together to achieve this goal.
Self-advocacy It’s all about asking for what you need to live independently. You can learn to advocate for yourself. Know your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and be confident when talking to people who THINK they know what’s best for you.
Disability Rights Training Director of Advocacy will train anyone who wants to be a disability advocate about the Rehab Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other civil rights laws.
Independent Living Skills Training We offer a life-long learning program for individuals who did not graduate from high school or who need to refresh what they learned in high school. It is an open entry, open exit program from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Certified instructors assist each participant to develop an Adult Individualized Education Plan.
Students learn basic math as part of Independent Living Skills Training
The curriculum includes money management, home safety and appliance use, housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation use, hygiene and grooming, personal attendant management, cooking, computer literacy, including Internet use, leisure time development, and sign language instruction.
This is a collaborative effort among Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Community Education Department; Miami-Dade County Office of Human Services; Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation; and Miami-Dade Transportation Agency. The curriculum includes basic reading, writing and math taught around independent living skills, sign language instruction for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and basic computer literacy.
One serious student is determined to learn computer skills
Information Technology Training. Learn Microsoft applications and keyboarding first. Then have fun surfing the Internet, using a digital or web camera to send photos, even paying bills and applying for services on line. New skills like word processing and data entry can jumpstart your career. We have technology projects created to fit your taste and interests. (Link to IT program description)
Pre-Vocational Skills. Maybe you just need to brush up on job readiness skills before you start looking for a job. You’ll learn step-by-step how to search for a job, fill out an application, prepare a resume, interview for a job, keep your job once you get hired, or find a better job after you gain some work experience. You can go as high as you want to. You’re in control.
Competitive Employment. An Employment Specialist will show you how to assess your strengths, work experience, education and training, select a career path, and find a job using our reliable business and corporate network. How high do you want to go? We’ll show you how to get there. You’re in control. We offer both competitive and supported job placement opportunities.
Supported Employment. This program is designed to assist individuals who receive services under the Developmental Disabilities Waiver. The program will assist you in getting and keeping a job. A supported employment job coach will assist you to learn the job and answer all your questions.
Additional services may include help locating appropriate housing, acquiring, retaining, or improving skills related to activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene and grooming, household chores, meal preparation, shopping, personal finances, social and adaptive skills necessary for people to reside on their own.
Two consumers take a break from their studies
Transition from School to Work and Community. If you graduated with a special diploma and don’t know where to go from here, we can help. It doesn’t matter what your age is, you can enroll in educational classes that prepare you to pass the G.E.D. and enjoy field trips to parks, beaches, malls, movies and sports events. Then we’ll show you how to get into a vocational or technical school, even college, if that’s what you want to do.
Information and Referral. Find out about all kinds of resources in your area and around the United States. When we don’t know the answer, we search the Internet. You can, too. We will gladly refer you to any resources you choose and follow up to make sure you receive services.
Recycled Equipment. We lend new and used adaptive equipment for as long as you need it. We know where to go for new, free manual wheelchairs. We also have used portable commodes, bath or shower chairs, canes, and walkers. If we don’t have what you need, we’ll help you find it.
A wheelchair and a portable ramp are types of equipment given away at the center
Peer Support. Meet staff and volunteers who are excellent examples of what independent living is all about. They know how to listen and are always willing to share their knowledge and experience to help you live more independently.
One student provides peer support to another by communicating in tactile sign language
Housing Assistance. There is a critical shortage of affordable, accessible, integrated housing in the county. Don’t expect miracles, but we will help you fill out applications, get on waiting lists, and search for the type of housing that meets your individual needs and your budget.
Legal Assistance. Have your rights under the ADA been violated? We can connect you with attorneys who will provide information and help you find a pro- bono attorney to advise you about any legal issue related to the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This includes discrimination in housing, employment, education, transportation and other public accommodations.
Institutional Transition. Are you dissatisfied living in a nursing home, mental health facility, assisted living facility, group home, or other type of institution? We may be able to help you return to your family or find living accommodations in the community if you have some type of income. Call 305-751-8025 for a consultation.
SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING
Sign language interpreting services (English, Spanish, medical, and legal) are available on a fee for service basis. Call Nury at 305-751-8025 for a free rate quote. After hours hotline number is 786-712-2116, or you can e-mail nury@soflacil_wp.org.
We cater to the business/corporate community’s need to know if they are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We can help you find the answers to your questions or survey your business and advise you on the least expensive means of achieving compliance. Call Nury at 305-751-8025 for a free rate quote. Or e-mail Nury at nury@soflacil_wp.org.
DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING
In this era of diversity, any business or corporation can take advantage of our disability awareness training to increase their ability to attract persons with disabilities for employment or as customers. We offer workshops to fit every price range. Call 305-751-8025 or e-mail Nury at Nury@soflacil_wp.org.