Southwestern Center for Independent Living
About Us
The Southwestern Center for Independent Living works with individuals with disabilities to increase or maintain their desired level of independence, whether this is, for example, by building a ramp to a home to keep an individual living in their home, learning a new skill to increase independence, or by assisting in advocating for services, equipment, or legislative change.
SWCIL is a private, non-profit, consumer controlled, non-residential, cross-disability, community-based organization, whose direction is determined by and for people with disabilities consistent with the Independent Living philosophy.
Independent Living is based on the concept that persons with disabilities have the right to choose and live a lifestyle free from discrimination and segregation. It is this belief that directs SWCIL's philosophy of personal control, individual choice, societal inclusion, and equal access.
SWCIL’s Core Services include:
Consumer Services: Independent living skills training, advocacy, peer counseling, information referral and assistance, and a wide array of other independent living services which are available based on individual need. SWCIL service associates can meet with individuals in their homes, schools, in a public setting, or at SWCIL offices, whichever is most accessible to the individual or best serves the purpose of accomplishing their goals.
Youth Transition Services: Conducted either on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting when a school requests a topic for several students. Examples of topics include: interpersonal/ social skills, driver’s permit preparation, employment/ job skills, budgeting/ money management, and many others.
Community Group Services & Workshops: SWCIL offers services in a group setting. The service for the group is tailored to meet the common goal of the individuals in a group setting. Examples of topics are social and recreation activities or advocacy training. Seminars and workshops on a variety of topics to provide public awareness and information on pertinent disability issues are available to agencies, businesses, and the community. Topic examples include ADA basic and in-depth information, disability awareness/ sensitivity training, and mobility training on the use of public transit.
Relocation to Community-Based Living: SWCIL assists individuals in planning the move back to community-based living.
Accessibility Assessments – Home and Community: SWCIL conducts home and business on-site evaluations and provides recommendations. SWCIL may also provide home modifications to add accessibility features or make changes necessary to allow an individual to remain living in their home.
Ramp Program – Residential: SWCIL has a program for people needing ramps or long-tread low-rise steps to provide easy access to their home.
SWCIL’s primary service area includes ten counties in southwestern Minnesota: Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Yellow Medicine. SWCIL is also in a three year project to expand independent living services to persons with disabilities in Chippewa and Lac Qui Parle counties.
Our Mission
Mission Statement:
SWCIL is dedicated to working with and responding to the ever changing needs of persons with disabilies in southwestern Minnesota to promote societal acceptance, inclusion, and equal access for all persons with disabliites.
Why We Need a New Website
Creating a new website with updated accessibilty features would contribute to accomplishing our mission as it would ensure that all persons with disablities who use the internet could access our website. Outreach through this avenue is especially important to assist individuals who may need our services in connecing with SWCL. Individuals who may learn about our services online include persons with disabilites moving into SW Minnesota, for example to attend one of the area colleges or univiersity, moving with family, or moving for work, persons with new disabilites, and persons with disabilites whom live in the area, but needs have changed and may have never heard of us as they have not needed our services in the past. Information on our services provided in this website is especialy important for these individuals searching for independent living services for their specific needs. SWCIL's website is a part of our outreach to serve individuals in SW MN, but also provides avenues to important legislative updates and contacts. This site was originally built by a volunteer, however, website uses, accessiblity features, and possibilities have greatly changed since the creation of this website.
How Our New Site Will Help Make the World Greener
Having a more workable website would allow us to post announcements, events, legislative updates, and changes online for our consumers and community. We would be able to depend less on printing fliers and mailing out notices. By updated our information and creating a more accessable and workable website, we would also be able to referr individuals to our website for information or forms, instead of using mail or fax.
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