Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living, Inc.

TLCIL works with people with disabilities, human service agencies, the Social Security Administration, school districts, and other organizations to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are honored and respected.  If you're a person with a disability and you need assistance with your interaction with another group or organization, we can help you understand your rights and, when necessary, educate other agencies on the rights of people with disabilities. 

TLCIL works with individuals to to resolve issues and disputes with the following organizations:

• Social Security Administration

• Departments of Social Services

• School Districts

• Mental Health Service Agencies

• Doctor's Offices

• Agencies providing services to people with developmental disabilities

• Hospitals

• Any organization that provides assistance or services to people with disabilities.

The staff at TLCIL utilizes the guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to assist individuals with disabilities, as well as businesses and employers, with questions and issues concerning accessibility.  TLCIL staff can survey your home, business, or place of employment for physical barriers to accessibility and provide you with a detailed written report with recommendations to make the site accessible.  Though many people think that modifications to achieve accessibility are always expensive, many modifications cost very little and can easily be implemented.

Our goal is to see every building and facility accessible to everyone so that no one is excluded from community participation due to architectural barriers! 

TLCIL assists individuals with disabilities who wish to be more independent in their home or community.  TLCIL's knowledgeable and trained staff can provide assistance with budgeting, utilizing assistive devices, locating accessible housing, and anything in between.  Independent Living Skills Training is an individualized service that is tailored to the needs of the individual requesting the service.

If you have a disability-related question, we probably have the answer!  If we don't have the answer, we can likely find it or put you in contact with someone who can. 

TLCIL maintains information regarding services provided to people with disabilities by other agencies and groups so that we can make this information available to the people who call our office looking for information regarding benefits or services.  The trained staff at TLCIL will help you to get in touch with the appropriate group or agency to provide you with the assistance that you, your friend, or your family member needs to remain as independent as possible.

Peer counseling** provides the opportunity for people with disabilities to meet with TLCIL staff, many of whom have disabilities or personal experiecnes with a disability, to discuss goals, concerns and disability-related experiences.  TLCIL's trained staff can offer practical advice and assistance, and when necessary, provide referrals to appropriate agencies and organizations.

**  Peer counseling should not be confused with mental health counseling.  While mental health counseling involves a professional-client relationship, peer counseling consists of a peer relationship in which both the consumer and TLCIL's staff person are dialoging about a disability-related issue to the end of meeting a specified goal.