The Independence Center

A nonprofit organization

The Independence Center conducts programming to ensure people with disabilities have the same rights, access, and opportunities as do others in the community who are living without a disability. Our mission is to work with people with disabilities, families, and the community so that all may thrive.

Testimonials

After The Independence Center helped Anthony move out of a nursing home he commented on his experience with The IC, "They asked me how I wanted my life to be. They didn't do it for me, they showed me how to do it myself."

Mission

The Independence Center works with people with disabilities, their families and the community, we create independence so that all may thrive

Background Statement

The Independence Center began in 1987 when our founder, Vicki Skoog, became quadriplegic and could not find reliable home health care services. The IC built a home health care agency and expanded in 1994 to include an Independent Living Center (ILC). These programs are complementary yet separate. The majority of our board and staff members are people living with a disability. Home health employs 205 CNA's, nurses, and administrative support staff and provides skilled nursing care for 215 people.

The Independent Living Center programs work towards people with disabilities having the same civil rights, options, and control over choices in their lives as do people without disabilities. We conduct twelve services for anyone self-identifying as a person with a disability. We provide; Individual Advocacy in accessing services to which the consumer is entitled and Systems Change Advocacy to build an inclusive community; Independent Living skills which enhance the ability to perform personal care, be fiscally responsible, maintain health, improve social skills, manage a household, and improve employability; Information and Referral to other agencies or governmental programs; Peer Support provides teaching, information, support and friendship. We offer peer support groups for cross disabilities, women, people with brain injuries, seniors with visual impairments,and people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services bring people into The IC for general services; and Community Transition Services transfers people from nursing home settings to community housing, last year we successfully transferred 12 people; Benefits help people acquire SSI, Medicaid, Medicaid Buy-In and SSDI benefits; Emergency Preparation Services helps people prepare evacuation plans in case of emergency by fire, flood, or other unforeseen events; the Assistive Technology Program assists people in acquiring the devices they need to enhance their quality of life; the Employment Program helps people find jobs and then can train them on the job once it is acquired; for the past three years The IC has provided OIB services. An array of programming is available to people aged 55 and over who are experiencing significant loss of vision.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

The Independence Center

other names

The IC

Year Established

1987

Tax id (EIN)

84-1052916

Category

Human Services

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

729 South Tejon Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Service areas

El Paso County, CO, US

Phone

7194718181

Other

719-471-8181

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