The Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) strives to provide you, our consumers, with the tools and resources to make your own decisions and be as independent as possible. We hope to help you feel valued and supported in our communities.
Our Services
Housing Navigation
Get help applying, locating, advocating for, and obtaining affordable and accessible housing.
Personal Assistance
Get connected to the assistance needed to be more independent; cleaning, cooking, bathing, etc.
Housing Navigation
Get help applying, locating, advocating for, and obtaining affordable and accessible housing. We know housing is hard to find; we can help with the search! Our Housing & Support Specialists, located in each office, are trained to assist you in finding and keeping housing. We can help you understand and apply for affordable housing programs. ILRC can also help advocate with landlords to assist you in maintaining your housing.
Personal Assistance
Get connected to the assistance needed to be more independent; cleaning, cooking, bathing, etc. ILRC’s Housing & Support Specialists are available to help with applying for personal assistance services. This may be via In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), ILRC’s Personal Assistant Registry, or by exploring other options to get you the support you need.
Interpreting
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Registry to ensure Communications Access at meetings, medical appointments, etc.
Peer Support
ILRC has the unique ability to offer services and support from a place of understanding as individuals with disabilities ourselves.
Interpreting
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Registry to ensure Communications Access at meetings, medical appointments, etc. Consumers, businesses, medical offices, community organizations, etc. can contact ILRC to request an ASL Interpreter to ensure individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing can have full access to communication. You may also download documents for After Hours/Emergency Phone Numbers and the Interpreting Services Agreement. For more information or to request an ASL Interpreter, you may complete the online ASL interpreter Request Form or contact our Independent Living Specialist-Deaf at [email protected].
Peer Support
ILRC has the unique ability to offer services and support from a place of understanding as individuals with disabilities ourselves. We understand how frustrating it can be to be misunderstood. Receiving support from someone experiencing a disability can make the process of receiving services and working together less stressful. At least 51% of our staff and board are individuals with disabilities. Currently, ILRC maintains 80% of our staff and board representing individuals with disabilities.
Assistive Technology
Identifying and procuring devices that help increase or improve independence.
Youth Transition
Services to support transition-aged youth (14-26) navigate and prepare for post-secondary life.
Assistive Technology
Identifying and procuring devices that help increase or improve independence. Devices can be a huge help in increasing or improving the independence of an individual with a disability. ILRC’s Assistive Technology Coordinator can help you find devices and equipment to assist you with everyday tasks. Examples may include; wheelchairs, walkers, canes, speech devices, laptops, software, etc. Our AT Coordinator can help assess needs, locate technology to try out, and help navigate the funding process to purchase the needed items.
Youth Transition
Services to support transition-aged youth (14-26) navigate and prepare for post-secondary life.Youth can learn about increasing independence at an early age. ILRC’s Youth Specialist provides services specifically for youth aged 14-29. Our Youth Transition program provides individual services and opportunities to attend leadership forums and events. Youth with disabilities are our future advocates!
Blind and Low Vision
The Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) and the Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Programs are designed to provide services to individuals experiencing vision loss or blindness beginning at age 18.
Advocacy
Advocacy is the backbone of ILRC. ILRC is here to provide self-advocacy training as well as community organizing/advocacy for systems change.
Blind and Low Vision
The Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) and the Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) programs are designed to provide services to individuals experiencing vision loss or blindness beginning at age 18. Have you noticed you need glasses? Would bumps on your microwave help you find the right button? These are examples of needs we can help you with through our BVI and OIB Programs. Additionally, we can help with devices, orientation, mobility training, and much more.
Advocacy
Advocacy is the backbone of ILRC. ILRC is here to provide self-advocacy training as well as community organizing/advocacy for systems change. If you are struggling to voice your needs or feel you are not being listened to, we can help you learn how to advocate for yourself. ILRC is very involved in our communities and consistently advocates for the disability community in the areas of accessibility, communication, service provision methods, and more.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
The goal of the ADRC is to bridge the gap between long-term support and services provided to both individuals with disabilities and older adults.
Read More About Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Services…
Information & Referral
Our staff will connect you with the services and resources you need or arrange a warm hand-off if we do not provide them internally.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
In partnership with our core partners the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, and extended partners across each of our counties, ILRC is a designated ADRC in Ventura County and an emerging ADRC in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. The goal of the ADRC is to bridge the gap between long-term support and services provided to both individuals with disabilities and older adults. Learn more on our Aging & Disability Resource Center page…
Information & Referral
Our staff will connect you with the services and resources you need or arrange a warm hand-off if we do not provide them internally. Information and Referal (I&R) services are one of ILRC’s core services. When you initially contact ILRC, you will be connected with one of our four bilingual Community Information Coordinators in each of our respective counties. Our Community Information Coordinators conduct a conversational needs assessment and connect individuals with the staff member that provides the needed services. In addition, if an individual requests a service that ILRC does not offer, we ensure they are connected with the appropriate organization to help with their needs.
Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training
Independent Living Skills (ILS) are any skills that aid an individual in increasing or maintaining independence.
Read More About Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training Services…
Benefits Counseling
Assistance learning about, applying for, and appealing public benefits.
Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training
Independent Living Skills (ILS) are any skills that aid an individual in increasing or maintaining independence; examples of independent living skills include applying for an ADA ID card for transportation, applying for school, and learning how to manage a bank account. Our Advocates will work with you to create as many independent living goals as you need and work alongside you step by step to achieve your goals.
Benefits Counseling
Assistance learning about, applying for, and appealing public benefits. ILRC understands how frustrating applying for public benefits can be, but we can help! Meet with our Benefits Specialists to learn about, apply for, and appeal for public benefits. Public benefits include unemployment, SSDI/SSI, MediCal, Medicare, and more.
Transitions
Transition specialists facilitate safe transitions from any institutional setting back to the community.
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Services
The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Program is focused on providing peace of mind for our consumers in times of disaster or emergency.
Read More About Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Services Services…
Transitions
Transition specialists facilitate safe transitions from any institutional setting back to the community. ILRC’s Transition Specialists focus on assisting individuals in any type of institutional setting, like a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or board and care facility, in transitioning to community-based living. We can help you navigate the overwhelming process of getting back home after spending time in an institution; the process can include but is not limited to assistance in locating housing, obtaining home modifications, and applying for public benefits.
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Services
The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Program is focused on providing peace of mind for our consumers in times of disaster or emergency. When you apply for services on our website, our Emergency Preparedness Services Manager will contact you to help you prepare for disasters and emergencies. We can help you with creating an evacuation plan, signing up for the Medical Baseline Program, or obtaining a backup battery for eligible individuals. Learn more on our Emergencies & Disaster Preparedness page…