Services and programs
Independent Living
Independence Now is a non-residential Center for Independent Living (CIL), one of more than 400 in the United States. We provide an array of services to people with ALL types of disabilities who live in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The majority of our staff and Board of Directors have disabilities.
- Nursing Home outreach and transition
- Peer mentoring and support
- Transit and transportation
- Home modifications
Benefits INfoSource
A free service providing:
Benefits INfoSource Lighthouse
- Information and Referral
- Benefits Planning
- Assistance to persons receiving disability benefits from Social Security who want to explore returning to work
Service for recipients of:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income
Who live in Maryland
Maryland Youth Leadership Forum
Unfortunately, the 2010 YLF has been cancelled this summer due to a lack of funding. Please check back soon for upcoming events in the fall.
Mission
The mission of the MD-YLF is to identify High School students with disabilities who have demonstrated these qualities -
- Leadership potential
- Academic success
- Involvement in their school and community
- and provide them with training and experiences, role models, and mentors to assist them in becoming tomorrow's leaders.
The Forum
What does the Leadership Training include?
- an overview of leadership principles
- the history of the disability rights movement
- career presentations
- expose students to an exhibit of technologies and resources
- a meeting with State government officials
- a legislative activity
- self-advocacy presentations
- development of a personal leadership plan
talent show, dance and more...!
Introduce the students to other disabled students with similar aspirations and goals, so that they need not experience their disability in isolation and can learn from one another about living with a disability.
Expose the students to successful adults with disabilities who, with a variety of achievements and jobs, can share their experiences, relay the message that no unnecessary limits be put on career goals, promote viewing oneself positively and encourage pursuit of goals with confidence.
Providethe students with an array of resources that can assist them in achieving independence and positions of leadership, including sources of assistive technology, rehabilitation programs, education and career information and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Stress the benefits of being gainfully employed and contributing their time and talent to society.
Assist the students in developing their academic, career and leadership plans, and the self assurance and skills to accomplish these plans.
Volunteer now for MD-YLF staff 2010! Must be 18 or older to apply. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis. **Please check the Alumni section for volunteer applications.**
MD-YLF...
- is held each summer, usually in late July.
- is a 4 day program on a college campus - students live in a college dorm.
- staff are mostly adults with disabilities, employees of our sponsors, and MD-YLF Grads.
- is sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education and other state and private organizations.