Disability Achievement Center

Commonly known as a Center for Independent Living, we provide the following five core Independent Living services: information and referral, Independent Living skills training, transition, peer mentoring, and individual and systemic advocacy. for fiscal year ended june 30, 2024, Disability Achievement Center served a total of 1,473 consumers. Out of this number, an Independent Living plan was developed for 1,348 consumers. Disability Achievement Center provided 1,735 individual services to consumers and 1,240 information and referral services. In addition, the Center spent over 1,609.5 hours providing community activities and services. Disability Achievement Center also provides services such as:"community education, training, and awareness for both organizations and the general public. Disability Achievement Center has worked closely with schools, law enforcement organizations, media, county transportation systems, county emergency operations units and organizations to prepare them to deal with accessibility and sensitivity to Disability issues. "youth transition services (ages 14 to 24) for youth with disabilities. "deaf and hard of hearing services such as community education, training, and awareness for deaf and hard of hearing challenges. Disability Achievement Center also provides deaf alerting equipment to qualified persons through our cema program, such as flashing door bells and smoke detectors, vibrating alarm clocks and baby crier audible transmitters. "ongoing community outreach to obtain durable medical equipment through the Center's medical equipment recycling program (merp). These donations include power wheelchairs, scooters, manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, benches, rollators, walkers, crutches, vehicle lifts, ramps and incontinent supplies. Merp equipment is given to consumers whose insurance does not provide these items and who otherwise would not be able to purchase the equipment to provide them with safety and independence in their homes and accessing the community. "specific assistance to qualified persons through our consumer equipment and modification assistance program (cema) to positively impact their ability to live independently in the home and community. These services include minor home modifications (such as ramps and grab bars), durable medical equipment repairs, assistive technology, and equipment purchases necessary to maintain independence relevant to specifics of Disability.

Our organization partners with the brain & spinal cord injury program (bscip) to provide critical services for individuals referred by bscip. These services include third-party supplemental benefits assistance, where we conduct assessments to determine clients' eligibility for benefits and assist with applications when applicable. Additionally, we coordinate and manage home modifications by providing quotes for potential modifications identified through client referrals. We also support clients by delivering and setting up durable medical equipment (dme) after receiving approval from bscip. These services aim to enhance accessibility, independence, and quality of life for individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries.

Services designed to increase employment of persons with disabilities within the local communities. This is accomplished through employment counseling, employment placement, employment on the job training, and supported employment.

Our organization participates in the sunshine health community transition and stabilization program, a partnership between sunshine health, the Florida association of centers for Independent Living (facil), and local centers for Independent Living (cils) across Florida. This program focuses on assisting nursing home members transitioning back to community Living by providing pre- and post-transition support to promote their independence and inclusion in the community. Cil services are provided over a six-month period, with more intensive assistance at the beginning, gradually reducing as the member's needs stabilize. Sunshine health partners with cils to ensure that members receive the necessary support for a successful transition, including additional community stabilization services to foster long-term independence.