Independent Living Advocate

IRCIL, the Indianapolis Resource CIL
1426 W 29th St - Suite 207
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Job Description

Summary
The Independent Living Advocate (ILA) provides outreach and information to people with disabilities in IRCIL’s service area. S/he helps to connect consumers to existing community services and agencies in order to help them meet their needs. The ILA assists consumers to identify, set, and achieve independent living goals. These goals include but are not limited to housing, technology, transportation, accommodation, exiting from an institution to live in the community, and skills training. The ILA must believe in and have a commitment to the Independent Living philosophy and be able to advocate for the independence of the consumer on both an individual and systems change level.

Job Functions:

  1. Outreach - Communities, organizations, businesses, agencies, and other appropriate entities representing and/or working with people with disabilities will have information about IRCIL and the services IRCIL offers and positive relationships and/or partnerships will exist with those entities.
  2. Identification of Consumers - Potential consumers will learn of and trust the services IRCIL offers and they will access those services as needed.
  3. Advocacy - Advocacy needs of the consumers are met on both individual and systems change levels.
  4. Independent Living Skills Training – Consumers will identify and learn independent living skills with the assistance of the ILA and/or will be referred to appropriate agencies/community resources, as appropriate.
  5. Communication – Consumers’ needs are elicited and supported. Contacts are made with appropriate resources and vendors to ensure needs of consumers are met. All written documentation and correspondence is clear and accurate. Confidentiality of consumer information as well as personal information pertaining to co-workers is maintained. Respectful and effective communication occurs with consumers.
  6. Reporting and Documentation - Complete and submit necessary reports in a clear, concise, grammatically correct format on time. Reports progress and/or barriers experienced by each consumer. Statistical information submitted to appropriate entities for determination of success of the project.
  7. Team Work - Team tasks are met i.e., assisting with office duties such as answering phone, and filing, reporting, attending team meetings, representing the organization at community events, etc

Position Requirements:

  1. Knowledge of the independent living philosophy and goals.
  2. Ability to network with community organizations and help build relationships with these agencies
  3. Understanding of person centered planning and the ability to facilitate the desires of the consumer to ensure consumer control.
  4. Willingness to travel and be responsible for own transportation. Must provide proof of insurance if driving.
  5. Must have competency in Word programs and have the ability to conduct effective research utilizing the internet and learn and input data into IRCIL’s data base.
  6. Must complete and submit all documentation and reporting by dates due.
  7. Must possess effective written and expressive communication skills and have the ability to work with a diverse population.
  8. Must have a working knowledge of laws, regulation, programs, services and rights related to person with disabilities.
  9. Knowledge of Independent Living Movement.

Salary Range: $ 12-15.00/hr

Minimum Qualifications: Must have minimum of two years experience in the independent living movement and/or working with people with disabilities and/or undergraduate degree in related field. People who have personal experience with a disability and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Inquiries, resumes and cover letters can be sent to India Anderson at ianderson@ircil.org.

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