Assistive Technology and Home Modification
The goal of the Assistive Technology and Home Modification is to educate the disability community about assistive technology uses, benefits and availability.
Sergio Garibay - Assistive Technology Coordinator
My name is Sergio Garibay from Michoacan, close to Guadalajara, Mexico and I’m the Assistive Technology Coordinator for Communities Actively Living Independent & Free. As a child, I was diagnosed with poliomyelitis on my right leg. I was born in Mexico and came to the United States at the age of seven for medical treatment.
Next, I attended elementary school, middle school, then, graduated from Widney High School in Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, I decided to receive Social Security Income to support myself. Then, I realized that living on a Social Security check was not enough to pay for my rent, food, and clothing—so I proceeded to find a job.
Through research and contacting different agencies, I was connected with the Department of Rehabilitation and met with a counselor who developed a plan to assist me to meet my goal. The first step was to attend school and take an office occupation course where I learned to use a computer, fax machine, and other office equipment.
Second, I was assigned a job developer who helped me with interviewing skills, resume preparation, and how to complete job applications. Moreover, I was hired by the Central Los Angeles Independent Living Center as a Receptionist. In February 2002, I was hired by CALIF as the Peer Counselor and eventually promoted to the Assistive Technology Coordinator position the next year.
Assistive Technology refers to anything as simple as the crutches I use to ambulate daily, a modified spoon to help someone eat on their own, or as complicated as computerized controls on a van to help someone with a severe disability to drive. It is special technology and equipment like a motorized wheelchair for the mobility impaired or a parrot for the blind produced by engineers, designers and disabled persons themselves to make it possible and or make easier what used to be very simple tasks without the disability.
So, as AT Coordinator, my duties are to assist people with disabilities to obtain their AT tools and resources to help them better their lives. Finally, I am attending Cerritos College to continue with my goal of improving my education and continue to empower persons with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Loan Program
Have you applied for medical equipment through your HMO, Medi-Cal, or Medicare and waited weeks or months to get an approval? For that reason and more, ( CALIF ) Communities Actively Living Independent & Free has embarked on a journey to start an assistive technology loan program.
CALIF has applied for a small grant to purchase devices and products that consumers can borrow while waiting for their insurance company to respond. Currently we are asking people with different disabilities to give us feedback on the devices and products they would like us to purchase and loan out in the future.
At the moment we have devices that the disable community can borrow such as a manual wheelchair, monomouse for the visually impaired, walkers, and bathroom commodes. Also, we have an exercise machine that anyone can use at our center free of charge. The “Flexaciser” allows a person who has little or no movement of their legs or arms to exercise and it’s safe and easy to use.
Finally, if you would like to learn more about the assistive technology loan program, feel free to contact me at CALIF (213) 627-0477. We hope to sustain the assistive technology loan program with your participation.
California Assistive Technology Exchange - AT Device Loan Program
CATE provides funding to 10 Community Based Organizations (CBO)
throughout the State of California. These CBOs provide direct assistive technology services to persons with disabilities. They will help individuals learn about, select, locate and "try out"
devices most appropriate to their needs.
The CBOs are strategically located to provide comprehensive coverage to all residents of the state.
Each CBO is charged with providing assistive technology related information and referral through the AT Device Loan Program.
A variety of AT devices is available at each location for short-term loans to consumers. The loan program is designed to assist consumers with accessing and utilizing the most effective AT device for their individual needs.
CALIF Assistive Technology Equipment through Department of Rehabilitation
If you would like to learn more about CATE, go under the Links section of this website and look for California Assistive Technology Exchange, and click on their website.
Advocacy: Individual and Benefits Counseling
The goal of Benefits Counseling is to assist individuals with disabilities regarding unresolved issues related to the acquisition of services or benefits. In some cases, the counselor may actually represent the consumer in their appeals or hearings; however, consumers may also be referred to an attorney when professional assistance is needed.
Lily Sanchez - Benefits Advocacy
Greetings, I am a true believer in the power of Words and Persistency. In this life nothing comes easy, we must stand our ground to obtain what is rightfully ours. In the area of advocacy, we do individual as well as benefits advocacy. Individual Advocacy has to do with advocating for a certain need or issue that would impact a single person and/or his or her family or circle.
For example, if a disabled person needed an accessible parking space from a landlord and the landlord refuses to accommodate that person, I help that person at CALIF to get the tools he or she needs to be successful at negotiating for that parking space—that is individual advocacy.
Benefits Advocacy has to do with assisting a disabled consumer with an appeal for a public benefit or service that has been denied him or her. An example is an application for Supplemental Security Income and Medical. For such cases, I do research and study the consumer’s particular situation and prepare the case for reconsideration before an Administrative Law Judge. It is a lot of work but it is very fulfilling to see consumers occasionally win their cases.
My name is Lily Sanchez, Benefits Counselor for CALIF, I am here to empower persons with disabilities to self-advocate and obtain the most essential benefits, which will give people with disabilities a start to living an Independent Life. If you are a person with a disability and would like more information on the different benefit resources please contact me @ (213) 627-0477 or you can email me at lsanchez@calif-ilc.org . Peace.
Housing Advocate and Information Referral
The goal of the Housing Advocate is to provide information that will help individuals with disabilities to obtain affordable housing that meets their specific needs. After determining the specific requirements of the individual, appropriate housing referrals are provided by mail, over the telephone or computer. Assistance is offered to consumers and property owners regarding standards for housing modification as well as funding mechanisms for this purpose.
The goal of Information and Referral services is to increase consumer awareness regarding topics and resources that may lead to greater self-sufficiency. A comprehensive reference system is updated on a continuous basis for referral to consumers and other community contacts. Although some information will be disseminated through the mail, this service will most often be conducted by telephone and via the computer. Public education presentations and participation in community events are coordinated through the information and referral component.
Reginald Robinson - Housing Advocate and Information Referral
Hello, my name is Reginald Robinson, CALIF's Housing Advocate. In order to tell my story, I should go back
to the beginning. I came to Southern California back in 1999, when I was informed of my father's passing, and came back here to take care
of the burial arrangments. After I laid my father to rest, my depression kicked in, and I gave way to my disability. I could not work or even handle my own affairs.
Life seem to close in on me, I found myself suddenly homeless and alone. Somehow I found my way to Downtown LA and into Skid Row, to where I ended up sleeping on the streets,
going to missions to eat. Life had become dark and lonely. But somehow deep inside I knew I could and wanted to do better. After two long years of homelessness, I got a word of a program
that would help homeless people, so I found my way to PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). At PATH, I was introduced to the Claire Foundation, an agency
that deals with people with disabilities and also drug and alcohol addiction. So I started doing volunteer work for Claire. While I stayed in the Transitional
Housing Program. In about a 6 month period, I was able to find housing with Skid Row Housing Trust. I moved into one of the hotels, Las Americas, on 6th and Alameda.
During this time, I found out about a peer mentoring program funded by the Department of Mental Health given at the Westside Center for Independent Living in Venice, CA.
It was there I met Judith Holtz. Judith was and is a wonderful caring person. She saw something in me that I myself had forgotten about: drive, dedication, and a strong
will to succeed. Well after completing eight weeks of training, I was assigned my internship at CALIF which was to last another eight weeks. But as faith would have it, the
receptionist had to move out of town. So I was offered the position. My life had taken a turn for the better, I was employed again. After getting the position, I began to do a
lot of I&R for consumers that called in so my skills at getting resources got better. Before I knew it, I was assisting the Housing Advocate and also doing the
weekly orientation for new consumers. This opportunity to gain some knowledge into the inter workings of ILC's has been a great lift to my self esteem and also gave me strength
to continue to move forward in a positive way. I feel that after being homeless for a number of years, I can relate to our homeless consumers on a greater level.
For "Yes, I have been there" I know what the diabled community goes through, first hand. I will not only bring experience to the job, but also 50 years of life experience, which
gives me strong enthusiasm and a sincere desire to be of service to the disability community. I will continue to be a consistent worker and hope to maintain my helpfulness and true
concern for my position. So I'm proud to say, that not only has my professional life become better, so has my personal life as well, as I got married this year to Marie __, at a ceremony
held at CALIF itself on June 8th, 2007. So I have a deep gratitude and respect for CALIF and its staff members for they have afforded me, not only a life but a life that I had only dreamed of. Many Thanks! R.R.
Peer Counseling
The goal of Peer Counseling will be to assist consumers, caregivers, and family members with issues related to disability and independent living. One-to-one or group sessions are conducted and any or all of the following topics are covered: assessment of factors related to independence; determination of the role of disability in relation to family, community or self; exploration of feelings, attitudes and values which may impact the attainment of personal goals; the use of adaptive techniques and assistive devices and technology to gain independence. When professional intervention is indicated, consumers will be referred to the appropriate agency or professional.
Jopie Coscolluela - Peer Counselor, ILS Independent
Living Skills and Transition Advocate
I attribute to our parents, Johnny and Fely, the lessons of positive thinking. We grew up in an environment of “everything is possible!”
“You can do it!” “Too poor or too rich--it did not matter,” my parents would always say, “there is hope in everyone.”
Hope was God’s gift to my family when my sister suffered a massive stroke that rendered her a wheelchair user and a dialysis patient for 6 years.
Hope and faith were our family’s strength when my son had a motorcycle accident that required 3 surgeries, on his spine, his leg and elbow.
With my sister and my son, I gained my most meaningful personal disability-related experiences. Thus, when I was invited to join CALIF, I knew right away that I can serve as
a counselor.
For almost 2 years now, as Peer Counselor and Independent Living Skills Advocate, I have been a witness to CALIF giving that hope to its consumers on a day to day basis. At the start of the day, my co-workers at CALIF, disabled and non-disabled, open the doors with their happy joyful greetings. The Downtown LA traffic, the troubles at home, health challenges or even financial worries—everything that tend to cause sleepless nights pale in comparison to the excitement and hope of another day. The CALIF mindset of “can do positive!” becomes infectious!
Our consumers share that hope too! I see this dynamic exchange of hopeful stories every week at our peer counseling sessions, particularly at the CALIF Recovery Group, now going on for almost 2 years.
For many CALIF consumers, getting to CALIF is already a big ordeal. In fact, getting out of bed is a day to day ordeal for many persons with disabilities. And when the CALIF client do get out of bed 10 minutes earlier than usual, get dressed and hop on the bus and get to CALIF, all these are because of the welcoming atmosphere they get from CALIF.
As a Transition Advocate, I work with the consumer to work towards getting discharged from institutional setting and graduate into the independent living environment. As long as the consumer is self-directing and enthusiastic to be free and live on his own, we successfully reach goals of community-based living.
A recent successful transition touched the hearts of all of us here at CALIF. A very young lady struggling with a mental illness was coming out of rehabilitation. Through the CALIF Transition program, we helped her with all the details of moving to her own apartment, and finding community resources that would support her continuously with her much-needed treatment. A few weeks after moving to her own place, we were very impressed with how she transformed an otherwise drab dwelling of white walls into an incredibly colorful and decorative space, full of her artistic expression.
There are many more heartwarming success stories.
My job is intertwined with our Executive Director’s project for an Independent Living Skills Center that she aptly dubbed CAFÉ – Consumer Advocacy and Friendship Enterprise.
The café is a spin-off of the Peer Mentor Volunteer program where consumers filled up a long list of very qualified volunteers demonstrating talents in the arts of painting, web design, and skills in teaching and tutoring computer skills, English as a Second Language and even the American Sign Language and even in conducting small businesses.
Volunteers with a desire to assist CALIF with its fund-raising efforts, operated small endeavors like the Rose Garden Gift Shop and the Fast Fred Snack Bar! Consumers and volunteers run this little micro business as an avenue for their enterprising skills. They make little knick knacks that sell, they manage the snack bar and gather used but still good merchandise that are still helpful to others that love thrifty shopping.
We also show disability-related films, educational videos and have field trips help enrich the disability experience.
I invite everyone, therefore, to come and participate in any one of these programs and be an active volunteer. Share your talents and skills. It’s part of CALIF vision of building this oasis for the Disability Community—a caring community abuzz with good and meaningful activities. There is a lot to learn, skills to develop, and many possible tomorrows to be most hopeful about.
Personal Assistance Services
The goal of Personal Assistance recruitment and Referral services is to enhance the ability of persons who are significantly disabled to live independently through increased options for personal care. Potential assistants are recruited through media ads, public notices, word-of-mouth, and presentations in the community. Program staff interview and screen applicants before referring them to consumers. An attendant registry will be maintained for referral to persons who are seeking assistance with self care, home management, or other combinations of activities for daily living. Consumers will also be informed regarding funding sources for the provision of personal assistant services, such as the In-Home Supportive Services Program.
Sal Chavez - Personal Assistance Services
Sal Chavez here! I am in my 30’s, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and I came to USA in 1984. I am CALIF’s Personal Assistant/I&R Coordinator and data manager. I keep track of the statistics and assist the Advocates with Reports here at CALIF. I have been working for CALIF, since it first opened it doors in 2001.
Before CALIF I had been around the Independent Living movement since 1993. My first job was at an Independent Living Center “We’re Able, Inc.” located at South Central L.A. where I was the Information & Referral Specialist. I started as a summer youth worker, then six months later was hired as a permanent employee. My second job was at another independent living center (ILC) –Community Rehabilitation Services located at Mid Wilshire area where I was the Statistical Reporting Coordinator.
I really enjoy working with people and assisting them to live independently. At my job, I help people with disabilities locate personal care assistants willing to work under the In-Home supportive Services program. I also screen workers who want to do work for people with disabilities as attendants. So, you can say that I’m a match maker of sorts, making sure that workers understand the rights and dignity of the disabled and that disabled people as well understand that workers have rights, too and are not to be treated like slaves, either.
I am grateful for knowing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Since I started working with ILC’s, my knowledge about my rights as a disabled person has gotten better each time. I graduated from Montebello High School in 1991 and then attended a Community College. I use an electric wheelchair to get around and drive my own van to work. Would you believe that I have a very active life? I have my family and my very precious 4 year old daughter; I work and do sports (Soccer) that’s right! Well I do not play the game-- I am just the coach. Life is the most wonderful thing God has given us, do not let life pass by without you enjoying it first!
Systems Change Advocacy
The goal of Systems Change Advocacy is to ensure that the concerns of persons with disabilities are adequately addressed by State and Federal Legislation. The Advocates attend meetings and organize consumers to ensure that our rights are defended and represented.
Cynde Soto - Systems Change Advocate
I am a native Californian born with Arthrogyposis, a connective tissue disorder that significantly limits my physical movement. After graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a BFA in Art I became an employee of the Independent Living Center in Long Beach. My “partner in crime” is Taylor, a yellow Labrador, who has assisted me for the last 8 years.
Currently I work as a Systems Change Advocate. My job enables me to work for positive policy change concerning people with disabilities. It is important to increase civic participation through community organizing, education and advocacy around issues that affect our community. Leadership development is also a crucial element of Systems Change by working with consumers of our Center.
I am also a council member of the MTA Gateway Cities Service Sector Council. The Service Sector Council oversees the planning and implementation of service within its area. Our responsibilities include: approving the sector budget; calling and conducting public hearings; approving and evaluating sector programs; and implementing service changes among other things.
One of my many interests includes producing artwork made of “found objects”. Found object art has a long history in the fine arts world. I’ve been asked “why collect broken junk?” Well, I can relate to these broken and discarded objects as a person with a disability. Someone has decided that the objects I find are no longer useful because they don’t look or function like they used to or should. I on the other hand, can see their innate beauty and usefulness. Much of society has decided that people with disabilities are dispensable and useless so I feel compelled, driven even, to collect broken discarded objects to organize into beautiful useful artwork.