How can Independent Living Centers help American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities with employment?
Some Centers have components that provide vocational and employment services. For example, in Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula Independent Living Centervocational program works with the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, provides benefits analysis for consumers, and helps them write the Social Security Administration Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) and business plans. And in Phoenix,Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) provides employment services for individuals eligible for the Ticket-to-Work program, and independent living and employment services through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Employment coordinators of these programs help find jobs for participants. Independent Living Centers are operated by qualified people with disabilities who are substantially involved in policy direction, decision making, service delivery, and management of the center. Generally, the majority of the board of directors are people with disabilities. Centers
