Self-Advocacy During the Holidays

If you are visiting with family this month during a winter break, think about how you can practice your self-advocacy skills. It can be especially difficult if your relatives do not understand your disability or how to accommodate you. Our needs might be forgotten when planning events or trips. Some family members might have uninformed opinions about people with disabilities, and others might assume that we do not know what is best for ourselves.

During these interactions, it is important to use self-advocacy to set boundaries for yourself and what you want. Think about whether you might face any situations that call for self-advocacy:

·       Plan ahead of time so you know what you want to say or do.

·       Share your needs with those around you as early as possible.

·       Be firm with the boundaries you set, repeat them if necessary.

·       Ask someone you trust for support or to advocate with you.

This time of the year often includes travel, new social situations, and complex feelings about the holidays. The communication required for self-advocacy can be tougher in times of stress, use this resource for people with speech-related disabilities and mental health conditions to learn more.

Disability Q*mmunity Doubles, Proud Recipient of the Queen City Charities Grant

It is official! Starting in January 2025, the Disability Q*mmunity will be doubling our meetings to twice a month. We are pleased to welcome our new partner, Project CARE.

We will meet on the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of every month. Typically, Tuesday meetings will continue to be hybrid on Zoom and at TreeHouse Cincinnati, and Wednesday meetings will only meet on Zoom. However, due to potential inclement weather, all meetings in January and February will be on Zoom only.

Disability Q*mmunity, in partnership with TreeHouse Cincinnati, was selected to receive a grant of $2,500 to support our group’s enhancement, sustainability, and expansion. These funds from Queen City Charities will be used to pay for meeting-related expenses, to host accessible events, and to start a transportation fund for our members. If you have wanted to attend a meeting but transportation is a barrier, we can now assist you with the cost.

Our next meeting will take place on January 14th at 6:00PM on Zoom. Click here to join our email list to receive the monthly meeting updates.

Disability Rights Peer Support Group – First Meeting in January 2025!

Independence Alliance is pleased to announce our new group focused on peer support and advocacy, which launches in January. We will explore different topics each month relating to disability advocacy, such as housing rights, transportation rights, and rights at work.

•  Learn how to advocate for yourself and others on the topic of

disability.

•  Get your questions answered about reasonable

accommodations, self-advocacy, and your rights.

•  Meet people in your community who understand and can

relate to you.

Reach out to our Peer Support Specialist, Jenise Brassell to register, or with suggestions for topics to discuss.

Advocacy Success Story

Two consumers, who were supported through our advocacy services this year, are a mother and son living together in Cincinnati. They learned about Independence Alliance after attending a Disability Q*mmunity meeting, and since then, have been receiving training on issues such as self-advocacy while retaining home health care services, accessible housing rights, and skills for navigating social services with a disability. After months of effort and perseverance, these consumers found a new home that is accessible, affordable, and safe. They will be able to live more independently in this new location and will be getting necessary home modifications paid for through the Ohio Home Waiver Services. The mother wanted to share her experience directly:

“Since working with the Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist from Independence Alliance, things are finally falling into place. They have been able to find the right resources, connect me and my son to them and advocate for us. They are very professional and compassionate.

Thanks to their work I now have a home aide, transportation, and the Ohio Home Waiver. We are very grateful for them and all the help we have received.” 

Disclaimer: The information and links provided in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, management, and Board of Directors of Independence Alliance.

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To learn more about Independent Living and other services, visit our website at www.independencealliance.org

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