Changing LIVES…Changing GEORGIA

SILC of Georgia has accomplished many things since its inception just a few years ago. But our focus is on the future. In the years to come, we will continue our mission by —

• providing support to Centers for Independent Living to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services;
• developing and strengthening consumer-directed organizations throughout the state of Georgia;
• leveraging resources and engaging in joint venture proposals to help fund other agencies that also serve people with disabilities;
• participating in collaborative efforts with other organizations to remove barriers in housing, long-term care, access to information and more;
• educating the public and advocating for social change that promotes the philosophy of independent living.

In the past year, grants from SILC of Georgia to advocacy agencies served more than 1,300 people with disabilities. The majority of our funding is awarded to agencies and Centers for Independent Living so they can continue to grow their service base. The grant money also ensures that these groups are financially stable from year to year. Other grants are awarded to smaller, grass roots organizations so they can launch educational programs and outreach services. Still more money is awarded to organizations throughout the state so that the staffs of Centers for Independent Living and advocacy groups can attend training events to help them stay abreast of changes in public policy and strategies for enacting social change.

Of significant note, however, is SILC of Georgia’s persevering role in educating the public, law makers and other interested parties about ways people with disabilities can live more independently. By advocating at the Capitol, we have made substantial progress each year to restore funds to existing services for people with disabilities, help establish funds for new groups of disabled people and act as a friend of the court in lawsuits. These activities provide the basis of our operations from year to year.

We’re reaching out to the more than 600,000 Georgians who have severe disabilities. Consumer and community advocacy are at the heart of our activities. Together, we seek ways to remove barriers from their lives — barriers that prevent Georgians with disabilities from living independently and accomplishing their goals.

Removing BARRIERS

SILC of Georgia believes that disabilities exist because barriers exist. When barriers in homes and communities are removed, the negative impact of the disability is lessened. And instead of barriers, there are simply different ways for people to navigate their environments and access information — ways that work for them individually. Preserving people’s independence is critical to preserving their self-worth. That’s why SILC of Georgia was established and why it continues to operate successfully today. And while there are statewide independent living councils in every state, we serve only Georgia residents with disabilities. On behalf of Georgia’s people with disabilities, we will continue —

• expanding and helping to build the statewide independent living network;
• advocating for statewide, community-based support services;
• joining forces with other organizations to create social change and improve access for disabled people and other citizens of Georgia;
• operating our organization independent of the state.

We know that good things don’t just happen overnight. We also know that for every success story — like those profiled in this brochure — there are many more people who need help fulfilling their goals of living more independently.

How can you help? Contact SILC of Georgia for more information.

CHELSEA DASHER

Legally blind and diagnosed with cerebral palsy — both the result of shaken baby syndrome — Chelsea Dasher is mobility impaired. She’s seven and lives with her grandmother, Nina.

“I’ve made it my mission to make sure that Chelsea has every opportunity to have equal access in all aspects of her life, whether it’s at home, at school or at other public places,” says Nina. Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), a Center for Independent Living in the Savannah area, has helped Nina see that it’s possible for people with disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives.

Because of LIFE’s services, Chelsea is well on her way to achieving independence, despite her young age. LIFE provided money to help lay a cement slab and walkway so Chelsea can wheel herself to the bus stop. LIFE also provided her with a “big red switch,” that helps her activate receivers that turn on and off the television, lamps, radio and even the mixer when she helps her grandmother bake cookies.

SYLVIA HATTRICH

People with disabilities work with us every day — like Sylvia Hattrich, a senior computer operator for the State of Georgia. But if they are Deaf, like Sylvia, they experience the frustrations of communicating with other employees who don’t use American Sign Language.

Deaf citizens also experience language barriers away from work. Recently, Sylvia was hospitalized, but the hospital wouldn’t provide an interpreter for her. Instead, the hospital staff insisted they communicate only with Sylvia’s hearing daughter — creating an unnecessary burden for her family and excluding Sylvia.

“My employer does everything they can to remove barriers on the job, like providing a TTY phone for me,” says Sylvia, “but there is so much more that can be done to make life easier for Deaf and hard of hearing people. The Georgia Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf helps do that with their training programs. And my peer supporter, Branton Stewart, helps to remind me that I have rights and that there are resources available to me to help me remove communication barriers.”