Services of Mountain State Centers for Independent Living

Core Services of a Center for Independent Living

Advocacy: Through training and leadership development, MTSTCIL can assist you in learning how to become a self-advocate.
Skills Development: training to help you make the most of your abilities and increase your self-reliance and self-confidence [Independent Living Skills Classes Online]
Peer Support: peer mentors help others with a similar disability promote personal growth by sharing their own experiences and explaining how they have coped with the "ups and downs" of having a disability.
Information and Referral: information on a wide range of disability-related topics, services and products. Visit our searchable Resource Database on this Web site.

Independent Living Programs

In the home:

Community Living Services Program: to assist individuals with disabilities to function more independently in their homes and communities.
Housing: as a tenant, you have specific rights and responsibilities, and we can help you understand what they are.
Veteran Independent Living Accessibility Assessments: provides technical assistance to VA staff on needed housing modifications to assist veterans to remain independent and continue to live in their own homes.

In the community:

Transportation Program: vans are available to provide transportation to activities at the Huntington center for consumers who live outside TTA's service area in Cabell and Wayne counties. Van service is available for consumers to all activities at the Beckley center.
Community Integration: provide leadership training opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and family members.

As an advocate:

In the Beckley area:

Consumer Advocacy and Advisory Council is a consumer advisory and advocacy committee for MTSTCIL consumers in the Beckley and Raleigh county area

In the Huntington area:

ABLE/CAC is a Consumer Advisory Council and advocacy committee for MTSTCIL consumers in the Huntington area

Providing Assistive Technology:

Assistive Technology Loaner Program: lend consumers and members of the general public pieces of assistive technology for short periods of time until they can locate funding to purchase the device they require.

Living independently:

Personal Assistance Services: a personal assistant is an individual who assists a person with a disability in performing tasks that enhance their independence.
- RYPAS: special program for funding personal assistance services to people with severe disabilities

Job Training / Job Readiness / On-the-Job

Man in wheelchair leaving his home for work Employment Services Division works with people with disabilities to assist them in entering or re-entering the workforce.

Employment Assessment: individuals learn to identify realistic employment options, develop employment goals and objectives while learning more about their individual skills and abilities.
Work Adjustment: training in a work and classroom setting to assist individuals to develop or re-establish work-appropriate habits.
Employment Readiness Services: training in basic life skills as well as occupational skills for specific jobs.
Direct Placement: job placement services that assist work-ready individuals obtain and retain community-based employment.
Supported Employment: assists people with disabilities who need support on the job.
School to Work Transition Services: assists students with disabilities transition from school to work

Disability History Week

Disability History Week requires instruction in public schools on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement during the third week in October every year in West Virginia. Mountain State Centers for Independent Living provides Kids ADA an educational program available to elementary and middle schools through out the school year in Cabell, Wayne and Raleigh counties.

Kids ADA: educating children about people with disabilities

Community Relations and Education

Community Building: Become a volunteer, make a donation, corporate partnerships and computer recycling program.
Socializing: Just for the Fun of It: an opportunity for people with disabilities to engage in social activities while learning independent living skills

ADA, Section 504 and Fair Housing Act Requirements

Accessibility Survey: provide businesses or federally funded housing complexes with a detailed accessibility survey for a fee.

Accessible Taxi Service

Through a grant, Mountain State helped establish the first accessible taxi service for wheelchair users in the Kanawha-Charleston area for a fee. Learn more.