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HOW CAN WDOMI ASSIST YOU?
1. BENEFITS AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY
WDOMI advocates for consumers at the individual and
public policy levels. We
work to ensure that public and private programs and services are available
to people
with disabilities and that the programs encourage independent community
living.
Staff will assist consumers in obtaining and maintaining benefits such
as
Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid,
Medicare,
Personal Assistance and other forms of public assistance. In addition,
consumers are
assisted in returning to the workforce by receiving information about
Social Security Work
Incentives and through Peer Counseling.
WDOMI staff remains involved with federal, state,
county and local government and
represents the interests of people with disabilities on government advisory
committees
and at public forums. We also provide community education on disability
related issues,
such as health care programs, assistive technology and other benefit
programs.
2. DISABILITY AWARENESS PROGRAM
We offer presentations to students, commercial entities,
educators and other groups that
increase public awareness of the rights, needs and experiences of people
with disabilities.
Our presenters, who are people with disabilities, strive to overcome
misconceptions and
help the audience better understand living with a disability.
3. HOUSING OPTIONS PROGRAM
This program is designed to assist consumers in finding
and maintaining affordable,
accessible housing. Information regarding subsidized housing options,
legal rights
and strategies for locating housing is available.
Staff will assist consumers in completing applications,
preparing for rental interviews,
negotiating with landlords, eviction prevention and modifying their
homes to make them
more usable to people with disabilities. The center maintains a list
of Realtors, landlords,
managing agents and public housing sites and will provide referrals
to consumers.
4. ADVOCACY AND ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS CONSULTATION
PROGRAM
The center has staff trained to evaluate accessibility
in homes, workplaces and places of
public accommodation. WDOMI works to remove barriers for people with
disabilities in our
communities through the provision of technical advice, education, negotiation
and, when
necessary, legal action. Consumers experiencing access difficulties
are encouraged to
contact the center. Commercial entities can also arrange for technical
advice from the center.
5. INDEPENDENT LIVING TRANSITION PROGRAM
The WDOMI Independent Living Transition Program is
a school-based model for
Yonkers High School students with disabilities. This program is a collaborative
partnership
with the Yonkers Public Schools and community working together to assist
students as
they leave high school. The program's objectives are to prepare students
for the job market,
to provide guidance for higher education/training and to assist in independent
living. The
ultimate goal is that every student becomes successful to the best of
his/her ability and a
contributing member of the community.
6. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
The center maintains extensive reference files on
services available to people with disabilities.
Staff will be able to refer you to the best agency to meet your needs.
In addition the center has
a library on topics of concern to consumers.
7. INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS - PEER COUNSELING
The center provides individual counseling and group
support meetings to assist consumers
in maximizing their independence and strengthening coping and self-
advocacy skills. Issues
addressed include personal assistance management: financial planning;
preparing to re-enter
the work force; family roles and relationships and leisure activities.
The consumer identifies the
issues and directs the course of the counseling that is not diagnostic
or clinical in nature.