Realize the Possibilities of Independent Living
Powerful peer to peer support for people with disabilities to become more independent in their lives and communities.
Shannon Minnick
Director, Independent Living Services
240-638-0070
sminnick@innow.org
“We are people with disabilities advocating and educating our peers to be more independent in homes and communities. We operate according to the philosophy that people with disabilities govern their own lives. We provide an array of services to people with ALL types of disabilities who live in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Contact me to learn more about our five independent living core services and start on your road to independence, whatever that may look like for you!”
Our Independent Living Core Services
Contact us about our services and programs to see firsthand
our commitment to freedom, power, and Independence Now!
Peer Counseling
It is our belief that individuals with disabilities are the best guides to independence; therefore, Independent Living Specialists:
- serve as role models
- assist with self-exploration
- assist with self-directed goals setting and achievement
- direct consumers to appropriate services and programs
- serve as advocates
Individual & Systems Advocacy
- System Advocacy – Staff interacts with local, state, and federal legislators and agency leaders on behalf of people with disabilities to advocate for more responsive disability policy in personal assistance services, housing, employment, transportation, youth/transition, visitability and other major issue areas.
- Individual Advocacy – Staff works individually and in group settings with consumers to assist with increasing their personal self-advocacy skills and knowledge of their civil rights.
Independent Living Skills Training
IL Specialists facilitate one-on-one and group skills trainings in an array of areas to promote independence, such as:
- independent housing
- decision making and time management
- local, national and legislative laws
- transportation and employment
- budgeting, cooking and kitchen safety
- other areas according to individualized needs
Information and Referral (I&R)
As a resource and advocacy center, IN serves as a guide through the maze of services by connecting consumers and the general public with current information on programs, equipment and community resources. Information and referrals help assist consumers to build a network of supports as they pursue goal achievements and furtherance of their independence.
Referrals are also made to other community organizations and programs.
IN publishes a monthly newsletter “IN Touch” that outlines all monthly and quarterly activities such as:
- Housing Information Seminars
- Employment Seminars
- Lunch or Dinner and Movie (this combines our Creative Cooking Class and Advocate’s Theater)
- Transportation Action Group (TAG)
- Let’s Get Together (for people wanting and waiting to move to the community)
Transition
Transition services has several parts, first, supporting students with disabilities transition from high school to work or post-secondary education. It is also Transition and Diversion from Nursing Homes- Assisting to make the transition from institutions back into the community and into their own homes or to prevent Nursing Facility placement.
News & Updates
What's Happening in the Independent Living Community
National Blondie Brownie Day | Sarah’s Recipe
Nothing beats a cold winter weekend than a warm, ooey-gooey brownie. In the mood for something different? Why not try a blondie brownie! Independence Now Executive Director, Sarah Basehart, shared her family recipe with us and we can’t wait to try it! It’s in honor of #NationalBlondieBrownieDay, so calories don’t count 😜😜😜. Ingredients 1 Cup
Isaiah’s Journey to Independence
At the start of services, Isaiah was a living in a nursing facility in Prince Georges County and was in the process of transiting to a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) group home. Isaiah was only 23 at the time. He acquired his disability at age 14 from a traumatic brain injury that caused him to
There’s Something for Everyone in our Independent Living Skills Program Offerings!
The core service of Centers for Independent Living that we are featuring this month is Independent Living Skills Training. As a reminder, Independent Living skills are skills that increase the independence of a person with a disability because they handle more daily activities on their own without the support of others. At Independence Now, we
Independent Living Workshops and Events
Housing Seminar: Happy New Year! Housekeeping 2021
Do you have all the pertinent documentation necessary when your name is called to complete a housing application?
Find out more »I AM: Filling Up Your Gas Tank Without Ever Having To Get Out Of The Car
Join Josh Basile to learn about a new app for drivers with disabilities to fill up gas at the pump without having to get out of your car.
Find out more »Learn about 2-1-1 on 2-11!
Join us for a presentation on 2-1-1 Maryland by President and CEO Quinton Askew. 2-1-1 maintains an information and referral service network available to all Maryland residents, offering the public efficient 24/7 guidance in accessing health, crisis, and social services.
Find out more »Community Resources & Information
Maryland Youth Leadership Forum