ILCSEMO offers various services to persons with disabilities with the goal of active participation in society focusing on the ABILITY of the person rather than the disability. ILCSEMO is consumer driven, meaning the consumer decides his or her plan. ILCSEMO offers four core services upon which all of the programs are based:
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
Provides answers to questions relating to any disability issue;
Maintains a resource library for consumer use;
Referral to appropriate agency/agencies to address needs related to his/her challenges.
ADVOCACY
Education advocacy (IEP support, legal rights and appropriate accommodations);
Informing the public of issues concerning the disabled;
Informing legislators of facts relevant to pending disability legislation;
Encouraging active participation in the political process (voting, writing congressmen);
Access issues (physical barriers, cultural barriers, employment barriers);
Increase public awareness of disability issues.
SKILLS TRAINING
Offers individuals opportunity to learn necessary skills and develop resources, technology, and adaptations;
Any skill needed to relearn or learn to increase the level of independence;
Assist with setting goals and developing a plan of action with benchmarks to achieve those goals.
PEER SUPPORT
Offers individuals opportunity to meet persons with similar challenges;
Offers support groups to help educate and meet challenges.
