Life.

It’s what the CIL is all about.  Living a full, independent, and meaningful life.  Our team of life coaches believe firmly in the idea that people with disabilities should have the same access to a great quality of life as everyone else.

We also understand that solving complex problems takes a great amount of emotional, physical, and financial energy.  We have expertise in a variety of areas to help you improve the quality of your life.

The IL Team members are especially skilled at helping people to set goals, eliminate counter-productive behaviors, prioritize and sequence issues to work on, and devise a long-term approach to making a real difference on challenging issues.  And they stay working with people, providing ongoing support and encouragement, throughout the process to help them take regular steps to accomplish their goals.

Below are just a few of the areas where we can help:

Independent Living Coaching

Having a disability can affect people in many ways.  Our Life Coaching Team helps people manage disability challenges and learn new ways of doing things.  The Team also helps people with budgeting, problem-solving and decision-making, goal-setting, managing home environments, and getting organized.  Much of what we do is personal support.  We’re great listeners and tireless coaches.

Connecting with Resources and Navigating Bureaucracies

Understanding the world of resources in the community can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing.  IL Team members have thorough knowledge of community resources and can help individuals with disabilities seek out the resources they need.  The IL Team helps people communicate with employers, landlords, medical providers, and others.  They help people fill out forms and make important phone calls.  For more information on resources for individuals with disabilities in our community, visit our Information & Resources page.

Individual Advocacy

Often people with disabilities need help standing up for what they need.  All of our Ann Arbor CIL staff members help individuals learn about resources, advocate for themselves, and be heard.

“Carolyn Grawi has really helped get support services for my son.  She’s helped him get special education, transportation, and other things.  I didn’t know there was so much help out there.   Carolyn opened my eyes.  So much has changed for my son, and she deserves a lot of credit.”  Robin Simpson, mother of Tim Simpson, who is an individual with cerebral palsy.

Housing and Transportation

Finding affordable and accessible housing and transportation can be challenging and worrisome for many people with disabilities.  Our IL Team members help people find accessible housing and transportation and can also help resolve problems such as disputes with landlords and difficulty paying rent.  For more information on affordable housing resources in our area, visit our Housing Resources page.

Nursing Facility Transition Assistance

Too often, individuals with disabilities are living in a nursing home, not because they need to be, but only because of circumstance.  Our Nursing Facility Transition program can help you or a family member move out of a nursing home and into an independent living situation in the community.  For more information, visit our Nursing Facility Transition Program page.

Benefits Consultation

Our staff are knowledgeable about various benefit programs available to some people with disabilities, such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, subsidized housing, and food stamps.  They help people understand their options, make informed choices, and advocate for the benefits they need.  For more information on Social Security Benefits, visit our page on Social Security Benefits.

Help Finding In-Home Care

Our staff can help you find in-home care for things like getting in or out of bed, dressing, taking care of personal hygiene, cooking, and shopping.  We have also helped people with disabilities advocate with their health insurance providers to help cover needed services.

Connecting People with Social Opportunities

Having a disability can sometimes be very isolating.  Our staff place great importance on the social and recreation needs of people with disabilities.  We can help you improve your social skills and make meaningful social connections.  We can also connect you with support groups and peer support.

Veterans Support

We work closely with the Veteran’s Administration to provide support for the unique needs of veterans.  Contact George Ridenour to learn more.