Independent Living
Beyond Barriers provides Independent Living services in the following counties: Barber, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ford, Harper, Harvey, Hodgeman, Kingman, Kiowa, McPherson, Ness, Pratt, Reno, and Stafford
Transition Services
Beyond Barriers can provide three components of transition, including:
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Facilitating the transition of individuals with significant disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to home and community-based residences, with the requisite support and services;
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Providing assistance to individuals with significant disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions so that the individuals may remain in the community; and
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Facilitating the transition of youth who are individuals with significant disabilities, who were eligible for individualized education programs under section 614(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)), and who have completed secondary education or otherwise left school, to postsecondary life.
Independent Living Skills Training
Beyond Barriers provides Independent Living skills training to people with all types of disabilities – assisting them in managing their own lives and live more independently. Training includes the use of public transportation, budgeting, cooking, comparison-shopping, and many other areas of daily living, as well as transition services, peer support, technical assistance and individual and systems advocacy.
Peer Support
Peer counseling happens when individuals with a disability teach and share information with other individuals with disabilities.
This could look like:
• Peer support to assist an individual in coping with a disability
• Peer support to assist with problem solving
• Peer employment mentoring
Once a person realizes their barrier(s) we can help find another person with the same barrier(s) or an individual who has already overcome those same barrier(s). Peer counseling provides comfort knowing that someone else has been through similar experiences, knows how they feels, and can sympathize with them.
Contact us today to be connected with a peer support person!
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Information and Referral Services
Beyond Barriers can answer questions on a variety of issues from people with disabilities, family members, service providers, as well as the general public. In-depth information can be provided on services and options available to assist people with disabilities to live independently, such as accessible housing, transportation, employment opportunities, personal assistant services, assistive technology, and a wide variety of additional topics. In addition, our staff is available to provide referrals to other organizations which might also be of assistance.
Individual and Systems Advocacy
Individual advocacy focuses on the individual with a disability and services available within the community to assist them in living independently and to advocate for themselves.
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Some examples of self-advocacy are:
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Meeting with a landlord to request a ramp to enter your home
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Attending an interview with social security to apply for benefits
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Meeting with an employer to ask for more hours
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Systems change advocacy involves working together to eliminate barriers and make it possible for people with disabilities to fully participate in their community.
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Some examples of systems change advocacy are:
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Attending a city council meeting to advocate for funding for curb cuts
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Meeting with a doctor’s office to make sure they understand their responsibilities to provide sign language interpreters
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Meeting with legislators to discuss issues important to the disability community
Nicole was my advocate. It was a very good experience. She helped me look for a job. She did a wonderful job. She also helped me with my social security card, and stuff like that.
- LYNETTE