Systems Advocacy

Serving Persons with
Disabilities Since 1976

HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?

Vocational Training
& Independent
Living Skills

Housing Assistance
& Advocacy

Job Placement
/ Coaching &

Learn Computer Skills

Traumatic Brain
Injury Support

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU

For over 43 years the ILCSC has been assisting People with Disabilities of all ages to gain the skills they need to reach new levels of independence in life through the ILCSC Program of Services.

We serve Persons with Disabilities of all ages (including Youth, Older Adults and Veterans); and all disabilities.

We serve Glendale, Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita; Lancaster and Northern Los Angeles County. Virtual classes are available.

3 REASONS TO REACH OUT

Individuality

You won’t get lost in a system at the ILCSC. We operate in the context of individualism.

Experience

We have been providing these services since 1976, we know how to provide the assistance you need.

Blue Wheelchair

Accessibility

We helped to write the book on accessibility and know what it takes to overcome barriers.

Systems Advocacy

At the ILCSC, we advocate for clients at multiple levels:

  • Macro level: by helping to change systems and policies which affect the ways that people with disabilities interact with the world.
  • Help shape policy in areas like: housing and building accessibility, healthcare coverage, and others
  • Advocate with building managers around ADA regulations
  • Teach clients about their rights as people with disabilities
  • Micro level: by helping clients through individual advocacy situations

The basic object of systems advocacy is to ensure that people with disabilities gain the same access, quality of life, and independence as the rest of the population.

The advocacy process includes:

  • Community education
  • Drawing public attention to systemic issues
  • Enforcement of existing policies
  • Effort to make changes in or rewrite those policies

Systems advocacy deals with policies in

  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Public access
  • Employment
  • Healthcare
  • Etc.

We work to change policies that affect people with disabilities on a day-to-day basis. Examples of practical policies affecting the way people with disabilities move through the world which have been changed as a direct result of advocacy include:

  • Introduction of wheelchair-accessible waiting areas at CVS for the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Expansion of bathroom doorway width in housing complexes to accommodate wheelchairs.

In addition to advocating for clients, we also teach clients how to advocate for themselves. We make sure they walk away with all the information they need to make their voices heard, whether at the micro or macro level. This information includes:

  • Concrete information like the legal process of advocacy and their specific rights as people with disabilities
  • Soft skills such as how to trust themselves, talk to people, and ask for what they want

SERVICES WE PROVIDE

VOCATIONAL TRAINING SERVICES

Teaching communication, socialization skills and vocational training; including job readiness, interviewing and pre-vocational skills.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE SERVICES

Information about housing resources in the community.

COMPUTER
SKILLS

Providing one-on-one instruction. Evaluating clients to determine their individual needs for adaptable equipment.

JOB PLACEMENT / COACHING SERVICES

Providing pre-employment preparation. Utilizes an extensive employer network throughout the ILCSC service area.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT SERVICES

Providing services for persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), outreach and community education.

ADVOCACY
SERVICES

Guidance in self-advocacy on issues, benefits counseling, landlord/tenant disputes and general/legal referrals.

COMMUNITY LIVING TRANSITION SERVICES

Assisting clients in successfully transitioning to a community living arrangement.

DISABILITY
PEER SUPPORT

Building skills and knowledge with interpersonal family, social, financial and interagency services. Bringing increased trust and reducing isolation.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING

Strengthening the ability of the client to live independently, including classes on meal planning and preparation, money management, mobility and safety in the community and at home, self-care and social skills.

'ESSENTIAL' ILCSC

ILCSC is a non-residential agency providing a wide range of services to a growing population of People with Disabilities, including Youth, Older Adults, and Veterans…persons of all ages with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke, Cancer, Autism, Visual Impairments, Arthritis, Loss of Hearing, Mental Illness, and Physical Impairments.v

DEDICATION

If you come to us with a need, we are committed to assisting you in meeting that need.

FOCUS

We assist persons with disabilities in reaching their goal of living independently.

DIGNITY

How people are treated makes a direct impact upon them and we are dedicated to serving with kindness and dignity.