Peer Support

Peer Support provides opportunities for people with disabilities to share their knowledge and lived experiences with one another. We recognize a peer as an individual who has had a similar or common experience and is willing to share the lessons they've learned. Peer Support also encourages individuals to develop leadership skills, and fosters assistance to individuals in exercising their rights and responsibilities. Peer Support expects member IL centres to rely on the lived and shared experiences of persons with disabilities to be involved with program and service development.

Principles:

• Integral to the IL Philosophy and should present in all programs and services.
• Develops a peer environment where individuals gain skills and self-confidence.
• Encourages people with disabilities to share their thoughts, concerns and hopes with each other, promoting exchanges and discussion between individuals who have lived the experience.
• Promotes integration and participation in the larger community and encourage people to face new and possibly challenging situations.