Core Pillars of Service

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.

The Information and Networking Pillar promotes the IL philosophy to consumers, their families, friends, support networks, community and governments by providing clear, accurate and up to date information that meets individual needs. This process is interactive; a “two-way street” that creates positive impacts for consumers and builds ongoing relationships between IL Centres and organizations in the community through the provision of current information on cross-disability issues. The experiences of people with disabilities validate the information that is out there to further understanding. Information is the key to having choices, making decisions, and learning to take risks. 

Principles:

• Empowers the individual with information in order to make informed choices
• A response-orientated approach is required to provide leadership to the community
• Works with an individual to reduce their isolation and refer them to the appropriate resources

The IL Skills Development Pillar encourages and assists individuals to advocate on their own behalf; supports their choices; respects their decisions; and affords individuals opportunities to take risks. Communicating, negotiating, problem-solving and personal management are all important aspects of daily life. This pillar provides learning opportunities for dealing with barriers and discrimination so that persons with disabilities are aware of their rights and can access services and training opportunities to live and participate in society fully.

Principles:

• Supports individuals to learn, manage, coordinate and negotiate a wide range of community services 
• Supports individuals to exercise their rights and provides guidance to people in pursuit of their individual advocacy goals
• Collaborates with individuals to enhance their problem-solving skills
• Supports individuals to reach their Independent Living goals by taking a pro-active, solutions-based approach to conflict and problem solving
• Provides tools, support and resources to create lasting positive change for persons with disabilities

The Participatory Action Research model used in IL recognizes that persons with disabilities are the experts in determining what works for them. Individual-validated information is key in developing programs and services that benefit everyone. Partnerships formed with community stakeholders support the realization of these goals. By working together, gaps in service can be determined and solutions can be created. Research and Community Development activities include: conducting research and demonstration projects; disability awareness training; and physical or digital accessibility audits. It may also encompass developing new models of IL that test solutions and provide unique, responsive methods of support.

Principles:

• Responds rapidly and effectively to the unmet needs of the community
• Conducts research regarding issues that adheres to the IL Philosophy and promotes inclusion.
• Identifies unmet needs through pilot projects; member centres can then propose alternative services