Independent Living Services Definitions

Advocacy/Legal Services – Assistance and /or representation in obtaining access to benefits, services, and programs to which a consumer may be entitled.

Assistive Technology – Any assistive technology device, that is, any item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities and any assistive technology service that assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.

Children’s Services – The provision of specific IL services designed to serve individuals with significant disabilities under the age of 14.

Communication Services – Services directed to enable consumers to better communicate, such as interpreter services, training in communication equipment use, Braille instruction, and reading services.

Counseling and Related Services – These include information sharing, psychological services of a non-psychiatric, non-therapeutic nature, parent-to-parent services, and related services.

Family Services – Services provided to the family members of an individual with a significant disability when necessary for improving the individual’s ability to live and function more independently, or ability to engage or continue in employment. Such services may include respite care. Record the service in the consumer’s CSR on behalf of whom services were provided to the family.

Housing, Home Modifications, and Shelter Services – These services are related to securing housing or shelter, adaptive housing services (including appropriate accommodations to and modifications of any space used to serve or occupied by individuals with significant disabilities).

IL Skills Training and Life Skill Training Services – These may include instruction to develop independent living skills in areas such as personal care, coping, financial management, social skills, and household management. This may also include education and training necessary for living in the community and participating in community activities.

Information and Referral Services – Identify all individuals who requested this type of assistance. This is the only service (other than services to family members) that may be provided to all individuals, whether or not the individual has a disability. Some entities record this service using strokes on an answering pad without opening a CSR, others create a CSR or other such file for future contact and outreach.

Mental Restoration Services – Psychiatric restoration services including maintenance on psychotropic medication, psychological services, and treatment management for substance abuse.

Mobility Training Services – A variety of services involving assisting consumers to get around their homes and communities.

Peer Counseling Services – Counseling, teaching, information sharing, and similar kinds of contact provided to consumers by other people with disabilities.

Personal Assistance Services – These include, but are not limited to, assistance with personal bodily functions; communicative, household, mobility, work, emotional, cognitive, personal, and financial affairs; community participation; parenting; leisure; and other related needs.

Physical Restoration Services – Restoration services including medical services, health maintenance, eyeglasses, and visual services.

Preventive Services – Services intended to prevent additional disabilities, or to prevent an increase in the severity of an existing disability.

Prostheses, Orthotics, and Other Appliances – Provision of, or assistance in obtaining through other sources, an adaptive device or appliance to substitute for one or more parts of the human body.

Recreational Services – Provision or identification of opportunities for the involvement of consumers in meaningful leisure time activities.  These may include such things as participation in community affairs and other recreation activities that may be competitive, active, or quiet.

Rehabilitation Technology Services – Provision of, or assistance to obtain through other sources, adaptive modifications, such as wheelchairs and lifts, which address the barriers confronted by individuals with significant disabilities with respect to education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, IL and/or recreation.

Therapeutic Treatment – Services provided by registered occupational, physical, recreational, hearing, language, or speech therapists.

Transportation Services – Provision of, or arrangements for, transportation.

Youth/Transition Services – Any service that develops skills specifically designed for youth with significant disabilities between the ages of 14 and 24 to promote self-awareness and esteem, develop advocacy and self-empowerment skills, and the exploration of career options, including the transition from school to post school activities such as postsecondary education, vocational training, employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.

Vocational Services – Any services designed to achieve or maintain employment.

Other Services – Any IL service not listed above.