Job Title: Independent Living Advocate (ILA)
Position: Non-exempt (Full Time and Part Time Option)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Wages: Hourly range $17 – $17.50, 37.5 hour work week
Benefits: 16 paid holidays, 15 days paid time off, plus more
Forward Resume: info@abilityindiana.org
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY
Our Mission:
To empower our peers with disabilities to lead and control independent lives fully included in community life.
AccessABILITY advocates with and empowers all people with disabilities through supports and services, free of charge in Central Indiana. We maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities through advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, information and referral, and deinstitutionalization. We provide individual consumers, governmental agencies, corporations, and other non-profits with the tools necessary to ensure the acceptance, respect, and inclusion of everyone. The result is that our communities are enriched through the full participation of all people.
AccessABILITY values Inclusiveness (celebrating differences, welcoming authenticity), Compassion (caring and empathy in action), Independence (practicing self-reliance), Trust (acting with integrity to inspire confidence), and Resourcefulness (seeking innovative solutions).
To be a successful candidate for the accessABILITY team, you must believe in and have a commitment to improving community integration with people with disabilities. The agency strives to maintain high expectations for the quality of services provided to consumers.
JOB SUMMARY
The Independent Living Advocate engages with consumers to assess current needs, evaluate options, and ultimately support the consumer to achieve their goals in the way the consumer chooses. This includes connecting consumers to existing community services and agencies to help them meet their independent living goals.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Consumer—85%:
- Treat consumers with dignity and respect.
- Elicit and support consumers’ needs to ensure consumer centered decision-making.
- Practice high levels of confidentiality.
- Organize, prioritize and creatively problem solve to effectively meet the needs of the organization and its consumers
- Teach/adapt to the learning style (and/or skill level) of the consumer.
- Understand complex, layered situations and how to insert the appropriate tool to resolve/solve issues.
- Connect and/or refer consumers with non-profit, community based and governmental programs and services
- Learn and explain the relevance of deinstitutionalization-related, independent living philosophy and other disability related laws/regulations.
- Collaborate, interact and present a professional image with diverse populations and professions.
- Provide individual advocacy to compliment consumer self-advocacy, when needed and appropriate.
- Work with consumers one-on-one and in groups, both at the Center and in the individual’s home or community environment, as is appropriate.
- At least 50% of the Advocate’s time is expected to be spent in consumer contact.
- Advocates are expected to facilitate at least one ongoing support group or skill group for consumers.
Outreach—10%:
- Foster relationships with service providers, funders, service organizations and communities to help ensure availability of resources in the community/state.
- Provide information to consumers, groups, and others with a wide range of disability related issues and assist the agency in developing and conducting workshops/webinars to educate staff, people with disabilities and conditions of aging about issues, regulations, and rights.
- Conduct systems advocacy as opportunities arise or are requested by supervisor.
- Participate in community engagement events at least four times per year, as available.
Administrative—5%:
- Team tasks are met; i.e., assisting with office duties such as answering phone, and filing, reporting, attending team meetings, etc.
- All other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Display outstanding communication skills.
- Demonstrate a desire to learn and be proactive.
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision in a diverse hybrid work environment
- Must be able to travel within service area, and if driving own vehicle, present valid Indiana driver’s license and insurance coverage
QUALIFICATIONS
- High competency in Microsoft Office and information management software (CIL Suite preferred).
- Demonstrated commitment to the philosophy of independent living, including consumer control, peer support, self-determination, equal access and individual and systems advocacy.
PREFERENCES
- Prefer a qualified person with a disability.
- Working knowledge of programs, regulations, and legislation impacting people with disabilities, housing, and of housing agencies and services in accessABILITY’s service areas.
More information is available at www.abilityindiana.org. Those considering applying for this position are encouraged to review the job description and agency information located on the website.
Please send cover letter and resume to info@abilityindiana.org.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, protects the right of people with disabilities to equal employment opportunities. Arrangements will be made if you have a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation in completing any part of the employment process. A request for an accommodation will not affect your opportunity for employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Chief Program Officer at: sferguson@abilityindiana.org or call 317-926-1660.
accessABILITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
People with disabilities are given hiring preferences.
accessABILITY is committed to a broadly inclusive workplace; candidates from underrepresented communities and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.