Solutions for Independence

Guest Blogger Cameron Egan, Solutions for Independence’s Outreach Coordinator

Did you know that one out of every four adults in North Carolina has a disability? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2,198,903 adults are living with a disability (Disability & Health U.S. State Profile Data: North Carolina, 2022). Founded in the early 1990s, Solutions for Independence (SFI), is a federally funded, nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services to people with disabilities.

We recognize the need for accessible and inclusive communities, which is why it is our mission to support the independence of people with disabilities through consumer empowerment and community education. Solutions for Independence currently provides services to the following counties: Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin. Our core services include Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referrals, Transitions, and Peer Support.

One-On-One Attention

Our team at Solutions for Independence understands that not all of our consumers are the same and require unique and specialized services to meet their personal goals. Therefore, we work one-on-one with our consumers to identify their goals and ensure each individual achieves a greater level of independence. Our Executive Director, Mark Steele, and our Director of Operations, Adrian Boone, are the driving forces behind Solutions for Independence. With their extensive knowledge of organizing and managing independent living centers, they contribute to SFI’s position as the Triad’s leading provider of independent living services. We have successfully assisted consumers in securing housing, obtaining medical equipment, identifying employment opportunities, and learning independent living skills (such as cooking, cleaning, transportation, maintaining your household, and budgeting), to name a few. Each year, we serve an excess of 200 consumers per year.

Removing Barriers

Along with working with our consumers one-on-one, we also advocate for equality and public awareness to remove physical and attitudinal barriers throughout the areas that we serve. Because the majority of our staff and board members live with disabilities, Solutions for Independence has a unique perspective on understanding consumer needs and recognizing the importance of advocating for accessibility and inclusion within our communities. We support people with disabilities in achieving their own goals and our services are open to anyone with any disability. Plus, we are aware of the barriers that society places in the way of people with disabilities, and as a result, we want to empower people to use their voices while also supporting them in any way they feel most comfortable.

Organizing adaptive sporting events is a great way to increase disability inclusion. These events enable people with disabilities to participate in sports and other activities that they may not have known they were capable of doing otherwise. Adaptive sports are modified sports that allow people with disabilities to actively engage and participate. It is critical to us that we continue to educate, promote, and provide resources to ensure that people with disabilities are aware of our services and can participate fully in their communities.

Adaptive Recreation & Gaming EXPO

On Saturday, March 25th, we will host our Adaptive Recreation & Gaming EXPO. Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, NC! This free event will include adaptive sports and activities such as cycling, tennis, archery, kayaking, and more! It will also include specialty vendors from the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) who will provide adaptive gaming. People of all ages and abilities are welcome and encouraged to attend. In addition to other vendors, the Wutyasay Food Truck will be on-site. This is a great opportunity for those who want to learn more about adaptive sports and our organization, develop a new skill, and meet new people.

To register, please click this link: bit.ly/sicilnc1

Learning More About Solutions for Independence

We intend to expand our outreach efforts to continue serving and reaching underserved and unserved communities. To successfully reach communities that are most in need of our services, we must continue to branch out and educate the community about what we do. We are optimistic about our continued efforts to educate the public about our organization and to continue serving people with disabilities thanks to our partnerships with local organizations and our team at Solutions for Independence.

Anyone with questions is always invited to contact us at 336-767-7060. We are more than happy to provide resources, or otherwise support you on your journey.

Source:

“Disability & Health U.S. State Profile Data: North Carolina.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 May 2022, cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/impacts/north-carolina.html.

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