ADA INCREASING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR 30 YEARS The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. Creating together WE THE ADA We Love the ADA Who are we? Living Well with a Disability Class Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. is a non-profit disability rights organization that has been serving people with disabilities for over thirty years. Freedom's service area includes eleven counties in western Minnesota, and ten counties in southeastern North Dakota. Freedom Resource Center's mission is to provide services that increase independence for people with disabilities. Our vision is that people with disabilities are equal and valued participants in society. One of the core beliefs of the Independent Living Movement is that people with disabilities know what is best for themselves. We believe in consumer control, whereby people who access our services decide what goals they wish to pursue, and what choices they make regarding their own lives. Freedom Resource Center's Accessibility Specialist installing a ramp at a home We offer people with disabilities an opportunity to be fully integrated, productive, valuable members of their communities. Freedom also works to create a more inclusive and accessible society. We believe that everyone is an equal and integral part of the community. ACCESS 4 ALL Freedom has sustained steady growth for many years. In addition to its main Fargo headquarters, Freedom also has offices in Jamestown, Wahpeton, Lisbon and Fergus Falls. Freedom has been selected one of the initial 14 High Impact Seal of Distinction organizations through the Dakota Medical and Impact Foundations. To be eligible for this distinction, Freedom put aggressive plans and practices in place to ensure that it continues to improve and grow as an organization. Management staff, as well as several board members, have participated in leadership and board development training through the Impact Institute. Freedom's Home Accessibility Program provides evaluations and recommendations for access improvements and loans out temporary ramps, as well as assistance in securing long term funding. ADA March Community Impact Our activities, programs, and services focus on empowering individuals to make a positive impact in their own lives and the community in which they live. We help individuals find the information they seek through our information and referral program. Individuals learn how to advocate for their needs through our individual advocacy services. People learn how to adjust to disabilities and enjoy a more fulfilling life through our peer mentoring program and attain the skills necessary to live independently through our skills training. Transition services are provided to individuals with significant disabilities to move from nursing homes or other institutions to home; assist those who are risk of entering institutions remain in the community and facilitate the transition of youth to post-secondary life. Finally, people learn to provide systems advocacy to ensure local, state, and federal laws and policies are equitable toward people with disabilities. By providing these services, people with disabilities live more independently. The signing of the ADA was on Jaly 26, 1990 with President Busch People with disabilities have money to spend and wish to patronize good local businesses that are accessible. A group of Freedom staff and volunteers visit establishments and recommend reasonable changes to eliminate barriers. Freedom also provides accessibility consulting to both public and private entities, such as cities and businesses. FREEDOM We have helped individuals learn the skills necessary to attain employment, which contributes back to the community in the form of tax revenue and sales. We have also raised awareness that people with disabilities want to be treated like everyone else. Through community education, we have been eliminating some of the stereotypes and stigmas toward people with disabilities. Freedom staff and board members are active in many community groups and organizations focusing on human rights, youth services, employment, homelessness, transportation, and healthcare. Being at the table ensures that the disability perspective will be taken into consideration for increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to become fully integrated into society. Please contact Beth Dewald, locally in the Jamestown office at 701-252-4693 or 1-800-450-0459, or visit www.freedomrc.org. Resource Center For Independent Living, Inc. The Premiere Leader Of Disability Rights In The Region. ADA INCREASING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR 30 YEARS The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. Creating together WE THE ADA We Love the ADA Who are we? Living Well with a Disability Class Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. is a non-profit disability rights organization that has been serving people with disabilities for over thirty years. Freedom's service area includes eleven counties in western Minnesota, and ten counties in southeastern North Dakota. Freedom Resource Center's mission is to provide services that increase independence for people with disabilities. Our vision is that people with disabilities are equal and valued participants in society. One of the core beliefs of the Independent Living Movement is that people with disabilities know what is best for themselves. We believe in consumer control, whereby people who access our services decide what goals they wish to pursue, and what choices they make regarding their own lives. Freedom Resource Center's Accessibility Specialist installing a ramp at a home We offer people with disabilities an opportunity to be fully integrated, productive, valuable members of their communities. Freedom also works to create a more inclusive and accessible society. We believe that everyone is an equal and integral part of the community. ACCESS 4 ALL Freedom has sustained steady growth for many years. In addition to its main Fargo headquarters, Freedom also has offices in Jamestown, Wahpeton, Lisbon and Fergus Falls. Freedom has been selected one of the initial 14 High Impact Seal of Distinction organizations through the Dakota Medical and Impact Foundations. To be eligible for this distinction, Freedom put aggressive plans and practices in place to ensure that it continues to improve and grow as an organization. Management staff, as well as several board members, have participated in leadership and board development training through the Impact Institute. Freedom's Home Accessibility Program provides evaluations and recommendations for access improvements and loans out temporary ramps, as well as assistance in securing long term funding. ADA March Community Impact Our activities, programs, and services focus on empowering individuals to make a positive impact in their own lives and the community in which they live. We help individuals find the information they seek through our information and referral program. Individuals learn how to advocate for their needs through our individual advocacy services. People learn how to adjust to disabilities and enjoy a more fulfilling life through our peer mentoring program and attain the skills necessary to live independently through our skills training. Transition services are provided to individuals with significant disabilities to move from nursing homes or other institutions to home; assist those who are risk of entering institutions remain in the community and facilitate the transition of youth to post-secondary life. Finally, people learn to provide systems advocacy to ensure local, state, and federal laws and policies are equitable toward people with disabilities. By providing these services, people with disabilities live more independently. The signing of the ADA was on Jaly 26, 1990 with President Busch People with disabilities have money to spend and wish to patronize good local businesses that are accessible. A group of Freedom staff and volunteers visit establishments and recommend reasonable changes to eliminate barriers. Freedom also provides accessibility consulting to both public and private entities, such as cities and businesses. FREEDOM We have helped individuals learn the skills necessary to attain employment, which contributes back to the community in the form of tax revenue and sales. We have also raised awareness that people with disabilities want to be treated like everyone else. Through community education, we have been eliminating some of the stereotypes and stigmas toward people with disabilities. Freedom staff and board members are active in many community groups and organizations focusing on human rights, youth services, employment, homelessness, transportation, and healthcare. Being at the table ensures that the disability perspective will be taken into consideration for increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to become fully integrated into society. Please contact Beth Dewald, locally in the Jamestown office at 701-252-4693 or 1-800-450-0459, or visit www.freedomrc.org. Resource Center For Independent Living, Inc. The Premiere Leader Of Disability Rights In The Region.