2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Empowering persons with disabilities

# Served
Active CSRs # of CSRs started since 10/1

134 269
<5 20 to 24 60+

Age
0 3 11 3 82

5 to 19 25 to 59 Age Unavailable

304

Cognitive Physical Vision Other

Disability

Mental/Emotional Hearing Multiple Disabilities

4 94 24
89 272

Low Vision Services

With increasing numbers of people with macular degeneration as well as those experiencing vision loss as they age due to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts; demand for low vision services continues to grow. Currently the largest portion of ILCEINs services support those with vision loss. We assist clients with vision loss by providing: Orientation and Mobility Training to help those with vision loss learn how to safely and effectively travel; Assistive Technology Program to provide devices that assist with vision loss so clients can continue to enjoy activities and independence; Support Groups to link those with vision loss together to learn and support each other.

What People Are Saying

91% of responders said they are more capable of continuing to live in their own homes as a result of training and/or services. (93% live independently at the present time.) Only 9 persons (13%) said they had considered moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. This seems particularly noteworthy considering that 44% of our consumers are aged 80-100, with 94 of them in their 80s, 39 in their 90s and 2 aged 100. 72% are better able to read and manage paperwork. 79% are better able to manage personal needs. 74% are less dependent on others. 63% are better able to participate with family, friends, and community life. 73% were able to meet the goals they wanted to accomplish. 96% said they would recommend this program to others.

Henry

Wayne Fayette Union

Rush

Decatur

Franklin
Dearborn*

Jennings*

Ripley*

Ohio* Switzerland*

Jefferson*

*provide low vision services

Gloria

O.

Age 68, was brought to us by her husband because he was concerned that she was deeply depressed over substantial vision loss that had left her legally blind and unable to read which had once been her favorite pastime. We loaned her a desktop CCTV so she could read her Bible for her morning devotions and signed her up for Talking Books through the State Library. She has turned around from being depressed to being excited about life again and is devouring the books that she receives from the State Library on a wide variety of educational topics. She has a renewed zest for life and enjoys having new topics to discuss with her husband over dinner now that she can read again.

Mrs. C., age 85, recently came into our Center to tell us how invaluable to her are two of the vision aids that she received, one through our loaner program and one via mini-grant. She lives alone and wants to continue to do so for as long as possible. She loves the loaner Zoom Text program she received because it allows her to keep in touch with family and friends by helping her to read and reply to her e-mails. In addition, she has a talking medication reminder that is loud enough to hear no matter where she is in her home. The device has helped Mrs. C. to be more consistent in taking her pills, helping to reassure her family members and herself that she can safely and independently manage this self-care task so vital to her continued good health and independent living.

Mrs. C

Expenses
30%

Public Support and Revenue

2% 0% 3% 1% 1% Program Services Administration 68% Fundraising 95% Change in beneficial interest in funds held by others Other income Governmental Grants Contributions Product sales

Expenses
Program Services Administration Fundraising Total Expenses $344,789 $155,561 $8,696 $509,046

Board
Mark Harris, President Jana Schroeder, Vice President

Staff
Jim McCormick, CEO
Dean Turner, Administrative Director Meryl Moyer, Bookkeeper Jackie Speicher, Chapter 2 Director/Service Coordinator Traci Taylor, IL Director/Service Coordinator Kathy Camper, Compliance Manager Michelle Satterfield, Blind/Low Vision Coordinator Missy Watts, Service Coordinator Ann Barnhart, Administrative Associate Linette Young, Administrative Associate/ Service Coordinator

Kyle Clark, Treasurer/Secretary

Public Support and Revenue

Governmental Grants Contributions Product Sales Change in Beneficial Interest in Funds Held By Others $493,949 $15,789 $5,183 $36

Lee Ann Adams Clare Bond Ron Raver

Bob Lone
Pam Cawood

Other Income
Total Public Support and Revenue

$5,023
$519,908

Being disabled is one of those circumstances many people cant fully appreciate because they dont experience it. Put yourself in the shoes of those who are disabled and struggle to live independently . Help make the opportunity of independence that we experience in life to be a reality for them. Thats where supporting ILCEIN can be best served!

-Mark Harris

Mark found ILCEIN in the early 2000s when he learned that he was officially legally blind. His optometrist encouraged him to begin cane training and to seek other skills that would enable him to be independently mobile. He developed a relationship with ILCEIN that allowed him to volunteer his skills and talents to help the organization with its financial and board responsibilities. He hopes that through strong board and staff leadership that the Center continues to grow, develop and nurture its mission to reach the ever-growing need to empower persons with disabilities! Throughout his life he has been blessed to have family, friends and co-workers who encouraged him to look beyond limitations and to be as successful as he can be. He believes that a strong attitude opens the doors to opportunities and anyone can achieve if one has the desire to!

My hope for the Center is that we can find increased funding so we can grow to meet that ever-increasing need, especially in parts of the State that are essentially unserved or greatly underserved. I believe we have developed a model program here that demonstrates how to get much needed assistive technology to a large number of seniors. I would like to see us expand our service area even more to reach those seniors with vision loss who have few if any resources available to them now.

-Jackie Speicher

Jackie learned about ILCEIN in 2001 when she experienced sudden vision loss while in graduate school. In six days she went from normal vision to not being able to read her textbooks. She was referred to ILCEIN and Treva Chupp, a Chapter Two Service Coordinator. Thanks to Trevas advocacy Jackie received her graduate degree only a year later than planned and got her bi-optic drivers license so that she could drive thousands of miles every year for her job. When Treva left, Jackie was hired to fill her position. She was delighted to have the opportunity to give back to the Center and help others get their lives back after vision loss by assisting them in finding the appropriate assistive technology and vision services. Jackie loves hearing the success stories of consumers who receive assistive technology that helps them do simple, everyday things again that most without vision loss tend to take for granted. Through her work with clients, Jackie has learned to never, ever, ever give up! Never stop doing what you can to make the world a better place, from right where you are, just as you are.

The ILC has a knack for identifying community issues or problems that are not being addressed and working to find solutions. They have consistently worked to adapt to the community's changing needs using the latest technology and innovative approaches and work to keep people in their homes as long as possible. You can't put a price on independence.

-Rachel Hughes
Wayne County Foundation

The first partnership between the Independent Living Center and the Foundation was in 2006 when they received a grant to replace their telephone equipment which was used to communicate with the deaf and hearing-impaired. Since then, they have received numerous other awards that have enabled them to assist with the start-up cost of their personal attendant services program, to provide continuing education about disabilities and the disabled and to establish their ramp construction program. We at the Foundation appreciate how the staff at the ILC has worked to help people maintain their independence and especially as that relates to the different types of programs and projects they support. From assistance for those with vision issues to resolving challenges for those facing mobility hurdles to selling aids that make life a little easier for persons with disabilities to educating the public about the challenges these folks face. In addition, they practice what they preach and hire folks with disabilities, people who can relate personally to those they assist. These are the things we appreciate the most about them as a grantee.