Independent Living (IL) Advocacy Services
Individual & System Level

The Independent Living Center provides advocacy on both an individual and systems level. On the individual level, we can help you to acquire the services and benefits to which you are entitled. The ILC has staff experienced in advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities. We have been instrumental in affecting disability policy on both a state and federal level.

IL Advocacy Updates

Peer Counseling & Support

Independent Living is based on a peer to peer model. Individuals with disabilities can understand and support the experience of disability more than a person without a disability. A caregiver can understand the experience of caregiving more than someone who has never had that experience. The majority of staff working at the ILC experience disabilities themselves and many have family members who experience disabilities. The majority of the policy making body, the Board of Directors of ILC, experience disabilities. We all have the shared experience of disability.

In addition, each ILC office has listings of all the different support groups held in their communities. If you are need of a group that is not formed in your community, please call your local ILC office and we can help facilitate your group. We can also help you find support and resources on the web.

Peer Support with TRAILS

One of the benefits of the TRAILS program through ILC is that people can come together while recreating. ILC would like to facilitate communication and relationships between consumers that is supportive and authentic. Our TRAILS activities bring people together around common interests and provide opportunities for us to support one another. While the ILC staff is always willing to talk with consumers and provide supports and referrals where we can, we believe that the best support comes from consumers assisting each other.  We believe an Independent Living Center should not just be a place where “professionals” prescribe or dole out information, but a place where consumers can network with each other and engage in real, supportive relationships. TRAILS recreation activities are designed to be a catalyst to provide opportunities for engagement. See our TRAILS page in the PROGRAMS section of our web site to find out what’s going on and how you can get involved.

Information and Referral

ILC provides information on disability related issues and referral to other agencies, businesses and organizations appropriate to meeting individual needs and requests.  ILC staff are knowledgeable about resources and can assist consumers to access them.

Disability Resources

Assistive Technology (AT)

The Independent Living Center can provide information about commonly used assistive technology devices.  We can demonstrate items and have a short term loan program so you can try out tools that may work for you.

For additional information check out our Assistive Technology Page.

Assistive Technology

Office IL Advocates Contacts

Kodiak

211 Mission Rd. Suite #223
Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: 907-486-0493
Fax: 907-486-0409

Seward

201 Third Ave. Suite #101B
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: 907-224-8711
Fax: 907-224-7793

Teryn Burnett
IL / VOICE Advocate
& Office Support

Homer

265 E. Pioneer Ave. Suite #201
P.O. Box 2474
Homer, AK 99603
Phone: 907-235-7911
800-770-7911
Fax: 907-235-6236

Dana Roberts
ADRC Specialist,
IL Advocate
& AT Coordinator

Soldotna

47255 Princeton Ave. Suite #8
Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone: 907-262-6333
800-770-7911
Fax: 907-260-4495

Maggie Winston
IL Program Director

Kellie Bartelmay
IL Advocate &
Medicare Counselor