The Center is designed to provide access to programs and services that enable people of all disabilities to realize the freedom to choose their personal,independent living styles. The Center assists people with all types of disabilities including:
People with mobility impairments such as amputations, spinal cord injuries,arthritis,mutiple sclerosis,muscular dystrophy,post polio,spina bifida,cerebral palsy and others.
People with hearing impairments and deaf-blindness.
People with vision impairments.
People with mental,cognitive,or developmental disabilties such as traumatic brain injuries,mental retardation or learning differences.
Services Available
Peer Counseling | Social/Recreational Activities | Transportation
Emergency Intervention | Loan Closet |
Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council
Independent Living Research Utiliation(TIRR)
Oklahoma Disability Law Center
Oklahoma Office Of Disability Concerns
National Organization On Disability
National Council On Independent Living
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Region VI Rehabilitation Continuing Education Center
Oklahomans for Independent Living(OIL)- McAlester
Progressive Independence(PI) Under Construction - Norman
Ability Resource Inc.(AR)- Tulsa
The Center handles requests for information regarding all aspects of independent living on a daily basis. These queries come via telephone, written correspondence or face-to-face conversations, from both persons with disabilities and their family members, guardians or friends.
Also, statewide and local service, medical and disability support agencies and businesses seek information from the Center.
In cooperation with other agencies and businesses, the Center maintains a database of community information, which allows referrals to other sources of information and support.
This program consists of one-on-one or small-group training to help develop specific life skills in areas of need as well as personal interest. These areas include money management or banking skills, and daily living activities such as cooking, laundry or shopping. Upon request, the trainers also teach community living skills for being an involved citizen.
The Center is very active within the Oklahoma service and support systems that assist people with disabilities achieve the reality of the independent living philosophy, by exercising their freedom to choose their personal independent living styles.
Those persons requesting this training are instructed on how to refine their skills necessary to achieve the goal of self advocacy.
This service is provided for individuals, groups and families, by staff and trained volunteers to help people adjust to living with a disability, learn skills for problem solving, and explore their life options.
Center-sponsored dances, picnics, parties and special recreational events promote social and recreational opportunities that help maximize the benefit of leisure time for people with disabilities..
The Center works with the Enid Transit and other agencies to secure transportation for persons with disabilities.
In emergency situations, direct assistance is provided in employing personal assistants, finding shelter or housing, and locating food, medical care or supplies.
The Center maintains a Loan Closet for use by anyone with a disability who needs specialized equipment. The Loan Closet is funded in part by the Zarrow Foundation
Items such as canes, crutches, walkers, hospital beds, bedside commodes and wheelchairs are loaned on a short-term basis.
Most of the items available have been donated or purchased through donations. The Center gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations of equipment or monies for the Loan Closet inventory.