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This is a listing of SILC resources that individuals with disabilities may find helpful. These are suggestions only. The SILC is not responsible for their content or the services that they provide. This list is not all inclusive.
- Disability Action Center – NW (DAC-NW) Center for Independent Living serving North Idaho with offices in Moscow, Lewiston, and Post Falls.
- Idaho Assistive Technology Project – Helps Idahoans with disabilities acquire the assistive technology they need to live more independent lives.
- Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) – Provides services for the blind and visually impaired, independent living and vocational rehabilitation.
- Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) Center for Independent Living serving Southeast Idaho and Magic Valley with offices in Boise, Caldwell, and Twin Falls.
- Life, a Center for Independent Living (LIFE) Center for Independent Living serving Eastern Idaho with offices in Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, and Burley.
- Disability Rights Idaho (DRI) (Formerly Co-Ad or Comprehensive Advocacy) – Provides advocacy and legal services for individuals with disabilities in Idaho.
- Idaho Fair Housing Forum: Housing locator tool – Site to search for housing, including accessible rentals.
- Idaho Human Rights Commission – Administers state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
- Idaho Legal Aid Provides equal access to justice for low income people through quality advocacy and education.
- Northwest ADA Center – Idaho (NWADA) – Provides training and technical assistance to those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- AbletoWork – Growing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Idaho. A site for people with disabilities, employers, and service providers, with helpful resources.
- ABILITYJobs – The largest stand-alone resume bank for individuals with disabilities. Assist companies to fulfill their affirmative action compliance requirements and are committed to expanding awareness about this job site to as many companies as possible.
- Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) – Provides vocational counseling to assist eligible individuals with disabilities to become employed.
- Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) – Provides services for the blind and visually impaired, independent living and vocational rehabilitation.
- Idaho Department of Labor – Employer and employee labor resources.
- U.S. Department of Labor Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor – Employment laws assistance for workers and small businesses.
- ABILITY Magazine – The largest magazine in the U.S. covering disability issues.
- Ability Awareness – Moving beyond awareness towards diversity appreciation and inclusion.
- ABILITY Corps – a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world of inclusion for individuals with health conditions and disabilities.
- Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)
- Center on Disabilities and Human Development – Improves the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through exemplary and innovative education, outreach, research, and service.
- Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities (CID) – Coalition of Idaho agencies and organizations concerned with issues affecting individuals with disabilities.
- Community Partnerships of Idaho
- Disability Action Center – NW (DAC-NW)
- Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho
- HealthCare.gov – Website explaining the new health care law.
- Help is Here– Suicide Prevention, Emotional, and Mental Health Support, available in English and Spanish
- Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (ICASDV)
- Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) – Provides services for the blind and visually impaired, independent living and vocational rehabilitation.
- Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA)
- Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ICDHH) – Works to create equal opportunities for Idahoans of all ages that are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) – Works with individuals with developmental disabilities on public policy, systems change, advocacy, and education.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW)
- Idaho Division of Veterans Services
- Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
- Idaho Fish and Game: Accessible Idaho – Information about accessible outdoor recreation.
- Idaho Infant Toddler Program
- Idaho Medicaid
- Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) – Parent Training and Information Center. Programs that ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information on their rights, responsibilities, and protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline – A volunteer-staffed hotline that provides support and connects callers with an immediate risk of harming themselves to resources in their area. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
- Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC)
- Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Idaho – Provides support, education, and advocacy on behalf of individuals with mental illness and their families.
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
- National Service Inclusion Project Online Handbook
- Special Olympics Idaho
- Help for Homeless Veterans – Idaho
- Disability Action Center- NW (DAC-NW)
- Idaho Fair Housing Forum: Housing locator tool – Site to search for housing, including accessible rentals.
- Intermountain Fair Housing Council
- Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC)
- Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE)
- Idaho Assistive Technology Project Home Modification Resources
- Ada County Self Rescue Manual – A guide to community resources and supports in Ada County.
- Rocky Mountain ADA Center
- Disability Action Center- NW (DAC-NW)
- Idaho Administrative Bulletin
- Idaho Careline – 211 – Resource directory
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) – Section titled “From the Newsroom” features notices of public hearings, rulemaking, and public comment opportunities outside the standard channels.
- Idaho Medicaid
- Idaho Medicaid Policy Link
- Idaho Help – DHW services
- Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Provides training and technical assistance to those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC)
- Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE)
- Who’s my Legislator? Idaho Legislature website to find your Legislator.
- Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI)
- Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
- Pocatello Regional Transit (PRT) – Pocatello and Chubbuck public transportation.
- Valley Regional Transit (VRT) – Treasure and Canyon Counties public transportation.
What are personal assistance services?
Personal assistants are individuals who are hired to assist individuals with disabilities and the elderly with eating, bathing, grooming, hygiene, chores, and other services, based on individuals’ needs. Personal assistants allow individuals with disabilities and the elderly to live in the community, rather than at institutions such as nursing homes.”Personal assistants empower older Idahoans and individuals with disabilities the choice to participate in all areas of community living with our family and friends. Without their assistance many individuals with disabilities and older Idahoans would not have the opportunity to live in our own homes or work in competitive employment,” from Dana Gover’s Idaho’s Personal Assistant Survey Results (December 2011).
Who pays for personal assistance services?
The State of Idaho Medicaid authorizes personal assistant services so that eligible participants can enjoy the greatest degree of self-reliance possible and enhance their quality of life, individual choice, consumer control, independence and community integration. Insurance plans also may pay for personal assistance services.
How do I determine if I’m eligible for personal assistance services?
If you are covered by insurance other than Medicaid, contact your insurance company to determine the process for applying for personal assistance services. If you are covered by Medicaid, call your Regional Medicaid Services office (RMS) to request an assessment to see if you qualify for services.
Participants approved for Medicaid Basic Plan or one of the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers listed below can receive personal assistance services if medical eligibility criteria are met:
- Developmental Disability (DD) waiver
- Aged and Disabled (A&D) waiver
A Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) is completed for adults requesting Personal Care Services (PCS) or A & D waiver services. The Regional Medicaid Services (RMS) nurse reviewer completes the UAI to determine whether the participant meets medical criteria. If the personal care services are authorized by the RMS, the participant (and/or his family) will create a plan of care that outlines how the selected the services are to be delivered.
Can I choose my personal assistant?
If the RMS nurse reviewer determines that self-direction of services is a viable option, participants and/or their families can request the self-directed care option. This allows the participant to hire, train and fire his or her own personal assistant. Participants will be able to choose a fiscal intermediary, one of the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), that help with record keeping for payroll and liability insurance payments and to bill Medicaid for the personal assistance expenses.