Alliance of People with Disabilities

“This is a membership organization.”

“Members elect the governing board.”

“A draft of the form 990 was provided to the finance committee for review and approval prior to filing.”

“The governing documents, policies, and financial statements are made available to the public upon request.”

“The mission of apd is: people with disabilities advocating for equality and choice! Apd seeks to build relationships and provides people with disabilities with the foundation to live independently in the community.”

“Advocacy: alliance of people with disabilities (alliance) provides both systems and individual advocacy in order to more effectively provide these services. Since 2010 our seattle office has been located in the zip code where the largest number of individuals with disabilities resides. Our branch office is located in bellevue with easy access from redmond. These service areas have resulted in more services, employment, and volunteers for king county residents with disabilities. Advocating for individuals during 2014 resulted in empowering over 149 seattle and over 106 bellevue residents receiving appropriate independent living training to reach their goals. Information and referral: alliance incorporates advocacy in its i&r program. During 2014 our agency received over 3,985 calls for information at the main office in seattle and 1,135 calls at the bellevue branch office. In more than 35% of the calls, staff provided assistance by working with the individual to make the correct connection and provide support through the call. These services insure the individuals actually find needed services. In over 25% of the calls, individuals were called back at a later date to see if the necessary information was provided or additional services were needed. Independent living skills: alliance staff works individually and in groups with consumers on setting il goals and on learning the skills needed to achieve those goals. Training is customized for each person's individual needs and learning style. As with other services, in-person or phone interpreters are offered to those who need it. During the 2014 year, staff provided one-to-one services for 216 (seattle) and 131 (bellevue) individuals. Examples include parenting rights, transportation access, personal care assistance, and housing which includes modifications and affordability for 58 (seattle) and 39 (bellevue) individuals. Translations and alternate formats of alliance independent living plans, release forms, and other program documents are either already available or can be made available on request. Meetings can be arranged with participants in their local communities if they do not have transportation available to reach alliance. Alliance strives to keep its office a low-scent environment to increase accessibility for people who have chemical sensitivities. Periodically, group il skills sessions are held. Four group training sessions were held in 2014. Peer support: alliance of people with disabilities is a consumer based, non-profit and practices a mission of empowering individuals with disabilities. The majority of our staff, managers and board have significant disabilities. We work with the division of vocational rehabilitation, worksource and veteran administration to actively hire employees with disabilities. Since the majority of alliance staff members are people with disabilities, peer support is built into all of the services provided by alliance. People can call in or make appointments to come in and talk with a staff member for peer support. During 2014 over thirty peer support meetings were held, these groups focused on employment, parenting with a disability and life for a youth with a disability. Alliance continues its facebook page that has complemented our peer to peer model. The facebook page has a large number of friends and has engaged in peer interaction with many of those individuals posting comments and initiating discussions on topics relating to disability. As with our peer groups, we are seeing younger individuals involved, the general age being between 25 and 45 years of age.”

“Fee-based service programs provided by the alliance include itec and crp. The itec is a technology laboratory specializing in assistive technologies of all types. The mission of the itec is to provide exposure to and training in the various technologies available to people with disabilities that will help them in the world of work and their independent living challenges. The technology lab has the digital toolbox which provides information and assistive technology training, assessment on technology use and how assistive technology can enhance an individual with disabilities use, and classes on using technology with or without assistive technology. The lab has equipment designed for learning disabilities, mobility and sensory equipment and software for various psychiatric disabilities. The crp is an emerging program for which grants are being solicited. The crp (community rehabilitation program), when implemented, will provide employment services to individuals with disabilities in the community.”

“The governing board exercises oversight of the audit.”