Individual Advocacy
Assistance is provided to individuals with disabilities to resolve discrimination complaints in all areas of life such as housing, education, employment, transportation, public accommodation, and community programs.
Advocacy Group
Are you interested in working on advocacy projects? ECI is hosting an advocacy group that will meet once a month to identify advocacy goals and work together to advance our civil rights. You will have the opportunity to stay updated on local advocacy issues and join committees to be part of changing our community for the better. Look at the calendar for dates and times and please invite friends from the community who also support disability issues. Transportation fare tickets and accommodations will be provided to ECI participants as needed. Meetings are usually held the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.
Medicaid Advocacy
The Endependence Center provides advocacy with individuals who are having difficulty accessing appropriate Medicaid services.
Virginia Medicaid Waiver Technical Assistance Center
Through a grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, the Endependence Center has established and administers the Virginia Medicaid Waiver Technical Assistance Center (TAC). The TAC provides workshops, materials, information, and technical assistance regarding Medicaid Waivers. For further information, visit our Resources-Publications page for resource materials. TAC services are available statewide through a cadre of Medicaid Waiver Mentors. For additional information about Medicaid Waivers, visit our VaMedicaidWaivers website.
Systems Advocacy
Staff members participate in various activities that result in positive changes and greater accessibility to the various systems of government and bureaucracy on the local, state and national levels. Staff engage in systems advocacy in the same areas as in individual advocacy services such as transportation, education, employment, housing, benefits, accessibility, and Medicaid. ECI is involved in a number of systems advocacy efforts locally, regionally and across Virginia. Some advocacy is sparked from a single complaint, while other efforts are initiated as part of a larger education and advocacy plan for Virginia.
