Non-Profit Organization Launches Life-Altering Program for People with Disabilities in Allegheny County

(Pittsburgh, Pa.)–The Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL), a non-profit, non-residential organization that empowers people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society, unveiled a new, life-altering program yesterday. The program, Living Well With A Disability, will assist people with disabilities living in Allegheny County to live well in all aspects of life.

According to Stanley Holbrook, President and CEO of TRCIL, “the new program, Living Well With A Disability, is designed to assist a person, regardless of their disability to LIVE WELL in every aspect of their life. The free, one-stop resource is accessed by calling a toll-free hotline at 1-877-TO-LIV-WELL. The program will identify and define what living well means to the individual - from joining a sports league, finding a job, or running a marathon, no request is too small or too large.”

The Pennsylvania Department of State’s Deputy Secretary for Administration, Harry A. Vansickle, and Milton Henderson, Chair of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) joined Stanley Holbrook in announcing the new program. Over 150 advocates and individuals from social service and disability related organizations attended the press conference at the Westin Convention Center to recognize the importance and life-changing support the program offers individuals with disabilities.

Vansickle spoke of the significance in supporting individuals with disabilities in every area of life and focused on issues regarding employment, social activities, and elections. Vansickle acknowledged the need for residents of Pennsylvania, living with a disability, to feel supported and empowered to succeed in anything they choose.

As Chair of an organization appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, Milton Henderson stressed how the SILC works to promote disability rights and solve the issues people with disabilities are facing. “It is the Statewide Independent Living Council’s goal to make this state a place where people with disabilities can have a full and independent life. With this new program, Pittsburgh is well on its way in helping us accomplish this for the state of Pennsylvania,” stated Henderson. 

Living Well With A Disability, provides a thorough 25-point lifestyle assessment conducted by a qualified, living well specialist. It includes questions about the individual’s needs as well as their interests, hopes for the future, goals and dreams. Once the one-on-one assessment is complete, the Living Well With A Disability team develops a comprehensive menu of services and options tailored for the individual. The assessment considers all aspects of living well with a disability including housing options, community access, employment, physical fitness, and much more. Furthermore, this program is managed by people who have disabilities, who know firsthand the challenges that exist, and how to overcome them. This is unlike any other known organization or program in the Pittsburgh area.

Holbrook emphasized that the specialists not only assist people with disabilities to obtain basic services and programs, but also provide options for what could be life-changing opportunities that the consumer may not have envisioned. Holbrook strongly believes the program will continue to change and empower the lives of people with disabilities. 

Today, three, 30-second television spots will air on stations across the Pittsburgh area featuring people Living Well With A Disability.  The Web site (www.LivingWellWithADisability.org) and toll-free hotline (1-877-TO-LIV-WELL) are available to generate awareness, and encourage people with disabilities to start living well today.

About Living Well With A Disability

Living Well With A Disability is a valuable resource for anyone with any type of disability – and it’s free. The program connects the individual with a qualified Living Well specialist who will work with the person to identify his or her needs and goals, and develop a plan for meeting them. To begin, the individual will call the Living Well hotline. A specialist will meet with the person to conduct a 25-point lifestyle assessment. It includes questions about the individual’s needs as well as their interests, hopes for the future, goals and dreams. From achieving a small task to accomplishing a life-changing goal, Living Well With A Disability is designed to help people with disabilities exceed their lifestyle expectations through one point of contact.  For more information, call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-TO-LIV-WELL or visit the Web site at www.LivingWellWithADisability.org. 

About TRCIL

TRCIL is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities. Services are also available to families of individuals with disabilities, community service providers, governmental agencies, and private businesses.  TRCIL’s mission is to empower people with disabilities to enjoy self-directed, personally meaningful lives by providing consumer controlled services and by advocating for effective community change.

For more information regarding this press release or program, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.

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