Spotlight: Independent Living Resources
Independent Living Resources (ILR) promotes the philosophy of Independent Living by creating opportunities and furthering the level of independence for all people with disabilities. We value personal growth and self- determination. ILR aims to provide a supportive and encouraging environment for every stage of life.
How long has Independent Living Resources served their community?
We merged with Access Oregon in 1993 to become Independent Living Resources (ILR), which has embodied peer-based, cross disability services for people with all types of disabilities for the past 32 years. The purpose of our agency is to assist people with disabilities in achieving their goals to live independently in the community.
How does ILR work with small business owners?
We meet individuals where they are at in life and provide person-directed supports towards meeting their goals. These goals can include starting a business. When starting a business, people with disabilities often wonder how the income generated by the business will impact federal or state benefits that they may have, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. To address this, we can refer them to our ILR colleagues in the Work Incentive Network program to help them understand how working will affect their benefits.
We also offer independent living counseling, which can be beneficial for small business development. This may include:
Helping someone determine what type of business they would like to start and what skills they have that they would like to apply to the market.
Assisting individuals in accessing vocational rehabilitation services and understanding the support that is available to them.
Providing a space and time for individuals to discuss disability-specific business-related issues.
What role does community play in your work?
It truly takes a village to empower success, and it takes people within that village who are aware of the unique challenges and strengths of those who experience disability. Social work agencies like ours aim to help integrate people with disabilities into the community. There are many different supports available that can be hard to navigate on one's own.
What is your best advice to people who want to run a small business?
Our advice would be to "do it" but do it with care and caution. Running a business is a process, and individuals need to come up with a plan that works for them and their unique situation.
