Advocacy Specialist en The Independence Center

Description

The Advocacy Specialist empowers individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves and exercise their rights through the principles of Independent Living. This role champions person-centered advocacy, supporting self-determination and access to resources that enable full participation in community life. By fostering individual advocacy skills and promoting autonomy, the specialist helps ensure that each person’s voice is heard and respected within the broader context of systems change.

Essential Responsibilities:

· Promote and facilitate Supported Decision-Making (SDM) by empowering individuals to make their own choices, identify trusted supporters, and understand their rights and options.

· Greet and engage walk-in consumers seeking advocacy assistance, conduct an initial needs assessment, provide information, resources, and appropriate referrals, and ensure each individual feels supported and empowered to make informed decisions.

· Accurately document all consumer interactions, including completion of required paperwork in the program database, and develop Independent Living Plans (ILPs) when appropriate, outlining individualized goals, strategies, and steps to promote independence and self-determination

· Deliver disability awareness and community education through individual interactions, networking opportunities, focus groups, public events, media engagement, and educational presentations.

· Advocate for systemic and policy changes impacting people with disabilities through active participation in community meetings, coalitions, and workshops.

· Collaborate with Independence Center staff to strengthen their understanding of advocacy, and develop a network of community members engaged in advancing disability rights and policy initiatives.

· Provide education, resources, and individualized guidance to support participants in making informed decisions about services, housing, finances, healthcare, and daily living.

· Partner with The Independence Center Advocacy Committee to identify and address issues affecting people with disabilities within the community.

· Participate and engage in any required program, committee or IC meetings with or in place of leadership.

· This position may also require the performance of other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities:

· Demonstrates The IC’s core values of Adaptability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Integrity and Person First.

· Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

· Extraordinary customer service skills.

· Effective communication skills.

· Self-motivated, persistent, and flexible.

· Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.

· Ability to handle multiple priorities as well as deadlines.

· Takes responsibility for high-quality work.

· Capacity to work individually and as a member of a team in a team-oriented, inclusive environment.

· Possess decision-making and problem-solving skills.

· The capacity to empower individuals to advocate for themselves to maximize independence.

· Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.

· Proficiency with computers, including MS Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Zoom and other common computer programs.

· Ensure the philosophy, mission and goals of the Independent Living Program are maintained. 

Education and Experience:

· Experience supporting self-advocacy and promoting independence through person-centered planning and supported decision-making practices preferred

· Experience effectively navigating community resources, government benefit programs, and service coordination systems to support individuals in accessing needed services and supports.

· Experience working with people with disabilities is preferred.

· Lived experience with a disability preferred.

Travel:

· Local travel to partners, collaborators, and vendors for official IC related business and events may be required.

· Must have reliable transportation.

Working Conditions:

· Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and extended amount of time sitting or standing.

· Frequently lift, push, pull, up to 10 lbs. 

· Internet access to work remotely if protocols are issued for remote work.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to empower the qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.