JCIL MOVING FORWARD
The Junction Center for Independent Living, Inc. (JCIL) was established in 1988 by and for people who have disabilities in an effort to provide services to individuals with disabilities and their families Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton. JCIL’s goal was to empower individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their homes and in their communities. JCIL also wanted to bring awareness to the community concerning people with disabilities.
In the early years, JCIL brought consumers into the center for group activities, socialization and a noon time meal. Independent living skills training was also provided to individuals to increase their level of independence. Those trainings included housekeeping, personal hygiene and money management. Home modifications and accessibility issues were also a key focus for JCIL. Home modifications were made to consumers’ homes, and educational information was distributed to the public concerning community accessibility.
Over the years, JCIL has relocated several times, and in March 2018 we found our permanent home in Big Stone Gap. Although our mission has not changed, JCIL services have evolved due to the changing needs of our consumers. JCIL currently offers a variety of services to individuals with disabilities, their families and to the community. JCIL’s core services are advocacy, peer counseling, independent living skills training, information and referral and transition services. Other services available to people with disabilities are options counseling, housing assistance, medical transportation on a case-by-case basis, assistance with obtaining needed medications, assistive technology, hearing aid assistance, support group meetings and personal assistance services. Details of JCIL programs and services can be found on our website.
JCIL also provides community educational workshops on several topics relating to disability issues. The Sensitivity Training allows participants to experience different types of disabilities and also provides pointers on how to relate to individuals who have different types of disabilities. In addition, the Sensitivity Training brings awareness of assistive technology that is available to consumers to increase independence. Our Medicaid Waivers Workshop provides information about the different Waivers that are available in Virginia to individuals who require assistance with personal tasks. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) workshop presents participants with specific legal guidelines for modifications and accessibility. JCIL’s Fair Housing Workshop provides information concerning laws regarding housing for people with disabilities. The Assistive Technology Workshop covers possible options for obtaining needed assistive technology. All these workshops are available to the community upon request.
Although our location and services have changed over the years, our mission remains the same. It is to assist people who have significant disabilities to live independently in the least restrictive and most integrated community environment possible.