TRI-COUNTY PATRIOTS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES


MISSION STATEMENT:  To promote independent living in
Southwestern Pennsylvania for and by individuals with
disabilities; to enable them to take control of their lives;
to make decisions about themselves and their future; to
ensure that the necessary support services are available to
enable them to be active participants in their communities;
and to prevent unnecessary institutionalization.


FELLOWSHIP VALUES

1.  All persons with disabilities are created equal to all
persons without disabilities.

2.  Persons with disabilities have common experiences in our
society which can be the basis of mutual support and mutual
enhancement of personal growth.

3.  Persons with disabilities need to work together as
advocates for non-violent, progressive change to the
institutions and systems of our society in order to increase
their ability to serve us as citizens.

4.  All persons with disabilities deserve the opportunities
and benefits of full integration within their community and
their country.

5.  All persons with disabilities are entitled to be referred
to in respectful language terms.

6.  All persons with disabilities are entitled to community
respect to them as individuals without prejudice or bias
relative to a disability of any type or severity.

7.  Persons with disabilities understand best what they
personally want and need to enable them participate as equals
within our society and should work together to solve those
problems which prevent that participation.

8.  The Americans with Disabilities Act and all other civil
rights legislation should be fully implemented in the
American society.

9.  All persons with disabilities have the right to choose
freely their lifestyle, profession, family composition, and
level of societal participation.

10.  All persons with disabilities have the right to
determine their personal level of safety related to their
lifestyle and that this may or may not be consistent with the
recommendations of government or medical professionals.


11.  All persons with disabilities are entitled to equipment
and services that will reduce societal and environmental
barriers which cause them to be dependent and prevent their
full integration into the community.


TRIPIL OPERATIONAL VALUES


12.  All services of TRIPIL must be appropriately responsive
to all persons regardless of race, age, sex, sexual
orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic group membership,
income, education level, or family status.

13.  All services of TRIPIL must be designed, organized, and
delivered in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity to the
unique needs of the cultural, ethnic, religious, and other
areas of diversity which constitutes our community.

14.  All persons with disabilities will work and participate
in all levels of TRIPIL  (i.e. staff, management, and board)
and will constitute 51% or greater representation at each of
these levels.

15.  All persons with disabilities must be consulted and
given appropriate choices in all levels of service planning
and service delivery from which they are expected to benefit.

16.  Consumers retain the ultimate authority in selection of
service choices that are available without bias or prejudice
toward that individual.

17.  Consumers that may be hired by TRIPIL receive the rights
and benefits of all other employees of TRIPIL.

18.  Persons with or without disabilities who are members of
the staff of TRIPIL and persons with disabilities who receive
services from TRIPIL should regard each other as equals.

19.  All persons with disabilities have the right to obtain
and review records that TRIPIL complies about their needs and
activities.

20.  All persons with disabilities are entitled to
confidentiality and privacy regarding information that they
given to a peer support counselor and that are maintained in
agency records.




































          Board, Staff, Consumers of TRIPIL


          Kathleen Peer Kleinmann

          June 24, 1993

          Values Draft





As you all recognize, an independent living center is an out-
of-the-ordinary organization which has unique characteristic
which set it apart from typical non-profits or service
delivery organizations.  Organizationally, we need to pin
point this uniqueness so that we can better communicate it to
our community and to the individuals who work at or are
served by the Center.

Drawing upon some literature that I have on hand and my
direct experiences as part of the IL movement since 1982, I
have begun to document the values of this organization which
set it apart from the norm and which constitute the basis for
all decision making, planning, and service delivery.

I am in great need of input into this document from board
members, staff, and consumers.   Please put on your thinking
caps for me and tell me all the other reasons why we are
unique and what are the basic principles by which we exist.
If something I have written is not clear, please tell me that
as well.  It is most helpful if you give me your comments in
writing or at least catch me when I have a pen and paper
available.  The final document will be submitted to the Board
of Directors for adoption at the end of July meeting.  We
will share the final document with other PA CILs when
finished.

Thanks.