Deinstitutionalization services for individuals who are presently residing in an institutional setting such as a nursing home are provided. We assist people to obtain the services they need to transition from more restrictive settings to reside in the community of their choice.
Advocacy is provided to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are protected. Advocacy efforts are initiated to respond to proposed legislative changes and/or the need for increased funding and services to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Community participation becomes a key element in maintaining and preventing changes to important laws which protect individuals with disabilities.
This is the starting point for first time users of any of Access Alaska's services. Access Alaska can answer questions and provide information about disability related services including housing, employment, personal care, benefits, transportation, legal rights, education, emergency shelter, health care, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Access Alaska delivers technical assistance to consumers on how to apply for various benefits programs, and integrate them into their employment, healthcare, and housing needs.
Access Alaska Fairbanks promotes opportunities for youth (14-21) with disabilities to engage in career development in the fields of technology, science, engineering, and mathematics. Program activities include arranging mentoring for interested youth with professionals who work in the fields of science and technology, free tuition for science and technology camps, attending science related community lectures, the support of basic educational and work skills, and the development of volunteer and paid internships.
Access Alaska provides technical assistance to businesses, educational entities, community based programs, and individuals on how to comply with accessibility guidelines through the ADA Partners Project. The lack of full accessibility to our community’s goods and services remains the largest obstacle to the integration of persons with disabilities. Through telephonic and site visits, Access Alaska assists dozens of businesses and programs each year to make their services more available to Alaskans and visitors who experience disabilities.
Access Alaska Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Wasilla office staff facilitate and provide support to several peer counseling groups that meet regularly in office meeting rooms: Multiple Sclerosis Peer Support, Visually Impaired / Blind Peer Support Group, Head Injury Peer Support Group, Stroke Support Group, Mobility Support Group, Renal Care Support Group, Family and Caregiver Support Group, and Seizure Peer Support Group. In addition to providing facilitators and space for the meetings, Access Alaska can offer information and support for transportation arrangements for participants.
For persons who experience deafness and hardness of hearing Access Alaska offers accurate communication services. In 2003, Access Alaska Fairbanks started an Interpreter Referral Service that coordinates requests for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter requests in the community. Access schedules requests for ASL services with trained interpreters, who work as part time staff to Access Alaska.
Access Alaska offers individualized case management services and facilitation of state core funding for Alaskans who experience developmental disabilities (DD) and are eligible for state DD services.
Assistive technology and adaptive equipment (e.g. wheelchairs, transfer benches, magnifiers, hospital beds, commodes, walkers, grab bars) are provided to individuals with disabilities to increase their safety and independence in their homes and the community. Over 250 Alaskans throughout Access Alaska’s Interior and South Central Regions use this service annually; many of them are low income and do not have the funds available to purchase the equipment nor does their health care insurance (private or public) cover the items.
Access Alaska was the first and still the largest organization in Alaska offering Independent Living, services and resources.
