Independence Center Hosting Home Modifications Workshop
(PRWEB) November 26, 2013 -- Building Contractors interested in helping individuals with disabilities improve the accessibility and safety of their homes have the opportunity to attend The Independence Center’s Medicaid Home Modifications workshop. The workshop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Independence Center and will focus on helping contractors through the certification process. The Medicaid Home Modification program is available to qualified individuals who need help making their houses safer, more accessible, and easier to get around in. Typical modifications include entry ramps, widened doorways, hand rails, grab bars, and bath or kitchen alterations for ease of use. Medicaid funds are used to pay for materials and labor to make these modifications.
“El Paso, Teller and other counties are in need of good, licensed contractors to make these modifications for seniors and persons with disabilities,” said Patricia Yeager, Chief Executive Officer of The Independence Center. “The paperwork to become certified to do this type of work and be paid by the government can be overwhelming so we want to help make it easy.”
The workshop at the Independence Center is a unique opportunity for licensed, professional building contractors in the Colorado Springs area to become certified to carry out Medicaid Home Modifications. Representatives from the State’s Health Care Finance Department will be on hand to assist with the certification process, as well as staff from the City of Colorado Springs’ Housing Services Division, which operates a similar program for residents of the City and El Paso County.
“Ultimately, the goal of this effort is to develop a roster of knowledgeable, customer service oriented contractors available to assist individuals and families throughout the Pikes Peak region with exceptional Home Modification projects,” said Steve Posey, Redevelopment Specialist for the City of Colorado Springs.
There are many home modifications that can increase the safety and convenience of any home, especially for individuals with disabilities who are empowered to function more independently. The implementation of these modifications can not only increase independence for an individual but safety in the home as well.
“Having a living space that is easy to live in with a disability or functional limitation often makes the difference between living in an institution, such as a nursing home or other congregate housing, and living in the community,” said Yeager.
For more information about The Independence Center or the home modification workshop, visit http://www.theindependencecenter.org or call (719) 471-8181.
About the Independence Center:
The IC was founded to assist people with disabilities to make changes in their lives that lead to independence in our community. We empower people with disabilities to live independently in the community through services such as home health, peer support, benefits counseling and access to assistive technology. We are a vigorous participant in local efforts to remove barriers for people with disabilities because we believe that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, options and control over choices in their lives as people without disabilities. We provide skills training to empower people with disabilities to be well informed advocates and active citizens; to change laws, legislation, systems and attitudes that affect their independence.
Dana Johnson, The Independence Center, +1 (719) 471-8181 Ext: 160, [email protected]
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