The BENEFIT ACCESS program (formerly known as Circuit Breaker) provides Seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities (who fall within certain income guidelines) a $75 discount on their vehicle license plate sticker and/or a free bus pass for fixed routes on an MCT bus. To become eligible, you must file an application. Applications an take up to 8 weeks to be approved. Once you have been approved, you will be eligible for TWO years.
To file a Benefit Access Program application or to renew your application, please contact IMPACT CIL at 618-462-1411.
Persons with disabilities often find themselves residents of nursing homes and other institutions for many different reasons. Many of these people could live full and productive lives on their own if given the assistance and supports they need.
IMPACT administers a unique program to assist persons with disabilities under the age of 60, in leaving institutional settings and obtaining their own homes or apartments.
For more information, please contact Jenna Ferguson at 618-474-5308 ferguson@impactcil.org
IMPACT is dedicated to providing education, training, and advocacy through accessible, effective, and informative resources to people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and human service professionals throughout our 6 counties. Our goal is to influence attitudes, change systems, empower, and reduce barriers to people with disabilities.
For more information, please contact Angela Botz at 618-208-1146 or email botz@impactcil.org.
Department of Rehabilitation Services has a long-standing relationship with Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). Helen Keller specializes in working with individuals who are Deafblind. An individual who is Deafblind is someone who has a dual sensory loss (vision & hearing) of any degree.
IMPACT’s qualified staff can assist you to stay independent and in your own home in daily living skills along with devices to enhance quality of life.
Contact Hanna Stillwagon 618-474-5300 stillwagon@impactcil.org
Dealing with the challenges created by deafness or the loss of hearing can feel overwhelming. If you, a loved one, a dependent, a client, a patient or a student is facing these difficulties, you are not alone; Deaf Services is here to help.
We provide for and respond to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through services, education, technology assistance, sign language classes and advocacy.
Please call 618-208-1146 or email Angela Botz botz@impactcil.org if you need additional information or have questions about our services.
Fast Track program supports individuals in the transition process from an institutional environment into the greater community. Assist individuals at high risk for nursing homes to remain in the community. IMPACT CIL also serves student ages 14-21 with disabilities teaching five pre-employment transition services.
For more information, please contact Kris Klenke at 618-474-5321 Klenke@impactcil.org
IMPACT offers a variety of training to equip people with disabilities with the skills to manage their own lives and to live more independently.
For more information, please call IMPACT CIL at 618-462-1411.
IMPACT CIL offers FREE; amplified phones, Amplifier for cell phones, captioned phones and teletypewriters (TTYs) to qualified individuals through the Illinois Telecommunication Access Corporation (ITAC).
NO FEES, NO HIDDEN CHARGES
Requirements: legal Illinois resident, proof of phone bill service, verified as unable to use the standard phone system.
There are many different types and degrees of hearing loss. Because a phone works for another person does not mean it will work for you. There are various differences in tone and clarity that must be matched o your needs. The only proven way to do this is to try the phones on a real call.
IMPACT CIL is one of the 40+ Selection Centers in Illinois that you come test the phone and pick the right one for you.
Our selection Center at IMPACT CIL is set up to help you, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00AM to 4:00PM, except 12:00PM to 1:00PM. Address is 2735 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002.
Need CLIENT’S APPLICIATION – Enter this link: http://www.itactty.org/web-apply-final.html
Link about the Amplifier: https://buelladvertising.box.com/v/ITAC-CellAmplifier-Approval
For more information, please contact Angela Botz at 618-208-1146 or email botz@impactcil.org
Operating under IMPACT’s peer support model, our Blind Services staff, who are persons varying degrees of low vision, can assist consumers of any age who are experiencing vision loss or blindness.
Some of the services available include Braille classes, peer counseling and a support group.
Elderly Blind Grant Program – For seniors 55 and older who are blind and visually impaired due to a progressive eye disease such as Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, RP, etc.
IMPACT’s qualified staff can help you stay independent and in your own home by teaching you basic knowledge in blind skills along with devices while teaching you how to use them to enhance your vision and regaining your independence.
Low Vision/Blind Support Group Meeting
1st Wednesday of the Month 10:00 am to Noon in The East Room at IMPACT at the east end of our building.
Jerseyville Meeting 1st Monday of the Month 10:00 am to Noon at the Jerseyville Public Library
For more information, please contact Jackie Darnell at 618-474-5300 Email: darnell@impactcil.org
IMPACT CIL’s Younger Blind Grant Program is for individuals who are 18-54 years old and have low vision due to a Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, RP, etc.
IMPACT CIL’s qualified staff work with you one on one or with you and your family. We teach skills, mark appliances, assess your environment for safety issues, check lighting and make recommendations to keep you safe and independent. As your peer, together we can help you make choices and adjustments to suit your lifestyle and accomplish the tasks that right now seem the most difficult.
Contact Hanna Stillwagon 618-474-5300 stillwagon@impactcil.org
Peer counseling is based on one-to-one and group interactions with peers in the areas of advocacy and self-help that leads to achievement of independent living goals. The Center also provides appropriate referrals to assist the community in learning about disabilities and disability related issues.
Agencies, business, and individuals seeking qualified and licensed Signed Language Interpreters have several options. Some Interpreters work through interpreter referral agencies, while others contract privately with the hiring entity. The most important consideration when hiring an interpreter is to assure that he or she is qualified for the specific assignment so that effective communication can occur between all of the participants.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require that people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind are provided with accommodations to facilitate effective communication.
For more information, contact 618-208-1146 or email botz@impactcil.org.
People frequently fall between the cracks when they need life saving drugs and related pharmaceutical supplies. This unique program assists persons with low income and persons who are uninsured or underinsured in obtaining necessary prescription medicines. Some prescriptions are covered when the Medicare D donut hole is in place. Medicaid’s four prescriptions policy, has enabled us to assist with some of the other prescriptions. IMPACT CIL works with the consumer, their physicians and most pharmaceutical companies to help persons obtain their prescriptions at low or no cost. Most people with low income qualify as long as their physicians are willing to participate and the pharmaceutical companies have the prescription on their list. The program is extremely popular attracting hundreds of applicants since its beginning in the early 1990’s.
For more information, please contact Kathy Stiles at 618-474-5302 stiles@impactcil.org
Individuals with disabilities can live full and productive lives with the support of a Personal Assistant (PA).
A PA performs tasks for individuals that they are unable to perform for themselves.
IMPACT retains a registry of names of persons available to work as PA’s and provides this list to individuals with disabilities who are seeking a PA.
IMPACT conducts PA training to eligible applicants interested in becoming PA’s. Training is offered to consumers by appointment.
For more information, please contact Janie Dowell at 618-474-5317 dowell@impactcil.org
IMPACT CIL has been offering non-credit community sign language classes. Our classes provide a variety of resources designed to support the goals of the class. Students learn best through communication activities including group practice, games, exercises and dialogues. Learning any language requires time and practice. You will enjoy building your knowledge of ASL to communicate with a friend, family member, or colleague. We have a supportive and enthusiastic community of teachers.
For more information, please contact Angela Botz at 618-208-1146.
The program manages the ramp construction for individuals with disabilities residing in Madison County.
For more information, please contact Jenna Ferguson at 618-474-5308 ferguson@impactcil.org.
The IMPACT service area is a diverse mix of old industry based towns in Madison County and extremely rural areas in portions of Madison County and the surrounding counties of Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, and Bond. People outside of Madison County have no transportation services. We have committed staff to travel to those rural areas. IMPACT CIL has a satellite office at the Jerseyville Public Library located in Jerseyville, IL. Staff is available for appointments at the satellite office on the first and third Mondays of each month10:00 to noon. Blind Support Group meets on the first Monday morning from 10:00 to 12:00. We are continually seeking ways to improve our services to our rural counties.
For more information, please contact Kathy Stiles at 618-474-5302 stiles@impactcil.org
IMPACT provides free public transit travel training for consumers with disabilities. The program teaches how to use Madison County Transit (MCT) which includes fixed route and paratransit services. The experience will utilize the many safety and mobility features in a safe and supportive environment. Participants determine where they need to learn to travel and then practice on actual transit vehicles using a ride-a-long method.
For more information, please contact Wendy Settles 618-5322 settles@impactcil.org