RICV is an agency that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and promotes their independence. It has several goals, including advocating for rights, enabling independence through services, and promoting education and awareness. The agency provides various programs to help consumers in areas like housing, employment, assistive technology, education transition, independent living, and accessing community resources. RICV strives to help people with disabilities belong in society and have equal opportunities.

1. By
Corinne Cuento

2. Mission – Encourage people with disabilities to
take back control of their lives and
live a more independent life by
making their own choices
Goals – Advocate rights, enable independence,
provide services, promote education
and awareness, integration and
acceptance within the community

4. Disability Status 2000
120000
100000
80000
60000
Disability Status
40000
2000
20000
0
5-15 yrs 16-64 yrs 65 yrs +
8,820 109,398 35,327
U.S. Census Bureau
Last Revised Oct. 27, 2009

5. Advocacy –addresses issues regarding housing,
transportation, access, employment,
and health
Assistive Technology –help consumer get the
assistive technology in order to live
independently
Bridges –helps high school students with disabilities
transition to college, work, or adulthood

6. California Community Transitions – helps people get
out of institutional living into independent
living
Client Assistance Program –offers information about
Department of Rehabilitation’s policies
and procedures and helps with solutions if
problems arise
Communication Access – consumers receive
American Sign Language interpreting
and provides the information in
accessible formats

7. Community Leadership Academy – trains
people with disabilities to be board
members of nonprofits, and
members of government councils,
commissions and boards

8. Creative Careers-Job Development – provides job
development including work
preparations and on-site evaluations
Housing Resources – provides information
regarding home modifications,
landlord/tenant problems, list of
apartment referrals, and
homeowners/rental assistance

9. Information & Referral – provides disability related
information: financial aid, food programs,
utility assistance, specialized transportation,
housing, and healthcare
Peer Support – 1st and 3rd Wednesday meetings to
discuss disability issues
Work Incentive Planning Assistance – helps people
receiving SSI/SSDI go back to work

10. RICV helps the consumer with a disability in need
and address social problems. RICV helps
consumers fight discrimination by knowing the
policies of the American with Disabilities Act. The
agency also works with a variety of consumers
with diverse ethnicities, sexual orientation, and
cultures.
RICV strives for people with
disabilities to belong and not be
hidden and to have equal
opportunities in society.
by Joe Reichart

11. In terms of human rights, the agency respects
the consumer’s right to self-determination.
The agency empowers the consumers to
participate and be involved in the decision
making process. The agency treats the
consumer as a whole person, with dignity and
respect, and focuses on the
strengths instead of the
disability.