This program aids individuals who are in nursing facilities and often financially trapped to move back into the community. We can assist with the cost of obtaining an apartment (first month's rent/security deposit), accessibility modifications, as well as the necessities needed to make it a home (furniture, cleaning supplies, etc.) After initial setup and one months support the consumer takes over their own expenses.

Personal Assistant (PA) program - people who wish to work with people with disabilities (PWDs) are oriented on what it takes to be a PA and basic Independent Living Philosophy which specifies the person with the disability as the employer (not a patient). PAs aid people who have disabilities with the activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning, personal care) with the goal of enabling the person in continuing to live independently in the community. Once a person has been oriented to the job and Independent Living, they can be matched with a person who would like to hire them. The person with a disability who needs the PA is in charge of the process, they select who they want to call, interview, and hire. The employer supervises and if necessary fires. PACE is a third party acting to get the two parties together. PACE is not the employer. Most PAs are paid by Home Services, some people pay privately. PACE acts as a third party to make sure that both the PA and the employer with a disability have the tools necessary to make the relationship work.

This program serves individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a referral service for Personal Support Workers. PACE acts as a third party bringing the person who has a developmental disability and often their family together with a person who wishes to be a personal support worker that meets the specific needs of the consumer. This program is funded by the Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board (CCDDB),

This growing program serves people over the age of 55 who are acquiring vision loss later in life. Many have macular degeneration, some diabetic neuropathy, or retinitis pigmentosa and more. The person tells us what they want assistance with, we listen and act as facilitators. The primary focuses of this program are the monthly low vision support groups in each county, as well as the peer counseling services, and the adaptive technology demonstrations and giveaways which promote trying new ways of doing things to find what works best in the opinion of the person with the vision loss. The people we serve tell us the program changes their lives and makes it possible for them to remain in their own home.

Fast Track is for youth with disabilities ages 14-21 1. Job Exploration Counseling: This can be offered individually or within a group setting: career exploration for in-demand occupations, as well as nontraditional employment; labor market trends; career interest inventories, and identifying careers of interest to the student. 2. Work-based learning experiences: Work-based learning experiences, which may include internships and apprenticeships that are provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible. These will include: On-the-job experiences and On-the-job training, Employer Paid Work experiences, Work-Site tours to learn about necessary job skills, job shadowing, mentoring opportunities in the community, internships, apprenticeships, short-term employment or fellowships. 3. Counseling on Post-Secondary Education: This can be offered individually or within a group setting. Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary education programs at institutions of higher education. This would include advising students and parents or representatives on academic curriculum, career options, providing information about college applications and admission processes, completing the FAFSA, advising on the types of academic and occupational training needed to succeed in the workplace, or providing disability support services. 4. Workplace Readiness Training: This can be provided individually or within a group setting. These are skills received beyond that received in a work-related class. This typically provides training in skill areas other than vocational development that students will need to function independently within the community. Skill areas may include, but are not limited to, the use of public transportation, meal preparation, money management, household management, communication, and interpersonal skills, job-seeking skills, understanding employer expectations and are tailored to the individual's needs. 5. Instruction in Self-Advocacy: This can be offered individually or within a group setting. Learning about rights, responsibilities, and how to request accommodations or services as well as being able to communicate any thoughts, concerns or needs while seeking services. Conducting informational interviews, mentoring with educational staff, employers, individuals in the community, or other areas and participating in youth leadership activities are all examples.

Access Alley is a store setting where we have all kinds of assistive technology for all types of disabilities. From low tech items like sock puller-oners to OrCam a small camera perched on glasses that reads to the wearer print and once trained can identify faces by speaking their name. Access Alley is a place where you can come in with what is difficult for you or a person you know to do and we can come up with ideas of how you can adapt the task. It is a place where one can try before they buy an item. We have an internet connection and TV screen so we can show people items they may not know about as well as assist them in ordering or pull up a review by a person with a disability. Access Alley is located in Urbana with PACE, anyone from any other area is welcome to drive over and benefit from Access Alley. We can also work with people by phone.