Peer Support

PEER (pir) n. 1. A person who has equal standing with another, such as in age, gender, disability and life experiences. 2. Archaic. A companion; fellow.

When we look for a peer, we look for someone who has learned to manage his or her disability and live independently. For example,

Bob stays at home and complains that he never goes anywhere. Josh has learned how to use the MTU bus service so he is going to see Harry Potter at the theater this afternoon.

Bob lives in a non-accessible house and has no community involvement because he cannot use the stairs to his door. Josh, after contacting Independent Living Resources and speaking to an Independent Living Specialist, received the names of some contractors who are familiar with the ADAAG regulations and now has a brand new ramp and attends all of his church committee meetings.

Bob, who has never learned how to manage his attendants, spends lots of time waiting to get up in the morning and start his day. Josh has scheduled his attendant according to his own needs and gets to work on time.

We're looking for Joshs, not Bobs.

After I was injured and I was in the hospital, they took care of everything. Now I'm home and my house isn't accessible. What do I do? How do I get around? Where do I buy supplies? How do I use them? Why are people staring at me? They didn't stare at me in the hospital. No one told me about these things after I had my accident.

Independent Living Resources' Peer Volunteer Program is designed to bring answers and support to people with newly acquired disabilities, as well as people who have been disabled for some time. A Peer Volunteer is a person who has adjusted to being disabled and is living independently. Peer Volunteers meet with participants with similar disabilities and share information about adaptive equipment, family and marital issues, transportation, employment and education.

For more information about the Peer Volunteer Program, or if you are interested in becoming a Peer Volunteer, please call (voice) 608-787-1111 or e-mail advocacy@ilresources.org.

Benefits of Peer Volunteer Program:

Benefits to the Participant:

• Provides opportunity for the participant to achieve a greater level of independence and self-sufficiency through role modeling and encouragement.
• Participant is often encouraged to take sensible risks (Peer Volunteers can often do this better than professionals).
• Peer pressure often motivates people to do things previously thought as impossible.
• Development of better coping skills (inaccessible communities, red tape, attitudes).
• Persons with disabilities often receive emotional support and new techniques for dealing with problems.
• Learn self-advocacy skills.
• Have a role model to follow to enhance self-worth, a sense of identification by reduction of isolation and separation.

Benefits to the Peer Volunteer:

• Increases the Peer Volunteers' feeling of self-worth and accomplishment. Contributing to help another is of importance to all people.
• “Inspiring”others often inspires the Peer Volunteer (for example — a Peer Volunteer who returns to school for a degree or additional training).
• Improves interpersonal and communication skills.