The link for the Alliance of Technology Access Centers was not working properly. When I clicked on my state, Maryland, nothing happened. So that turned up to be a dead end. The Independent Learning Centers link, it took me to a map of the U.S. where I clicked on Maryland and found a list of centers. There weren't any links to websites. I did a search and found The Freedom Center. I had never heard of this place before so I went to the website to check it out.
Here is The Freedom Center's motto on their web page: "Empowering people with disabilities to lead self-directed, independent and productive lives in a barrier-free community." They are a non-profit organization that offers advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling and independent living skills and training. There was no time this week to check out this center or to meet with staff and follow a client around for more than two hours. Working full-time, going to grad school and caring for an autistic child leaves little time for me to do much. This is definitely a place I will look into.
Currently, my daughter has services coordinated in our county through the Arc of Maryland. Part of my daughter's services include learning independent living skills. Since she is still in high school, she has opportunities for vocational work within our community. I don't need to follow anyone around or talk to a staff member about autism services. I already do that. I live it everyday. I do not pretend to know everything, and I am open to learning all the time. Everyday is a learning experience with my daughter and I am fortunate enough to have services and opportunities available for my daughter. Coordinating and managing my daughter's schedule and mine is challenging, stressful and often exhausting. I want my child to have access to the best so that she can lead a full and happy life.
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