Organization
Paraquad
Paraquad is one of the oldest non-residential Centers for Independent Living in the United States, founded in 1970 in St. Louis by disability rights pioneer Max Starkloff and his wife Colleen. It empowers people with any disability to increase their independence through more than 40 services spanning advocacy, housing, employment, and community integration.
About
Founded in 1970 by Max and Colleen Starkloff — Max lived with quadriplegia — Paraquad is a federally recognised Center for Independent Living (CIL) and one of the oldest non-residential CILs in the United States. Operating from St. Louis, it applies the Independent Living philosophy that people with disabilities are best positioned to direct their own lives and services.
What They Do
Paraquad provides more than 40 services including independent living skills training, peer counselling, housing assistance, benefits counselling, employment support, transition from institutions to community, personal care attendant support, information and referral, and the People First of St. Louis self-advocacy programme for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Who They Serve
People with physical, cognitive, visual, auditory, mental, and emotional disabilities in the St. Louis metropolitan area who seek to live more independently, access community services, and participate fully in civic and social life.
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