Community Resources for Independence (CRI) is a non-profit corporation established in 1976 by a group of disabled and non-disabled individuals to advance the rights of persons with disabilities to equal justice, access, opportunity and participation in our communities.
Persons with any type of disability, any age, and/or their families, are eligible to receive services from CRI. Appointments are recommended and no fees are charged to consumers except for legal representation.
CRI’s headquarters are in Santa Rosa where services are provided to increase choices, opportunities and independent living for people with disabilities. CRI has branch offices in Ukiah (Mendocino County) and Napa (Napa County). The Employment One-Stop Centers in Lake and Mendocino Counties have made office space available to CRI in Ft. Bragg and Lakeport where Independent Living services are provided as requested. CRI remains active within the Native American communities in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties providing services for Tribal groups as far away as Covelo, Point Arena and Middletown.
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Our Disability Law Clinic is an advocacy unit dedicated to helping persons with disabilities better understand and utilize the laws and programs that affect them. Adam Brown, CRI's Legal Director, is an attorney, and teaches an Administrative/Disability Law class at Empire Law School in Santa Rosa. His students receive experience with a wide variety of disability issues. In addition, CRI was recently awarded a grant through the Social Security Administration to organize a Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program. |
Our Housing Access Modifications (HAM) Program is locally funded and provides accessible modifications to consumers' homes such as ramps, lifts, grab bars, and visual and auditory aids. This program received an award from the National Organization on Disability for improving access in Sonoma County for people with disabilities in 2000. |
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The Deaf Services Program targets the Deaf/Hard of Hearing population by providing services such as advocacy, communication assistance, community education, information and referral, independent living skills, peer counseling, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing accessibility equipment resources. Deaf Services also has a Deaf Library, and a KODA/CODA program that provides monthly social gatherings for Kids of Deaf Adults and Children of Deaf Adults. |
CRI's Housing Program is recognized as the only program successfully serving homeless individuals in Sonoma County. The Transitions Project assists people with disabilities to make the transition from institutionalization to independent living. |
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Other services include peer support groups, mental health workshops, and providing information and referral for assistive technology.
