The Needs Assessment study utilized several methods to directly involve people
with disabilities, especially those who are unserved or underserved, in the needs assessment process. During 2003 and 2004 the study team conducted focus groups, a survey, phone interviews with key informants, hearings, forums and meetings. The final report includes detailed findings based on participant input in each of these processes as well as major themes that were identified by participants throughout the study:

• Health care from disability-aware health professionals, including Medi-Cal
providers

• Health insurance, including provision for personal assistance services

• Accessible, affordable, safe housing located close to available transportation and services

• Help in understanding and supporting disability rights and disability
awareness

• Accessible, available, reliable transportation

• Emergency services for medical emergencies and disasters

• Help in obtaining assistive technology and accessible information
technology

• Access to information and resources: finding the resources needed to live in
the community and securing financial and economic support

• Employment matching personal skills and interests

• Isolation, self-esteem and the need for peers, including recreation and social programs and choice of integrated programs or special programs with peers

• Enforcing existing regulations appropriately,

• Reaching out beyond the traditional ILC community

• Serving new immigrant communities with new issues

This Statewide Independent Living Needs Assessment provides the SILC with
information on the basic independent living needs of people with disabilities, the barriers to independence and the gaps in services and supports in California.