Members of Disability Resource Center (DRC) staff celebrate earning two ITAC Outstanding Performance Awards on May 19 in Springfield. From left to right: Interim Executive Director Missy Martin; Independent Living Advocate Debbie Tarrant; ITAC Coordinator Marie Malfatti; and Immediate Past President of DRC Board of Directors Elaine Sommer.
Disability Resource Center (formerly Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living) was the proud recipient of two $2,500 Outstanding Performance awards presented at the 2017 Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) Conference on May 19 in Springfield.
The awards, Highest Equipment Distribution in 2016 and Highest Distribution of Cellular Equipment, were accepted by Disability Resource Center staff members Marie Malfatti and Debbie Tarrant.
Disability Resource Center (DRC) is a Selection Center for the ITAC program, where eligible residents can try sample telephone amplification devices before selecting the best one for their needs. In 2016, DRC issued 353 devices to over 200 ITAC consumers, and the collective $5,000 award represents the highest dollar amount ever awarded to a single ITAC Selection Center.
“We are so proud of this distinction and especially of our tremendously dedicated staff whose hard work earned our Center these awards,” said Missy Martin, DRC’s Interim Executive Director. Martin said the award money will help to continue to fund the Center’s programs and services that are provided free of charge to people with disabilities in Will and Grundy counties.
Illinois law requires all landline, cellular phone companies, and most cable and VoIP phone companies to provide telephone access for people who are Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Speech Disabled. Illinois Telecommunication Access Corporation (ITAC) is the not-for-profit corporation established to provide a Free Equipment Program and Illinois Relay on behalf of these phone companies. ITAC partners with 40 Selection Centers throughout the state to provide people who are eligible with training of selected telecommunications equipment, through a Loan or Voucher Program.
For more information about ITAC, visit its website at: www.itactty.org
Disability Resource Center is a non-residential, community-based, nonprofit organization that serves and is operated by people of all ages with all types of disabilities.
As people with disabilities and their advocates, the Disability Resource Center strives for equality and empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Will and Grundy County areas. We inform persons with disabilities of their rights, educate them about their responsibilities, provide support services, promote advocacy, and raise community awareness about disability issues.
For more information about Disability Resource Center, visit our website at: www.drcjoliet.org