A core service of the Dayle McIntosh Center is information and referral (I&R). The purpose of DMC’s information and referral is to ensure access to the information which will support people with disabilities and older adults have equal opportunities to lead their lives as they choose.
Anyone can ask us for help with information and referrals. Some people who ask for this kind of help don’t end up completing an intake for our services, but it’s still an important part of what we offer to most of our consumers. We support the general public with requests for information and referrals.
Many callers contact the center as the result of doing an internet search regarding topics for people with disabilities and older adults. Others learn about DMC as a reference service through friends, family members, neighbors, classmates, and service providers.
DMC’s database of disability-related information and resources has been gathered by the our team of staff and is preserved in electronic format. We also have access to reference systems developed by other entities such as the Orange County Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Referrals are provided by phone, by email, or through the regular post and cover a variety of areas:
- Accessible/affordable housing
- Transportation
- Aid with utility payments
- Locations of food pantries
- Providers of medical supplies
- Information about various provisions under laws relating to disability, accessibility requirements, recreation opportunities, and disability programming.
I&R assistance continues until the desired information has been provided or no additional resources can be identified. Random follow-up is made with I&R contacts to ask if they received the information they needed and if the resources provided had an impact on their independence or quality of life.
Program Success Story
DMC was contacted by a Deaf woman, who had recently had a baby. She was concerned, because she could not hear her baby when he cried. The I&R Coordinator told the new mother about a device that is placed under the crib mattress and, when the infant cries, sends a signal to a lamp on the mother’s bedside table, which would blink to alert her to her infant’s distress. The Deaf mom purchased the device and was able to sleep peacefully knowing that she would be aware when her baby needed her.
In another instance, a caller requested assistance to locate a resource for aquatic therapy for the purposes of exercise and relaxation. Two resources were provided and the contact was able to obtain a membership in one of the programs.
