Independence Now - Silver Spring

There are people that really care and want to see disabled people of the county do better.

so much inspirational things about people with disabilities and stuff its its a really good place people with disabilities should go here

They could help a homeless disability man like me.

Wonderful place will help you when you let them

Thanks to the support of the Independence Now staff especially Denise Sosbe who does Independence Nows Employment Services I was able to return to work--just when I thought my disability would never allow me to work or support myself again. The whole team helped me regain my confidence as a human being and to feel worthy of support encouragement in reaching my goals. THEY. ARE. AWESOME

My experience with this organizations limited to one individual Ive had the unfortunate displeasure of knowing Beth Munro.I was initially typing up a large account detailing everything thats happened but since theres a character limit Ill just cut right to the chase.Beth Munros the Director of Supports Planning with Independent Now Inc. and she works as my grandmothers social worker and case manager shes worked for her starting around two years ago when my great-uncle - my grandmothers older brother - worked together with my mother to get my grandmother the support that she needs to be cared for at home.When weve initially met she seemed nice and courteous. Of course thats to be expected. The chain-of-events that happens afterwards gets rather interesting.Ive felt as if shes overstepped her boundaries numerous times as of recent.Firstly shes went ahead and had a safe lock be forced upon my grandmothers door without my mothers whom is my grandmothers Power-of-Attorney or my consent I moved in to help take care of my grandmother Beth presumed I shared the address with her which makes it even more presumptuous. She called me about it as a courtesy but whenever Ive attempted to talk to her about it she gets extremely dismissive commanding and concludes the call by saying that its not up for debate.Secondly shes lied to us numerous times - by omission - when weve all held meetings in service to put a plan in place for my grandmothers care. Basically upon believing whats mutually accepted by each party involved in a meeting shes went ahead deviated from the mutually understood groundwork and felt as if shes done the exact opposite of what we all believed to be the path forward. This has not happened just once but twice each attempt resulting in a potentially life-changing cataclysm for my grandmother and her family.To top it off in the first recent meeting Beth and another individual spoke down to us as if were ignorant on how to properly care for my grandmother that the purpose of the meeting was for her safety and what it was that we wanted to do about it.There was in fact no real choice to be made. It was either we comply and do what they want or we let the dice roll and see what pans out with the alternative option to which theyve fear-mongered it as if the worst thing that could happen will in fact happen.The sugarcoating and transparent manipulation fired off alarms in my head which ignited the catalyst that made me distrustful of their machinations.Thirdly theres been dark spaces between communications and what the plan is going forward. It seems like - recently - the only communicative attempts being forwarded to us are done out of courtesy not with respect to what it is we know truly want done or have to say about the matter.Lastly while I understand that the only individual here that she needs to worry about is my grandmother shes had no respect for me as a voluntary party as of recent including all the sacrifices Ive made in order to help my grandmother out.It felt as if shes been deceitful forceful presumptuous condescending manipulative feigning ignorance and more like an obstacle we have to work through as opposed to working with. Im not stating with certainty thats what she is as a person or character but thats how Ive felt as of late. Its made me distrustful of her to where Im not sure if she has some ulterior motive that shes endeavoring towards.I wish I had more positive things to say about my experience with Independence Now Inc but unfortunately due to what has happened its left more than a sour taste in my mouth as well as my grandmothers family.If you want to spare yourself the constant stress and headaches Id recommend researching other potential alternatives in lieu of this organization.

This place was awful and unbelievable. In four 4 years they did nothing for me really ruined my life. Had my address wrong when I called to correct it they never answered their phones. Always said I couldnt be reached but never used the email I had for 4 years. In my Case Mangement records they talked about and made fun of me. I never received any assistance in housing pain relief resources food and because I was disabled I was abused. The executive director is the worst when I complained humbly about the abuse she kicked me out of case management but before in the entire 4 years I only received her recipe for soupto relieve my crippling pain which was a nightmare. All of the employees are disabled and cant help you. The blind leading the blind and they serve wine at the annual outings. Why give a disabled person wine such sinners.

I work closely with this organization and have always found their staff and leadership responsive. They understand that adults disability or not have the right to make decisions for their own lives and they very much respect this right.

The people here are so helpful and friendly. They are busy and will make time for you.

Great social workers but wait may be long