Disability Empowerment Center

The Disability Empowerment Center (dec) is the Center for independent living serving lancaster and lebanon counties. Dec is a non-profit organization run by and for poeple with disabilities. Our efforts are dedicated to attaining equal opportunity and full participation of people with diverse disabilities in all aspects of community life. Dec provides free and confidential services that prioritize self-determination, personal choice, and consumer control to individuals of all ages and with all types of disabilities. Programs include independent living services, transitional services, advocacy, peer mentoring, support groups, and information and referral services. We served 136 consumers this past year.

Dec offers services to support the deaf and hard of hearing from our area. This includes case management for the deaf and hard of hearing, sign language courses, and interpreter services. Funds for these services are generated through contracts with colleges, doctor offices, and businesses to provide qualified interpreters so these places can meet the needs of their deaf students or customers.