What local support services are available for people with disabilities?
Many public and private agencies provide services and support to disabled individuals. Listed below are a few of the many sources for additional information.

• San Carlos Special Needs Program provides classes and programs for developmentally disabled, emotionally, socially or learning limited individuals. Programs and services increase independent living skills, personal development and self-confidence, enrich their quality of life; promote increased community involvement; enhance physical, perceptual and motor skills; and develop social competencies. A recreation and educational environment is provided for leadership and life skills training. Volunteers from local middle schools, high schools, probationary, and in-counseling juveniles who are placed by the San Mateo County Court system, San Carlos Police Department or FACES, Inc. provide extra staff support while developing personal responsibility and social interaction skills. The unit is led by a recreation supervisor, assisted by a recreation coordinator, and supported by seven part-time recreation leaders.
• The San Carlos Senior Center provides information and referrals to local agencies that provide resources for people with special needs and/or disabilities. A staff person is available in the Information and Referral Office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and appointments are recommended. The Senior Center has two meeting rooms equipped with an Assistive Hearing Loop System that provides amplified sound through portable receivers for people who have a hearing loss. The Senior Center is located at 601 Chestnut St. Phone: (650) 802-4384.
• The Center for Independence of the Disabled (CID) provides support services and information for disabled adults and their families. It also offers a program to retrofit housing to improve the livability of homes of people who have become infirmed or disabled, for example, installation of handrails. The city's Redevelopment Agency provides housing funds to CID each year to assist San Carlos residents to retrofit their homes. The CID is located at 875 O'Neill Ave. in Belmont; phone: (650) 595-0783.
• The National Rehabilitation Information Center offers many resources for rehabilitative aids and equipment for disabled people. For more information call 800-346-2742.
• Meals-on-Wheels provides hundreds of daily meals to homebound people with disabilities. Besides providing basic nutritional needs, the program helps prevent disabled persons from being prematurely institutionalized. Applicants must be unable to prepare their own meals and have little or no assistance to obtain adequate meals. The cost of each meal, preparation, and delivery comes from a variety of sources. An anonymous donation is requested, but eligible applicants will not be denied service if they cannot give a donation. For more information call (650) 323-2022.
• Redi-Wheels provides curb-to-curb transit services to qualified individuals. To become a member of the program, call 800-660-4287. To make a reservation for a ride call (650) 348-8112.
• The California Telephone Equipment Loan Program provides products and services to make the telephone easier to use, no matter what your needs are. Products include amplifiers, large button phones, speaker phones, and visual displays, available free of charge. To find out whether you qualify, call 800-770-7794.