For The Cortez Journal

Southwest Center for Independence welcomes two new Independent Living Coordinators to its Cortez office. SWCI helps people with disabilities who want to live well in their homes and the community. Lu Anne Herman will provide IL services in Dolores and Montezuma Counties, and Angela Kyle will provide IL services for people over 55 with low vision in all five counties of our region.

Lu Anne comes to Cortez via Rifle and Glenwood Springs. She has over 15 years' experience working with people with disabilities and other marginalized people, providing advocacy, skills training, vocational services, volunteer coordination and program development and management. As a new Cortez resident, Lu Anne is excited about her new position, and looks forward to being an active member of the local community.

Angela is a local who has been working in Farmington, where she also provided services for Blind and low vision people. She offers support groups, training and consultation, coping strategies, home visits, and low vision assistive technology (magnifiers, lamps, labeling devices, etc.) for those who qualify for the program. She is also hosting our annual Low Vision Expo on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Durango Public Library.

For more specific information about individual and group services or activities through SWCI-Cortez, please call 970-570-8001 or come by the office at 2409 East Empire.