Dayle McIntosh Disability Resource Centers

Basic Information

Description of the Organization and Responsibilities

Who We Are: Dayle McIntosh Centers (DMC), nationally recognized as an innovator and premier provider, is California’s leading Independent Living Center. Our namesake and inspiration, the late Ms. Dayle McIntosh was a person with quadriplegia. Although she only had use of her fingers and thumbs, she lived independently, held a job, and volunteered her time to help others. Since opening our doors in 1977, Dayle McIntosh Centers have provided people with disabilities—of all ages and from all walks of life—with the knowledge, support, skills and tools to be productive and live independently. We’re proud of our 35-year legacy of helping people with disabilities achieve richer, fuller and more independent lives.

What We Do: Very simply we help people with disabilities live independently and succeed in every area they desire – and we have some pretty remarkable success stories! Dayle McIntosh Centers is not a residential program, but a consumer-driven organization that provides a broad menu of on-site and remote services. Our goal is to promote the full integration of people with disabilities into the community. Our services run the gamut from assisting seniors with vision loss to mobility management training to job prep and placement services. Of course, we also “walk the walk,” as more than 50% of our Staff and Board are people with disabilities.

Mission: To advance the empowerment, equality, integration and full participation of people with disabilities in the community.Promise: DMC helps people with disabilities—from all backgrounds and walks of life—live fuller, richer and more independent lives.

Volunteer Roles: Assist employment specialist with intakes, job prep (creating resumes, cover letters, master applications), conducting job clubs working with consumers on interviewing skills, job developing (assisting employment specialist by scheduling meetings with employers), setting appointments with consumers, and the process of billing and paperwork.

Age(s) of Participants

Adults over age 18

Orientation Requirement

Must travel to DMC Garden Grove for a full day of orientation and training.

Check-In Procedure

Check in with Employment Specialist Adriana (site mentor) upon arrival.

Research Availability

Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. 6-month committment required.

Student can begin as a volunteer PRIOR to enrollment in HDP 191, or may continue as a volunteer AFTER completing the field research course, in order to fulfill the extended commitment time.