The Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities, or TACID, is an organization that provides information, services, education, support and friendship to more than 4,000 people with many different disabilities in over 40 disability groups.

"We promote independence," Ken Gibson, executive director, said.  "We work with people with disabilities and the business community in order to invest their their talents into the community."

Established in 1980, TACID is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in Tacoma, WA.

TACID's mission is to help people with all types of disabilities regain or maintain their independence.  In addition, the TACID Center serves as a gathering place that goes a long way in reducing isolation.

"One of the most important things to keep in mind is that disabled individuals also need ‘peer support,'" Gibson explained.

"This support helps individuals to be more independent - they develop new skills - and that saves the community money because with they individuals can help themselves."

Some of the programs TACID offers are Blind/Independent Living Training, Housing and Employment Assistance, Domestic Violence Education, Disability Information and Referral, Mental Health Resources, Peer Support for All Types of Disabilities and Volunteer Assistance and Opportunities.

Gibson pointed out that 85 cents of every donated dollar goes to the programs the coalition offers.

"We work with businesses to high individuals with disabilities; many of these individuals see things differently and bring a great deal of talent to a business," he said.

TACID's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation number is 86018.

"We are here to support you and to help the community understand what the disabled have to offer," Gibson said.

"TACID is an excellent first step in accomplishing this."

For more information, visit www.tacid.org or call (253) 565-9000 or TTY (253) 565-3486.