(Link) What is a CIL?
What is a Center for Independent Living?
Centers for Independent Living are nonprofit community-based nonresidential organizations that are run by and for people with disabilities. Centers for
Independent Living (CILs) are required by the 1992 Amendments of the Rehabilitation Act to have a majority of individuals with disabilities on their Governing Boards and on their staff, including those in decision making positions.
CILs provide services to individuals with disabilities from cross-disability, multicultural populations. The core services that CILs provide are:
Systems Advocacy
Individual Advocacy
Peer Counseling
Information and Referral
Independent Living Skills Training
Other services which may be provided by a CIL include:
Assistance in finding and obtaining accessible housing
Financial Benefits Counseling
Equipment Loan and/or Repair (Photo of Richard with computer/AT equipment)
Personal Assistance Services
Services related to Identifying, Hiring, Training and Firing a Personal Assistant
Employment Readiness Services
Why Were CILs Established?
CILs were established in the early 1970's when Ed Roberts and other students with disabilities from the University of California at Berkeley, along with disability advocates led by Judy Heumann, demanded control over their lives and full access in their communities. Due to these efforts, Ed Roberts was a pioneer in the independent living movement and was known internationally as the "Father of Independent Living."
Before CILs, advocacy and services for people with disabilities were often non-existent or extremely fragmented. Many individuals were denied opportunities that would allow them to maximize their potential. They were often forced into costly institutions and wasting enormous human resources at a huge expense to the taxpayer.
The development and expansion of CILs and the Independent Living Movement has been significantly influenced by a social and civil rights movement that viewed the continuation of discrimination, patronizing and unjust treatment of people with disabilities as intolerable.
This movement is not unlike the movement of other people seeking independence. It is a struggle by those of us with disabilities to control our own lives, to have equal access to the decision-making process in our communities, states and nation, to be protected from discrimination under the law, and to be
seen as equals and fully human by society.
The empowerment of people with disabilities has evolved significantly during the past 30 years. CILs have played the leading role in this evolution of disability rights and the Independent Living Movement. CILs, which provide systems advocacy and other services and opportunities, promote the independent living philosophy
of consumer choice. They concentrate their efforts to ensure that people with disabilities have options and consumer directed services within their community. CILs also work towards the removal of attitudinal and physical barriers throughout society.
How Are CILs Funded?
The 1978 reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act included funding for independent living and the establishment of centers for independent living around the country. Ten State were funded during the first of the independent living monies (Title VII, Part B.) In 2000, approximately 260 CILs were funded through Title VII, Part C. An additional 50 CILs were funded through Title VII, Part B. approximately 100 CILs also receive funding through state money. Additional funds come from all levels of government, foundations, corporations, United Ways and private contributions. Some CILs offer services at no cost, while
others have fee-for-service or third party payers such as state vocational rehabilitation agencies, other state agencies, private insurance companies or Medicare and Medicaid. NO INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE TURNED AWAY FROM A CIL DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY.
Where Are CILs Located?
Each CIL has its own name, usually something that identifies the independent living philosophy or their local area. Even though the number of CILs has increased significantly, (More than 410 CILs are located throughout the United States and the Territories) the Independent Living Movement is still relatively young. For the name and address of a CIL in your area in Kentucky contact the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) at 1-800-372-7172 (Toll Free),
(Link) KY SILC
or for a CIL in your area across the nation, contact the
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
at 1-877-525-3400 (Toll-Free)
1-202-207-0334 (Voice) voice
1-202-207-0340 (TTY)
1-202-207-0341 (Fax) fax
Or write to:
NCIL
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
E-mail:
ncil@ncil.org
This fact sheet was written by June Kailes.
Revised 1999 by A-M Hughey
Revised 2007 by John W. Glisson
(Link) Kentucky CILs
Pathfinders – Harlan
Northern KY Disabilities Coalition – Covington
Independence Place – Lexington
BEST – Bowling Green
Center for Accessible Living – Murray
Center for Accessible Living – Louisville
(Each with a link to web site or e-mail contact or both and addresses/phone#)