Centers for Independent Living (known as CILs or ILCs) are non-profit organizations controlled by consumers that provide services and advocacy to people with disabilities. Their goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within their communities. The majority of employees at a Center are people with disabilities.
Centers for Independent Living also serve as a strong advocacy voice on a wide range of issues. They work to assure physical and programmatic access to housing, employment, transportation, communities, recreational facilities, and health and social services. These are just a few of the services offered.
Core Services:
The Division of Services for the Blind Independent Living Services (DSB-ILS) is a state program established to provide many services to assist individuals with vision loss to live independently and safely in the home and community of their choice.
These services include:
The primary objective of VR’s Independent Living Rehabilitation Program (ILRP) is a state program established to assist individuals with significant disabilities to achieve independence in the homes and communities of their choice.
Counselors and program participants jointly develop a plan that will provide a viable, cost-effective alternative to institutional living and in many cases help maintain or improve employment opportunities.
In addition to evaluation, counseling and coordination of resources, typical ILRP services include:
Home and vehicle modifications
Peer counseling and advocacy
Rehabilitation engineering
Adaptive aids, prosthetics, orthotics
Consumer-managed personal assistance services
Recreational therapy, leisure activities
Communication/environmental control systems