What is Independent Living?
Independent Living (IL) was born from a movement in the 1970s led by people with disabilities with the belief that people with disabilities are experts in their own life and have the right to make their own choices and enjoy equality of opportunity in all areas of life.
Because of the tireless work of leaders in the disability community, Independent Living is currently supported through federal law in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended: “the purpose of title VII of the Act is to promote a philosophy of independent living (IL), including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and to promote the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society” (45 CFR 1329.2).
What are Centers for Independent Living (CILs)?
Centers for Independent Living are consumer controlled, cross-disability, nonresidential organizations that “work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society” (ACL).
Regional CILs
Every state in the Great Plains Region has Centers for Independent Living. Visit the regional websites below to find the Center for Independent Living that serves your county:
Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council
Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas
Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council
Nebraska Centers for Independent Living – League of Human Dignity
Find your CIL by State or ZIP code
Find your Center for Independent Living by state or ZIP code on the National Council on Independent Living website.
This content is part of the Independent Living Resource Hub developed by the Great Plains ADA Center.