Centers for Independent Living
The HAIL team is working with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) on this project because they are trusted sources of information and advocacy for people with disabilities.
CILs are non-residential resource centers on disability that are designed and operated by people with disabilities. By statute, 51% of the staff and 51% of members of the Board of Directors are persons with disabilities. CILs are:
- Consumer-controlled
- Community-based
- Cross-disability
- Non-profit
CILs provide a variety of services, with five core services:
- Information and referral
- Independent living skills training
- Individual and systems advocacy
- Peer counseling
- Deinstitutionalization: Transition from nursing homes and other institutions to community-based residences; help with avoiding institutionalization
CILs work to maximize accessibility and the integration and participation of people with disabilities in their communities. However, CILs serve the entire community, not just people with disabilities. For example, a local restaurant might seek information on or where to get menus brailled. A community group might ask for a referral for a sign language interpreter. A homeowner might inquire about how to make the home accessible so that a wheelchair-user might visit.
A directory of CILS and their satellites for each state and U.S. territory is available from ILRU.