Independent Living Services (ILS) are a nationwide movement and a system of community-based supports designed to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently. These services focus on self-determination, providing tools and resources that enable people to make their own choices and fully participate in society. The goal is to maximize autonomy and inclusion, offering an alternative to traditional models of care that emphasize medical intervention or institutionalization.
The Core Independent Living Philosophy
The philosophy views disability not as a sickness, but as a condition requiring the removal of societal and environmental barriers. This perspective shifts the focus from a medical model to a civil rights and social model, asserting that individuals with disabilities deserve the same rights and opportunities as those without disabilities. At the heart of this movement is the principle of consumer control, which dictates that the person receiving services is the expert on their own life.
This self-direction means that individuals, often called “consumers,” choose and manage the services and supports they receive, rather than having decisions made by professionals. The movement promotes deinstitutionalization, advocating for people to move from facilities into their own homes in the community. Independent Living programs also adhere to a cross-disability approach, meaning services are available to people with any type of significant disability.
Essential Services Provided
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are mandated to offer five core services that form the foundation of their work. The first is Information and Referral, which connects consumers to local resources for accessible housing, transportation, benefits counseling, and adaptive equipment. This service helps individuals navigate complex systems to secure needed resources.
Independent Living Skills Training involves personalized instruction in the practical abilities necessary for community living. This training covers topics such as money management, meal preparation, using public transit, and learning to find and supervise a personal care attendant. These lessons are tailored to the consumer’s goals for achieving greater independence.
Peer Support is a distinguishing feature of the Independent Living model, pairing individuals with disabilities with mentors who have similar lived experiences. This provides emotional support and practical guidance from someone who understands the challenges of navigating the world with a disability. The shared experience builds confidence and demonstrates that independent living is achievable.
The remaining core services include Individual and Systems Advocacy, and Transition Services. Individual advocacy assists a consumer in securing their rights or accessing a specific service they are entitled to. Systems advocacy involves working for broader policy changes, such as improved accessibility standards, to benefit the community of people with disabilities. Transition Services help individuals move out of institutions into community-based living or assist young people transitioning from high school into adulthood.
The Center for Independent Living Model
The services described are primarily delivered through a nationwide network of organizations known as Centers for Independent Living (CILs). These are non-residential, non-profit organizations deeply rooted in the communities they serve. CILs are authorized and funded through Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established the framework for these programs.
A defining requirement for CILs is that they must be consumer-controlled, meaning the board of directors and staff must be primarily composed of people with disabilities. This ensures the organization’s mission and service delivery remain consistent with the independent living philosophy. This structure guarantees that decisions about the center’s direction reflect the real-world experiences of the people they serve.
CILs operate on a cross-disability basis, serving people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and mental health disabilities. This inclusive approach promotes unity and shared advocacy among all people with disabilities, contrasting with organizations that specialize in a single condition. The Centers function as community hubs, providing resources and promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream society.
Who Qualifies and How to Access Services
Eligibility for Independent Living Services is intentionally broad to ensure maximum reach within the community. Any individual with a significant disability who experiences barriers to independence is eligible to receive core services. Eligibility is not based on age, income level, or the specific cause of the disability, distinguishing it from many other health and human services programs.
Accessing these services involves locating the nearest Center for Independent Living and scheduling an initial intake assessment. This meeting allows CIL staff to understand the individual’s current situation and their goals for independence. Following this assessment, a plan is developed collaboratively between the consumer and the CIL staff.
The five core services—Information and Referral, Skills Training, Peer Support, Advocacy, and Transition Services—are provided free of charge to the consumer. This no-cost structure eliminates financial barriers, ensuring that people who need support can access it immediately. The CIL model focuses on empowering the individual to achieve self-sufficiency and greater autonomy.