The Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC) promotes the development and expansion of a statewide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs). There are eighteen (18) individual CILs throughout the Commonwealth serving all 67 counties.
A Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private, nonprofit agency. All centers implement the Independent Living philosophy by providing services to people with disabilities, as well as families of individuals with disabilities, community service providers, government agencies, private businesses and the community at large.
CILs empower people with disabilities to live at
their highest achievable level of independence through the following:
Following the Independent Living Philosophy
Engaging in collective systems change
Promoting the availability of Independent Living options regardless of disabilities
Conducting outreach to unserved and underserved persons
History of CILs
Centers for Independent Living were created by the Rehabilitation Act of 1979. There are almost 500 Centers nationwide
Centers for Independent Living provide four core services:
Advocacy
Centers work to remove barriers to independent living through the following:
Self-advocacy - working a person with a disability to ensure necessary services are obtained from government agencies and eliminating discrimination
Community Advocacy - pursing changes in each community to ensure indepdendent living is attainable for all consumers
Systems advocacy - achieving legislative and regulatory reforms that benefit thousands or millions of people with disabilities at the state and national level
Peer support
Provides a comfortable and trusting outlet for consumers to talk about their concerns and experiences and received support or advice from another person with a disability who is living independently. Problems solving in areas such as learning to use community services more effectively, adjusting to a new disability, changes in living situations and sharing tips for independent living are a few of the common topics. Individual and group support through role models encourage consumers to develop ways to enhance their quality of lfie and to contribute to their community.
Information and referral
Centers provide people with disabilities access to information and resources from many sources that they need to make informed decisions and get what they need to live independently.
Independent living skills training
One-on-one or group education that enables individuals to acquire the skills necessary to live independent lifestyles. This often includes classes on how to hire and manage personal assistants, manage a personal household and budget, how to access public transportation and respond to discriminatory actions.
