1. Independent Living
September 6, 2005

2. How It Evolved
Primarily started in the 1960’s by small groups of college students with disabilities; most notably at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and the University of California at Berkeley
These students were responding to the lack of equal access and support services which would enable them to live independently
They opposed the then current “Medical Model” of disability, and instead, proposed an “Independent Living Philosophy” as a new, civil rights’ movement

3. How a Social Movement Is Born
“A significant social movement becomes possible when there is a revision in the manner in which a substantial group of people, looking at some misfortune, see it no longer as a misfortune warranting charitable consideration, but as an injustice which is intolerable in society.”
Gerben DeJong

4. Goals of Centers for Independent Living
EMPOWERMENT of consumers; through
*Awareness of independent living options
and services,
*Promotion of Consumer Choice &
Involvement in Services,
*Assistance in addressing barriers to
independence

5. 4 Core Services offered by Centers for Independent Living - CILs
Information & Referral
Advocacy
Peer Support
Independent Living Skills Training

6. What Is Required to Live Independently?

7. The Importance of Personal Assistance Services
What is a personal assistant or attendant?
How does a personal assistant differ from a nurse or nurse’s aide?
What types of services are available?
The PA Model of services – how advocacy made a difference

8. Challenges to Independent Living
Insufficient funding for necessary services
Inconsistency of services/funding from state to state
Public awareness of independent living centers / services
Promoting “linkages” among community services
For IL providers, acknowledging the consumers’ right to make mistakes or “fail”

9. Independent Living related Websites
The National Council on Independent Living:
DIMENET database:
American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today:
Justice for All:
National Council on Disability:
The CIL of North Central Florida:
The Berkeley CIL:

10. Outcomes of the Independent Living Movement
Disability rights legislation; i.e. Rehab Act of 1973 & ADA
Reshaped the thinking of disability professionals & researchers; i.e. Medical/Rehab. Model vs. Independent Living Model
Spawned new service delivery models; i.e. CILs, personal assistance/attendant care services
Promoted new research directions; i.e. grant funding priorities