What is a CIL?
A Center for Independent Living is defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, as a consumer controlled, community based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities, and provides an array of independent living services. In the Rehabilitation Act, Congress authorized Centers for Independent Living to provide specific “core services” including systems advocacy (efforts to promote systemic change to improve access and opportunities for people with disabilities). Most CILs provide services in the areas of employment, financial benefits counciling, housing, legal clinic, Independent Living skills, peer support, youth, deaf, blind and deaf/blind. Go to www.virtualcil.net/cils/ for a list of CILs across the United States.
