What is a Center for Independent Living (CIL)?
Centers for independent living are private, not-for-profit, charitable, organizations that advocate for the civil rights and service needs of people with disabilities. In this regard, CILs are primarily agents of societal change. Centers for independent living also provide direct services. For example, a CIL may assist people using a wheelchair, or a CIL may assist someone with asserting her employment rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. All centers for independent living must also meet other requirements to be considered a center for independent living. These requirements include the following: The center must be governed by a Board of Directors composed of a majority of people with disabilities. A majority of staff members must be people with disabilities. All CILS must provide these core services: · Independent Living Skills Training (ILST) teaches people how to budget, comparison shop, use public transit, and other everyday skills. · Peer counseling and support for pe
