NEW Center for Independent Living Fact Sheet from Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) - Peer Power: People with disabilities helping people with disabilities THRIVE.
CILs are authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Every CIL facilitates independent living by providing:
- Assistance moving from institutions to the community
- Support to avoid entering institutional settings
- Help for young people transitioning to community living as an adult
- Information & referrals to services & practical resources
- Training on IL skills, such as personal care, budgeting, household management, & more
- Peer counseling, support, & mentoring
- Individual & systems advocacy
Depending on the needs of a CIL’s community, here are additional services it may offer:
- Job search assistance & training
- Housing searches, modifications, & assistance
- Assistive technology access, training, & support
- Transportation assistance
- Health care navigation
- Eligibility screening & application assistance for Medicaid, Social Security, & more
- Recreation, socialization, & peer groups
- Emergency response planning
- Advocacy & assistance in schools
- Legal rights education