ILRU Endorses "Recommitment to IL"
The Liberators for Justice have called on leaders in independent living to recommit ourselves to IL Values. The Liberators have published a letter to be signed and submitted by organizations, leaders, and other individuals. The "Recommitment to IL" letter is at this link:
https://liberators4justice.org/public-letter-of-recommitment-to-il-values/
Lex Frieden and Richard Petty are signing this letter on behalf of ILRU. We urge our colleagues who are committed to independent living to do the same. Disability leadership is an important value in independent living; disability leadership is also a key strategy that has made IL successful.
The definition of an independent living center was developed by ILRU in 1976. The definition stated that IL centers are run by people with disabilities serving people with disabilities. This language was later adopted in the rehabilitation act amendments of 1978.
ILRU and other disability-led organizations are signing on to the Recommitment to IL, including the World Institute on Disability (WID), New Disabled South, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), centers for independent living, other organizations, and individuals. Members of the Liberators for Justice are Kimberly Tissot, Tom Olin, Kristina Kapp, Thomas Hale, PhD, Peter Grosz, Mike Grier, Tom Earle, Misty Dion, Kate Blaker, Rick Black, and others.
We at ILRU acknowledge, thank, and support the Liberators for Justice for making this courageous stand. The values and strategies that have made independent living successful for over 45 years must continue! Our movement must be led by people with disabilities!
We value, appreciate, and celebrate the contributions of all people who choose to join, support, and work in the independent living movement. Ultimately, our movement must be led by people with disabilities!
Richard Petty Lex Frieden
Director, IL-NET National Training Director, ILRU at TIRR Memorial Hermann
and Technical Assistance Center for
Independent Living at ILRU