Founded in 1977, ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization) is a nationally recognized center providing research, training, and technical assistance to support the rights of people with disabilities. ILRU’s programs focus on independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We work closely with community-based organizations to promote access, opportunity, and full participation in community life.
The Southwest ADA Center is the leading resource on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the Southwest. As part of the ADA National Network, it is funded by NIDILRR. The Center serves people with disabilities, employers, agencies, schools, service providers, advocacy groups, religious entities, and more. Staff provide training, publications, and confidential assistance via the toll-free hotline: 800-949-4232.
The ADA Participation Action Research Consortium (ADA-PARC) is a national research project involving all 10 ADA Regional ADA Centers and the ADA Knowledge Translation Center, working together to explore and advance ADA implementation and impact.
ILRU’s IL-NET National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Independent Living provided timely training and technical assistance to CILs, SILCs, and DSEs. IL-NET activities concluded in September 2024 after TIRR Memorial Hermann, ILRU’s parent organization, declined to continue the federal contract. Moving forward, training and TA support will be available through the Independent Living Training and Technical Assistance Center at the University of Montana.
MY-CIL, a partnership including Hunter College, Mathematica, CIDNY, and ILRU, worked to empower CILs to serve out-of-school youth (14–24) from various backgrounds. Although ILRU’s role ended in 2024, ILRU continues its commitment to increase awareness and empower individuals through promotion of resources and materials developed during the project.
ILRU continues supporting disability communities through sharing resources/ongoing initiatives—most recently during Hurricane Harvey. ILRU’s work began after Director Lex Frieden’s experience during Tropical Storm Allison (2001).
ILRU is a trusted partner of the center’s of the Aging and Disability Business Institute which builds partnerships between community organizations and healthcare to improve service access for older adults and people with disabilities.
The Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities (DVAO) Center, operated by Able South Carolina in partnership with ILRU and funded by the CDC Foundation, provided training and resources to eligible Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to improve COVID-19 vaccine access for people with disabilities. It also supported increased use of the ACL’s Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL). For more information, contact DVAO@able-sc.org or visit https://dial.acl.gov/home.
ILRU is engaged in a cooperative initiative with the City of Houston to assess and improve community participation and access to healthcare for people with disabilities and older adults in five relatively disadvantaged neighborhoods.