• Home >

Independent Living Resources

National IL Organizations

• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). An outcome of the national Disability Rights and Independent Living Movements, NCIL was founded to embody the values of disability culture and Independent Living philosophy. NCIL carries out its mission by assisting member CILs and SILCs in building their capacity to promote social change, eliminate disability-based discrimination, and create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in the legislative process to affect change.
• The Independent Living Institute (ILI) is a policy development center specializing in consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples' self-determination, self-respect and dignity. Current projects include a virtual full-text library with documents on Independent Living and related subjects, interactive services for persons with extensive disabilities, and Project Fashion Freaks, which develops fashionable clothing patterns for people with disabilities.

History of the IL Movement

• The Independent Living Movement and Disability Rights (Vermont CIL)
• A Brief History of the Independent Living Movement (Access Living)
• History of the IL Movement, with translations in Spanish, German, and Chinese (Northeast IL Program, Inc.)

IL & Services in Texas

• The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) was created to administer long-term services and supports for people who are aging as well as for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Some of IL DADS programs include

1. Protocol for Offering a Targeted HCS SSLC Diversion Vacancy. DADS protocol for transitioning from an SSLC to the community.
2. Promoting Independence (PI) is a statewide DADS initiative that supports allowing an individual with a disability to live in the most appropriate care setting available.
3. Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a national demonstration program, also administered by DADS, that seeks to help Medicaid clients transition from institutions to home and community-based services. Since its inception in 2001, Texas has emerged as the national leader in relocations from nursing homes, successfully moving over 45,000 Texans into the community.

• The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) administers programs that ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities and children who have developmental delays enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives.
• The Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living (TACIL) is a membership organization that promotes the success of CILs in Texas. Learn more and search for CILs in your area on TACIL's website.
• The Attendant Network is a registry that helps to connect personal attendants with people needing attendant services. If you're seeking employment as a personal care attendant, or if you're in search of a qualified personal care attendant to hire, simply sign up at the link above and begin your search.
• Community Living Resources from Disability Rights Texas. This collection of documents and links touches on many topics relevant to independent living, including financial management, accessing services, and consumer rights.

Accessing Federally-run Services

• Social Security Disability Help aims to help better the lifestyle of those living with a disability by providing information about how to file for a disability claim and laying out the process step by step. Social Security Disability Help also provides all the information and tips you might need to avoid confusion surrounding social security disability.