Founded in 1972, Center for Independent Living (CIL) was the first independent living center in the country and the nation’s first disability rights advocacy group organized and operated by persons with disabilities. CIL became the center of the emerging independent living movement, based on the principle that people with disabilities are entitled to the same civil rights, options, and control over choices in their lives as people without disabilities.

For the past 50 years, CIL has led advocacy that reflects this commitment, starting with the role of our founders in the passing of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. Founded by and for people with disabilities to secure the rights, accommodations, and resources needed to live and be supported in their/our communities, CIL serves as a model for 400 independent living centers nationwide and in 20 countries.

For over fifty years, we have provided advocacy, programming, and services for people with diverse disabilities; who are non-ambulatory or have reduced mobility; visual and hearing impairment; cognitive, psychiatric, and neurological disabilities; chronic illness; and reduced capacity due to aging.

CIL’s CORE Services are the programs that our organization was founded upon, including advocacy, counseling, housing assistance, assistive technology, mobility management and information and referral services. Today, our programs have expanded to include Residential Access, Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency, Benefits Counseling, Living Well (Peer Counseling for Seniors), Youth Programs, and more!