CENTERS FOR 

INDEPENDENT LIVING (CILs)

Peer Power: People with disabilities helping 

people with disabilities THRIVE

CILs are authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

350+

CILs across 

every U.S. state 

and territory.

2/3 

of CIL staff are 

individuals with 

disabilities.

75% 

of decision-making 

positions are held by 

disabled people.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LEADING THE IL VISION

Independent 

Living (IL): 

A movement and 

philosophy based on the 

civil rights of all disabled 

people to:

make their own choices.

control their own lives.

have equal access to 

and inclusion in society. 

“Nothing about 

us without us.” 

–IL Movement

Boots on the 

ground. People 

with disabilities 

directly serving 

people with 

disabilities and 

communities to:

MENTOR 

and train their peers on 

strategies and resources to 

improve their daily lives.

CHALLENGE 

stereotypes and 

push for full equality 

and inclusion.

CREATE 

understanding that the entire 

community benefits when 

everyone can live, work, and 

play in it.

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 
Real People. Real Impact. 

In his last year of high 

school, George, 

a 19-year-old with 

an intellectual disability, 

participated in Project SEARCH 

at the Center for Independent 

Living Gulf Coast. Project 

SEARCH helps students with 

disabilities learn job skills. 

Through the program, George 

received training and hands-on 

experience in several kinds of 

jobs. After graduation, he was 

offered a full-time position in 

the maintenance department of 

a local car dealership. The CIL 

helped George and his family 

navigate the complex systems 

required to ensure he did not 

lose needed benefits as a result 

of his employment. 

George now works full-time. He 

recently got a driver’s license 

and bought a car that enables 

him to drive himself to a job he 

loves.

Eight-year-old 

Emma was born 

with one arm. When 

her school threatened to expel 

her for “bad behavior” after she 

began acting out in response 

to being bullied, she was 

referred to Able SC. The CIL 

paired her with LaQuanda, a 

staff member who has a similar 

disability. LaQuanda helped 

Emma’s school recognize the 

bullying and make changes 

to strengthen the inclusion of 

students with disabilities. With 

LaQuanda’s help, Emma’s family 

and the school made a plan to 

allow Emma to stay in school. 

LaQuanda became a friend and 

role model to Emma, taking her 

for drives and offering support 

only someone who has “been 

there” can give. Her example 

helped Emma gain confidence 

and envision her future of living 

independently.

Allan, who is 

66, was receiving 

treatment in a 

rehabilitation facility after 

experiencing homelessness. 

While his goal was to leave the 

facility and live independently, 

he didn’t have anywhere to go. 

His local CIL helped him access 

his Social Security benefits, 

which enabled him to qualify 

for a subsidized apartment. 

When an apartment became 

available, the CIL team eased 

his transition to community living 

by providing household items, 

furniture, linens, groceries, and 

other necessities. 

Today Allan enjoys living in his 

own apartment and spends time 

doing the things he couldn’t do 

in a nursing facility, like doing 

his own laundry and going 

shopping. 

Every day, CILs are moving disabled people from being excluded to being included.

November 2023

ACL is an operating division of the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services. Learn more at ACL.gov.

To find a local CIL, call the Disability Information 

and Access Line at 888-677-1199 or search by 

ZIP code at DIAL.ACL.gov.