Independent Living Facts
What is a Center for Independent Living (CIL)?
A CIL is a non-profit corporation which assists people with significant disabilities who want to live more independently. CILs are managed and staffed by people with disabilities, are always located in the communities they serve, and assist people with all types of disabilities.
How do CIL's Assist People?
The foundation of CIL services is the peer relationship - people with disabilities assisting other people with disabilities as role models and mentors. Each center is unique because it offers services based upon the particular needs of its community.
At the same time, centers are alike in that they all offer core services: information and referral, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, independent living skills training, and nursing home transition.
How many centers are there in the US?
Currently, there are 403 centers for independent living, with more than 230 satellite locations, and 56 Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) funded through Title VII-Part C of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).
A center's service area may be one county or a dozen. According to the Rural Institute on Disabilities, CILs cover an average of 5.7 counties. Today, 60% (1,911) of our nation's counties receive service from a CIL.