Centers for Independent Living (CIL)

Independent living programs receive Federal RSA grants (as well as funds from other Federal, state and local sources) in order to:

• Provide, expand, and improve state and community independent living services;
• Develop and support statewide networks of centers for independent living;
• Improve working relationships among state independent living rehabilitation programs, centers for independent living, Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC), Rehabilitation Act programs outside of Title VII, and other relevant Federal and non-Federal programs.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer-controlled, private, nonprofit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provide an array of independent living services.


At a minimum, centers are required to provide four core services (as designated under the Rehabilitation Act):

• Information and referral
  Disseminating information on specific disability-related topics and referring individuals to appropriate departments within the CIL or to other community agencies.
• Independent living skills training
  Training and support for people on such basic life skills as cooking, budgeting, transportation and social skills.
• Peer counseling
  Developing peer mentor, counseling, and role model programs about a variety of issues.
• Individual and systems advocacy
  Advocating on an individual level for persons with disabilities as well as activities targeting working to make systems and communities more accessible for individuals with disabilities.