Independent Living History
The Independent Living (IL) movement has its origin in the late sixties and early seventies when our society was in the midst of a growing civil rights movement. Ed Roberts, one of the founders of the IL movement, enrolled in the University of California at Berkeley but was denied admission due to his disability. He challenged that decision and won the right to attend the university, but was forced to live in the infirmary. Revolting against the restrictions and the image of being sick, Ed and other students organized practical supports such as accessible housing and personal assistant services and moved out. Hearing of their success, many contacted them for information and support. In response to these requests, the first Center for Independent Living (CIL) was formed.
A CIL is a non-residential, not-for-profit, community-based agency providing the core services of Independent Living. A CIL is more than just an organization - it embodies a movement with a philosophy rooted in principles similar to the civil rights and women's movements. The Independent Living movement developed in response to systems that were inappropriate for people with disabilities.
The philosophy of independent living hold to principles that contrasts the IL model or paradigm with the traditional rehabilitation paradigm. In the IL model, the society with its barriers and negative attitudes toward disability is the problem in need of change, rather than the individual with a disability. The IL movement has fostered a particular definition of Independence. "Independence is the ability to control one's own life by making responsible choices from acceptable options." To ensure "acceptable options" and prevent inappropriate institutionalization, CILs offer a variety of services called the four core services. These are: Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referral, and Peer Counseling.
