Centers for Independent Living (Virginia)
Description:
Centers for Independent Living, often referred to as "CILs", are non-residential places of action and coalition designed and operated by people with disabilities. CILs work with individuals to promote leadership and independence as well as with local communities to remove barriers to independence. In Virginia, most CILs serve a planning district comprised of several counties.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide services to individuals with significant disabilities as well as to the local community at large. CILs provide the following core services to individuals:
- Advocacy
- Peer Counseling
- Independent Living Skills Training
- Information and Referral; and
- Transition Services for youth, people living in institutions, and services that prevent institutionalization
Services to the community include systems change advocacy, disability awareness, community education, and technical assistance regarding accessibility and disability-related legislation.