Improving and expanding independent living services for persons with disabilities

Since the 1970s the independent living movement has created services for persons with disabilities to become more economically self-sufficient and autonomous in their daily lives. Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are community based nonprofit organizations that have carried out this mission and have also advocated for systemic changes in statewide policies, legislation and regulations governing disability issues.

Despite the demonstrated successes and accomplishments over the years for ILCs in New York State, there are currently significant gaps in services and underserved geographic areas. An assessment of ILCs surveyed centers and nearly 1400 stakeholders in 45 counties in New York to determine where those gaps are and what can be done to address them. The findings from this study reveal that persons with disabilities require expanded transportation, strengthened financial support, expanded vocational/employment opportunities, and increased emphasis on integrated housing opportunities. The research also identified that ILC services complement and contribute to cost effective alternatives to institutionalization. The results suggest that Independent Living Centers are particularly well situated to develop new approaches to improve service access to vulnerable and underserved subsets of the population of persons with disabilities, such as those in rural areas and in various immigrant communities, as well as racial/ethnic minorities, and as the population ages, seniors with disabilities.