Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network Inc

My Experience with Working at a CIL
By Kathryn Campbell

Growing up, I was encouraged by family and dedicated teachers to become a full functioning member of society, despite my visual impairment. While I had assistance as needed, I was also taught to be independent. It was often the prodding of teachers or family that pushed me beyond my comfort zone to explore and embrace both the joys and sorrows of living with a disability.

With such a supportive upbringing, I naturally wanted to “give back” to the community. Like most college graduates, I pursued a job. I still had a heart’s desire to help individuals with special needs. One day, my vocational rehabilitation coordinator called and said, “There’s an opening at the local CIL I really think you should apply”. My initial response was, “What? What does C-I-L stand for?” Even though I had utilized the services of the Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) in childhood and even attended the state school for the deaf and blind (VSDB-S), I had never heard of Centers for Independent Living (CIL) prior to my employment at one.

Six months later, I’m happily employed at the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center in Roanoke, Virginia as a part-time Independent Living Coordinator. My lifelong ambition to “teach” individuals with disabilities has finally become a reality, just not in the way I expected. Instead, I’m daily helping individuals - young and old - to establish, and then achieve, positive but realistic life goals toward better independence. Just in the short time I’ve been working at BRILC, I’ve come to realize what an important organization it is to the entire community. I wish I would have known about CILs a long time ago. I know there are a lot of individuals with special needs who do not utilize the services of their local CIL simply because they do not know that such an organization exists. Perhaps you are one of those people. Therefore, below is a “crash course” on Centers for Independent Living, as copied (with permission) from the Virginia state government website. (http://www.vadrs.org/cbs/cils.htm)

What is a Center for Independent Living? Centers for Independent Living, often referred to as "CILs" are non-residential places of action and coalition, where persons with disabilities learn empowerment and develop the skills necessary to make lifestyle choices. Centers provide services and advocacy to promote the leadership, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. Centers work with both individuals as well as with the local communities to remove barriers to independence and ensuring equality of persons with disabilities.

How are Centers for Independent Living funded? Centers are non-profit organizations, which are funded by state, federal, local and private dollars. Part C of Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act provides general operations money for CILs in Virginia in the amount of over $1.5 million dollars.

Who do Centers serve? Centers provide services to individuals with significant disabilities as well as to the local community at large. Core services to individuals, provided by all Centers include Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Independent Living Skills Training, and Individual [and Systems Advocacy]. Services to the community include disability awareness, technical assistance regarding accessibility and legal issues, as well as general disability related information.

How are Centers created? Centers for Independent Living are created through the efforts of local people with disabilities, their family members, friends, and other interested persons. As people become organized, they begin to assess the local needs, level of local interest and support for a Center. Successful establishment of a Center for Independent Living often depends on networking, personal involvement, coalition building, and a commitment to the empowerment of persons with disabilities.”

How do I contact a CIL? You can find out if there is a CIL in your area by going to http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html.