Librarian's Picks: Independent Living

Information Resources for Independent Living

Evolving from the U.S. civil rights and disability rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s; Independent Living emphasizes living a full, productive, independent life within the community rather than in a medical facility or institution.

The Independent Living philosophy embraces the concepts of integration, normalization, and rehabilitation under a new standard developed by the experts - people with disabilities themselves.

Additional resources on independent living are available from our Ready Reference on Independent Living.

Information and Support

Independent Living Centers through the RTC Rural - Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
Toll Free: 888/268-2743, 406/243-2460 (V), 46/243-4200 (TTY)
Look up by county, zip code and/or state:
County: rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/geography/countydisability.asp
Zip code: rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/CIL/centersByZip.asp
State: rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/CIL/centersShowAll.asp

Independent Living Research Utilization (IRLU)
The IRLU program is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living.
Phone: 713/520-0232 (V/TTY)
www.ilru.org

Institute on Community Integration (ICI)
ICI works with service providers, policymakers, educators, advocacy an self-advocacy organization, researchers, families, and individuals with disabilities around the world to provide state-of-the-art information and practices that support the community inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
ICI Main Phone: 612/624-6300
ici.umn.edu

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.
Toll Free: 877/525-3400 (V/TTY), 703/525-3406 (V), 703/525-4153 (TTY)
www.ncil.org

National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
THe National Center for Assisted Living is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association. NCAL is dedicated to serving the needs of the assisted living community through national advocacy, education, networking, professional development, and quality initiatives.
Phone: 202/842-4444
www.ncal.org

National Resource Center on Supported Living and Choice
The center produces a range of informational materials on community inclusion, supported living, and choice and can respond to individual questions and requests for assistance>
Toll Free: 800/894-0826, 315/443-3851 (V); 315/443-4355 (TTY)
thechyp.syr.edu/nrc.html
thechyp.syr.edu

Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs)
www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/SILC.html

Housing

ABILITY House
Ability House provides affordable, accesible housing for low-income families where one or more members have a disability; make decent shelter that is accesible and visitable a mtter of public conscience and highlight the skills, volunteering potential and mentoring capabilities of people with disabilities.
www.abilitymagazine.com/abilityhouse.html

Local Home Repair Program by State Made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
www.hud.gov/groups/localhomerepair.cfm

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse (NAAC)
NAAC maintains a national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 46,000 units.
Toll Free: 800/421-1221
www.accessibleapartments.org

Resources for Independence

ABLEDATA
ABLEDATA provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources.
Toll Free: 800/227-0216 (V), 301/608-8912 (TTY)
www.abledata.com

Center for Personal Assistance Services (PAS)
The goal of the PAS Center is to improve the access, quality, and costs of PAS for people with I/ADL difficulties to live independently, comfortably and safely in the community and to participate in society, including employment.
Toll Free: 866/727-9577
www.pascenter.org

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)
CCI provides assistance dogs to people with developmental or physical disabilties who can demonstrate that a Canine Companion will enhance their independence or quality of life.
Toll Free: 800/572-2275, 866/224-3647 (National Headquarters)
www.caninecompanions.org/our_regions.html
www.caninecompanions.org

Case Management Resource Guide Online
Search by health related state agencies and/or search main for facilities, hospitals, home care, etc.
Toll Free: 800/784-2332, 215/875-1212
www.cmrg.com
www.cmrg.com/searchmain.cfm

Guide Dogs of America
Guide Dogs of America provides professionally trained guide dogs and instructin in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada so that they may continue to pursue their goals with increased mobility and independence.
Phone: 818/362-5834
www.guidedogsofamerica.org

Paws With A Cause
Paws With A Cause® trains Assitance Dogs nationally for people with disabilitites and provides lifetime team support which encourages independence.
Toll Free: 800/253-7297
www.pawswithacause.org