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

Institute on Community Integration (ICI)
Phone: 612/624-6300
ici.umn.edu.
ICI works with service providers, policymakers, educators, advocacy and self-advocacy organizations, 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. While they do not provide direct services or advocacy for individuals, families, or organizations, they may be able to direct you to resources in your community that can.

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Toll Free: 844/778-7961
ncil@ncil.org.
ncil.org.
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.

National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
Phone: 202/842-4444
ncal.org.
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.

LeadingAge
Phone: 202/783-2242
leadingage.org.
Aging Services Directory lists adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, retirement communities, nursing homes, and more. Search within a radius by zip code, city, or state.

A step-by-step guide to training and managing personal asistants: Consumer guide.
fswe.ca/sites/default/files/documents/a%20step-by-step%20guide%20to%20training.pdf.
One of NARIC's most popular downloads, this updated manual offers consumers practical information on hiring, training, managing, and retaining personal assistants. The manual is based on the independent living philosophy that people with disabilities (consumers) should be in control of the personal assistance services that permit them to live independently.

Housing

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
To view HUD programs and resources to help homeowners with home repairs and improvements, listed by state, visit portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states. Click on: our state, learn about homeownership, and home repairs to find information on available programs. You can find low-rent apartments for senior citizens and people with disabilties, as well as for families and individuals from the low-rent apartment search, listed by state: www.hud.gov/apps/section8/index.cfm.

Socialserve.com
socialserve.com.
Allows users to search for accessible housing, choosing which options best fit their needs, by state.

Homemods.org
Homemods.org is provided by the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. The website is dedicated to promoting aging in place and independent living for persons of all ages and abilities and serves as an information clearinghouse on home modification for professionals and consumers. To search the National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources, by state, visit gero.usc.edu/nrcshhm/directory.

Resources for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)
Toll Free: 866/224-3647
CCI provides assistance dogs to people with developmental or physical disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine Companion will enhance their independence or quality of life. Locate a regional office: cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4010985/k.F755/Locations.htm.

Guide Dogs of America
Toll Free: 800/459-4843
Phone: 818/362-5834
guidedogsofamerica.org.
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.

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