The History
of Independent Living
The First Stirrings
In the late 1960’s, in California, a group of
Berkeley students with severe disabilities recognized that their options for
self determination were greatly limited by the existing medical and
rehabilitation systems. They knew that with certain skills and support
services, they could control their own lives. Attempts to acquire the necessary
network of supports were met with resistance from the medical and
rehabilitation communities. Professionals were unwilling to believe that
persons with such severe disabilities were capable of surviving without their
"care". When, in 1972, the Berkeley activists established the first Independent
Living Center (ILC) and began using the methods of the now growing self-help
movement to prove otherwise, independent living became a full-fledged civil
rights issue.
The Essence of the Movement
People with disabilities were now taking an active
role on local, state and national levels in shaping issues that affected their
lives. Active, effective advocacy by people with disabilities for people with
disabilities became the essence of the movement. Community-based groups formed
to address problems, identify barriers, and develop action plans to educate
their communities and influence policy makers.
Landmark Legislation
In 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
sometimes called the Civil Rights Act for the Disabled, was put into effect.
This legislation, which prohibits discrimination against disabled persons in
programs, services and benefits that are Federally funded, set the foundation
for future generations of disabled individuals to have access to and be able to
engage in life pursuits not afforded previous generations of disabled
individuals. Pursuits their able-bodied counterparts had taken for granted -
education, employment, housing, transportation, entertainment, etc.
The Establishment of ILCs
By 1978, under
Rehabilitation Act Amendments, the Federal Government began to provide funding
to establish Independent Living Centers (ILCs) in virtually every state and
U.S. territory. In 1979, in New York State, two (2) centers were funded with
Federal independent living monies. Three (3) more were funded by the New York
State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. In 1980, four (4) more ILCs were
established in New York State, the Westchester Center being one of them. When
funding was cut in 1981, an almost immediate cry went to the N.Y.S. Legislature
to supplement the remaining Federal dollars. Two years later, not only did the
Legislature make the existing nine (9) centers a statutory program, but seeing
the need for services provided by ILCs, they created ten (10) additional
centers throughout the state. And, in 1986, legislative initiative created
sixteen (16) more centers. There are now thirty-five (35) ILCs in New York
State and hundreds more scattered throughout the United States and its
territories - all providing services that emphasize personal responsibility and
self-determination on the part of persons with disabilities.. |
