Ed Roberts (1939-1995), known as “The Father of Independent Living,” founded the first CIL in 1972 in Berkeley, California. He fought throughout his life to enable all people with disabilitiesThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.  This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability.  It also includes people who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.  The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability. to fully participate in society. He organized a group, “The Rolling Quads,” to protest the inaccessible University of Berkeley campus. CILs are non-profit organizations that are places of action and coalition, where people with disabilities learn empowerment and develop the skills necessary to make lifestyle choices.

CILs provide services and advocacy to promote the leadership, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. CILs work with both people, as well as with the local communities to remove barriers to independence and ensuring equality of persons with disabilities. A CIL’s core services are: advocacy, peer counseling, skills training, information, and referral.

CILs for Independent LivingSupports brought into the home focused on skill building and preparing for greater independence. are created through the efforts of local people with disabilities, their family members, friends, and other interested persons. As people and advocates became organized, they began to assess the local needs, level of local interest and support for a CIL. Successful establishment of a CIL often depends on networking, personal involvement, coalition building, and a commitment to the empowerment of people with disabilities.