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.