The Philosophy of Independent Living

What is it?

The Independent Living philosophy is based on the belief that persons with disabilities have the same basic human rights as persons without disabilities to participate in and contribute to community life. It is about disabled persons having the right and seeking the opportunity to be self-determined in matters such as living arrangements, transportation, social life, employment, and physical care.

Independent Living is a drastic shift away from the view that disabled is equivalent to sick and dependent - that persons with disabilities need to be looked after, cared for,...pitied, because they’re disabled. Independent Living’s fundamental principal is empowerment rather than "care". It is about choice. It is about self-determination. It means having every opportunity to be as self-sufficient as possible. And, it respects each person’s understanding of what independence is for them.

What is it not?

Independent Living does NOT seek to define independence and then ask others to fit into that definition. And, Independent Living does NOT seek to ignore professionals.

The Bottom Line

Independent Living IS interested in having a person with a disability direct his/her own life and services. Independent Living IS interested in promoting better utilization of services. Independent Living IS interested in a disabled person’s sense of self-esteem. Bottom line, Independent Living is BOTH a philosophy of life AND a philosophy for service provision.