REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (RSA) U.S. Department of Education 1

Independent Living (IL) Philosophy * Disability is a social construct. * Having opportunities to make decisions about one’s own life. * People with disabilities are the best experts on their own need. * Consumer Control. U.S. Department of Education 2

IL Network 356 CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Information and Referral, Peer Support, Self and Systems Advocacy and Independent Living Skills Training 56 STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCILS Mandated Governor-appointed councils that, in partnership with State VR agencies, develop the State Plan for Independent Living Centers for Independent Living (CILS) Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC) Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Designed State Units (DSU) U.S. Department of Education 3

IL Network Continued 56 INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES FOR OLDER INDIVIUDALS WHO ARE BLIND PROGRAMS Provides services for individuals age 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible. 56 DESIGNED STATE UNITs State Agency responsible for administering IL funds. U.S. Department of Education 4

RSA Centers for Independent Living & Consumer Accomplishments Consumers Over Age 60 49,761 Information and Referral Services Provided 997, 082 Relocated from a Nursing Home 3,752 Completed All Goals Set 37,904 FY 2010 Data U.S. Department of Education 5

RSA Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind & Consumer Accomplishments Total Served 68,699 Provision of AT Devices and Aids 36,911 Independent Living and Adjustment Skills Training 40,857 Training to improve Daily Living Skills 35,414 FY 2010 Data U.S. Department of Education 6

Technical Assistance Resources SILC Net Increase effectiveness of SILCs CIL Net Increase effectiveness of CILs New Community Options New ARRA funded Technical Assistance program focusing on increasing options for living independently in the community U.S. Department of Education 7

State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) The SPIL is the plan that describes the IL programs across the state and identifies unserved and underserved areas and populations * Three-year plan * Includes input from the public, including agencies serving seniors U.S. Department of Education 8

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and Independent Living (IL) *Partners use a common intake form/ information assistance procedures and can access the same resources and services database. *A telephone system created to allow partnering organizations to make “soft” transfers to other partners in the network. * An information technology interface developed so organizations using different information and assistance software systems could share resources and service data electronically. Collaboration Examples U.S. Department of Education 9