Independent Living Program

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability Services partners with the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) network. This is to promote the expansion of Independent Living Services throughout Iowa.

Title VII, chapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act), establishes the Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living (CILs) program.

The purpose of the program is to: 

• promote the independent living philosophy, based on consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access and individual and systems advocacy
• maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities; and
• promote the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society.

Centers for Independent Living are operated and designed by individuals with disabilities. Each CIL provides independent living services for people with disabilities to support both community living and independence for people of all ages with all types of disabilities. 

At a minimum, the centers are required to provide the following independent living services:

• Information and referral services
• Independent living skills training
• Peer counseling
• Individual and systems advocacy
• Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life

Centers for Independent Living

• Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor, Inc. (A21)
• Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (CICIL)
• Disabilities Resource Center of Siouxland (DRCS)
• Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living (IICIL)
• League of Human Dignity – Southwest Iowa Center for Independent Living
• South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (SCICIL)