The picture above shows two male friends. They are bonding with a fist bump and smiles. One is a young black male, the other is white who has Down Syndrome.
The picture above shows two male friends. They are bonding with a fist bump and smiles. One is a young black male, the other is white who has Down Syndrome.
The photo above shows a young, black girl engaged in conversation with someone who is slightly off screen. She has a big smile on her face. They are communicating in sign language.
The photo above shows a young, black girl engaged in conversation with someone who is slightly off screen. She has a big smile on her face. They are communicating in sign language.
The picture above shows a young black man with a white cane and seeing eye dog in a city setting.
The picture above shows a young black man with a white cane and seeing eye dog in a city setting.

Resources

Independent Living Research Utilization

This is the logo of ILRU it's a blue arch on top of the letters ilru in lower case and color red. Under the logo there are the words Independent Living Research Utilization in color blue.
This is the logo of ILRU it's a blue arch on top of the letters ilru in lower case and color red. Under the logo there are the words Independent Living Research Utilization in color blue.

The ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization) program is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve the utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field. It is a program of TIRR Memorial Hermann, a nationally recognized medical rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities.

Learn more about independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act on the ILRU website.

National Council on Independent Living

This is the logo of NCIL you can see the letters NCIL and under them the words National Council on Independent Living surrounded by a blue crescent moon. To the right you can read Celebrating 40 Years
This is the logo of NCIL you can see the letters NCIL and under them the words National Council on Independent Living surrounded by a blue crescent moon.To the right you can read Celebrating 40 Years

The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.

 

Learn more about NCIL and how you can be involved here.

Administration for Community Living

This is the ACL logo, it's created with three boomerang shapes with three circles, they look like the upper body and head of a person. One is red, one blue and the other one yellow. Next to them the letters ACL in blue. Under it the words Administration for Community Living.
This is the ACL logo, it's created with three boomerang shapes with three circles, they look like the upper body and head of a person. One is red, one blue and the other one yellow. Next to them the letters ACL in blue. Under it the words Administration for Community Living.

ACL advocates across the federal government for older adults, people with disabilities, and families and caregivers; funds services and supports provided primarily by states and networks of community-based programs; and invests in training, education, research, and innovation. ACL manages a variety of programs, provides assistance on health and wellness, protects rights and prevents abuse, supports consumer control, strengthens the networks of community-based organizations, funds research, and much more.

Learn more about the kinds of programs offered by ACL by visiting this link.   See more here.

Centers for Independent Living

On the left of the picture is the IRI logo, the letters IRI divided in two horizontally by an arch. The first letter I is the Delaware map silhouette the top part in orange, the bottom part in dark red. The letter R top part in yellow bottom part in dark red. The second letter I top part in orange and bottom part in dark red. Next to it you can read Independent Resources, Inc. And at the bottom the text: Unlocking the potential of Delawareans with disabilities. On the right part of the picture you can see the logo of Freedom Center. On top you can read "The FREEDOM CENTER" white letters on a blue background. Under it you can read "FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC". And under it the sillhouettes of two man holding hands up like performing a "high five", one is in a wheelchair the other one standing up, next to them five stars in blue, and under them three wavy lines in red.
On the left of the picture is the IRI logo, the letters IRI divided in two horizontally by an arch. The first letter I is the Delaware map silhouette the top part in orange, the bottom part in dark red. The letter R top part in yellow bottom part in dark red. The second letter I top part in orange and bottom part in dark red. Next to it you can read Independent Resources, Inc. And at the bottom the text: Unlocking the potential of Delawareans with disabilities. On the right part of the picture you can see the logo of Freedom Center. On top you can read "The FREEDOM CENTER" white letters on a blue background. Under it you can read "FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC". And under it the sillhouettes of two man holding hands up like performing a "high five", one is in a wheelchair the other one standing up, next to them five stars in blue, and under them three wavy lines in red.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private non-profit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities. The philosophy of independent living is to maximize opportunities for choices and growth through peer-driven support and self-help. CILs are the voice of people with disabilities and the disability rights movement in local communities across Delaware.  All Independent Living Centers provide a set of core services geared toward promoting self-help, equal access, peer role modeling, personal growth, and empowerment. The scope of services is directed by individual and community needs.

Click on the buttons to learn more about Delaware's Indpendent Living Centers.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)

This picture has CLASI's logo on the left and text in the middle reads: advocating for justice. On the left it's a big number 75 and the word years next to it.
This picture has CLASI's logo on the left and text in the middle reads: advocating for justice. On the left it's a big number 75 and the word years next to it.

The Disabilities Law Program (“DLP”) is the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency under federal law. The DLP provides advocacy services to individuals with disabilities to protect them from abuse and neglect and to advocate for their legal rights.                  

    The Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) is a key component of the DLP.
CLASI helps provide equal access to justice.

CLASI’s mission is to combat injustice through creative and persistent civil legal advocacy on behalf of vulnerable and underserved Delawareans.

To connect with the DLP and CLASI follow this link www.declasi.org

 

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

This picture shows the logo of Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
This picture shows the logo of Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic Region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV). Learn more about us.

Independent Living Acronyms List

This picture is a drawing of a bowl and inside of it the words ALPHABET SOUP formed by colorful letters
This picture is a drawing of a bowl and inside of it the words ALPHABET SOUP formed by colorful letters

The picture above is a blue bowl with the words ‘Alphabet Soup’ written inside.

There is nothing more frustrating than attending a meeting and feeling overwhelmed in not knowing what people are talking about. People often use acronyms when they speak or write. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word. For example, you may have seen the acronym LOL which translates to laughing out loud.  

To help you navigate the world of acronyms that are used in independent living, we recommend the following resource: https://cedwvu.org/resources/disability-acronym-list/

Each month we will focus on one acronym and instead of simply translating it, we will provide a brief description.