"CIL is so successful because it's run by disabled people. Our clients have hope when they see other disabled people managing their own lives.”
-Judy Heumann, head of international disability policy at the World Bank
CIL Facts
Profile: The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a non-profit organization providing services to support disabled people in their efforts to live independently. CIL also works to improve accessibility for people with disabilities at work, at home, and in their communities.
Year Founded: 1972
Consumers served: Each year, CIL provides direct services to approximately 2,000 people with disabilities including more than 130 youth with disabilities, and more than 600 people with housing needs. CIL also fills more than 60,000 requests for information from other agencies and individuals in the U.S. and abroad.
Key Facts:
- First organization run by and for people with disabilities.
- First organization to initiate a curb cut program in collaboration with a city.
- Played a key role in the passage of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Work Incentives Improvement Act.
- One of the few independent living centers in the country that builds ramps and makes accessibility modifications to homes.
Program Management Team:
- Yomi Wrong, Executive Director, Berkeley
- Dave Davis, Program Manager, Oakland
Click here to download a Word document (27 KB) of our Board of Directors.
- Individual and Systems Change Advocacy
- Assistive Technology Services
- Blind Services
- Client Assistance Project (CAP)
- Deaf & Deaf/Blind Services
- Employment Services
- Financial Benefits Counseling
- Housing Services
- Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training
- Information and Referral
- Peer Support Services
- Personal Assistance Services (PAS)
- Disability Awareness Training
Headquarters:
2539 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704Voice: 510-841-4776, TTY: 510-848-3101; Fax: 510-841-6168
Media Contact:
Journalists may contact us by calling our main line, 510-841-4776, and asking for our Media Relations Specialist.