HISTORY & MISSION

During the 1960's, a group of people who were placed in nursing homes and institutions - simply because they had disabilities - refused to give up their rights. By working together, they formed the Berkeley Center for Independent Living in California, re-entered their communities, and successfully managed their own lives. This was the first cohesive step in starting today's Independent Living Movement. There are now 24 Centers in Illinois and hundreds across the nation. As part of the Illinois and the National Independent Living Movements, the Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living is dedicated to the belief that persons with disabilities have the right and responsibility to make choices, to control the direction of their lives, and to participate fully and equally in their communities.