The Independent Living Program helps people with disabilities live on their own and feel more confident. It works through five Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Connecticut. These centers are in the community and offer helpful services.
Main Services
Peer support:
Talk with counselors who also have disabilities. They share their experiences and guide you.
Information and referral:
CILs help you find services like:
- Benefits
- Housing
- Assistive technology
- Personal care help
They also show you how to use these services.
Transition services:
This program helps people:
- Move from nursing homes or facilities back into the community
- Stay living in the community instead of moving into a facility
- Young people with disabilities can also get help after high school to learn how to live on their own.
Advocacy (Speaking up)
CILs help you:
- Get the services you need
- Speak up for yourself
-
Remove barriers so people with disabilities can fully participate in their communities
Independent living skills training:
You can learn everyday skills like:
-
Managing money
-
Finding a place to live
-
Working with personal assistants
-
Using community resources
-
Understanding your rights and responsibilities
About the Centers for Independent Living
- Run by people with disabilities: Staff understand your needs because many have disabilities themselves
- Located in the community: Services are close to home
- Focused on community needs: They work to fix gaps in services
- Open to all disabilities: Anyone can get help, no matter their disability
- Non-residential: They help you live independently in your own home
CONTACT
Connecticut Association of Center for Independent Living (CACIL)
Website: www.cacil.net
Connecticut CILs by location:
Access Independence (AI)
Melissa Cullen-Carter, Executive Director
300 Long Beach Blvd., #1
Stratford, CT 06615
203-378-6977 (V)
203-375-2748 (Fax)
Website: www.accessinct.org
Email:info@accessinct.org
Center for Disability Rights (CDR)
Carmen Correa-Rios, Executive Director
369 Highland Street
West Haven, CT 06516
203-934-7077 (V)
203-934-7079 (TDD)
Website: www.cdr-ct.org/
Email: info@cdr-ct.org
Independence Unlimited (IU)
Jaclyn Pinney, Executive Director
151 New Park Avenue - Suite D
Hartford, CT 06106
860-523-5021 (V)
Website: www.independenceunlimited.org/
Email: contactus@independenceunlimited.org
Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut (DNEC)
Sharron Heddle, Executive Director
18 Ohio Avenue
Norwich, CT 06360
860-823-1898 (V)
Website: www.dnec.org
Email: dnec@dnec.org
Independence Northwest (IN)
Eileen M. Healy, Executive Director
Independence Northwest, Inc.
1183 New Haven Road, Suite 200
Naugatuck, CT 06770
203-729-3299 (V)
203-729-1282 (TDD)
Website: www.independencenorthwest.org/
Email: info@independencenorthwest.org