Brain Waves: UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Newsletter Volume 14 | Number 1 | Page 4

TBI INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT
The Independent Living Program
The term “independent living” means more than simply
being able to perform a task without help. Independent
living also means making your own decisions and being in
control of your life.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are non-profit
organizations that help people with disabilities better
take control of their lives. CIL are operated within local
communities by individuals with disabilities and offer
services to people with disabilities. Although each
Center offers a number of services, all CIL offer five core
services.
1. Information and referral – If you have a question
about most anything regarding areas of disability
rights, resources and services, your local Center can
provide you with that information and direct you to
the resources that are available in your area.
2. Independent living skills training – CIL will work with
you to figure out what skills can help you live more
independently. Then, an independent living skills
trainer will work one-on-one with you at home, in the
community, or at the Center’s office to help you reach
your goals. A few areas of training might include
money management, cooking skills, making friends
and meeting people, personal health and hygiene,

using public transportation, and personal safety.

3. Peer counseling- CIL can connect you with others in

your community if you need support and tips from a
role model who is living independently.
4. Individual and systems advocacy – CIL are very active
in promoting accessible transportation, accessible
communities, funding for support services, housing,
and other issues related to disability civil rights at the
local, state and national levels. CIL can also teach you
how to access community services and be your own
advocate for positive changes in your community.
5. Transition – CIL provide two types of transitional
services. First, most people would prefer to live
at community-based residences rather than an
institution. CIL offer assistance for people who want
to leave nursing homes and return home. Second, CIL
can help young people in their transition from high
school to living independently as an adult.
The Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
program is a national center for information, training,
research, and technical assistance in independent living.
The ILRU has a searchable map of the US that lists all CIL
in each State. You can search the ILRU directory to find
the Center nearest you.

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability
Employment Policy (ODEP) does not directly help
individuals find jobs, but it does work to influence national
policy and promote effective workplace practices to
ensure that today’s workforce is inclusive of people with
disabilities. This is done through five policy and technical
assistance resources to develop and influence disability
employment-related policies and practices.
1. The Employer Assistance and Resource Network
on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is a resource for
employers seeking to recruit, hire, retain and advance
qualified employees with disabilities. Consultation
may be through phone or online conference. EARN
provides customized online and in-person training on
a broad range of topics to assist employers. Topics
include, but are not limited to: disability etiquette
and awareness, interviewing and accommodating
candidates with disabilities.
2. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading
source of free, expert, and confidential guidance
on workplace accommodations and disability
employment issues. JAN helps people with disabilities
enhance their employability and show employers how
to capitalize on the value and talent that people with

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disabilities add to the workplace.

3. The National Center on Leadership for the

4.

5.

Employment and Economic Advancement of
People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) is dedicated
to advancing sustainable individual and systemslevel change to improve competitive, integrated
employment and economic self-sufficiency for adults
across the spectrum of disabilities.
The National Collaborative on Workforce and
Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) is a source for
information about employment and youth with
disabilities. NCWD/Youth partners with expertise
in education, youth development, disability,
employment, workforce development and family
issues to ensure the highest quality, most relevant
information available.
The Partnership on Employment and Accessible
Technology (PEAT) promotes the employment,
retention, and career advancement of people with
disabilities through the development, adoption, and
promotion of accessible technology. PEAT works
to help employers, IT companies, and others to
understand why it pays to build and buy accessible
technology, and how to go about doing so.