INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Individuals with disabilities live in a world designed primarily for the able-bodied. Individuals with disabilities want to live life no differently than anyone else. They want to be able to go shopping, go to the movies, go out to eat, work, and enjoy life, fully realizing that it must be done within their boundaries of limitation.

The Independent Living Movement began in the 60s and 70s. The movement was formed by individuals with various disabilities within their communities; they identified barriers to access and areas of inadequate services. Federal legislation passed in 1978 provided funding to establish independent living centers. The centers are staffed and directed by individuals with disabilities and their advocates. This site http://www.virtualcil.net/cils/query-iandr.php?state=fl list Independent Living Centers throughout the state of Florida. Jacksonville has two Independent Living Resource Centers of North East Florida located at 1845 Town Center Blvd in Orange Park has and 2709 Art Museum Drive in Jacksonville. Disability Info gov http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=118 is a website with online resource for individuals with disabilities. The housing tab provides specific information for obtaining housing. Included are:

• ABILITY House Program-an accessible home built for a family where one or more members have health conditions or disabilities.
• Accessible housing information and news for people with disabilities.
• Accessible Space, Incorporated-locates accessible, affordable housing and assisted/supportive living and rehabilitation services for persons with physical disabilities, brain injuries, and seniors.
• Centers for Independent Living
• Disability-Related Housing Rights & Resources-answers to frequently asked questions about the housing rights of people with disabilities and the responsibility of housing providers and building and design professionals under federal law.
• Ending Chronic Homelessness through Employment & Housing Projects is working to increase and improve employment opportunities for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities.
• Evaluation of Supportive Housing Programs for Persons with Disabilities-fair housing for people with disabilities.
• Multifamily Inventory of U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Units for the Elderly & Persons with Disabilities.
• Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities-information about supportive services that enable persons with disabilities to live alone and independently in the community.
• Shelter Plus Care Program-provides rental assistance to hard-to-serve homeless persons with disabilities.
• Vouchers for People with Disabilities-explains special types of housing vouchers available for people with disabilities.

This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOF-tAMtpV8&feature=player_embedded shows the fight of a Kansas man seeking more funding for independent living. 31% of government funding is for independent living and 69% of the funding is for nursing homes. He would like for the government to distribute funding according to the living preference of the individual with the disability.

Advocates around the world support Independent Living. This site http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/indpndt.htm has worldwide resources. Additional sources around the world include:

• http://www.independentliving.org/ Independent Living Institute in Sweden
• http://www.disabledliving.co.uk/contact.shtml Disabled Living in Manchester
• http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/docs/ilr-executive-report.pdf Independent Living; A cross-government strategy about independent living for disabled people.