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Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers

The Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC) is a statewide not for profit coalition of eight Independent Living Centers.

The WCILC mission is to promote the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and to be active participants in community life. WCILC strives to enhance opportunities for independence through advocacy, efforts to increase awareness of independently living, and by acting as a resource to, and supporting the activities of, independent living centers throughout Wisconsin.

WCILC advocates for systems change; provides information on current issues affecting people with disabilities to a statewide network of consumers, independent living centers, government officials; conducts professional training on disability rights and advocacy; and provides technical assistance to ILCs, the community, and businesses on a variety of issues related to independent living.

Inspires by the Civil Rights Movement, and created by the Federal Rehabilitation Act, Independent Living Centers grew out of a movement on the part of people with disabilities to take responsibility for their own lives and make choices on issues affecting every aspect.

Wisconsin ILCs are community based, consumer directed, not for profit organizations Independent Living Centers are nonresidential organizations serving persons of any age with any disabilities in all 72 counties. Unique in the world of human services, ILCs are governed and operated by board and staff composed of a majority of people with disabilities. All ILCs provide four core services, which include:

  • Peer Support – staff and trained volunteers provide support, encouragement and guidance for persons with disabilities
  • Information and Referral – one-stop shopping for information related to disability or services for individuals with disabilities, families, employers, and the community.
  • Independent Living Skills Training – assessment and training to people with disabilities in areas such as money management, housekeeping, communication, self-advocacy, prevocational skills and socialization.
  • Individual and Systems Advocacy – consistent with the philosophy of independent living, persons with disabilities are taught to advocate for themselves. In addition, ILCs can engage in activities designed to affect positive change in local, state, and federal systems affecting persons with disabilities.

Collectively, the eight independent living centers receive local, state and federal funding. ILCs take on unique activities to serve their local population. Examples of other services offered by centers include; disability awareness training, recreation and leisure activities, interpreter coordination, assistance with issues related to housing and transportation, personal care services, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 504 and IDEA, and personal computer.

The eight ILCs in Wisconsin are:


WCILC DIrector

Maureen Ryan
Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers
201 West Washington Ave, Ste. 110
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608.444.3842
Fax: 608.256.9301
E-Mail: moryan@charter.net


WCILC Contact list

• WCILC Board Meeting Schedules:
    • 2006 Meeting Schedule
    • 2005 Meeting Schedule

Request to Attend a WCILC Board Meeting

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