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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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