Centers for Independent Living provide community-based, disability-led services that promote independence, choice, advocacy, and community participation.
About
Centers for Independent Living, commonly called CILs, are nonresidential, community-based organizations governed and staffed by people with disabilities.
They are not assisted-living facilities or residential homes.
Their purpose is to help people with disabilities develop skills, obtain information, advocate for themselves, connect with community resources, and live as independently as possible.
Georgia has multiple Centers for Independent Living serving different geographic areas.
Core Services
Individual advocacy
Systems advocacy
Peer counseling and peer support
Information and referral
Independent-living skills training
Nursing-home and institutional transition assistance
Institutionalization-prevention services
Youth transition services
Who They Serve
Centers for Independent Living are cross-disability organizations.
They serve people with many types of disabilities rather than limiting services to one disability.
This includes people who are blind or visually impaired.
Specific services and geographic coverage vary by center.
Finding the Correct Center
Visitors should use the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia’s directory to determine which Center for Independent Living serves their county.
The directory linked below is an accessible, text-based resource.
Statewide Contact Information
Organization: Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia
Address: 315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 660, Decatur, GA 30030
Telephone: 770-270-6860
TTY: Georgia Relay 711
Directory:https://www.silcga.org/cils/find-cil-locations-in-georgia/
Why We Recommend This Resource
Centers for Independent Living are valuable because their philosophy emphasizes disability-led services, self-determination, peer support, and personal choice.
A CIL may be an excellent starting point for someone seeking local information about housing, transportation, advocacy, independent-living skills, community services, or other disability-related resources.