Centers for Independent Living in Florida
Florida — Statewide Nonprofit Network
Florida — Statewide Nonprofit Network
Florida’s Centers for Independent Living, commonly called CILs, are community-based nonprofit organizations that help people with disabilities live independently and participate fully in their communities.
Centers for Independent Living follow the principles of consumer choice, self-determination, equal access, and full community participation. They are consumer-controlled organizations, meaning people with disabilities play a central role in their leadership, operation, and services.
Centers for Independent Living do not provide residential care or operate as places where people live. Instead, they work alongside individuals to help them identify their goals, develop independent living skills, advocate for themselves, and connect with services and opportunities in their communities.
Florida has 15 Centers for Independent Living serving people with disabilities throughout all 67 counties.
Although programs may vary by location, Centers for Independent Living provide five core service areas:
Additional assistance may include information about housing, employment, transportation, assistive technology, durable medical equipment, personal assistance services, financial programs, health care, accessibility, and other community resources.
Centers for Independent Living serve people of all ages and with all types of disabilities. This may include people who are blind or visually impaired, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with mobility disabilities, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, chronic health conditions, and other disabilities.
Eligibility, programs, and available services may vary by individual center.
Florida’s network of 15 Centers for Independent Living serves all 67 counties. Each center is responsible for a particular county or group of counties.
Visitors should use the statewide directory to identify the center that serves the county where they live.
The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living, also known as FACIL, is the statewide membership organization representing Florida’s Centers for Independent Living. FACIL works to strengthen the centers, increase public understanding of independent living services, and advocate for the needs of Floridians with disabilities.
Official website: https://floridacils.org/
Use FACIL’s statewide directory to find the Center for Independent Living serving your county, including its address, telephone number, service area, and official website.
View the Florida Independent Living Council’s CIL Directory
Centers for Independent Living are valuable starting points for people with disabilities who want to increase their independence, strengthen their self-advocacy skills, or connect with services in their communities.
Because each center serves a specific region and works with people of all ages and disabilities, visitors can receive locally relevant guidance, peer support, skills training, advocacy assistance, and referrals to other programs that may meet their needs.