Independent Living is about having choices,
making decisions, taking risks, and taking responsibility. Independent
Living is about having control over one's own life.
"Independent Living is not measured by the quality of tasks
we can perform without support, but by the quality of life we can
have with support."
Here are some words and phrases we use in the Independent
Living movement:
The right to choose how and where we live, how we look, what
interests we develop and who we invite into our lives. We have
the right to choose our own lifestyle, education, employment
and medical treatment.
In order to have real choice we need real options. Unfortunately,
systems and programs usually want us to fit into their boxes.
The ILRC helps people develop their own options and avoid some
of those boxes.
It's hard to make good decisions without clear, accurate and
accessible information. The ILRC can help you get the information
you need.
You have the right to make decisions for yourself - don't let
anyone take that power away!
A not-for-profit organization that is managed by a volunteer
Board of Directors.
A person with a disability. Instead of being "patients" or "clients"
we see ourselves as consumers of products, programs and services.
When the majority of the members and directors are consumers
(for example, people who have disabilities), we say an organization
is consumer controlled. Under the ILRC consititution, 50% plus
one of our board members must be consumers.
An organization that is open to people who have any type(s)
of disability is said to be a cross disability organization.
The right to take chances, make mistakes and take responsibility
for the decisions we make.
Disability Related Supports
These are the different things we need because of our disabilities
and the barriers that exist in our communities. Disability related
supports include home support / personal care, technical aids,
sign language interpretation, student assistants, job coaches,
medical supplies, etc.
The different ways information can be shared, including Braille,
large print, audio tape, computer diskette, and regular print.
Regardless of which format we use, plain language is always
the best way to go.
A social movement of people with and without disabilities who
are working hard to advance our individual rights and freedoms.
Independent Living is about having choices, making decisions,
taking risks, making mistakes and taking responsibility.
The right to manage our lives, including our disability related
supports. We are the decision makers. It's up to us to decide
what we need and the best way to get it.
The right to choose how we describe ourselves. We decide what
information we want to share about our disabilities and our
lives. We have the right to describe our own needs to service
providers.
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