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1. What is the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL)?
2. What is the difference between the PCIL and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).
3. What is Independent Living?
4. What are Centers for Independent Living (CILs)?
5. Why were CILs established?
6. How are CILs funded?
7. Where are CILs located?
8. How many consumers does Pennsylvania CILs serve?
9. What is Act 139 of 1994 (Independent Living Services Act)?
10. What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
11. What is Section 508?
12. What is Bobby compliance?
13. What are the requirements of becoming a member of PCIL?
14. How can I contribute to PCIL?
1. What is the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL)
The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living is a statewide, nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to the independence and empowerment of persons with disabilities. To learn more about PCIL, visit us at http://www.pcil.net for a more comprehensive description of PCIL.
2. What is the difference between the PCIL and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)?
The PCIL is a statewide membership association of CILs, who work in an independent non-regulatory/non-statutory manner to accomplish the mission of it's 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is a governor-appointed, consumer-controlled Council comprised of statewide and cross-disability representation operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The SILC is the chief planning body for Independent Living programs in Pennsylvania.
3. What is Independent Living?
Consumer choice, autonomy and control define the Independent Living Movement. The Independent Living philosophy holds that individuals with disabilities have the right to live with dignity and with appropriate support in their own homes, fully participate in their communities, and to control and make decisions about their lives.
4. What are Centers for Independent Living (CIL)?
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are nonprofit community-based nonresidential organizations that are run by people with disabilities. CILs are required by the 1992 Amendments of the Rehabilitation Act to have a majority of individuals with disabilities on their Governing Boards and on their staff, including those in decision making positions. Please click here to learn more about core services that CILs have to offer.
5. Why were CILs established?
CILs were established in the early 1970's when Ed Roberts and other students with disabilities form the University of California at Berkeley, along with disability advocates, led by Judy Heumann, demanded control over their lives and full access in their communities. Due to these efforts, Ed Roberts was a pioneer in the Independent Living Movement and was known internationally as the "Father of Independent Living." Read more about why CILs were established.
6. How are CILs funded?
The 1978 reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act included funding for Independent Living and the establishment of Centers for Independent Living throughout the country. Additional funds come from all levels of government, foundations, corporations, United Ways, and private contributions. Some CILs offer services at no cost, while others have fee-for-service or third party payers, such as state vocational rehabilitation agencies, other state agencies, private insurance companies, or Medicare and Medicaid. NO INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM A CIL DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY.
7. Where are CILs located?
Each CIL, has its own name, usually something that identifies the Independent Living philosophy or their local area. Even though the number of CILs has increased significantly, (410 CILs are located throughout the United States and the Territories), the Independent Living Movement is still relatively young. For a national directory of CILs, please go to http://www.ILRU.org. CILs exclusive to Pennsylvania and any other state can be found on this site.
8. How many consumers does Pennsylvania CILs serve?
9. What is Act 139 of 1994 (Independent Living Services Act)?
Signed into State law in 1994, the INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES ACT (ACT 139 of 1994) establishes the Statewide Independent Living Council as the chief planning body for Independent Living programs in the State. This legislation mandates the same standards and assurances for State-funded CIL's as are required by the Federally-funded Centers, in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992. Additionally, Act 139 recommends base funding for all CIL's in Pennsylvania at $200,000 per Center.
10. What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
The Rehabilitation Act is the Federal legislation that authorizes the formula grant programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. It also authorizes a variety of training and service discretionary grants administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration . The Act authorizes research activities that are administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the work of the National Council on Disability. The Act also includes a variety of provisions focused on rights, advocacy and protections for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about the Rehabilitation Act by going to http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA/Policy/Legislation/rehabact.doc.
11. What is Section 508?
In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ' 794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. To learn more, please visit the official Section 508 website.
12. What is Bobby compliance?
Bobby WorldWide is a tool for Web page authors. It helps them identify changes to their pages so users with disabilities can more easily use their Web pages. The suggestions made by Bobby help authors to add information to a Web page which will help special browsers work more effectively. Bobby compliance informs viewers that your site meets Section 508, WAI Priority 1, WAI Priority 2, and WAI Priority 3 guidelines for Web accessibility. To learn more about making your website accessible, visit http://www.cast.org/Bobby/.
13. What are the requirements of becoming a member of PCIL?
Membership in the PCIL shall be open to all Centers For Independent Living in the State of Pennsylvania. Member organizations must submit a written application for membership, meet the membership eligibility criteria, be accepted for membership, and pay the established dues. View the membership eligiblilty criteria.
14. How can I contribute to PCIL?
We are currently in the process of developing a contibutions page. Currently, all contributions can be sent to: PA Council on Independent Living, 101 South Second Street, Suite 4, Harrisburg, PA 17011. Thank you for your support, and "Together, we can and do make a difference."
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