Philosophy of Independent Living
The philosophy of independent living is the belief that each person with a disability is unique and has the same civil rights as people who do not have a disability. IL advocates place emphasis on:
- People with disabilities should be able to live, work, shop and play where they choose within the community.
- In order for people with disabilities to live in the community, instead of a hospital environment, the community has a responsibility to be accessible.
- Expecting equal access to social, economic and political opportunities for people with disabilities can be compared to expecting equal access for ethnic minorities.
- People with disabilities are not sick. A person with a disability may become ill, but disability is not always an illness.
- People with disabilities should not be in a hospital environment, unless they are sick and in need of acute medical care.
- People with disabilities have the same aspirations as people who do not have disabilities.
- People with disabilities do not wish to be described as "very brave" when they are successful, nor do they seek pity in the manner of the "poster child" image.
- People with disabilities know best what their barriers to independence are and what they need in order to live independently and should have a say in what happens in their community that affects them.
Therefore, people with disabilities are in the best position to guide, direct, and control programs for people with disabilities.
Taken from the California Department of Rehabilitation website:
(http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/ils/ilphil.htm)
1/13/07