What is the State Independent Living Council?
The State Independent Living Council (SILC) is a Governor appointed body, offering people with disabilities control over the design of Oregon's Independent Living program services.
The majority of Council members must be people with disabilities. The Council includes current or past consumers of Independent Living (IL) services, representatives of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), private business representatives, other persons with disabilities, parents, guardians and advocates of and for individuals with disabilities. Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS), have federally mandated exofficio, nonvoting positions on the SILC.
You are invited to explore the many helpful links that provide a more complete understanding of the Independent Living program, its philosophy, the regulations that guide it and the ways you or people you know can be involved in the Independent Living movement.
What are the duties of the State Independent Living Council?
- Work with program partners to prepare the State Plan for Independent Living
- Monitor the progress of State Plan goals
- Evaluate how the Sate Plan is being carried out, and work with partners to make necessary adjustments or improvements
- Conduct regular public meetings to gather public input about the State Plan, and about satisfaction with Independent Living services
- Submit Federal program reports (usually about State Plan implementation and progress) and maintain supporting data
- Coordinate activities with other entities in the state that provide similar or complementary services, such as entities facilitating long-term, community-based services and supports, in order to:
- Assess Independent Living service needs
- Reduce service duplication
- Fill service gaps
- Achieve better service coordination
What is the purpose of the Independent Living program?
The Independent Living program serves all ages of individuals who experience any type of disability.
The program promotes a philosophy in American society of inclusion of people with disabilities as independent and productive participants. As the name of the program implies, its primary mission is to foster the independence of people with disabilities, including taking responsibility for personal choices. In addition, the program promotes full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, and equal access for people with disabilities to the public facilities, programs and opportunities available to nondisabled peers.
This philosophy is supported by services that maximize leadership and empowerment of people with disabilities in managing their lives, and advocating for necessary changes when independence or participation are hindered by social structures, programs or policies.
What is Independent Living Philosophy?
The philosophy of Independent Living considers disability to be a natural part of the human experience. Disability does not diminish the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration into the mainstream of society. This philosophy underlies the peer-delivered services and advocacy that make up the Independent Living program described within Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act.
Use the following links to learn more about the philosophy of “Independent Living” and the struggle for civil rights for those who experience disabilities.
Independent Living Movement History & Philosophy (PDF or TXT)
Smithsonian Exhibit on the Disability Rights Movement
SILC Meetings
SILC Structure and Members
SILC Committees- Executive Committee
- SPIL Committee
- Spil Committee Subgroups
- Development
- Implementation and Monitoring
- Evaluation
SILC Values Statement
- View the SILC's Value Statement (PDF / WORD)