Center for Independent Living of South Jersey, Inc. (CILSJ)

Mission

CILSJ is a part of the disability movement, which asserts that each person, regardless of disability, shall have the same freedoms, rights and civil liberties as everyone else.  In this movement, and its growing network of centers and services, people come first; each person's abilities are to be addressed in accordance with each person's needs, choices and priorities.

Independent living is a way of life.  It is also  social and political movement that is changing both the way services are provided and the way people with disabilities should be integrated within our society.

The missson of Indepedent Living Services is to support choice, self-direction, and independent living for all people with disabilities.  Independent Living is not just defined as doing things by yourself, but rather it is being in control of how things are done.

Role of CILSJ

• Advocate and promote the integration and full inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream of American society
• Provide information to people with disabilities, including students and family members on support services for independent living
• Provide advocacy for consumer choice/control/empowerment
• Promote self-help, self-advocacy, and self-determination
• Provide mentoring and leadership training
• Provide peer support and counseling
• Promote competative employment outcomes for all people with disabilities
• Provide information on supported employment
• Provide technical assistance on ADA and other critical civil rights legislation for people with disabilities
• Provide information on community resources
• Help with referrals of adult service providers
• Advise on assistive devices and adaptations
• Provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation
• Provide training and technical assistance on the independent living philosophy
• Promote postsecondary education for people with disabilities
• Help students with IEP and transition process

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