Independent
Living Centers in Wisconsin
Need help finding a personal care attendant? Looking for advice or
support from someone with the same disability as you? Want to find an accessible form of
recreation? All this and much more is available at your local Independent
Living Center.
MISSION
Independent living centers (ILCs) provide assistance to people with all
kinds of disabilities. These agencies were created to promote independence and
self-determination for individuals, as well as to offer support and information to
families and communities. Services provided by ILCs include: peer support, information and
referral, independent living skills training, coordination of personal care and other
services, advocacy and community education.
STRUCTURE
ILCs are community-based, non-residential, non-profit agencies in the
private sector. A majority of the members of the boards governing these agencies are
people with disabilities.
The federal Rehabilitation Act establishes many of the definitions and
requirements for the operation of the centers. In Wisconsin,
section 46.96 of the statutes governs State contracts with
independent living centers. The contracts are administered by the Office for Persons with
Physical Disabilities, an agency of the Department of Health and Family Services.
FUNDING
Independent living centers receive a large share of their funding
through federal and state grants. ILCs supplement their budgets with funds from other
agencies—such as United Way, county social service agencies and private foundations.
COMPLAINTS
The Wisconsin Client Assistance
Program (exit DHS) investigates and resolves
complaints about services received or requested from ILCs. CAP can be reached at
1-800/362-1290 (voice & TTY).
File #5: February, 1998.
Last Revised: August 06, 2009
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