Center for Independent Living - Altoona, PA.

Location: Altoona, PA.

The Mission of the Center for Independent Living is to empower people with disabilities to live independently.

This CIL strives through advocacy and collective action to remove physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent People with Disabilities (PwD) from exercising their rights, achieving personal independence, and participating fully in the life of the community.  Programs, services and trainings provided by this CIL teach consumers to take responsibility for their own abilities to live independently.

The CIL, established in 1988, is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-residential, community-based organization.  In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act, at least 51% of CIL board members and staff have disabilities.  The CIL offers services and programs to People with Disabilities in the following counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, and Somerset.

The purpose of the Center for Independent Living is to provide supportive services to persons with disabilities who wish to increase or maintain their level of independence in the community and at home. It is important that consumers understand that CIL services are not intended to create a situation in which persons with disabilities become dependent. It is our purpose to encourage, motivate, train, and guide consumers to achieve the highest level of independence possible. Consumers, as well as staff, have responsibilities in this effort to increase independence and self-direction.