Living Independence For Everyone (LIFE) of Mississippi - Jackson, McComb, Biloxi, Tupelo, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, MS

Location: Jackson, McComb, Biloxi, Tupelo, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, MS.

LIFE provides five core services of independent living. In recent years, LIFE successfully provided:

• Information and referral – almost 10,000 people received access to available services

• Peer Support – over 2,000 individuals had the opportunity to speak with others living with disability and receive guidance and support.

• Advocacy – close to 2,000 people were informed of their rights and assisted in obtaining help from available sources.

• Skills Training – instruction on how to live independently was provided to almost 1,200 people.

• Community Transition - In the past 8 years LIFE has assisted over 150 people to move from nursing homes and back to their community.

• Other Services – such as home modifications or durable medical equipment has been provided and coordinated for close to 4,000 people.

Our Mission

To empower individuals with disabilities to live independently in their own homes and communities through the provision of independent living services.

The first center for independent living was created on the campus of UC Berkely in 1972 by Mr. Ed Roberts. Ed was a pioneer in the independent living movement and is still referred to as the "father" of independent living.

Federal funding was provided for independent living in 1978 through an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act. However it was 1992 with the re-authorization of the Rehabilitation Act before federal funds were specified for the centers for independent living.

Our Philosophy is Simple: Nothing About Us Without Us!