Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC) - New City, NY

Location: New City, NY.

Rockland Independent Living Center is a New City-based consumer-directed, cross-disability advocacy and service organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to exert independence, choice and control in every aspect of their life.  RILC was founded in 1987 and is one of thirty- seven Independent Living Centers within New York State licensed under the New York State Education and Department of Health to provide advocacy and support to persons with disabilities.

More than half of RILC’s Board of Directors and staff are comprised of people with disabilities.  In keeping with the agency mission of providing advocacy and leadership in the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for people with disabilities, the Center has worked tirelessly to change systemic problems that can marginalize people, preventing independence and participation in the community.

RILC opened its offices in Spring Valley in 1987.  In 2002, the William H. Mullin Computer Center was created to provide people with disabilities access to computers and the Internet, as well as basic computer skills classes. The Center moved its offices to the Nanuet Mall in 2006, and to its current New City location in 2010.

Going forward, RILC will be looking for ways to improve and expand existing programs while looking for ways to break down the still existing, systemic barriers to independence and self-actualization for people with disabilities.