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What is an Independent Living Centre?
History
In 1978, a group of people with a variety of disabilities began meeting in a local
church basement in Kapuskasing, Ontario (a population of approximately 9,500 people).
The purpose of the meetings was to provide support to one another, to find ways
to address the issue of accessibility in Kapuskasing and to involve themselves
in different activities. The organization was formally incorporated in May 1982
and became a registered, charitable, non-profit organization. At this time, we
began to address many issues with more vigor that prevented people with disabilities
from participating fully in the community by educating the public through outreach
to the community, through the local schools and through information sessions.
We also relocated so we could offer fully accessible offices and a drop in center.
In the mid 1990's, membership to the Canadian Association of Independent Living
was accepted. There are 24 Independent Living Centers located across Canada. Our
center is the only one located in northeastern Ontario with over 370 members strong.
Philosophy
We are a disABILITY resource center that promotes the achievement of independent
living for all people with disabilities. We recognize the rights of all citizens
with disabilities to take control of their lives by examining choices, making
decisions and even taking risks. Our goals are to identify and respond to unmet
needs of people with disabilities and to put solutions into place. We are consumer
controlled, which means that our services and managerial structures will be governed
by a minimum of 51% of people with disabilities. We encourage the full participation
of people with disabilities in the planning, monitoring and delivery of all our
programs and activities. We also encourage flexibility in our programs and services.
If programs no longer service a need or where a more appropriate service base
has been found, then the center will seek to avoid duplication of existing services
and will seek to fill in the gaps in the communities current services.
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