Centres for Independent Living (CILs)
CILs have been developed to enable disabled people to campaign for the right to Independent Living and to work towards service improvement in the areas covered by the 12 Pillars. CILs are grassroots organisations that are run and controlled by disabled people, and which adopt the principles of the Social Model of Disability.
CILs aim for financial autonomy and sustainability by providing a range of services that promote Independent Living, often including disability equality training, direct payments support, personal assistance, information, independent advocacy and peer support. CILs also provide support for effective representation, participation and involvement in local policy development and service improvement.
In England the UK government policy document "Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People" recommends that by 2010 all local authority areas should have organisations modelled on existing CILs. Currently there is no similar guidance in Wales.
