The Independent Living Philosophy

The Independent Living philosophy states that people with disabilities are the best experts on their needs, and must take the initiative, individually and collectively, in designing and promoting better solutions to meet their needs.  Besides de-professionalization and self-representation, the Independent Living ideology promotes a non-medical view of disability, de-institutionalization and inclusion in the IL Movement regardless of diagnoses.

In the Independent Living philosophy, people with disabilities are primarily seen as citizens and only secondarily as consumers of healthcare, rehabilitation or social services.  As citizens, persons with disabilities have the same right to participation, to the same range of options, degree of freedom, control and self-determination in every day life and life projects that other citizens take for granted.  IL advocates work toward the removal of infrastructural, institutional and attitudinal barriers and the adoption of the principle of Universal Design.  Depending on the individual’s disability, support services such as assistive technology, income supplements or personal assistance are seen as necessary to achieve equal opportunities.  As emphasized by the IL Movement, needs assessment and service delivery must enable users to control their services, to freely choose among competing service providers, and to live with dignity in the community.