About us.

About IL Canada

Founded in 1986 by the Independent Living (IL) Movement Membership, Independent Living Canada (formerly: Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres) represents the network of IL Member Centres at the national level. IL Canada performs several functions on behalf of Member Centres including: providing a collective voice on national issues; fostering and maintaining partnerships; building the capacity and scale of IL in Canada; and preserving the integrity and importance of IL in Canada on the national stage.

Overview: Independent Living Movement

Independent Living is a social movement of and by persons with disabilities. The IL movement started during the late 1960’s in the United States. During the 1970’s the Canadian consumer movement promoted human rights, deinstitutionalization and full participation of all persons with disabilities. The Coalition of Provincial Organizations for the Handicapped (COPOH) first introduced the Independent Living movement to Canadians with disabilities in 1980. In 1994, COPOH became the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD).

Goals of the Movement

1. Persons with disabilities taking control of their lives, making choices, and advocating for themselves
2. Persons with disabilities direct and manage their own resources, including but not limited to:
   • Attendant Services
   • Nurturing Assistance
   • Transportation
   • Education
   • Health Care
3. The IL Movement has helped bring about significant changes in Through the IL Member Centres, we collectively:
   • Support individuals who have disabilities to live independently;
   • Support people to develop skills to manage their own home supports;
   • Bring people with disabilities together to share their expertise;
   • Provide accessible information, skills development and peer support;
   • Develop unique solutions;
   • Remove, prevent and provide education regarding

The Independent Living approach enables and supports persons with disabilities to examine choices, to make their own decisions and to take risks as a means of directing and managing their own lives. IL was created by and for persons with disabilities as an alternative to out of date services.

Independent Living is a way of thinking and living. It is about having the right to make choices, live where one wants to live, have control over the supports one needs and following one’s dreams.

Our Vision, Mission and Mandate

Our Board Members

The Board of Directors for IL Canada are comprised of a majority of people who themselves live with a disability and include Members at Large as well as a representative from each Province where an Independent Living Centre is located.