The CT State Independent Living Council (CT SILC) works across CT to promote choice, equal access, opportunity and full inclusion of people with disabilities into the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American Society. The CT SILC identifies the needs of the Independent Living community and jointly with the five Centers for Independent Living (CILs), develops a St
ate Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) to respond to those needs. The CT SILC then monitors the implementation of this three-year plan. The centerpiece of the SILC is Consumer Control. Members of the SILC must be comprised of a majority of people with disabilities who are not employed by a state agency or a CIL. Representation must be statewide, representing a broad range of people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds who are knowledgeable about the Centers for Independent Living and independent living services. Additionally, there must be at least one director of a center on the SILC, and ex officio nonvoting members who represent the State entity (Department of Aging and Disability Services) and state agencies that provide services for people with disabilities. One of the roles of SILC is to conduct systems advocacy to improve independent living services in the state. The CT Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance is the organization that serves this function for the SILC. Through policy and legislative work, public informational sessions and the Candidate’s Forum, the Alliance promotes issues that improve independent living opportunities in communities across the state.
