Resource Center For Independent Living

RCIL provides relevant, creative and innovative leadership to advance the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and press for social progress that allows for all human beings to be participating members of our society. RCIL is a civil rights organization offering a wide range of independent living and advocacy services for and most importantly with people with disabilities. The basic human right of participating in society as a self-determining individual must extend to all citizens. Each of us has the capacity and responsibility to be a proud, contributing member of our society. To support these goals, RCIL helps individuals of all ages and types of disability obtain the community supports and services they need to live independently. Whether this means getting an education, obtaining competitive employment, or living in one's own home, our programs are designed to provide a full spectrum of support and advocacy. RCIL staff also serves the community at large as expert consultants in the areas of barrier-free architectural design, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and disability-related policy issues. With more than 1400 employees providing service in 28 counties in Upstate New York, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) is the largest of 37 independent living centers (ILCs) in the state and one of over 400 nationally. We believe that disability should be seen as a human experience that makes each person unique - something to be recognized and celebrated, rather than a reason to shun and segregate one another. Growing out of the disability rights movement, independent living centers were created with the explicit goal of integration and advocacy - for example, people with disabilities comprise, at minimum, 51% of RCIL's Board of Directors, thus putting policy and advocacy decisions in the hands of the people those decisions directly impact. At RCIL, we serve people of all ages, with all types of disabilities. Our approach is holistic...