Authorization for the establishment and operation of The Texas State
Independent Living Council, (SILC), is found in the 1992 Amendments to the
Rehabilitation Act. Although the council is mandated by Federal law and
uses Federal funds, the SILC is not a governmental agency, but rather a
non-profit 501(c) 3, tax exempt, organization. The primary funding for
operation of the SILC originates with the Rehabilitation Services
Administration, which grants Title VII, Part B funds to the state Department
of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, (DARS), which, in turn, allocates
a portion of these funds to the council. The State Independent Living
Council also pursues funding from other sources, both public and private, to
accomplish its mission.
The SILC is comprised of no more than fifteen voting members, and no less than three ex officio members, who are appointed by the Governor, and who come from all regions of the state. Unlike most organizations, the majority of the members of the Council must by law be persons with disabilities. One member of the Council must be a director of a center for independent living in Texas.
The purpose of the Council is to develop, in cooperation with the DARS'
Divisions of Rehabilitation Services and Blind Services, the State Plan for
Independent Living. This document is a detailed three-year plan that sets
the parameters and establishes the goals for the provision of independent
living services in Texas. The Council is also charged with the
responsibility of monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the
State Plan. Other roles of the SILC are systems advocacy, education of the
public regarding disability-related topics, and provision of technical
assistance concerning the independent living philosophy and approach.
The term "independent living" means many different things to different
people. To some it means a residential program. To others it means living
without substantial assistance from other people. Still others view it as
having enough money to purchase the necessities of life without dependence
upon governmental assistance. From the perspective of the Texas State
Independent Living Council, the term "independent living" means empowerment
of persons with disabilities to make their own decisions and life choices to
the greatest extent possible. It also means the ability to live in the
least restrictive environment with the same rights and privileges as other
people. That meaning is reflected in the definitions and provisions of the
Rehabilitation Act.
Independent living services, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act, are
provided primarily by centers for independent living, (CILs). Currently,
twenty-one such centers exist in Texas. CILs must be community-based,
nonresidential, cross-disability (all disability groups are served), and
consumer-controlled (a majority of the board and staff must be persons with
disabilities).
CILs are required to provide, at a minimum, the following services:
Most centers in Texas also provide other services such as relocation assistance for persons leaving nursing facilities, equipment loan, and assistive technology.