| The mission of the
Rockland Independent Living Center is to provide advocacy and leadership in
the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for
people with disabilities, so that they may pursue lifestyles of their
choice. The Rockland Independent Living Center
envisions a society that is fully accessible and inclusive; a society where
every person is valued not for what they can do, but for who they are.
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The Independent Living Philosophy
Ten Principles
- Civil rights - equal rights and opportunities for all; no
segregation by disability type or stereotype
- Consumerism - a person ("consumer" or "customer") using or
buying a service or product decides what Is best for him or herself
- De-institutionalization - no person should be institutionalized
(formally by a building, program or family) on the basis of disability
- De-medicalization - individuals with disabilities are not
"sick," as prescribed by the assumptions of the medical model and do not
require help from certified medical professionals for daily living
- Self-help - people learn and grow from discussing their needs,
concerns, and issues with people who have had similar experiences;
"professionals" are not the source of the help provided
- Advocacy - systemic, systematic, long-term, and community-wide
change activities are needed to ensure that people with disabilities
benefit from all that society has to offer Barrier-removal - In order for
civil rights, consumerism, de-institutionalization, de-medicalization, and
self-help to occur, architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers
must be removed
- Consumer control - the organizations best suited to support and
assist individuals with disabilities are governed, managed, staffed and
operated by individuals with disabilities
- Peer role models - leadership for Independent living and
disability rights is vested in individuals with disabilities (not parents,
service providers or other representatives)
- Cross-disability - activities designed to achieve the first
five principles must be cross-disability in approach, meaning that the
work to be done must be carried out by people with different types of
disabilities for the benefit of all persons with disabilities.
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