Independent Living

Utah Independent Living

Our mission is to support the Independent Living (IL) philosophy and services in Utah to help individuals with disabilities live independently in their homes and communities. There are five core services that all IL Centers in the country need to provide:

  • Information & Referral
  • Independent Living (IL) Skills Training
  • Peer Support
  • Systems and Individual Advocacy
  • Transition/Youth Services. This has three parts:
    • Transition from Nursing Homes or other institutions to community living
    • Helping consumers be diverted from entering a nursing home or other institution
    • Youth transition services

The USOR Independent Living Program (IL), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and the Utah State Independent Living Council (USILC) work together to support Independent Living in Utah. USOR helps to provide coordination of services, technical assistance, and development of services. USOR also acts as a funding agent and contract monitor of state and federal funds to the CILs and USILC. The USOR IL Program fully endorses and supports the IL philosophy and works to meet all the IL provisions in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA in 2014, effective July 1, 2015.

Utah Statewide Independent Living Council
USILC is a not-for-profit statewide planning and advocacy organization. The Rehabilitation Act requires each state to create an autonomous Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to develop a state plan for independent living. USILC and USOR, with input from CILs, develop the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). USILC is not a service provider, nor does it fund or directly monitor services. At least 51% of the USILC board must be individuals with disabilities. Board members are elected with consideration of state wide representation. Members work on community and system change in their areas and statewide.

For more information or to find the Independent Living Center in your area, visit the USILC website.

For information regarding the Older Blind Program, click here.

The following electronically fillable PDFs to access of services and coordinate technical assistance: