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 State Independent Living Council (SILC)
 The State Independent Living Council (SILC) is a federally mandated, Governor appointed body, designed to ensure that people with disabilities have a major role in designing Oregon's Independent Living services.
The Independent Living Services Program is a nonresidential, consumer-directed model of peer support, information and referral, skills training, and advocacy for people with disabilities. The program serves all ages of individuals who experience any type of disability. As the name of the program implies, its primary mission is to foster the independence of people with disabilities, including taking responsibility for personal choices. In addition, the program promotes full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, and equal access for people with disabilities to the public facilities, programs and opportunities available to nondisabled peers.
You are invited to explore the many helpful links that provide a more complete understanding of the Independent Living program, its philosophy, the regulations that guide it, and the ways you or people you know can be involved in the Independent Living movement.
SILC mission 
The mission of the SILC is to promote choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the State of Oregon. The SILC works towards its mission by:
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The SILC believes that disability is a natural part of our shared human experience that in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society.
The Oregon SILC is established as an independent, autonomous organization, by Executive Order of the Governor. The Executive Order outlines the role of the Designated State Unit (DSU) as a fiscal agent of the SILC's Title VII, Part B, Chapter 1 funds. The DSU receives and disburses these funds, while the intent is that the SILC maintains the Rehab Act's mandated autonomy and sole responsibility for allocation and management of these funds. The Department of Human Resources, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) is the designated state unit (DSU) for the Oregon SILC.
The Oregon SILC is physically located in the Department of Human Services building, based strictly on the desire to be physically accessible to agencies that the SILC wants to develop and maintain relationships and partnerships with, and to increase opportunities for networking, collaboration, training, education, and outreach activities.
An inter-agency agreement outlines the roles and responsibility of each SPIL partner - the SILC, OVRS, and the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), so there is clear understanding of the distinction between each agency and so that we are each aware of the federal requirement for SILC autonomy, as well as understanding where responsibilities may overlap to accomplish mutual goals and/or based on legal requirements within Oregon.
With the oversight of the SILC Executive Committee and the Executive Director, SILC members work as individuals, as a Council, through partnerships with Centers for Independent Living and other agencies, through SILC committees, and through direction of their staff to further the SILC Mission and to accomplish goals of the State Plan for Independent Living. Bylaws
Annual reports
2010 Federal 704 Report
State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) A required three year plan that is developed jointly by the SILC, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS), and the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB). The SPIL includes IL goals and objectives, outreach plans, funding priorities, Resource Allocation plan (budget), CIL Network information, a summary of public input and how it was considered and/or incorporated into the plan, and collaboration and partnership activities.
A summary of SPIL goals for the current period
Independent Living and disability related information
SILC Opinion/Editorial (Word) Independent Living stories request and information (Word) Hear Ye Hear Ye. If you are a person with a disability, this call to action is for you! Now announcing, an Exciting Opportunity for promoting Independent Living (IL)! We want to hear your unique and compelling story. By relating your experience of how you have retained/developed/regained your ability to live independently, you may be able to assist others in obtaining more independence and improved quality of life. Are you ready to make a difference? If so, please share your personal experiences around living with a disability so that others will also be inspired and compelled to live and advocate as IL champions.
Independent Living history and philosophy (Word) Charting Achievements (PDF) Charting Achievements (Word) Real stories of how Independent Living (IL) services and philosophy helped individuals with disabilities to increase or maintain their independence, saving money in the long run, since every individual who extends the time they live independently provides a savings to government.
IL cost savings 2005 (PDF) Real examples of the cost savings of IL services. With nine of Oregon's ten Centers for Independent Living (CILs) reporting, these examples demonstrate a savings of $3,733,683.22 ~ an average savings of $5,266.13 per individual served. Oregon Centers for Independent Living Directory - PDF | TXT These CILs meet Rehabilitation Act Section 702 standards. Only those CILs that meet all Section 725 Standards and Assurances are considered part of what is known as the "Network" of CILs.
Accommodating Guests with Disabilities (RTF) Simple, easy things to be aware of and consider to increase accessibility and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
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Other independent living organizations
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
1710 Rhode Island Ave NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC. 20036 Voice: 202-207-0334 Fax: 202-207-0341 TTY: 202-207-0340 Toll Free: 877-525-3400 Website:www.ncil.org
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)
2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 200 North Little Rock, AR 72114 Phone: 501-753-3400 Fax: 330-297-7060 Website:www.april-rural.org
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Contacts
Tina Treasure ~ Executive Director Oregon SILC Phone: 503-945-6204 Fax: 503-945-8991
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Resources
Emergency Preparedness:
American's with Disabilities Act (ADA): Miscellaneous Disability Resources ^ Back to top
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