Providing a variety of community based, consumer-driven services to people with disabilities.
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SJCI is a community based non-profit agency that was established by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. The Agency serves as a consumer driven community action program that provides services which help maximize independent living choices for all people regardless of the individuals disability.
Independent living centers are gathering places for individuals with disabilities - people who either have made or are in the process of making the decision to take control of their own lives. They are places where the philosophy of independent living is given action.
There are five independent living centers in the State of New Mexico and over 450 nationwide. Most are private, non-profit organizations. All are run by boards of directors and staffs whose majorities also have disabilities. While all of these centers are driven by the same basic philosophy, each center is individual in its objectives. For each center assumes the personality of the people it serves. All independent living centers, however, must provide four basic core services: Advocacy , Information and Referral , Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Alternative Loan Program.
Independent Living has a rich history that originated in Berkeley, California in the late 1960's with a handful of disabled students who believed in their abilities to live active, productive, visible and satisfying lives. This small group has swelled to an international civil rights movement that is responsible for many victories, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, this movement has paved the way for more meaningful lifestyles for all people with disabilities-as well as humankind in general. Independent living is a philosophy which states that individuals with disabilities, like all people, inherently know what they most need in order to succeed. This philosophy embraces some very basic tenents:
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