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This year marks 50 years since Ed Roberts and others founded the Berkeley, California Center for Independent Living (TheCIL). Roberts said they set up the CIL "to provide the vision and resources to get people out and into the community."
This model was revolutionary for disability and other advocacy-based organizations. The pillar of “consumer control” established that at least 51 percent of a CIL’s staff and board had to be people with disabilities, so they could be empowered to advocate against what Roberts called "the same old oppression."
Although other CILs were formed before Berkeley, Roberts is credited for fueling the nationwide and worldwide Independent Living Movement. The ground was literally broken in Berkeley when accommodations such as curb cuts were introduced.
Roberts was the embodiment of self-determination along with emerging prominent allies such as Judy Heumann, with whom Roberts founded the Oakland California World Institute on Disability in 1983, and Lex Frieden, who founded the Independent Living Research Utilization Program in 1977.
Independent living has come a long way since the 1970s, including increasing consumer control and establishing Statewide Independent Living Councils. Gayl Brunk, president of the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) and executive director of Valley Associates for Independent Living (VAIL) emphasizes the strength of Virginia’s CILs, “We work together – sharing ideas and resources – and support each other.”
CILs played an integral role in establishing the “consumer-centered” model used in areas such as hiring personal assistants. “People [with disabilities] impacted by these decisions are setting the course,” Brunk said. “Many of our staff have become experts on issues such as fair housing, ADA or IDEA.”
For the rest of this year, IL Impact will share the rich histories of Virginia's CILs and why they make a difference in their communities. While certain core services are basic to all Virginia CILs, they vary in their programs, organization and funding sources as well as the variety of consumers served.
For more on the history of the Berkeley CIL, visit https://www.thecil.org/history
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