VOLAR in El Paso, Texas celebrating their
20th Anniversary of providing trainings and
services to El Pasoans with disabilities.
MISSION STATEMENT
TACIL is a membership organization committed to promoting dignity, equality, inclusion and independence for all Texans with disabilities.
WHO IS TACIL?
TACIL is an acronym for Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living and is made up of member Centers. Each Center is represented by their respective Executive Director.
DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING
Control over one’s life based on the choice of options that minimize reliance on others in making decisions and in performing everyday activities. This includes managing one’s affairs, participating in day-to-day activities in the community, fulfilling a range of social roles and making decisions that lead to self-determination and the minimization of physical and psychological dependence on others.
CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
A Center for Independent Living (CIL) is defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, as a consumer controlled, community based, cross-disability, non-residential, private non-profit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities. Centers provide an array of independent living services as well as specific “Core Services” that include:
- Independent Living Skills Training
- Peer Counseling/Support
- Information and Referral
- Individual and Systems Advocacy
CILs’ goals include assisting individuals with disabilities achieve their maximum potential within their families and communities.
Independent Living Centers serve as a strong advocacy voice on a wide range of national, state, and local level issues. They work to assure physical and programmatic access to housing, employment, education, communities, recreational facilities, and health and social services. These are just a few of the services offered.
For more information on the Rehabilitation Act: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/reg/narrative.html
TACIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living has established a set of “Guiding Principles” to guide systems advocacy and service development activities in the following areas: