NEW JERSEY STATEWIDE

INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL

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Key Civil Rights Laws
for People with Disabilities
1964
1964 - Civil Rights Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national
origin, and creed.

1968 - Architectural Barriers Act - Prohibits architectural barriers in all federally owned or
leased buildings.

1970 - Urban Mass Transit Act - Requires all new mass transit vehicles be equipped with
wheelchair lifts (not fully implemented until 1990).

1972 - New Jersey law Against Discrimination (LAD) - Makes it unlawful to subject peo-
ple to differential treatment based on disability.

1973 - Rehabilitation Act - Prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in

federal programs and all programs receiving federal funding.

1975 – Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights Act - Establishes protection and advocacy
services.

1975 - Education of All Handicapped Children Act - Requires free appropriate public edu-
cation for all children with disabilities.

1977 - NJ Uniform construction Code - Requires all public buildings constructed or sub-
stantially remodeled to be made accessible to people with disabilities.

1978 - Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act - Provides for consumer-controlled centers for
independent living.

1983 - Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act - Provides for the Client Assistance Program.

1985 - Mental Illness Bill of Rights Act - Requires protection and advocacy services for peo-
ple with mental illness.

1988 - Civil Rights Restoration Act - Clarifies that discrimination in any portion of a pro-
gram which receives any federal funding is illegal.

1988 - Air Carrier Access Act - Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in
air travel and requires access to air transportation services.

1988 - Amendments to the Fair Housing Act - Prohibits discrimination in housing against
people with disabilities and provides access for certain new housing units.

1990 - Americans with Disabilities Act - Provides comprehensive civil rights protections for
people with disabilities.

1992 - Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act - Expands the role of statewide independent
living councils.

1997 - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Renews commitment to a free, public

1997
education for all children with disabilities.

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New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council
The New Jersey Statewide Independent
Living Council (SILC) is a 17-member
body appointed by the Governor which
maximizes opportunities for people with
disabilities through planning and advocacy.
These roles were formalized in 1992 by
amendments to the federal Rehabilitation
Act. As a result, Governor Jim Florio trans-
formed the former Independent Living
Advisory Council into the Statewide
Independent Living Council (SILC). The
SILC was established as a separate entity,
in, but not of, the New Jersey Department
of Labor in 1993.
The SILC membership represents the
interests of New Jersey’s cross disability
population and, by law, a majority of the
Council are people with disabilities. Voting
members include: advocates for people
with disabilities, representatives from pri-
vate businesses, disability-related organiza-
tions, and CIL directors. Non-voting ex
officio members include: representatives
from the N J Dept. of Labor, Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
and the N J Dept. of Human Services,
Commission for the Blind and Visually
Impaired (CBVI) as well as the Division of
Disability Services, the Division of
Developmental Disabilities, the Division of
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the
Division of Mental Health Services, and
the N J Dept of Education, Office of
Special Education Services.
For more information about the SILC, including meeting schedules and agendas, visit our
web page at www.njil.org or call 732-571-3703 (voice) 732-571-4878 (TTY).
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The SILC promotes a philosophy of inde-
pendent living, including consumer con-
trol, peer support, self-help, self-determina-
tion, equal access, and individual and sys-
tems advocacy, and works to maximize the
leadership, empowerment, independence,
and productivity of individuals with dis-
abilities. The SILC also solicits public
feedback on the delivery of independent
living services and works with CILs and
other service providers to adapt their pro-
grams to changing needs.
Among other duties, the SILC is charged
with the responsibility to:
❖ Develop and submit (in conjunction
with the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation and the Commission for
the Blind and Visually Impaired) the
State Plan for Independent Living
required in Title VII of the
Rehabilitation Act;
❖ Monitor, review, and evaluate the imple-
mentation of the State plan;
❖ Coordinate activities with the State
Rehabilitation Council established
under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act;
❖ Submit periodic reports to the
Commissioner of the Rehabilitation
Services Administration, U.S.
Department of Education and keep all
necessary records;
❖ Ensure that all regularly scheduled meet-
ings are open to the public and that suf-
ficient advance notice is provided.
What is
Independent living?
Independent living is a philosophy which
states that people with disabilities should have
the same civil rights, choices and control as do
people without disabilities. The ramifications
of this simple statement are many and those
who embrace it are part of a movement which
works to eliminate the attitudinal, physical
and communications barriers faced by indi-
viduals as they work towards independence
and full integration into the community.
Independent living promotes persons with
disabilities managing their own affairs, leading
fulfilling lives, and making decisions which
lead to self-determination and away from
dependence on others. The independent liv-
ing movement's development has paralleled
the civil rights movement, seeking to extend
the rights gained for ethnic minorities to peo-
ple with disabilities.
The principles of independent living are in
direct contrast to the dependence created by
institutionalization which segregates people
with disabilities, treats them as sick or inca-
pacitated and dismisses them as unproductive.
The independent living movement rejects
each of these outdated, stereotypical notions
and seeks to change community attitudes and
beliefs which perpetuate dependence.
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What Are Centers for
Independent Living (CILs)?
The "front lines" of New Jersey’s
independent living movement are the
twelve private, non-profit Centers for
Independent Living (CILs) located
throughout the state. Building upon the
model created by the first CIL opened in
Berkeley, CA in 1972, the CILs work with
people with all disabilities to advance their
independence and to help remove barriers
to independent living found in local
communities.
Each Center is an independent, self-
governing, non-profit organization which
responds to needs within the community and
takes action to eliminate barriers in each
region. What sets CILs apart from other
service organizations is their commitment to
involving people with disabilities in making
policy decisions and delivering services. People
with disabilities and other interested parties
within the community play an integral role in
the development and implementation of the
❖
CILs’ mission and vision. More than 51
percent of the people serving on the CILs’
Boards of Directors are themselves living with
disabilities. A majority of CILs staff members
also have disabilities.
The "core" services provided by CILs are:
Information and referral -
CILs maintain files on resources and
services available in their regions and refer
persons with disabilities to appropriate
vendors/providers such as: accessible
housing, transportation, personal
assistants, interpreters for the deaf,
employment opportunities, and legal
services. Other information and referral
topics may include: disability legislation,
disability-specific organizations, financial
benefits programs, and other social service
organizations.
Individual and systems advocacy -
Individual advocacy entails assisting
people in circumventing barriers to full
inclusion. This may involve providing
support with obtaining legal and
economic benefits, working toward the
removal of architectural barriers, and
coordination with other agencies that
provide essential services. CILs also
provide systems (community)
advocacy, working to make changes to
expand physical access and civil and
legal rights of people with disabilities.
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Peer counseling and support -
Through interaction with others who
have similar disabilities and life
experiences, individuals can gain
insight into strategies which have been
used successfully to cope with challenges
to various independent living goals.
People who have recently sustained their
disability or who have lived in segregated
environments often benefit greatly from
the support of role models.
Independent Living Skills Instruction -
CILs provide instruction in areas such
as money management, use of adaptive
equipment, social skills, and
interviewing techniques. Independent
living skills instruction assists
individuals to develop the skills and
self-confidence to achieve their goals.
Independent living skills instruction
can be provided individually or in
group situations.
Other Services
In addition to the "core" services, each
CIL offers unique programs based on
the expressed needs of the community
it serves. ❖
Locations Additional Services:
Middlesex, Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works
Somerset & with students between the ages of 14 and 21,
Union Counties their families and education professionals to
teach self-advocacy skills, share resources, and
Alliance for Disabled in Action, Inc. provide a link to community-based services
(ADA) and supports as the students transition from
629 Amboy Avenue - Lower Level Suite school to adult life. ❖
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 738-4388 Voice
(732) 738-9644 TTY
(732) 738-4416 Fax
E-mail: adacil@adacil.org
Area Served - Counties of Middlesex,
Somerset & Union

city of Additional Services:

Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with
camden students between the ages of 14 and 21, their
Camden City Independent families and education professionals to teach
Living Center, Inc. (CCILC) self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide
Lorraine Culbertson, Executive Director a link to community-based services and sup-
2600 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Suite 413 ports as the students transition from school to
Camden, NJ 08104 adult life. ❖
(856) 966-0800 Voice
(856) 966-0830 TTY
(856) 966-0832 Fax
E-mail: camdencil@aol.com
Area Served - City of Camden

gloucester & Additional Services:

Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with
camden Counties students between the ages of 14 and 21, their
Center for Independent Living families and education professionals to teach self-
of South Jersey, Inc. (CIL-SJ) advocacy skills, share resources, and provide a
Hazel Lee-Briggs, Executive Director link to community-based services and supports
1200 Delsea Drive, Plaza 47, Suite #6 as the students transition from school to adult
Westville, NJ 08093 life.
(856) 853-6490 Voice
Students with disabilities from local colleges out-
(856) 853-7602 TTY
reach to high school students, act as role models,
(856) 853-1466 Fax
and provide resources. The ultimate goal of this
E-mail: cilsj@verizon.net
peer mentoring project is to recruit and develop
Area Served - Counties of Gloucester &
an ongoing group of youth leaders. ❖
Camden
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Locations Morris, SuSSex & use of this technology. In addition, individ-
uals who are deaf or hearing impaired meet
Warren regularly to share social and educational
Counties opportunities.
DAWN The Aging and Disabilities Resource
Center for Independent Living, Inc. Connection (ADRC) - DAWN is one of two
Carmela Slivinski, Executive Director centers involved in New Jersey’s ADRC pilot
400 South Main Street, Suite 3 project. This pilot project strives to create a
Wharton, NJ 07885 seamless system for accessing services for both
(973) 361-5666 Voice the aging and the disabled populations.
1-888-383-DAWN Toll Free DAWN staff collaborates with the Warren
(973) 361-6032 TTY County Division of Senior Services as well as
(973) 361-7086 Fax other agencies to implement a system which
E-mail: info@dawninc.org will enable individuals within Warren
Area Served - Counties of Morris, County to easily access services.
Sussex & Warren Transition from Nursing Homes into
Additional Services: Community Living - DAWN works collabo-
Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works ratively with the State office of Long-Term
with students between the ages of 14 and 21, Care Options in transitioning individuals
their families and education professionals to from nursing homes into the community.
teach self-advocacy skills, share resources, and DAWN provides these individuals with con-
provide a link to community-based services tinued support through their transition and
and supports as the students transition from encourages those individuals to participate in
school to adult life. its regularly scheduled activities for peer sup-
A video relay system enables deaf individuals port, socialization and education. ❖
to independently resolve issues through the

Ready, Set, Go To Work! is a pre-vocational

Essex & passaic
Counties
Disabled Information Awareness &
Living, Inc. (DIAL)
John Petix, Jr. Executive Director
66 Mount Prospect Avenue, Bldg. C
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-8090 Voice
(973) 470-2521 TTY
(973) 470-8171 Fax
E-mail: info@dial-cil.org
Area Served - Counties of Essex & Passaic
Additional Services:
Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with
students between the ages of 14 and 21, their
families and education professionals to teach
self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide
a link to community-based services and sup-
ports as the students transition from school to
adult life.
program for persons who are interested in
going to work, changing careers, or advancing
out of a sheltered workshop setting. The pro-
gram teaches: exploration of career options; use
of support and vocational services; resume
development; job search techniques; completion
of job applications; development and practice
of interviewing skills; negotiation for the
desired job, salary and benefits; and proper
social skills and work ethics. Ancillary skills
such as locating housing, childcare, and money
management, which are necessary in order to
obtain and retain employment, are also
taught. Upon completion of the course, partic-
ipants are invited to continue their develop-
ment by focusing on their job search. They use
the Internet to find jobs and submit resumes
and job applications. ❖
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Locations Bergen County Youth Envisioning Success (YES!) assists high
school students to acquire and strengthen self-
Heightened Independence & Progress, Inc. advocacy and self-determination skills as they
(hip) prepare for adult life.
Eileen Goff, Executive Director Beyond Bergen County – Project Access ensures
131 Main Street, Suite 120 that all new residential construction in Bergen
Hackensack, NJ 07601 and Hudson County is built in compliance
(201) 996-9100 Voice with federal and state mandates.
(201) 996-9424 TTY
(201) 996-9422 Fax The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project (AVL)
E-mail: ber@hipcil.org establishes peer support groups for people with
Area Served - County of Bergen vision loss as well as providing training for
mental health professionals, medical facilities,
Additional Services: and other relevant groups in the 14 northern
The Modification Access Project (MAP) pro- and central New Jersey counties.
vides funding toward home modifications, Across the Nation – Multimedia Transcription
and the Special Needs Assistance Program Service (MTS) transcribes materials into
(SNAP) similarly finances the purchase of Braille, large print, and audiocassette. MTS
equipment. produces brochures, newsletters, meeting infor-
mation, etc. The major focus of the project
transcribes textbooks into Braille for students
across the country. ❖

Hudson County Additional Services:

An Advocacy Coordinator addresses individ-
Heightened Independence & Progress, Inc. ual and systems advocacy issues.
(hip)
A bilingual staff person works specifically
Hudson Branch
with people whose primary language is
Kathleen Wood, Director
Spanish in order to ensure full access to hip’s
26 Journal Square, Suite 602
services.
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 533-4407 Voice Special Assistance for Independent Living
(201) 533-4409 TTY (SAIL) assists with payment (full or partial)
(201) 533-4421 Fax for rehabilitation technology and other items
E-mail: hud@hipcil.org to enhance independent living options for peo-
Area Served - County of Hudson ple with physical and sensory disabilities.
Youth Envisioning Success (YES!) provides
opportunities for students (14 and older) to
develop self-advocacy and independent living
skills. The students are also encouraged to uti-
lize the CIL as a resource to find and develop
linkages to community-based services and
options which they can use in their vocational
and other post-secondary planning. ❖

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Locations Monmouth & In Monmouth County the Personal Assistance
Services Program (PASP) and the PEER pro-
Ocean Counties gram assist adults with disabilities with tasks
such as light housekeeping, bathing, dressing,
Moceans Center for Independent Living,
meal preparation, shopping and other activities
Inc. (MOCEANS)
of daily living. PASP is available to individuals
Patricia McShane, Executive Director
age 18 to 65 who are employed, preparing for
279 Broadway – 1st Floor
work, attending school or actively involved in
Long Branch, NJ 07740
the community. PEER is open to adults 18 and
(732) 571-4884 Voice
older who have Medicaid.
(732) 571-4878 TTY
(732) 571-4003 Fax Disability Awareness Through Education
E-mail: patmcshane@verizon.net (DATE). The aim of the DATE project is to
Area Served - Counties of Monmouth & Ocean help Monmouth and Ocean County residents of
Additional Services: all ages react positively to children and adults
Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with with disabilities encountered in schools and the
students between the ages of 14 and 21, their community. The program uses simulation
families and education professionals to teach activities to increase the understanding and
self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide acceptance of persons with disabilities. The
a link to community-based services and supports most unique aspect of DATE is that the presen-
as the students transition from school to adult ters are people with disabilities serving as role
life. models and offering direct, personal interaction
with adults and children. ❖

Mercer County Building A, Suite 102

Hamilton, NJ 08690
Progressive Center for Independent (609) 581-4500 Voice
Living, Inc. (PCIL) (609) 581-4550 TTY
Scott Elliott, Executive Director (609) 581-4555 Fax
1262 White Horse – Hamilton Square Rd, E-mail: info@pcil.org
Madison Corporate Center Area Served - Mercer County ❖

ports as the students transition from school to

hunterdon adult life.
County PCIL offers workshops about various topics
Satellite Office including: Emergency Preparedness,
Beth Edwards, IL Program Manager Budgeting/ Banking, Social Security, Fair
4 Walter Foran Bld, Suite 410
Housing, DVR Services, Ticket to Work / NJ
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-1055 Voice Wins, Personal Safety, Reasonable
(908) 782-1081 TTY Accommodations, Disability Awareness and
(908) 782-6025 Fax Sensitivity, Home Skills, and the Americans
Email: info@pcil.org with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Area Served - Hunterdon County
PCIL sponsors a cross-disability support group
Additional Services: that meets monthly. Individuals can keep
Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with abreast of current laws by becoming involved
students between the ages of 14 and 21, their in our legislative committee, learn office skills
families and education professionals to teach through volunteering, utilize our resource
self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide library and computers that are on line with
a link to community-based services and sup- the latest programs. ❖

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Locations Burlington Additional Services:
Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with
County students between the ages of 14 and 21, their
Resources for Independent Living, Inc. families and education professionals to teach
(RIL) self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide
Lisa Smith, Executive Director a link to community-based services and sup-
351 High Street, Suite 103 ports as the students transition from school to
Burlington, NJ 08016 adult life.
(609) 747-7745 Voice Choices is a program which assists people with
(609) 747-1875 TTY disabilities to transition from nursing homes to
(609) 747-1870 Fax community-based living situations. ❖
E-mail: lsmith@rilnj.org
Area Served - County of Burlington

Additional Services:
Atlantic & Promoting Self-Advocacy Project – Works with
Cape may Counties students between the ages of 14 and 21, their
Total Living Center, Inc. (TLC) families and education professionals to teach
Julia Bonelli, Executive Director self-advocacy skills, share resources, and provide
The Courtyard - Suite B-8, 707, a link to community-based services and
White Horse Pike, Absecon, NJ 08201 supports as the students transition from school
(609) 645-9547 Voice to adult life.
(609) 645-9593 TTY The Aging and Disabilities Resource
(609) 813-2318 Fax Connection (ADRC) pilot project strives to
E-mail: info@tlcenter.org create a seamless system for accessing services
Area Served - Counties of Atlantic & for both the aging and the disabled
Cape May populations. ❖

(856) 327-5177 Voice

CAPE MAY, (856) 327-5328 TTY
CUMBERLAND & (856) 327-5153
SALEM Counties Fax E-mail: tcilc@aol.com
Area Served - Counties of Cape May,
Tri-County Independent Living Cumberland & Salem ❖
Center, Inc. (TRI-CILC)
Pam Elliott, Executive Director
120 North High Street #12
Millville, NJ 08332

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 The New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living (NJACIL)
is a professional association established to support the work of
New Jersey's Centers for Independent Living (CILs).

NJACIL works to: assist CILs to be maximally effective in their

local communities; ensure full inclusion of all persons with disabilities;
advocate for the creation of a barrier-free environment
and influence legislation and public policy to benefit people with disabilities.

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NJSILC
NEW JERSEY STATEWIDE
INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL