Independent Living is more than a concept or a program. It is a philosophy rooted in dignity, choice, and the fundamental belief that people with disabilities have the right to direct their own lives.
For many, the term is misunderstood. Independent Living does not mean doing everything alone. It does not mean rejecting support, care, or community. Instead, it means having control, autonomy, and self-determination—the ability to decide how support is used, where one lives, and how life is shaped.
At its core, Independent Living affirms that disability does not diminish a person’s value, voice, or capacity to participate fully in society.
What Independent Living Really Means
Independent Living is based on the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own lives. It emphasizes:
- Personal choice and self-direction
- Access to information and resources
- Control over services and supports
- Participation in community life
- Respect for dignity and individuality
Using support—whether through caregivers, assistive technology, or community services—does not make someone less independent. Independence is defined by who makes the decisions, not by the absence of help.
This philosophy challenges outdated models that place people with disabilities in passive roles. Independent Living centers the person, not the system.
A Brief History of the Independent Living Movement
The Independent Living movement emerged in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, alongside broader civil rights movements. At that time, people with disabilities were often institutionalized, excluded from education, employment, and community life, and denied basic autonomy.
A pivotal moment came at the University of California, Berkeley, where a group of students with disabilities began advocating for accessible housing, transportation, and campus services. These students rejected the idea that disability required segregation or dependency.
They demanded access—not charity.
The Founders and Early Leaders
One of the most influential figures in the Independent Living movement was Ed Roberts, often called the father of the Independent Living movement. After contracting polio, Roberts used a wheelchair and a respirator. Despite significant physical limitations, he fought for admission to UC Berkeley and later became a powerful advocate for disability rights.
Alongside other activists, Roberts helped establish the first Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley in 1972. These centers were revolutionary because they were run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities.
The movement was built on the belief that:
- Disabled people should lead disability services
- Lived experience is expertise
- Advocacy and peer support are essential
This philosophy spread nationally and internationally, shaping disability policy, accessibility laws, and community-based services.
Independent Living as a Civil Rights Issue
Independent Living is deeply connected to civil rights. It laid the groundwork for major legislation, including:
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
These laws recognized that barriers are often created by environments, policies, and attitudes—not by disability itself.
Independent Living reframes disability as a social issue, not a personal failing. When spaces, systems, and services are accessible, people can live with greater independence and dignity.
Independent Living Today
Today, Independent Living continues to evolve. It addresses not only physical accessibility, but also:
- Information access
- Digital inclusion
- Community participation
- Caregiver support
- Aging with disability
- Mental and emotional well-being
Independent Living also recognizes the vital role of caregivers, families, and allies—while maintaining that the person with a disability remains at the center of decision-making.
CEVI and the Mission of Independent Living in Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, the philosophy of Independent Living is advanced through organizations committed to advocacy, education, and empowerment. One of these is CEVI (Consejo Estatal de Vida Independiente).
CEVI works to promote the rights, autonomy, and inclusion of people with disabilities by:
- Educating communities about Independent Living
- Advocating for accessible policies and environments
- Supporting leadership by people with disabilities
- Strengthening collaboration between individuals, families, and institutions
As Vice Chair for Independent Living at CEVI, my role is rooted in this same philosophy: ensuring that people with disabilities are not spoken for, but heard; not managed, but respected.
CEVI believes that Independent Living is not a privilege—it is a right.
How We Want to Help
Our mission is to create a culture where people with disabilities can:
- Make informed choices
- Access support without losing autonomy
- Live in their communities with dignity
- Be recognized as leaders in their own lives
We also recognize that caregivers, families, and service providers need education, empathy, and resources. Independent Living thrives when communities understand that inclusion benefits everyone.
Through education, advocacy, and lived experience, we aim to reduce barriers—both visible and invisible—and build pathways toward meaningful participation and self-determination.
A Personal Reflection
Independent Living is not an abstract idea for me. It is lived reality.
My journey with disability taught me that independence is not measured by physical ability, but by the freedom to decide, to adapt, and to live with purpose. The Independent Living philosophy gave language to what I already knew in my heart: that dignity and autonomy matter, even in the presence of limitation.
This is why Independent Living remains central to my work, my advocacy, and this space.
Moving Forward With Purpose
Independent Living continues to challenge systems, shift perspectives, and empower individuals. It reminds us that disability is not the end of possibility, but a call to build a more inclusive, thoughtful, and humane society.
When people are supported without being controlled, when accessibility replaces exclusion, and when lived experience guides policy, Independent Living becomes not just a philosophy—but a way forward.
