About the Independent Living Program

The Independent Living (IL) program operated by IVRS is designed to complement the vocational component of the agency's mission; independence and inclusion of persons with significant disabilities. The target population of the IL program is those individuals with significant disabilties who experience barriers to being independent living in their home and communities, and who also do not identify employment as a goal.

The IL program primarily addresses architectural and environmental barriers to independence and can usually fit under the umbrella terms of rehab technology and assistive technology. This last year assistance was provided for ramping, bathroom modifications, vehicle modifications, some durable medical equipment not covered by insurance, hearing aids, environmental controls, and augmentative communication devices.

The IVRS partners with the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) and the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to help promote the expansion of services for independent living throughout Iowa.

The Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent nonprofit corporation whose board of directors is appointed by the Governor, and a majority of whom are persons with disabilities. Under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the SILC has the responsibility to plan for the coordination and expansion of independent living services in Iowa, and to promote the development of a statewide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).

The SILC provides public forums for people with disabilities to identify issues important to them and all people with disabilities, and to obtain their input into the State Plan for Independent Living. The SILC also provides technical assistance to existing CILs and helps groups wishing to start new centers. Iowa currently has seven Centers for Independent Living throughout the state. CILs are independent, consumer-driven, cross-disability, community-based nonprofit organizations committed to Independent Living principles. The SILC builds partnerships to address disability issues and to promote public policies and programs consistent with independent living values.

Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)

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