State Independent Living Council (SILC )

The Oregon State Independent Living Council (SILC) is a council that was established by Executive Order in 1992 as a result of the 1992 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. The Council consists of up to twenty-one Governor-appointed disability advocates, most of whom have disabilities.

SILC mission

The mission of the SILC is to promote choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the State of Oregon. The SILC works towards its mission by:

• Advising on IL issues, including policy development, review, and comment
• Identifying the need for Centers for Independent Living and IL services
• Evaluating the provision of IL services as described in the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
• Working with other disability organizations, in order to advocate for improvements in critical areas such as employment, housing, public accommodations, education, transportation, communication, recreation, de-institutionalization, health care, and public services
• Determining consumer satisfaction with IL services
• Developing the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) jointly, with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) and Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB)

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SILC vision

The SILC believes that disability is a natural part of our shared human experience that in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society.

SILC Values Statement

Organization

The Oregon SILC is established as an independent, autonomous organization, by Executive Order of the Governor. The Executive Order outlines the role of the Designated State Unit (DSU) as a fiscal agent of the SILC’s Title VII, Part B, Chapter 1 funds. The DSU receives and disburses these funds, while the intent is that the SILC maintains the Rehab Act’s mandated autonomy and sole responsibility for allocation and management of these funds. The Department of Human Resources, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) is the designated state unit (DSU) for the Oregon SILC.

The Oregon SILC is physically located in the Department of Human Services building, based strictly on the desire to be physically accessible to agencies that the SILC wants to develop and maintain relationships and partnerships with, and to increase opportunities for networking, collaboration, training, education, and outreach activities.

An inter-agency agreement outlines the roles and responsibility of each SPIL partner – the SILC, OVRS, and the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), so there is clear understanding of the distinction between each agency and so that we are each aware of the federal requirement for SILC autonomy, as well as understanding where responsibilities may overlap to accomplish mutual goals and/or based on legal requirements within Oregon.

With the oversight of the SILC Executive Committee and the Executive Director, SILC members work as individuals, as a Council, through partnerships with Centers for Independent Living and other agencies, through SILC committees, and through direction of their staff to further the SILC Mission and to accomplish goals of the State Plan for Independent Living.

What is the SILC? (PDF); How are CILs funded? (PDF)

Bylaws

SILC Bylaws, revised September 2007 (Word)

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Reports

Annual reports

• 2006 - Word version, PDF version
  Highlights of the SILC’s successes, accomplishments, and challenges of 2006. The report also includes real stories and a matrix of cost savings, demonstrating the personal and financial benefits of Independent Living (IL) services and philosophy.
  
  
• 2005 - RTF version, PDF version

Federal 704 Report 2006-2007 (Word)
A required annual report that includes funding data, consumer statistics, and narratives about progress on State Plan goals and objectives and SILC highlights, successes, problems, and plans for the future.

State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) 2008-2010 (Word)

A required three year plan that is developed jointly by the SILC, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS), and the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB). The SPIL includes IL goals and objectives, outreach plans, funding priorities, Resource Allocation plan (budget), CIL Network information, a summary of public input and how it was considered and/or incorporated into the plan, and collaboration and partnership activities.

State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) Goal Summary (Word)

A summary of SPIL goals for the 2008-2010 period

Independent Living and disability related information

SILC Opinion/Editorial (Word)

Independent Living stories request and information (Word)

Hear Ye Hear Ye. If you are a person with a disability, this call to action is for you! Now announcing, an Exciting Opportunity for promoting Independent Living (IL)! We want to hear your unique and compelling story. By relating your experience of how you have retained/developed/regained your ability to live independently, you may be able to assist others in obtaining more independence and improved quality of life. Are you ready to make a difference? If so, please share your personal experiences around living with a disability so that others will also be inspired and compelled to live and advocate as IL champions.

Charting Achievements (PDF)

Charting Achievements (Word)

Real stories of how Independent Living (IL) services and philosophy helped individuals with disabilities to increase or maintain their independence, saving money in the long run, since every individual who extends the time they live independently provides a savings to government.

IL cost savings 2005 (PDF)

Real examples of the cost savings of IL services. With nine of Oregon’s ten Centers for Independent Living (CILs) reporting, these examples demonstrate a savings of $3,733,683.22 ~ an average savings of $5,266.13 per individual served.

Oregon Centers for Independent Living Directory (Word) 07/25/08

These CILs meet Rehabilitation Act Section 702 standards. Only those CILs that meet all Section 725 Standards and Assurances are considered part of what is known as the “Network” of CILs.

Accommodating Guests with Disabilities (RTF)

Simple, easy things to be aware of and consider to increase accessibility and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

Other independent living organizations

Contacts

Tina Treasure ~ Executive Director
Shelly Emery ~ Operations Coordinator