Statewide Independent Living Council
Our Mission: It is the intent of the Montana Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to develop and implement a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) that will: Make independent living a reality for Montanans with disabilities by promoting and practicing a philosophy of consumer control, development of peer relationships and peer role models, self-determination, self-help, equal access, and advocacy in order to maximize independence, integration and full inclusion of persons with disabilities into mainstream Montana.
- What is Independent Living?
Independent Living is basically living just like everyone else— having opportunities to make decisions that affect one’s own life, the ability to pursue activities of one's own choosing, taking risks and being allowed to succeed and fail on your own terms.
- What is the Montana Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)?
The Montana SILC was created on October 1, 1992, under MCA 2-15-122. The Council consists of 12 voting members, who are appointed by the Governor for three year terms. These individuals represent a broad range of disabilities and are knowledgeable about Centers for Independent Living and Independent Living Services generally. The majority of the voting members are persons with disabilities. Additional representatives are from Centers for Independent Living, unserved/under-served populations such as Native Americans, Parents of children with disabilities, Advocates, Consumers, Business Representatives, and various other disability organizations and state agencies that are impacted by Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1998. The SILC is recruiting a non-voting youth representative to provide input relative to needs of the youth population and begin development of future leaders in the disability movement.
- What are the SILC’s responsibilities?
The primary responsibility of the SILC is to jointly develop the State Plan for Independent Living in conjunction with Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Centers. The Council also monitors, reviews, and evaluates the implementation of the State Plan. The SILC coordinates activities with the Vocational Rehabilitation Council, supports the Montana Centers for Independent Living and advocates for Independent Living Services provided through State and Federal programs for people with disabilities, promotes activities to improve and expand the disability service system, develops model policies and recommendations for Independent Living in Montana, provides education and training on the Independent Living philosophy and disability issues, reaches out to unserved and under-served populations, and promotes activities and carries out demonstration projects to improve and expand the disability service system, including the gathering and analysis of consumer satisfaction.
- The SILC works to insure:
Persons with disabilities have an opportunity to provide input for the development of the State Plan for Independent Living; all regularly scheduled meetings of the Council are open to the public and sufficient notice is provided; the independent living needs of people with disabilities are identified and met; and advocacy, on behalf of independent living programs and consumers is initiated and carried out.
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Who are the Montana Centers for Independent Living?
To contact us:
Phone: (406) 444-2590 v/tty Fax: (406) 444-3632Please send us any comments or questions:
Page last updated 04/23/2009
