A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 330

Centers for Independent Living (CIL)

(CFDA No. 84.132)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Part C, Chapter 1 of the Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, P.L. 93-112, as amended (29 U.S.C. 796e) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: The purpose of the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) program is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society by providing financial assistance to develop and support Statewide networks of CILs.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation	Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1979	$2,000,000	1987	$24,320,000
1980	15,000,000	1988	25,500,000
1981	18,000,000	1989	26,000,000
1982	17,280,000	1990	26,666,000
1983	19,400,000	1991	27,579,000
1984	19,400,000	1992	29,000,000
1985	22,000,000	1993	31,446,000
1986	22,011,000	1994	36,818,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Performance Indicators

An Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking containing draft evaluation standards and compliance indicators was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 1992. This publication provided constructive suggestions and comments that were helpful during the legislative process culminating in enactment of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, and were also used during FY 1993 in the development of the indicators of compliance with the standards, as required by section 706 of the 1992 Amendments. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the indicators was published on October 27, 1993. The Department expected to published final compliance indicators, along with final regulations implementing the 1992 Amendment, in FY 1994.

Population Targeting

This program provides a combination of IL services to individuals with significant disabilities through consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agencies that are operated within local communities by individuals with significant disabilities.

Services

In FY 1993, services were provided through 212 CILs in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and three territories to an estimated 100,000 individuals. Information and referral services are estimated to have been provided over 250,000 times.

Through education and advocacy, the CILs staff and volunteers working through the CIL were involved in effecting positive community change and increasing access throughout the country. These include, but are not limited to: encouraging local transportation providers to convert to a majority of mainline accessible busses to meet the transportation needs of individuals with mobility impairments; developing extensive volunteer networks based at the CIL; creating accessible materials for individuals with significant visual impairment; developing innovative programs for individuals with mental illness such as self-help and housing services for individuals who are homeless and peer counseling programs for individuals in locked wards; developing and managing local and State equipment loan and revolving fund programs; developing and operating a wide variety of consumer-controlled attendant-care approaches and funding strategies; counseling individuals with significant disabilities and their families as to the availability of rights and benefits regarding appropriate school options and medical support; educating older individuals with emerging disabilities on IL techniques and skills; and organizing and coordinating Statewide Telecommunication Devise for the Deaf (TDD) services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Program Administration

All centers must have a governing board comprised of a majority of persons with significant disabilities. All projects complete a self-evaluation and audit by an independent auditor annually. At least 15 percent of CILs must receive an on-site compliance review by a team composed of Federal and non-federal reviewers each year.

Funds are allocated to States on a population basis, except that no State may receive less than the total amount received in FY 1992, and each State is provided a minimum allotment of $400,000 or as close to this amount as funds allow. Between 1.8 and 2 percent of the funds appropriated for this program must be used for grants or contracts to provide training and technical assistance to centers for independent living and Statewide independent living councils.

The Rehabilitation Act (the Act) as amended in 1992, also requires the Commissioner to use one percent of the aggregate funds appropriate for programs authorized in Titles II, III, VI, VII, and VIII for minority outreach activities as specified in Section 21 of the Act. In FY 1993, one percent of the funds appropriated for this program were reserved for this purpose. Section 21 also requires grant applicants to demonstrate how they will address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Section 20 of the Act requires all programs under the Act to advise individuals receiving or seeking to receive program services or, as appropriate, such individuals' authorized representative, of the availability and purpose of the Client Assistance Program, under section 112 of the Act, including information on the means of seeking assistance under such program.

Outcomes

Under the proposed performance indicators, centers will measure and report on the achievement of individual goals for independent living, client satisfaction, and improvements in the local community designed to facilitate independent living.

Management Improvement Strategies

As a result of the major changes resulting from the 1992 Amendments, a number of new and innovative strategies are underway that are anticipated to result in significantly simplified reporting requirements, less paperwork and more time for exploration of ways to assist CILs to improve programs during on-site reviews. Simultaneous with the development of new reporting instruments is planning for electronic paperless reporting.

III. Sources of Information

1992 Annual Report on Federal Activities Related to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 1992).
Program files.

IV. Planned Studies

None.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: John Nelson, (202) 205-9362
Program Studies:: Rob Barnes, (202) 401-3630

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[Projects with Industry Program (PWI)]

[Vocational Rehabilitation Services for American Indians with Disabilities]