Frequently Asked Questions

What are Centers for Independent Living (CILs)?

Centers for Independent Living are non-profit organizations that assure programmatic access to housing, employment, transportation, recreational facilities and health and social services.  CIL services are designed by, directed by and in most cases, delivered by qualified individuals with disabilities, themselves.   CILs are not places where people live, but instead, are strong advocates for community inclusion.

How is Not Without Us! funded?

Not Without Us! is funded by state dollars.  The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) provides 100% of all funding received.

Who qualifies for services?

Not Without Us! provides services to individuals of all ages, with all types of significantdisabilities and whose disability is creating a barrier toward independent living in the family, in the community or in employment.  The Center also provides information and referral, as well as education to its respective communities.

How can I access services?

Services are available Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Programs are accessible to all individuals with disabilities without regard to disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or minority background.  To obtain services, call the Center to schedule an appointment.

 How do individuals with disabilities find the necessary support and assistance to be able to live independently in their community?

Not Without Us! is a great resource for people with disabilities striving to maintain their independence.  The Centers offer a wide spectrum of services from providing assistance locating affording accessible housing, peer support, to life skills training courses such as cooking, transportation, managing a budget, and many more useful skills.

How is Not Without Us! different from other disability organizations?

Growing out of the Disability Rights Movement, Independent Living Centers were created with the explicit goal of integration and advocacy -- for example, people with disabilities must comprise, at a minimum, 51% of  our parent agency's Board of Directors, thus putting policy and advocacy decisions in the hands of the people those decisions directly impact.

How many CILs are there in Texas?

Currently, there are 27 Centers for Independent Living in Texas.   

Is Not Without Us! a good investment?

You bet!  For example, the Not Without Us! provided over 5,175 instances of independent living services to 277 individuals with disabilities in fiscal year 2010.

The Relocation Program alone has demonstrated a positive return on the State’s investment in LIFE’s CILs.  In 2006, LIFE conducted a formal cost analysis study of nursing home care costs versus community care costs, for a sample of 30 individuals who had been relocated through the program.  According to the State’s statistics during that time, the average cost for an individual residing in a nursing facility was $30,757 per year.  The findings of the study revealed that for every individual relocated in LIFE’s service area, it saved the State $14,431 per year. For those 30 individuals, that indicates an overall savings of $432,930 per year.  Because LIFE relocated 184 individuals in fiscal year 2010, one can extrapolate that our organization alone has potentially saved $2,655,304 in long-term care funds.    

Yes, we are a great investment!