Developing The Independent Living Service Model -- Essential Features

 

The essence of the independent living movement and its core values became the foundation for a consumer-oriented service model that emphasized individual choice, personal control, and the need for self-determination. In commenting upon the evolution of this model, DeJong (1983) stated, "The dignity of risk is the heart of the independent living movement. Without the possibility of failure, the disabled person lacks true independence and the ultimate mark of humanity, the right to choose." As leaders in the movement translated philosophical principles into actual service programs and community advocacy efforts, they recognized that there would be a rich and necessary diversity in service approaches across centers. However, it was also clear that as centers evolved, certain key elements were essential to designing and maintaining effective community-based independent living services. These included:

 

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• Consumer control over policy and management decisions. Persons with disabilities would control decisions governing organizational policies and procedures, the provision of services, and community activities. In this sense, the term "consumer" is defined broadly to mean persons with disabilities who may be direct recipients of services as well as those who are not but who are secondary beneficiaries of advocacy efforts. Consumer control in decision-making is intended to ensure that policies, procedures, services, and activities are responsive to the needs and respectful of the rights of the disability population.
• Consumer control over service objectives and methods. This aspect of independent living services places primary responsibility for identifying service needs, setting independent living goals and objectives and making decisions about service participation with the consumer who is receiving services. This means that the service provider role shifts from that of controlling and providing the services to one that consciously seeks to promote the independence and self-sufficiency of the consumer within the context of service participation selected by the consumer.
• Cross-disability emphasis. Independent living emphasizes a responsiveness to the needs of all persons with disabilities. At the national level, this separates the independent living program from programs that emphasize services to a particular disability group.
• Community based and community responsive. Independent living centers are designed to be responsive and accessible to the disability community in their service locale, and to involve the community significantly in setting program priorities.
• Peer role modeling. The emphasis on peer role modeling in independent living reflects a belief that people with disabilities can greatly benefit from the perspectives and support of others with disabilities who have successfully struggled to lead productive and meaningful lives in their communities. Peers serve as strong role models and facilitators to consumers in their efforts to achieve designed level of independence.
• Provision of a range of services. Because independent living is responsive to the varied dimensions of knowledge, skills, options, and support associated with achieving personal independence, a range of services is provided. These include such core services as information and referral, skills training, advocacy, and peer counseling as well as others such as attendant care services, housing services, transportation services, educational services, vocational services, equipment services, communication services, legal services, and social/recreational services.
• A community advocacy thrust. Independent living recognizes that in order for consumers to achieve independent lifestyles, environmental and social barriers in the community must be eliminated. There is thus a dual commitment to both individual services and community advocacy-activities conducted to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to have equal access to all aspects of community life and to achieve meaningful integration into society.
• Open and ongoing access to services. Independent living is not a closure-oriented program. Services are open and available to consumers on an ongoing basis, reflecting consumers evolving and continuing needs and interests.

 

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These key features of the independent living service model underscore the important of constituency control, the power of peer support, and the fact that independent living centers were established to meet the needs of specific disability populations that had been underserved and segregated by traditional rehabilitation services. Also, the independent living service model has been characterized by the dual thrusts of individualized support services to promote self-determination and community advocacy to promote integration in the social and economic mainstream.

 

Lachat, M.A., The Independent Living Service Model, Center for Resource Management, Inc., South Hampton, NH, 1988, p.11-13.