Independent Living is the principle that individuals with any disability, to the fullest extent possible, shall work, live in their own homes, raise families, and participate in the everyday activities of life. 

Centers for Independent Living (CIL's) are typically non-residential, private, non-profit, consumer-controlled, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with all types of disabilities. Michigan's CIL's are an excellent first-contact for information regarding disability issues and for outreach and recruitment activities.

Services

Information and Referral Services

• Employment services and information
• Spectran paratransit rider certification
• Emergency services and support information
• Housing information - subsidized and barrier-free
• Obtaining adaptive equipment and assistive technology
• Social Security and other supportive funding information
• Recreation and volunteer opportunities

Community Awareness and Advocacy

• Working with employers to provide job accommodations
• Accessible housing development
• Public speaking to groups, schools, employees, churches, etc.
• Legislation - speaking before Michigan legislature and national advocacy
• Americans With Disabilities Act - teaching seminars and one-on-one training assistance

Individual Skills Development

• Job readiness skill-building
• Rehabilitation nursing assessments and follow-up services
• Independent living assessments and skills training
• One-on-one training for individuals with specific needs
• School-to-work transition services for students with disabilities

Peer Support

• Matching people with disabilities as mentors for newly disabled people
• Matching people with similar disabilities for support and information sharing

For more information about Independent Living Centers throughout the United States, including a listing of all IL Centers in the US, visit the Independent Living USAweb site.

Michigan Centers For Independent Living

MI ASSOCIATION OF CILS

Jim Magyar, Interim Director

1476 Haslett Road

Haslett, MI 48840

(517) 339-0539 (Voice/TTY)

(517) 339-0805 (FAX)

E-mail: info@macil.net

ANN ARBOR CIL

James Magyar, Director

2568 Packard Road

Ann Arbor MI 48104

(734) 971-0277 (Voice)

(734) 971-0310 (TTY)

(734) 971-0826 (Fax)

Email: jmagyar@aacil.org

BAY AREA COALITION FOR IL

Steve Wade, Director

701 S. Elmwood Ste 17

Traverse City MI  49684

(231) 929-4865 (Voice)

(231) 929-4896 (Fax)

Email: steve@bacil.org

BLUE WATER CIL

Robert DeVary, Director

310 Water St

Port Huron MI 48060

(810) 987-9337 (Voice/TTY)

(810) 987-9548 (Fax)

(800) 527-2167 (Toll Free)

Email: bob9252001@yahoo.com

Ellen Weaver, Director

1048 Pierpont Stes 9-10

Lansing MI 48911

(517) 241-0393 (Voice)

(517) 241-0438 (Fax)

Email: eweaver@cacil.org

THE CIL OF MID MICHIGAN

Melissa Davert, Director

1206 James Savage

Midland MI 48640

(989) 835-4041 (Voice)

(989) 835 8121 (Fax)

Email: Davert@cilmm.org

COALITION FOR IL

Corrie Listenberger-Bair, Contact

PO Box 663

Edwardsburg MI 49112

(616) 663-6090 (Voice)

DISABILITY AWARENESS CENTER FOR IL

Maggie Carlson, Director

1041 E Broadway

Muskegon MI  49444

(231) 830-0099 (Voice)

(231) 830-0066 (Fax)

Email: DACIL2000@aol.com

THE DISABILITY NETWORK

Michael Zelley, Director

3600 S Dort Highway Ste 54

Flint MI 48507-2054

(810) 742-1800 (Voice)

(810) 742-7647 (TTY)

(810) 742-2400 (Fax)

(800) ADA-6040 (Toll Free)

Email: mikezelley@aol.com

THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

Joel Cooper, President & CEO

516 E. Crosstown Parkway

Kalamazoo MI 49001

(616) 345-1516 (Voice)

(616) 346-1518 (TTY)

(616) 345-0229 (Fax)

Email: jcooper@drccil.org

Dave Bulkowski, Director

3600 Camelot Dr SE

Grand Rapids MI  49546

(616) 949-1100 (Voice/TTY)

(616) 949-7865 (Fax)

Email: Dave.b@disabilityadvocates.us

GREAT LAKES CIL

Jeannie Meece, Director

2995 E Grand Blvd.

Detroit MI 48202

(313) 870-4580 (Voice)

(313) 832-3372 (TTY)

(313) 870-4590 (Fax)

Email: jmeece@glcil.org

JACKSON CENTER FOR IL

Jim Cyphers, Interim Director

2319 West Main St

Jackson MI 49203

(517) 784-1723 (Voice)

(517) 784-9921 (Fax)

LAKE SHORE CIL

Ruth Stegeman, Director

426 Century Lane

Holland MI 49423

(616) 396-5326 (Voice)

(616) 396-3220 (Fax)

Email: ruth@lcil.org

MI STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL

Valarie Barnum-Yarger, Acting Director

417 Seymour St., Suite 10

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 371-4872 (Voice)

(517) 371-4875 (FAX)

E-mail: valarie@misilc.org

DISABILITY NETWORK / NORTHERN MICHIGAN

333 East State Street

Traverse City, MI 49686

(231) 922-0903

(231) 922-2597 (FAX)

E-mail: jimmoore@chartermi.net

Kelly Wilson, Director

13213 E. 14 Mile.

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

(586) 268-4160 (Voice)

(800) 649-3777 (TTY)

(586) 268-4820 (FAX)

E-mail:kkwilson@omcil.org

Virginia Killough, Board President

129 W. Baraga Ste H

Marquette MI 49855

(906) 228-5744 (Voice)

(906) 228-5573 (Fax)

BW/WAYNE COUNTY CIL

Rick Sides, Program Manager

WSU College of Education

3 North, Room 355

5425 Gullen Mall

Detroit, MI 48202

(313) 577-2599 or 2603 (Voice)

E-mail: rickwc@cil.coe.wayne.edu