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General Information about the Memphis Center for Independent Living

MCIL provides non-residential, community based services by Independent Living Specialists. An Independent Living Specialist is usually a person with a disability who works with consumers (those seeking services) as a peer rather than counselor. The relationship between and Independent Living Specialist and a consumer differs from that of a counselor or social worker. The Independent Living Specialist offers their suggestions, knowledge, and life experiences to the consumer rather than a "prescribed" professional solution.

The consumer manages the relationship by always having a choice to accept the suggestions offered by the Independent Living Specialist or to request other options to explore.

(1) Information and Referral-- MCIL provides information and referral to resources for housing, transportation, travel, benefits, equipment, communication, education, employment, health, recreation, and personal assistant services.

(2)Advocacy-- MCIL is involved with two types of advocacy, individual advocacy and systems advocacy.

• Individual advocacy can involve intervention from a center staff person to address a concern of a consumer with another agency. Referral to legal assistance resources, both public and private can be made, but no direct legal counsel from the center is available.

• Systems Advocacy promotes changes from within the society. MCIL works to advance community attitudes and services by working with groups like: Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) at MATA, volunteer program for the enforcement of accessible parking spaces, ADAPT, and the Mayors Advisory Committee for Citizens with Disabilities.

(3)Peer Support:-- MCIL offers opportunities to persons with disabilities to give and receive support from other persons with disabilities. Support can include the sharing of information, feelings, frustrations, hopes, and dreams. Peer Support is self-help rather than therapy and occurs either in a group or with individuals.

(4) Independent Living Skills Training:-- The center provides information on the basics of a topic concerning some aspect of independence. Examples could include: knowing your rights as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act; resources for educational options, transportation; how to apply for SSI or SSDI benefits; and personal assistance management training. Training is for individuals, groups or organizations.

Other Services in Addition to the Core Services Include:

Personal Assistant Register: MCIL can serve as a liaison between persons looking for employment as personal assistants and persons wanting to hire personal assistants. The personal assistant works for the individual and not for MCIL.

Barrier Free Memphis Society: A group of citizens to increase public awareness and eliminate attitudinal and architectural barriers. Meetings are held monthly.

Seminars: MCIL offers seminars on topics such as appropriate language and etiquette concerning persons with disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the only service where a fee is requested.

The newsletter, The Declaration, is currently published quarterly by the center. Donations are requested to assist with the cost of the newsletter publication, but are not required to receive it.

• Learn More about PALs

• Learn More about The Staff

The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org 

MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency

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© 2006 Tim Wheat