What is independent living?

Essentially, it is living just like everyone else—- having the opportunity to make decisions that affect one's life and to pursue activities of one's own choosing—-limited only in the same ways that one's non-disabled neighbors are restricted.

Most Americans take for granted opportunities they have regarding living arrangements, employment situations, transportation, social and recreational activities, and other aspects of everyday life. For many Americans with disabilities, however, barriers in their communities take away or severely limit their choices.

Some barriers may be obvious, such as a lack of ramped entrances, a shortage of interpreters or closed caption, or an inadequate supply of Braille or taped copies of printed material.

These barriers, coupled with less obvious barriers such as misunderstandings and prejudices, can be even more limiting to efforts on the part of people with disabilities to live independently. These barriers also result in low expectations about things people with disabilities can achieve.

The Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living is run by people with disabilities who themselves have been successful establishing independent lives.

CRCIL's four core services, Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, and Advocacy, are essential for persons with disabilities to live independently. For more information, contact Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living. 1020 Loop 304 East, Crockett, TX 936-544-2811.