Independent Living, as seen by its
advocates, is a
philosophy, a way of looking at
disability and
society, and a worldwide movement of people with disabilities who proclaim to work for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities. In most countries, proponents of the IL Movement claim preconceived notions and a predominantly
medical view of disability contribute to negative attitudes towards people with disabilities, portraying them as sick, defective and deviant persons, as objects of professional intervention, as a burden for themselves and their families, dependent on other people’s charity. These images, in the IL analysis, have consequences for disabled people's opportunities for raising families of their own, getting education and work, which, in turn, result in persons with disabilities making up a large portion of the poor in any country.
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A consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that - (A) is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities; and (B) provides an array of independent living services. 29 USC