Washington Washington State State

Independent Independent Living Living

Council (WASILC)Council (WASILC)Presenter:Presenter:

WASILC MemberWASILC Member

 

What is the WASILC?What is the WASILC?

Our mission: “People with disabilities in Our mission: “People with disabilities in Washington State live independently and Washington State live independently and participate fully in their community”.participate fully in their community”.

The WASILC consists of an fifteen person The WASILC consists of an fifteen person governor-appointed Council, an Executive governor-appointed Council, an Executive Director and an Executive Assistant. Director and an Executive Assistant. There are six Ex-Officio members on the There are six Ex-Officio members on the council.council.

The SILC is presently housed in the state's The SILC is presently housed in the state's Department of Social and Health Services Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia, Washington. Over 50 % of the in Olympia, Washington. Over 50 % of the individuals on the Council are required to individuals on the Council are required to be citizens with disabilities. be citizens with disabilities.

It is a governor appointed council that It is a governor appointed council that does system statewide advocacy, and does system statewide advocacy, and supports the “Independent Living supports the “Independent Living Philosophy” for all people with disabilities.Philosophy” for all people with disabilities.

How was the WASILC How was the WASILC established?established?

As part of the 1992 amendments to the As part of the 1992 amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Amended Amended Title VII Section 705Title VII Section 705, each state , each state needed to establish a State Independent needed to establish a State Independent Living Council (SILC). Living Council (SILC).

In Washington, former Governor Mike In Washington, former Governor Mike Lowry, through executive order 93-04, Lowry, through executive order 93-04, created the Washington SILC. Governor created the Washington SILC. Governor Gary Locke amended the original executive Gary Locke amended the original executive order in 2004 with EO 04-05.order in 2004 with EO 04-05.

Primary purpose of Primary purpose of the WASILCthe WASILC

The purpose of the WASILC is to promote independent The purpose of the WASILC is to promote independent living for persons with disabilities in Washington, and to living for persons with disabilities in Washington, and to collaborate with the Centers for Independent Living collaborate with the Centers for Independent Living (CIL) to develop capacity and expand their services.(CIL) to develop capacity and expand their services.

Partner with the Centers to develop a State Plan for Partner with the Centers to develop a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The SPIL is mandated every Independent Living (SPIL). The SPIL is mandated every three years for the Centers to receive federal funding three years for the Centers to receive federal funding to provide five core services in the communities. The to provide five core services in the communities. The SPIL sets goals and objectives that establishes SPIL sets goals and objectives that establishes benchmarks for the Centers for Independent Living benchmarks for the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and the services they provide. (CILs) and the services they provide.

Primary purpose of Primary purpose of the WASILCthe WASILC

To help guide this "blueprint", the WASILC To help guide this "blueprint", the WASILC and the CILs solicits continuous public and the CILs solicits continuous public input on the effectiveness of independent input on the effectiveness of independent living services and the changing needs of living services and the changing needs of the community. This is done through the community. This is done through public hearings and SPIL evaluation. public hearings and SPIL evaluation.

The WASILC also works with appropriate The WASILC also works with appropriate entities such as the CILs, the two DSE's, entities such as the CILs, the two DSE's, the state legislature, and other community the state legislature, and other community agencies to develop additional capacity. agencies to develop additional capacity. This is necessary to serve and advocate This is necessary to serve and advocate for and with individuals with disabilities.for and with individuals with disabilities.

What is the What is the Independent Living Independent Living

Philosophy?Philosophy?CONSUMER CONTROL: The term CONSUMER CONTROL: The term

“consumer control” means, with respect “consumer control” means, with respect to a CIL, that the center vests power and to a CIL, that the center vests power and authority in individuals with disabilities, authority in individuals with disabilities, in in terms of management, staffing, decision terms of management, staffing, decision making, operation, and provision of making, operation, and provision of services, of the center.services, of the center.

Consumer control and consumer voice in Consumer control and consumer voice in all services. Self determination and all services. Self determination and dignity is the basis for advocacy.dignity is the basis for advocacy.

What is the What is the Independent Living Independent Living

Philosophy?Philosophy? Independent Living does not mean that we want Independent Living does not mean that we want

to do everything by ourselves and do not need to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation. anybody or that we want to live in isolation. Independent Living means that we demand the Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our every-day lives same choices and control in our every-day lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends take for granted. neighbors and friends take for granted.

We want to grow up in our families, go to the We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our skills/education and abilities, start families of our skills/education and abilities, start families of our own. Just as everybody else, we need to be in own. Just as everybody else, we need to be in charge of our lives, think and speak for charge of our lives, think and speak for ourselves.ourselves.

Contact Information for Contact Information for WASILCWASILC

www.wasilc.org Emilio Vela, Jr., Executive DirectorEmilio Vela, Jr., Executive Director

velaem@dshs.wa.gov (360)725-3695 (360)725-3695Alex Hatcher, Inclusive Emergency Alex Hatcher, Inclusive Emergency

Planning Manager Planning Manager

hatcham@dshs.wa.gov (360)725-3692 (360)725-3692Megan Holloway, Executive AssistantMegan Holloway, Executive Assistant

holloma@dshs.wa.gov (360)725-3693 (360)725-3693