BLANCHARDSTOWN CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Independent Living is about having the freedom to have the same choices that everyone else has in housing, transportation, education and employment. Independent living is about choosing what aspects of social, economic and political life people want to participate in. Independent living is about having control over your life, to have a family, to get a job, to participate socially and to realise your goals and dreams...

Ed Roberts was an international leader and educator in the independent living and disability rights movements. He fought throughout his life to enable all persons with disabilities to fully participate in society. Ed was a true pioneer: he was the first student with significant disabilities to attend UC Berkeley. His example continues to inspire and motivate disability advocates everywhere. He was a founder of UC’s Physically Disabled Students Program, which became the model for Berkeley’s Center for Independent Living (CIL) and over 400 other centers across the country...

The first CIL in Ireland, CIL Carmichael House, was incorporated on 27 March 1992, today there are 18 CILs in Ireland. This CIL was established by and for disabled people with the main aim that disabled people achieved Independent Living, choice and control over their lives and full participation in society as equal citizens. Michael McCabe opened the Blanchardstown Center for Independent Living in 1994...