What is independent living? Essentially, it is living just like everyone else — having opportunities to make decisions that affect one’s life, able to pursue activities of one’s own choosing. Independent living should not be defined in terms of living on one’s own, being employed in a job fitting one’s capabilities and interests, or having an active social life. These are aspects of living independently. Independent living has to do with self-determination. It is having the right and the opportunity to pursue a course of action. And, it is having the freedom to fail — and to learn from one’s failures. Independent living isn’t easy, and it can be risky. But millions of people living with disabilities rate it higher than a life dependency and narrow opportunities and unfulfilled expectations.
Independent Living Centers
Fortunately, people with disabilities don’t have to do it all on their own. There’s a kind of service organization which is designed specifically to assist people with disabilities in achieving and maintaining independent lifestyles. These organizations, called independent living centers, are extraordinary: they are run by people living with disabilities who themselves have been successful in establishing independent lives. These people have both training and the personal experience to know exactly what is needed to live independently. And, they have deep commitment to assisting other disabled people in becoming more independent.
Independent living is an essential part of the individual’s autonomy and freedom and does not necessarily mean living alone. It should also not be interpreted solely as the ability to carry out daily activities by oneself. Rather, it should be regarded as the freedom to choose and control, in line with the respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy. Independence as a form of personal autonomy means that the person living with disability is not deprived of the opportunity of choice and control regarding personal lifestyle and daily activities. The Individual Living approach affords individuals living with disabilities the opportunities for personal choices and the benefits of technology that can assist in their independence. With this independence, such persons have an enhanced pride in themselves. For, they can live more independently as they direct the course of their lives without the imposition of a public agency. Like others, they are individuals with personal desires, and by having more independence, they can better fulfill these yearnings. Most importantly, with the Independent Living Approach, people living with disabilities have many of the same opportunities that rest of the people do. This approach allows the individuals living with disabilities to live with equal opportunities and thrive within their own terms and conditions.
If provided the ability to participate in society without the barriers of institutional control and to stereotype, individuals living with disabilities can have normalcy, a condition that allows them to attain a sense of pride and freedom and control over their lives.
