Access to Independence is an independent living center (ILC), a nonresidential, cross-disability, non-profit corporations that provide services to people with disabilities to help maximize their independence and fully integrate into their communities. Access to Independence is one of 391 ILCs across the country and one of 29 serving Californians. Like all ILCs, Access to Independence offers required federal and state programs and services to people of all disability types and ages at no charge. However, that is where the similarity ends.
Access to Independence has created a new paradigm for independent living; an integrated service model driven by two areas of focus: Advocacy and Transition.
As an organization, we have strategically chosen to concentrate our efforts on advocacy and transition in order to achieve greater life-changing outcomes for our consumers. Through a combination of our programs and services, we provide an Independent Living Plan (ILP) specifically designed for every person we serve.
We serve about 5,000 consumers and their families annually through direct participation in our programs and provide information and referral service to 11,000 more. The ongoing impact cannot always be measured, because of the “rippling effect” that is created throughout the San Diego region, Imperial Valley and beyond when our consumers model successful independent living and community integration.