Living Independence for Everyone Inc. (L.I.F.E. Inc.) is a small nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve equal rights, equal opportunities and integration into the community. L.I.F.E. Inc. is operated by and for people with disabilities. Our organization embraces the independent living philosophy. This philosophy is based on the core of independent living concepts of consumer control, self-advocacy, community change, and cross-disability participation. One of the bases of the IL philosophy is that everyone, no matter what his or her disability, has the right to make his or her own informed decisions.
L.I.F.E. Inc. was started by two women with disabilities with a vision for equal rights, equal opportunities and integration into the community for all people with disabilities. The organization was birthed in 1986 in the home of one of L.I.F.E.’s co-founders. L.I.F.E. Inc. opened an office and became established in Chatham County. The organization grew and extended it’s reach into 10 additional counties. Through the advocacy efforts of its founders, L.I.F.E. Inc. was instrumental in bringing about accessible transportation, affordable, accessible housing and a home modification program to serve people with disabilities. L.I.F.E. staff seeks to provide equivalent services to rural America.
Living Independence for Everyone, Inc. is comprised of a team of seven dedicated staff, including five full-time and two part-time members. The staff is headed by an Executive Director, who oversees the general administration of the center. The Director is accountable to a Board of Directors. The staff currently consists of a Office/Home Modification manager, who is responsible for maintaining daily office operations, financial management, and coordinating the home modification and assistive technology programs. L.I.F.E. Inc. employs three Independent Living Coordinators. These coordinators provide the four core services of advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and information & referral. The Nursing Home Transition Leader identifies individuals in nursing homes who can live independently with the support of community based services and assists these individuals to transition back into their own homes. Over 51% of the L.I.F.E. staff and board are people with disabilities.
L.I.F.E. is affiliated with several national organizations: The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) and the Statewide independent Living Council (SILC). The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is a membership organization that advances the independent living philosophy and advocates for the human rights of, and services for, people with disabilities to further their full integration and participation in society. The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) is a national network of rural centers for independent living (CIL’s) and other organizations and individuals concerned with the unique aspects of rural independent living. APRIL is organized to promote independence and strive for full rights and benefits for individuals with disabilities living in rural environments. The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is a nonprofit, non-governmental, consumer-controlled organization that plays the vital role of providing disability information, financial support, and technical assistance to a network of seven Centers for Independent Living located throughout Georgia.