What Independent Living Centers Do
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are federally mandated under the Rehabilitation Act and funded through a combination of state and federal grants. They serve people with all types of disabilities — physical, sensory, cognitive, psychiatric, and developmental — regardless of income, age, or severity of disability. You do not need a referral, and most services are free.
The core services that every ILC must provide by law are:
- Information and referral. Connecting you with resources in your community: housing, transportation, health care, legal services, employment programs, assistive technology, and benefit programs. The ILC serves as a gateway to the broader service network.
- Independent living skills training. Practical instruction in skills that support self-sufficiency: budgeting, cooking, household management, personal care, computer literacy, and workplace readiness. Training is individualized based on your goals.
- Peer counseling. Support from staff and volunteers who have disabilities themselves. Peer counselors understand the challenges from lived experience, not just professional training. This is one of the most distinctive features of ILCs compared to traditional agencies.
- Individual and systems advocacy. Help navigating bureaucracies (Social Security, Medicaid, housing authorities) and fighting for systemic changes that affect people with disabilities broadly. If your landlord refuses a reasonable modification or your employer denies a legally required accommodation, the ILC can help you navigate the process.
The ILC model is built on four principles: consumer control (you direct your own services), peer support (people with disabilities supporting each other), self-determination (you define your own goals), and equal access (full participation in community life). This philosophy shapes every interaction — the ILC works with you, not for you.
ILCs Serving Western New York
Western New York is served by several Independent Living Centers, each covering a specific geographic area. The largest is the Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL) family of agencies:
Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL)
WNYIL is the primary ILC for the Buffalo and greater Erie County area. It operates multiple programs including independent living services, housing assistance, benefits advisement, and community integration. WNYIL also runs specialized programs for youth transitioning from school to adult life and for people moving out of institutional settings into community housing.
WNYIL's services include:
- Benefits advisement. Help understanding how working affects SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and other benefits. This is critical for workers who want to increase their earnings without losing essential health coverage or income support.
- Housing assistance. Support finding accessible and affordable housing, applying for Section 8 vouchers, and requesting reasonable modifications from landlords.
- Assistive technology. Assessment and referral for devices and tools that support independence at home and at work.
- Transition services. Programs for young adults (14–26) preparing for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
Other Regional Centers
Beyond WNYIL, several other ILCs serve the broader Western New York region:
- Center for Disability Rights (Rochester). Serves Monroe and surrounding counties. Strong advocacy programs, emergency services, and community education.
- Independent Living of the Genesee Region. Covers Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties with core IL services and community integration programs.
- RCIL (Resource Center for Independent Living). Serves Oneida, Herkimer, and surrounding counties. Comprehensive IL services including housing, employment, and youth programs.
How ILCs Support Employment
While ILCs are not employment agencies, their services directly support employment outcomes. Understanding the connection between independent living and employment success is important for workers and job seekers:
- Benefits counseling removes the fear of working. Many people with disabilities avoid increasing their work hours because they are afraid of losing SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid. ILC benefits advisors can model exactly how earnings affect each benefit, identify work incentives like Ticket to Work and PASS plans, and help you make informed decisions about employment without guessing. For a detailed overview of work incentives, see our guide on SSI and SSDI work incentives.
- Skills training builds workplace readiness. Computer skills, budgeting (for managing a paycheck), transportation navigation, and communication skills all transfer directly to the workplace.
- Advocacy supports accommodation requests. If you need help requesting a workplace accommodation or navigating a denial, ILC advocates can coach you through the process or accompany you to meetings. For practical self-advocacy strategies, see our guide on workplace self-advocacy.
- Peer counseling builds confidence. Talking with someone who has navigated employment with a disability — and succeeded — provides practical wisdom and emotional support that professional counseling alone cannot replicate.
How to Connect With an ILC
Accessing ILC services is straightforward:
- No referral required. You can contact any ILC directly by phone, email, or walk-in. You do not need a doctor's referral, a caseworker's approval, or any documentation to begin receiving services.
- Self-referral is the norm. The independent living model is built on self-determination. You identify your goals, and the ILC helps you build a plan to achieve them.
- Services are ongoing. Unlike time-limited programs, ILC support continues as long as you need it. You can return for different services at different stages of your life.
To find the ILC nearest to you, the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) maintains a directory of all 37 centers across the state. You can also call the WNYIL main office for referrals to the center serving your area.
ILCs and ACCES-VR (the state vocational rehabilitation agency) serve different but complementary functions. ACCES-VR focuses specifically on employment outcomes: job placement, training, and career development. ILCs focus on the broader independence that makes employment sustainable: housing, benefits, skills, and advocacy. Many people benefit from working with both simultaneously. For more on ACCES-VR, see our guide on vocational rehabilitation in New York.
Making the Most of ILC Services
A few practical suggestions for getting the most value from your ILC relationship:
- Come with goals, even rough ones. “I want to learn how to manage my own finances” or “I want to understand how working will affect my benefits” gives the ILC a starting point. You do not need a fully formed plan — they help you build one — but having a direction makes the process more productive.
- Use peer counseling. This is the service that most people overlook and that many people find most valuable. Talking with someone who shares your lived experience provides a kind of understanding that no amount of professional training can replicate.
- Ask about workshops and groups. Many ILCs run group programs on topics like financial literacy, technology skills, health and wellness, and community advocacy. These are free and provide both skill-building and social connection.
- Stay connected. ILC services are not one-and-done. Your needs will change as your career develops, your living situation evolves, and your goals shift. The ILC is a long-term resource, not a one-time consultation.
Independent Living Centers are one of the most comprehensive — and most underutilized — resources available to people with disabilities in Western New York. They provide free, self-directed services that address the full spectrum of independent living needs: housing, benefits, skills, advocacy, peer support, and the practical foundations that make employment success possible. If you have not connected with your local ILC, it is worth a phone call.