Boston Center for Independent Living, Inc.

CONTACT:

60 Temple Place 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
617-338-6665 x213
www.bostoncil.org

Bill Henning, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Getting around Boston on the T is no problem—if you aren’t disabled. But imagine trying to negotiate public transportation if you are! Now, thanks to BCIL and its partner, Greater Boston Legal Services, a landmark class-action lawsuit against the MBTA will change that: over the next five years, $310 million will be dedicated to making access to buses, subways, and stations available to all. This is one of many victories for BCIL, which was the second independent living center in the country, founded in 1974 by people with disabilities seeking full integration into society. They address the issue from both sides: empowering folks with disabilities with practical skills and self-confidence, and promoting access and accommodating changes in society at large. BCIL pushes ahead in many areas: housing, healthcare, long-term care, transportation, adaptive technology, communications, civil rights law, education, and employment. Over 5500 people annually benefit from its four core services: peer mentoring, skills training, information and referral, and advocacy. Most members of its staff and board have disabilities, so they are working both with professional expertise and from personal experience. Generally speaking, this is not an affluent constituency, so they need your support.

(2007: HUMAN SERVICES: Health & Aging: Disabilities: Physical)