are committed to promoting the Independent Living Philosophy
WV Statewide Independent Living Council
The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council was established under the 1992 amendments of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which has since been amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014. Council members are appointed by the Governor and include representatives from the West Virginian Independence Network (WIN), the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS), and other state agencies that provide services for individuals with disabilities.
The Council consists of twenty-four voting members and seven ex-officio non-voting members. A majority of the members are individuals with disabilities who are not employed by a center for independent living or by a state agency. This means that the council is consumer controlled and directed, in keeping with the independent living philosophy.
The independent living philosophy is one of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society. Additionally, people with disabilities are the experts on their own needs, have crucial and valuable perspectives to contribute to society, and deserve equal opportunities to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities.
The Council meets on the first Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. All meetings are open to the public. If you have an issue you would like the Council to address, or if you would like to speak at a meeting, contact the SILC office two weeks prior to the scheduled Council meeting. The SILC values the input of individuals across the state and wants to know about your needs and concerns.
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission: The mission of the WVSILC is to promote the value, equality, full-inclusion, and freedom of choice of all West
Virginians with disabilities.
Vision: WVSILC is a diverse cross-disability group united to ensure the respect, value, and equality of all West Virginians with disabilities.
Values: WVSILC practices and believes in:
- Equality – People with disabilities are entitled, as are all human beings, to respect, dignity, and impartial access to opportunities to advance. Civil and human rights apply to people with disabilities. All people are equal before the law.
- Integration – People with disabilities belong in the community. They have a fundamental right to be fully included and to actively participate in all aspects of society.
- Value – People with disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities, and inherent value, not by their disability.
- Changing systems – We work with others to change systems to ensure people with disabilities have open access to participate fully and that they receive just, impartial treatment that is free from bias and discrimination.
- Advocacy – We share information about the realities experienced by people with disabilities. We work with others to increase understanding and to promote change that brings full integration in law, in practice and throughout society.
Fair Shake Initiative
FSI is dedicated to seeing that people with disabilities get a "fair shake" by providing an effective voice in the development of public policy that affects their lives.
FSI provides education and systems advocacy on issues that affects the lives of people with disabilities through statewide, grassroots, cross-disability activities, and supports individuals with disabilities and their families by so they can effectively engage in the legislative process.
WV Independence Network (WIN)
Our WIN partners empower West Virginians living with disabilities through advocacy, skills training, I&R, transition services and peer support. WIN centers provide resources that allow disabled West Virginians to make choices for their lives and advocate for their needs.
Disability History Essay Contest
The Disability History Essay Contest is a partnership with the WV State Rehabilitation Council and the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services that coincides with WV Disability History Week and is open to all WV high school seniors.
This annual contest is designed to provide WV high school seniors with an opportunity to showcase their writing skills, share what they have learned about disability issues in their community, use their ability to form and express opinions, and perhaps to earn some money!
This is also an opportunity for young adults to become involved in the disability movement, gain leadership skills, and become an advocate by joining the Council and/or Youth Committee.
Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS)
In 1999, the West Virginia legislature passed the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) Act, creating a consumer-controlled program to enable people with severe disabilities to live in their own homes and communities. The RYPAS program provides resources for individuals with severe disabilities to hire a personal assistant to help them perform essential daily living tasks.
