WV State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)

Every three years, The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, or WVSILC, works with Centers for Independent Living and other partners to develop the State Plan for Independent Living, commonly known as the SPIL. The SPIL is more than a required document. It is the roadmap for how the state’s Independent Living Network will identify priorities, address barriers, strengthen services, and advance independent living for people with disabilities.

A strong SPIL does not begin in a conference room with a finished draft. It begins with listening. Public input is one of the most important parts of the SPIL process because the plan should reflect the real experiences of people with disabilities across the state. That includes people in rural communities, people with communication access needs, people from underserved communities, youth with disabilities, older adults, veterans, people living in institutions or at risk of institutionalization, and people who may not already be connected to Independent Living services.