The Full Form of RCIL is‍ Resource Center for Independent Living.

RCIL provides relevant, creative, and innovative leadership to advance the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and presses for social progress that allows for all human beings to be integrated, participating members of our society.

As a civil rights organization, RCIL offers a wide range of independent living and advocacy services for and — most importantly — with people with disabilities.  Together, we strive to promote the belief that it is a basic human right to participate in society as self-determining individuals, choosing our own paths and contributing to the advancement of our families, our professions, and our communities.

Independence is the key to the successful achievement of our goals.  RCIL helps individuals of all ages and types of disability to obtain the community supports and services they need to live independently.  Whether this means getting an education, obtaining competitive employment, or living in one’s own home, our programs are designed to provide a full spectrum of support and advocacy. 

With more than 2,500 employees in 38 counties across Upstate New York, RCIL is the largest independent living center in the state and one of the largest in the nation.  This dedicated and committed staff works every day to promote individual rights and the unique abilities of each person.  Through all stages of life, RCIL is there to ensure that individuals have the services and supports they need to thrive on their own terms.

RCIL’s Mission

The RCIL mission is to ensure a fully accessible, integrated society that enables full participation by people with disabilities.

RCIL promotes a dynamic environment where society and the individual mutually benefit from a world with no limits. This is accomplished by promoting and achieving excellence in consumer-controlled, self-directed services in programs, education, advocacy, research, and information retrieval and dissemination. These services are self-directed and geared toward increasing awareness of an individual’s rights and options as well as the various methods to achieve chosen goals.

It is fundamental that all advocacy, programming, and services ensure confidentiality, guard against exploitation, paternalism, and segregation, thus safeguarding the principle of consumer empowerment.

Core Values Statement

This organization believes that the widespread poverty, segregation, and isolation of people with disabilities is unacceptable, should not be tolerated, and requires change. We feel an obligation to make positive systemic changes through education and legislation and to provide full access, power, and self-determination to those with disabilities. With a focus on integration and assisting people to reach their greatest potential, we will support a culture that encourages risk-taking, creativity, and innovation. To address broader public policy issues, we will be committed and deliberate in speaking about the problems and obstacles faced by people with disabilities. We shall exist as an organization that on all levels abides by a living code of ethics which mandates respect, appreciation, honesty, integrity, empathy, trust, and accountability.

What does RCIL do?

The core functions performed by all independent living centers include peer counseling, independent living skills training, information and referral, individual and system advocacy, and transition services.  RCIL provides those basic services and so much more.

From Advocacy and Accessibility to Adult and Senior Services, Home-Based Services, Youth Services, and Employment Services, RCIL provides a wide range of assistance for individuals with disabilities to live independently.  As the regional expert on disability issues, RCIL advocates for the rights of individuals and serves as a clearinghouse for information, a resource for adaptive technology, and a source for guidance about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Olmstead decision, and other legislation related to disability rights.