Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) celebrated its 35th anniversary at newly renovated central Harlem offices on August 13. HILC has served the Harlem disability community since 1990 as one of six independent living centers in the city. HILC provides independent living services that enable people with disabilities to live independently, make their own choices, advocate, and take risks. The renovated space expanded from three offices, three cubicles, and one conference room to eight cubicles, a conference room, two meeting rooms, a training room, and five offices. Spaces were intentionally designed to accommodate people with intellectual and other disabilities. Advocacy for accessible transit and housing has been a focus for community members.
Being young, Black, and disabled is really hard. I got my disability in 2011, and I didn't really have anyone there for me. The resources that they're bringing to this neighborhood [are] needed a lot.
We provide independent living services to people with disabilities, mainly to make sure that they live independently, they make their own choices and decisions, they are free to advocate for what they want, and [can] take risks like everybody else,
We used to only have three offices and three cubicles in the same space, and one conference room. Now, when you come, you have eight cubicles, you have the conference room, two meeting rooms, one training room, and ... five offices,
All the spaces are also intentionally designed, including [for] people who have intellectual disabilities and folks who have other unknown disabilities.
Collection
[
|
...
]