DIAL, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living, which is part of a statewide network of non-residential centers designed and operated to provide services to individuals with significant disabilities. DIAL, Inc. is organized and operated as a 501 © 3 non-profit agency. These services include: Information and Referral, Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Facilitating Community Transition. The agency has a 44 year history of serving consumers living with disabilities that reside in Passaic and Essex Counties. DIAL, Inc. promotes the full inclusion of all people living with disabilities into society and encourage our consumers and the community at large to seek involvement in this self-governing organization to the fullest extent.

New Jersey’s Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are private, not-for-profit, community-based, grass roots organizations created to be run by and for people with disabilities, and offer support, advocacy and information in the attainment of independence from a peer viewpoint.  Independent Living is a Philosophy, Movement and Culture aimed at empowering persons with disabilities to achieve their highest level of independence while remaining in their respective communities!  CIL’s provide support and services to individuals with all types of disabilities, of all ages including the elderly.  CIL’s are dedicated to increasing the availability of the invaluable and cost-effective services they provide.

There are 11 CILs in New Jersey, covering the entire state, and over 500 throughout the United States, Last year, over 21,400 individuals with disabilities and their families were assisted through CILs.  The concepts of choice, consumer control, freedom and independence have been the guiding principles of each CILs since the founding of the first center in Berkeley, Ca in the mid 1960’s.

Each CIL is mandated to provide 5 core services. These are:  Informational and Referral Services, Advocacy (systems and individual), Peer Support and Independent Living Skills Instruction (examples include: teaching budgeting, shopping and meal preparation skills, using the public transportation service and maintaining one’s home) and more recently the addition of Transition Services including:

• Facilitation of the transition of individuals with significant disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to home and community‐based residences, with the requisite supports and services;

• Assistance to individuals with significant disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions so that the individuals may remain in the community; and

• Facilitation of the transition of youth who are individuals with significant disabilities, who were eligible for IEPs under section 614(d) of IDEA, and who have completed their secondary education or otherwise left school, to post secondary life.

In addition, many Centers provide social and recreation opportunities, teach employment readiness skills, offer health and wellness instructions, provide emergency preparedness trainings, as well voter rights and education workshops.  Last year, the centers registered over 700 people with disabilities throughout the state.