About Us
People with Disabilities Living Independently
The Center for Independent Living of the Keys (CIL of the Keys) is one of over 400 Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in the United States.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are nonresidential, cross-disability, grassroots, non-profit advocacy organizations. CILs are unique, in that they exist to increase access, self-sufficiency, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities while being designed and operated by people with disabilities. CIL of the Keys is governed by an active 7-member volunteer board of directors and specialized staff both formed by 51% of people with all types of disabilities who have diverse expertise, and include representation from minority and underserved populations.
CIL of the Keys first started as a satellite office from a larger CIL in 1998. In 2000, we became a 501(c)(3) organization founded by a group of people with disabilities and their families to provide advocacy services to their peers in the Florida Keys. Today, CIL of the Keys has advanced to become a well-established organization serving more than 1,200 people with disabilities every year, many of them receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
CIL of the Keys programs are free to anyone, of any age, who self-identifies as having a disability (see our Who We Serve page for more information) and lives in Monroe County, Florida. For the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, CIL of the Keys serves the following counties: Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Miami, Monroe, and Port Charlotte. Please visit our Programs page for an explanation of all the programs we provide.
CIL of the Keys provides support to people with disabilities in the form of advocacy, resources, and information so that they can live their lives with the greatest degree of independence they desire. If you, or someone you know, would like to explore the different programs CIL of the Keys offers to help you achieve the greatest degree of independence you want in life, please contact us today!