WEST CENTRAL INDEPENDENT LIVING SOLUTIONS

WILS organizational goal is to continue our mission, diversifying financial sustainability while serving those that need assistance. WILS will remain a leader advocating on critical disability issues and continue to work one-on-one with individuals with disabilities, offering programs and services or connecting them to community resources which allow them to achieve and maintain their independence which will enable them to live as independently as possible. WILS works within communities, and on the state and federal levels towards the removal of barriers, as we explore measures to promote social participation, ranging from health and rehabilitation to education and employment. WILS envisions a community where all individuals can participate fully, unencumbered by physical or attitudinal barriers. In order to accomplish this vision, we endeavor to direct the public sector to promote equality for persons with disabilities; by instilling strategies and proposed policies which will reduce or eliminate environmental barriers and discrimination in contributing to poverty and exclusion.

Strategies for inclusion of people with disabilities involves practices and policies designed to identify and remove barriers such as physical, communication, and attitudinal, which hampers the individuals' ability to have full participation in society, just as a person without a disability.
Meeting the complex needs of a person with a disability can cause a great deal of stress – emotional, financial, and even physical. However, finding resources, knowing what to expect, and planning for the future can greatly improve overall quality of life. Following the Independent Living Philosophy of Choice, Control and Change; WILS is able to either directly provide or directly refer individuals with special needs to programs and services specifically targeted towards their needs. Independent living is about people with disabilities having a voice, giving them Choices, which allows them to take Control over their everyday lives and making the Changes they wish to make in order for them to live as independently as they wish to live and participate in their community and society as much as they desire.
Disability is a development issue, capabilities for individuals with disabilities greatly depends on external conditions which can be modified by local, state and federal government action. WILS staff is experienced on advocating on behalf of individuals, as well as, being instrumental in providing individual and systems advocacy on the local, state and federal levels.
WILS is continually strive to find self-sustaining, beneficial opportunities to grow and expand programs and services that improve quality of life, environment, and support our mission of empowering people with disabilities to achieve and maintain their independence.

WILS independent living programs work to support community living and independence for individuals with disabilities, based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. WILS programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.
WILS is a Center for Independent Living (CIL); a community-based, non-residential, cross-disability, non-profit organization designed, operated by and governed by a staff which at least 51% have a significant disability. Individuals with disabilities, serving people with disabilities, tend to serve as excellent role models, often providing motivation and assistance with developing strategies while offering understanding. CILs are unique in that we operate according to the philosophy of consumer control. Community-based, means services are designed to meet the needs specific to the person so they can live as independently as possible in their own home, in their community.

Responses to disability have changes, prompted largely by the self-organization of people with disabilities. From WILS humble beginning in 1997 of offering few services and programs WILS have steadily grown to an organization which increased the independent living for over 5,000 individuals over the last 5 years in a 6 county, rural area of west-central Missouri.
WILS understands the importance of the fight for disability rights and equal opportunities. Compared to other social programs, the independent living movement accomplishments are only milestones with a very long journey ahead of us. A broad social change upon a critical mass of people in all areas must occur; people must change their beliefs, attitudes, and understanding of disability issues which is necessary to ensure equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
We face great challenges but we embrace our vision of a community where all individuals can participate fully, unencumbered by physical or attitudinal barriers.