About Florida Statewide Independent Living Council (FILC)
The Florida Statewide Independent Living Council (FILC) was established in 1999 by amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and is a statutory requirement under Federal laws. The FILC is designed to maintain independence and not exist within any state agency, to ensure autonomy of the Independent Living (IL) Program in Florida.
The FILC’s is responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the State Plan for Independent Living, a three-year strategic plan for Florida to work towards goals of greater access, inclusion and independence; coordinating activities with other entities that provide services similar or complementary to Independent Living Services; assisting to develop the network of Centers for Independent Living; and conduct regular meetings of the Council that are open to the public.
We achieve our goals in working with the 15 Centers for Independent Living, working with state agencies in Florida, and educating the community. Our role is not to provide direct services to individuals, but to help advance and develop Independent Living and the disability community in Florida.
The FILC is committed to promoting a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy, in order to maximize leadership, empowerment, independence, productivity and to support full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.
The Council operates with 11 Governor-appointed members who provide statewide representation, have a broad range of individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, genders, and who are knowledgeable about CILs and IL services.
Existing Executive Order Continuance and Reauthorization of the Florida Independent Council