The Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Independent Living Management (RRTC-ILM) embraces, supports and emulates the principles of the independent living (IL) philosophy that encompasses consumer control, self-help, advocacy, peer relationships, peer role models and empowerment. The RRTC-ILM fosters the IL philosophy, empowering independent living centers (ILCs) to become more fully integrated within their communities, by identifying and applying best practices from inside and outside the ILC network.

The RRTC-ILM has a culturally diverse, cross-disability, consumer controlled Steering Council composed of executive directors of ILCs and of State Independent Living Councils (SILCs) representing all ten federal regions. The Steering Council oversees the planning and implementation of the RRTC-ILM's proposed research and training programs to ensure that they meet the diverse needs of all ILCs. Through the Principal Investigator, the Steering Council will coordinate the implementation of seven projects, each responding directly to one of seven NIDRR sub-priorities for the RRTC-ILM. The projects will enable participating ILCs to become major stakeholders in their own communities, strengthening their service, educational, and community programs by:

Developing a database containing the information required to develop and implement related research, training and dissemination projects. The database will be the repository of information on ILC innovative and best practices for replication and implementation by other ILCs;

Working in collaboration with business agencies, designing and developing options for generating funding from alternative sources. Implementing business development strategies, analyzing policy-related and programmatic consequences of various funding options including non-traditional sources;

Identifying best practices from IL based models and developing test programs for ILCs to expand their services to youth with disabilities and their families, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Interfacing with existing educational and transitional programs to prepare youth for independent living;

Developing and testing strategies to enable ILCs to benefit from effective management models of other successful community-based non-profit organizations. Replicating those models and developing related training programs for center development. This includes training to improve the core competency skills in culturally and linguistically diverse ILC staff, and to evaluate strategies for improved recruitment and retention of ILC staff from diverse backgrounds;

Investigating ILC and vocational rehabilitation agency practices related to collaborations, and designing strategies to encourage innovative partnerships to promote employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities;

Coordinating activities and providing instruments, curricula, methodologies, resource guides, and research findings through distance learning, web-based technologies and alternate learning modes to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) training and technical assistance providers.

The RRTC-ILM's mission is to provide information and training to ILCs to achieve their social and business missions. Achieving both is key to the long-term success of the IL philosophy and community integration of all persons with disabilities. Applying best practices is the surest route to sharing proven success. Through the RRTC-ILM's programs, ILCs will become more entrepreneurial in their social mission by providing diverse, high quality employment, education and advocacy programs. ILCs will become more competitive in their business mission by becoming the center of community programs.

To accomplish our ambitious mission, the RRTC-ILM recruited nationally recognized professionals and organizations to aid in the identification of agencies' needs, development of training programs, and the implementation of educational efforts as defined by the Steering Council. For quality assurance, the RRTC-ILM continuously evaluates its methodologies and offerings, testing them for relevance and value to ILCs and their stakeholders.

The RRTC-ILM is a member of The Western New York Independent Living Project, Inc. family of Agencies.

It is funded jointly by the U.S. Office of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).