Douglas J. Usiak, Principal Investigator of the RRTC-ILM and a long time Executive Director of the Western New York Independent Living Project, Inc. states… "In compiling and reviewing the material in this document, I believe centers that have not explored the aging network as a support for their mission and programming will find this manual to be a tremendous road map in understanding the systems to be navigated and a useful resource to help them identify and plan strategies to become an aging network partner. For those CILs who have identified the value of the aging network, this document will be a confirmation of their efforts, and a resource to verify the centers' continuing efforts to promote the independent living philosophy among both the aging institutional network and the elderly consumer with a disability, as we strive to provide longer quality of life issues free from institutional care and restrictive environments."