Center for Independent Living - Berkeley

Center for Independent Living - Berkeley CIL supports and empowers people who aspire to achieve beyond the boundaries of the expectations

The Center for Independent Living (TheCIL) provides advocacy and services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the community. Our programs provide people with skills, knowledge, and resources that empower them to eliminate damaging and stereotypical notions of disability to strive toward realizing their full human potential. We emerged from the independent living movement of the 1960s as a powerful social catalyst on the University of California at Berkeley campus. There, Ed Roberts, Hale Zukas, and Jan McEwan Brown joined forces to lead a movement that made the university's full academic and social life accessible to all. On March 3, 1972, these students and community members joined The Center for Independent Living, Inc. From 1975 to 2011, our headquarters were located near the UC Berkeley campus on 2539 Telegraph Avenue. There, we provided services for people with disabilities that included wheelchair repair, assistance finding accessible and affordable housing, and vocational training. TheCIL also hosted the first national conference on independent living in 1975. Our peer-based services were so successful that today we serve as a model for roughly 400 independent living centers nationwide, as well as similar programs in 20 countries.

03/18/2026

Award-winning filmmaker, disability rights activist, and Crip Camp co-director Jim LeBrecht shares a powerful message in celebration of the Center for Independent Living’s 54th Anniversary during our Artichoke Gala.

A reminder of the stories, leadership, and movement that continue to shape disability justice.

03/18/2026

A special moment from this past Saturday, March 14, at the Ed Roberts Campus 💜

Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii congratulates the Center for Independent Living on its 54th Anniversary during our Artichoke Gala.

A powerful reminder of the impact of community, advocacy, and the work ahead to advance disability rights.

🚨 Get Ready!Personal Preparedness TrainingEmergencies can happen anytime. Join us for a FREE 1-hour training to learn si...
03/11/2026

🚨 Get Ready!
Personal Preparedness Training

Emergencies can happen anytime. Join us for a FREE 1-hour training to learn simple steps to stay safe and prepared.

✔️ Make a plan
✔️ Get prepared
✔️ Stay informed
✔️ Build your emergency readiness

📅 March 27, 2026
⏰ 2:00 – 3:00 PM
📍 Ed Roberts Campus – Osher Rooms
3075 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA

🎒 Emergency kits will be provided to attendees!

🔗 Register here: http://bit.ly/4tJTK1x

In Memoriam: The Patty Berne Award.At CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration, we recognize Sins Invalid, a disability justic...
03/08/2026

In Memoriam: The Patty Berne Award.

At CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration, we recognize Sins Invalid, a disability justice–based performance project and movement-building organization that celebrates disability culture, creativity, and community.

This award honors the legacy of Patty Berne, co-founder of Sins Invalid and a visionary leader whose work helped shape the disability justice movement.

Through art, storytelling, and organizing, Sins Invalid continues to challenge ableism and advance liberation, dignity, and belonging.

In memoriam: The Barbara Lubin Award.At CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration, we honor the legacy of Barbara Lubin, founde...
03/08/2026

In memoriam: The Barbara Lubin Award.

At CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration, we honor the legacy of Barbara Lubin, founder of the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) and a lifelong advocate for justice, dignity, and human rights.

Through decades of work, MECA has supported children, families, and communities across the Middle East while advancing solidarity, humanitarian aid, and grassroots organizing.

This award recognizes the enduring impact of Barbara Lubin’s leadership and the ongoing work to uphold justice, compassion, and humanity.

We’re proud to recognize Jessica Lehman as one of the Artichoke Award honorees at CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration. Re...
03/05/2026

We’re proud to recognize Jessica Lehman as one of the Artichoke Award honorees at CIL’s 54th Anniversary Celebration.

Recognized as a Disability Justice Changemaker, this honor celebrates leadership and commitment to advancing disability rights, access, and inclusion.

We’re grateful to celebrate changemakers helping build a more inclusive future.

CIL54

Join us for CIL’s 54th Anniversary: Radical Roots, Collective Futures.We are proud to honor Congresswoman Lateefah Simon...
03/04/2026

Join us for CIL’s 54th Anniversary: Radical Roots, Collective Futures.

We are proud to honor Congresswoman Lateefah Simon with the Artichoke Award for Disability Justice Changemaker, recognizing her lifelong commitment to civil rights, disability justice, and community power.

Be part of an inspiring evening featuring dinner, drinks, live performances, and community celebration.

📅 March 14
📍 Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA

RSVP: https://bit.ly/4cj5kKu

03/03/2026

New Episode of The Independent Podcast

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Victor Pineda and Scot Danforth reflect on the life and legacy of Ed Roberts, a pioneering leader of the disability rights movement.

Together, they explore the origins of the independent living movement, the power of community and activism, and the ongoing fight for equity and access. The episode also dives into the intersection of disability and race, the importance of intimacy and sexuality in disabled lives, and why continued advocacy and policy change remain essential.

This is a conversation about history, justice, identity, and the work still ahead.

Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4r4ok3f
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4la6c6X

Join us in celebrating Katherine Sherwood, our Artichoke Award Honoree at CIL’s 54th Anniversary!A true Disability Justi...
03/03/2026

Join us in celebrating Katherine Sherwood, our Artichoke Award Honoree at CIL’s 54th Anniversary!

A true Disability Justice Visionary Artist, Katherine’s work challenges, inspires, and redefines what inclusion and creativity look like.

“I decided to be an artichoke: a little prickly on the outside with a big heart on the inside.” – Ed Roberts

Celebrate community, impact, dinner & drinks, live performances, and a powerful evening honoring leaders shaping disability justice.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4cj5kKu

Join us for CIL’s 54th Anniversary Event: Radical Roots, Collective Futures — Forging Access for All.We are proud to hon...
03/02/2026

Join us for CIL’s 54th Anniversary Event: Radical Roots, Collective Futures — Forging Access for All.

We are proud to honor Ryan Manriquez as a Disability Justice Changemaker at this year’s Artichoke Award Gala. Ryan’s leadership reflects the courage, vision, and community power that drive the disability justice movement forward.

Celebrate with us on:

Saturday, March 14, 2026
5:00–9:00 PM
Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA

Dinner • Live performance by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir • Artichoke Awards • Silent auction

Reserve your seat: https://bit.ly/4cj5kKu

We’re proud to share that the Center for Independent Living has received grant funding from to expand our CodeStars and...
02/27/2026

We’re proud to share that the Center for Independent Living has received grant funding from to expand our CodeStars and Digital Equity Ambassador programs, disability affirming workforce pathways focused on digital equity, arts, and technology.

This funding will help us leverage a new accessible computer lab, expand our digital and technology training series, integrate Salesforce supported digital training and certification opportunities, and increase paid peer led experiences that advance digital inclusion and employment for people with disabilities.

Thank you to Ability Central for investing in this important work.

You’re invited to CIL’s 54th Anniversary Event: Radical Roots, Collective Futures: Forging Access for All.Join the Cente...
02/27/2026

You’re invited to CIL’s 54th Anniversary Event: Radical Roots, Collective Futures: Forging Access for All.

Join the Center for Independent Living for an inspiring evening celebrating community leadership, creativity, and collective impact, with a special tribute to Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, our Disability Justice Public Champion honoree. A lifelong advocate for civil rights and community power, her presence reflects the bold, movement-driven future we are building together.

Saturday, March 14, 2026
5:00–9:00 PM
Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

Dinner • Live performance by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir • Artichoke Awards • Silent auction

Reserve your seat: https://bit.ly/4cj5kKu

Address

3075 Adeline Street Suite 100
Berkeley, CA
94703

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Center for Independent Living - Berkeley posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Center for Independent Living - Berkeley:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram