Cowichan Independent Living (CIL)

We here at CIL operate as a registered non-profit charitable society. Our centre is operated by persons living with disabilities for persons with disabilities. All of our programs and services that are developed and delivered through our society, are driven by our guiding principles that all persons with disabilities have the right to:

1. Live with dignity in their chosen community;
2. Participate in all aspects of their life;
3. Control and make decisions about their own lives.

Be a Part of the Movement!

Though the Independent Living movement is oriented around the needs of the disabled community, this movement involves all Canadians! Be a part of realizing our compelling vision! Contact us, or your local ILRC to discover how you too can help in your community!

Our Mission Statement:
Cowichan Independent Living promotes and enables the progressive process of persons living with disabilities taking responsibilities for the negotiation and management of personal and community resources.

Cowichan Independent Living (CIL) works to empower people with disabilities and to remove barriers so that responsible, self reliant people with disabilities can assume risks, make choices and contribute to society as they wish.


We are a member of Independent Living Canada (ILC). Independent Living Canada was founded in 1986 by the Independent Living movement membership. Independent Living Canada is the national umbrella organization representing and supporting the network of Independent Living Resource Centres at the national level. Their office is located in Ottawa, the Nation's Capital.

Independent Living Canada's primary activities include:

- promoting the development of ILRCs in Canadian communities;
- articulating and promoting the IL vision, philosophy and work of the ILRCs at the national level;
- providing organizational assistance, training and the implementation of programs to ILRCs; and
- acting as a liaison between the ILRCs, various federal government departments, and Members of Parliament

As one of twenty-eight Independent Living Centres,Cowichan Independent Living has been operating in the Cowichan Valley for over 17 years, serving over 20,000 people annually with 8 full-time paid staff, and over 20 volunteer staff.