Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT)

Providing Independent Living Services to persons of all ages and disabilities across 18 Eastern Montana Counties

INDEPENDENT LIVING PHILOSOPHY

All Independent Living Centers believe in the Independent Living Philosophy as a basic foundation from which we provide both consumer and community services. Independent living is based on the value that people with disabilities have the right to control their own lives and that disability is a natural part of the human experience.

Key elements of this philosophy are:

Consumer control – We believe that the consumer should set their own goals and take the lead in achieving them

Self help and self advocacy –We believe the importance of educating ourselves, asserting our rights and taking action on our own behalf.

Peer support – We believe we can learn from and support one another through the bond of shared experience.

Inclusion – We believe each person has unique ideas, talents and contributions which are to be valued. We believe in equal access and participation for all.

Cross-disability –We recognize the importance of including ALL people, regardless of disability.

Diverse cultural back ground – We recognize that disability transcends race, gender, ethnicity, religion, economics and sexual orientation.

Social change – We focus on changing society vs. “fixing” the individual. This movement is at its core one of human and civil rights.

Leadership development- We instill in each other the skills and confidence needed to grow as leaders and assume leadership roles within the independent living movement and society at large.

Rights and responsibilities –We believe that personal power and independence come not only through the existence of human and civil rights but also from assuming responsibility for our needs and owning the consequences of our actions.

For more information visit our website: http://www.liftt.org

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LIFTT

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Independently-for-Today-and-Tomorrow-LIFTT/129895870365539