Who We Are
Independent Living is a philosophy and a worldwide movement by people with disabilities for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities. All individuals have the right to choose the services that they want to receive and to make decisions about how to live their lives.
The purpose of the Independent Living Movement is to remove barriers for people with disabilities. Disabled people are entitled to have the same opportunities for raising families of their own, getting an education and working.
The outdated and predominantly medical view which portrays people with disabilities as sick continues to have negative and real consequences for all of society. Independent Living Centers across the country work towards empowering people with disabilities to live productive and independent lives within their communities.
Staff
The staff at MWCIL are experts on the available services, skills and advocacy needed to support and promote independent living. Most have personal experience with disabilities, and understand the challenges that people with disabilities might encounter. Counselors and Coordinators work one-on-one so that consumers have all the information they need to make their own best choices. Independent Living Coordinators work on long term goals. Options Counselors work on a short term basis to provide support and information so that individuals can remain in the community.
“Your people at the CIL must come to understand that their job is to provide Permission, Encouragement and Support. That is it. No less and no more. They can do it. Each is capable. But they gotta wanna.” —Roland Sykes, 2004
Sadie, Executive Director
Rose, Assistant Director
Danya – Director of Services
Dan – Independent Living Coordinator
Lou – Independent Living Coordinator
Brittney – Options Counselor
Susan – Community Transition Coordinator
Sue – Information and Social Networking Specialist
Board of Directors
President: Tyler Terrasi, Framingham
Vice President: Sebastian Leu, Framingham
Treasurer: Michael Kennedy, Milbury
Clerk: Kay Bell, Sudbury
Member: Youcef J. (Joe) Bellil, Holden
Member: Jessica Podesva, Holbrook
Executive Director: Sadie Simone, Acton
Mission
MWCIL enhances the full participation of persons with disabilities in the community.
Vision
All people with disabilities are empowered to choose how they experience Independent Living.
History of MWCIL
Greater Framingham Association of Disabled Citizens (GFA) – 1981
GFA formed in 1981 as part of the Community Advocacy Project of the MA Developmental Disabilities Law Center (Now the Disability Law Center). Their early successes included breaking down barriers to adequate healthcare in community hospitals, bringing paratransit services to the Framingham area, attacking discrimination and providing peer support to its members.
GFA joins Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) – 1986
In order to have more locally controlled independent living services, BCIL established a satellite office in Framingham. This office was staffed and governed jointly by both organizations.
GFA Independent Living Center (GFAILC) – 1990
The satellite office became Massachusetts’ tenth independent living center. The GFA Board of Trustees assumed responsibility for its governance.
MetroWest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL) – 1996
The name was changed in 1996 to accurately reflect the geographic area of 26 cities and towns in the MetroWest area.
1990s – Today
In 2023, Sadie Simone became Executive DIrector. Rose Quinn was Acting Director during the interim. Paul Spooner was Executive Director from 1992 – 2022.
MetroWest Center for Independent Living offers the 5 core services to people with disabilities in our service area. Although we are one of the smaller centers in the state, MWCIL provides leadership and a voice on almost every major advocacy issue in the disability community. MWCIL staff have played key roles in the MassHealth PCA program, as well as in the development of the Options Counseling program.
Our expertise in local and state services, as well as civil rights, has allowed the MWCIL staff to empower many many people with disabilities in the MetroWest area. Many people who would have been stuck in institutions are now living independently in the community, thanks to the free services at MWCIL.
Video about MWCIL