The Independent Living Center

01/29/2026

We’re seeing a great turnout today at the Project Homeless Connect event at The Salvation Army. We’ll be here until 2 PM sharing information about the resources we offer, including housing assistance.

We want to thank The Salvation Army of Jasper and Newton Counties for hosting this event and bringing valuable resources to our community.

Project Homeless Connect is coming to Joplin! 🤝

Join us Thursday, January 29th from 10 AM–2 PM at The Salvation Army (320 E 8th St) as we connect individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with vital community resources and services.

01/28/2026

We will be set up at the Project Homeless Connect event tomorrow at the Salvation Army in Joplin from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. We’ll be sharing information about our programs and connecting individuals to resources that support stable, independent living.

Our services include:

- A housing referral program with set-aside units for those with disabilities.

- Assistance connecting individuals to housing resources, benefits, and supports.

- Attendant services and support groups for area veterans.

If you are currently experiencing homelessness, or at risk of losing housing, we encourage you to attend. Project Homeless Connect brings together multiple local organizations in one place to help individuals access information, support, and the next steps toward stability.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who may benefit.

01/26/2026

01/23/2026

Today we celebrate Ed Roberts who was born on this day in 1939. Roberts was a trailblazer who was instrumental in the Disability Rights movement and is widely recognized as the father of the Independent Living philosophy.

Roberts contracted polio at age 14 and became paralyzed from the chest down, living with significant physical disability throughout his life. Despite facing discrimination early on, including resistance from educational institutions, he forged a path that would empower thousands of people with disabilities nationwide.

His activism began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became the first student with severe disabilities to live and study on campus. There, he formed a disability rights group dubbed the “Rolling Quads,” which advocated for accessibility and equitable treatment. This group laid the foundation for broader activism, including the Physically Disabled Students Program, an early model for disability services directed by and for people with disabilities.

In 1972, Roberts and his peers established the first Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley. Unlike traditional service agencies, this new model emphasized peer support, consumer direction, and community advocacy, asserting that individuals with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs. Roberts’s approach went beyond mere accessibility; it championed self-determination, civil rights, and integration into community life, influencing federal policy and inspiring a nationwide network of centers.

Today, that legacy lives on in places like The Independent Living Center. Founded in 1994 as a consumer-driven center serving southwest Missouri, this nonprofit organization helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence through services such as advocacy, peer support, information/referral, attendant programs, accessible voting support, and community transition services. Like Roberts’ original vision, the center’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that people with disabilities should control their own lives and choices.

By promoting self-advocacy and inclusion, The Independent Living Center reflects the core tenets of the Independent Living movement that Roberts pioneered, ensuring that people with disabilities can live with dignity, autonomy, and active participation in their community.

01/23/2026

WEATHER UPDATE:

Due to the winter storm moving into our area, we’ll be canceling our Healthy Living class scheduled for Monday, January 26th.

We’ll keep you posted here with any additional updates. Please stay safe this weekend.

01/22/2026

ATTENTION:

We are currently hiring In-Home Attendants through our Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program in Carthage. In this role, attendants provide in-home support to individuals with disabilities, helping them maintain independence and quality of life.

If you're in the Carthage area and want meaningful work helping people stay in the comfort of their own homes, please call us to learn more.

(417)659-8086

01/22/2026

With a winter storm on the way, we want to make sure our neighbors are safe and prepared. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, our onsite food pantry is open and ready to help.

Stop by to get the support you need before the storm hits. Our welcoming, supportive space helps community members maintain independence, stay nourished, and feel supported during challenging times.

Also provided is a link that lists all of the warming centers in our area.

Please stay safe out there.

https://www.unitedwaymokan.org/warming-centers

01/21/2026

We’ll be at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo until 4 PM today! The theme this year is 100 Years of Route 66. Come by and learn more about the services and resources we provide for individuals with disabilities.

Located at Downstream Casino in the pavilion.

01/12/2026

FOR SALE: Quantum J6 Power Chair – $700

Did you know The Independent Living Center can help provide or locate Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for our consumers? This is an important part of our mission to increase the independence of people with disabilities. Through our DME program, we offer items such as walkers, rollators, grab bars, bath seats, and other mobility and safety equipment at lower costs than typically found elsewhere. We also receive larger items, including power chairs, which we are able to sell at significantly reduced prices.

We currently have a Quantum J6 Power Chair with a brand-new battery available for purchase.

Retail value: $4,000–$6,000

Our price: $700

All proceeds from this sale go directly back into services for our consumers, helping us continue to promote independence and accessibility within our community.

Sales are conducted at our office. Please feel free to call with any questions or to check availability.

(417)659-8086

01/12/2026

We are currently working on our first newsletter of the year, and we wanted to remind our followers that you can now sign up for the new email version that will be delivered straight to your inbox!

Our newsletter provides important updates regarding our programs, services, resources, activities and upcoming events available to our consumers.

We invite community members, partners, and supporters to sign up and stay informed about the work we do and the resources we provide.

Sign up by using the link below:

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

01/07/2026

Hearts and Hammers of Southwest MO have done it again and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and dedication! Thank you so much for your time, skill and effort.

For many individuals, something as simple as safely entering or exiting their home can be a daily barrier. Home modifications like wheelchair ramps remove those barriers and open the door to greater independence, safety, and freedom.

Our Home Modification Program helps individuals remain in their homes, stay connected to their communities, and live life on their own terms. By making homes more accessible, we’re not just changing structures—we’re changing lives.