What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Disability Empowerment Center

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United States
Lancaster, PA
Disability Empowerment Center

We offer assistance to individuals with disabilities in working toward self-identified independent living goals who live in Lancaster and Lebanon.

The Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) is the Center for Independent Living (CIL) for people with diverse disabilities in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Read more about the history of the Centers for Independent Living, by clicking here. Established in 2002, DEC is a private, nonprofit, nonresidential organization run by and for people with disabilities. We dedicate our efforts to attaining equal opportunity and full participation of people with diverse disabilities in all aspects of life in our community. Through all of our individual and collective efforts, we work to eliminate barriers, ensure access, protect civil rights, and affect positive social change. DEC provides free and confidential services that prioritize self-determination, consumer control and personal choice to individuals of all ages, and with all types of disabilities. DEC was founded as an outreach office to the Center for Independent Opportunities, located in York, Pennsylvania. In 2007, DEC became an autonomous center for Independent Living which services Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. The Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) is a registered not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) Independent Living council organization, funded under federal contract with the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the United States Department of Education under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

09/22/2025

Wishing everyone a sweet and prosperous New Year on this Rosh Hashanah! May your year be filled with joy, health, and blessings. Shana Tova! http://ow.ly/kHh930sJ2R3

09/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We also recognize the courage of first responders, the strength of survivors, and the resilience of our nation.

💙 May this Patriots Day remind us to stand strong in the face of challenges, united in the spirit of hope and perseverance.

09/08/2025

🌟 Happy Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week! 🌟
🗓 September 7–13, 2025

This week, we celebrate the extraordinary compassion, dedication, and hard work of DSPs across Pennsylvania who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with autism. 💙

DSPs are more than caregivers—they are mentors, advocates, and friends who empower the people they support to live meaningful, independent lives. Your unwavering commitment makes a difference not only this week, but every single day of the year.

🙏 Thank you, DSPs, for all that you do! 💪❤️

Proclamation by the Governor

WHEREAS, direct support professionals are integral to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, regardless of their age; and

WHEREAS, a direct support professional assists an individual with disabilities daily with the most intimate needs and provides a broad range of support, from preparing meals and medications, to personal care, to transporting clients to school, work, and other activities; and

WHEREAS, the assistance that direct support professionals provide allows individuals with disabilities to help maintain connections with their friends, family, and community while enabling them to lead fulfilling lives; and

WHEREAS, direct support professionals build close, respectful, and trusted relationships with the individuals they serve; and

WHEREAS, the participation of direct support professionals in medical care planning is critical to the successful management of medical events, post-acute care, and long term support and services; and

WHEREAS, the direct support professionals community encapsulates a multitude of professions, including but not limited to direct care workers, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and paraprofessionals, all of which share an equal role in providing long term support and services for millions of individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, direct support professionals have worked tirelessly to support individuals with disabilities, and their dedication will continue to make the Commonwealth an inclusive and safe place for all.

THEREFORE, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS' WEEK to encourage all Pennsylvanians to recognize and appreciate the dedication and contributions that these providers make to enhance the lives of their clients.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this nineteenth day of August two thousand twenty-five, the year of the Commonwealth the two hundred fiftieth.
~ Governor Josh Shapiro

08/28/2025

📢 We’re excited to share some great news!

The Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living (RTFCIL) and the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) are collaborating to deliver high-quality, consumer-driven services within our respective service areas.

This partnership will bring even more resources and support to our community, reflecting our shared commitment to strengthening, stabilizing, and expanding the core services of Independent Living in our communities.

For more information or to request services, please use the following contact information:

Phone: (570) 327-9070 or (800) 984-7492

Email: office@cilncp.org

Website: www.cilncp.org

We look forward to this next chapter of growth, collaboration, and empowerment — together, for the communities we serve.

08/13/2025

Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council Will hold its quarterly board meeting this Thursday, August 14th 2025 via Zoom. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. The link to register will be in the first comment.

07/20/2025

Come support the 14th Annual March for the Fallen!

📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
📍 Location: Fort Indiantown Gap
🌧️ Rain or Shine

Choose your challenge:

🏃‍♂️ 5K Run/Walk
🚶‍♀️ 14-Mile and 28-Mile Light or Heavy March
🚴‍♂️ 28-Mile Hand Cycle
🌐 Virtual Participation
Register now: runsignup.com

Order your T-shirts by Sunday, August 27 at 11:59 PM: totalidentitysolutions.chipply.com

Let's come together to honor and remember. 💙

07/15/2025

Nothing is changing about Medicaid right now. Any changes resulting from the budget reconciliation bill passed on July 4th will happen over time. You can still apply for Medicaid, renew your coverage, and access healthcare as usual. Be sure to update your contact info with the County Assistance Office to ensure you get important updates and renewal paperwork.

Read more about how to update your information with Medicaid here: http://bit.ly/4nJAE8x

07/14/2025

Through our ChildProtect Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is proud to offer free vaccines to children 0-18 years of age who do not have health insurance or have Medical Assistance (Medicaid).

On Monday, July 21, our team will hold a clinic at Family Medicine Susquehanna in Marietta where vaccines to protect against chicken pox, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Hib, Hepatitis A + B, HPV, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus will be available.

Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend signing up at 717-544-3811.

07/13/2025

For individuals with disabilities, the road to becoming an independent adult can be challenging. A new film finds one man on the cusp of this transition seeking advice from notable disability activists.

07/10/2025

In today's Circle of Peers, they made vision boards! 🌟 What goals are you dreaming about?

Address

941 Wheatland Avenue, Ste B-1
Lancaster, PA
17603

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.decpa.org/

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Our Story

The Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) is the Center for Independent Living (CIL) for people with diverse disabilities in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.

Read more about the history of the Centers for Independent Living, by clicking here.

Established in 2002, DEC is a private, nonprofit, nonresidential organization run by and for people with disabilities. We dedicate our efforts to attaining equal opportunity and full participation of people with diverse disabilities in all aspects of life in our community.

Through all of our individual and collective efforts, we work to eliminate barriers, ensure access, protect civil rights, and affect positive social change.