Who we are as Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
As a Center for Independent Living, our beginning was the result of the civil rights movement that recognized the inalienable rights of each and every human being. The heart and soul of MCIL is that we actively pursue the elevation of the equality of each person’s inalienable rights to have and achieve their goals and to live the fullness of life as they best determine.
By encouraging a focus on assets, on aspirations, and on identifying known barriers and constraints, we work with the individual on a pathway to overcome barriers and to discover access and the possibilities to realize their goals, their aspirations, whether that is for better housing, competitive employment, financial benefits planning leading to better prosperity, pursuit of benefits for greater security, as examples, the person has an active plan to then overcome barriers and to pursue their choices for a better life, a life of independent living. Over time, MCIL has developed programs, influenced the development of policies, and served thousands of individuals with disabilities in the seven-county metro area to achieve independent living and accessible integration with and in community.
The independent living philosophy MCIL practices emphasizes consumer control, the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, their own aspirations and having crucial and valuable perspectives to contribute and create their own action plan. We make sure the clients who come to us for assistance are in the decision-making role when it comes to identifying and choosing their choices and then follow their own path of navigating equal opportunity to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities.
Established in 1981, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is a multi-service, nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The mission of MCIL is "Removing Barriers, Promoting Choices" for individuals living with disabilities. Led by an engaged Board of Directors and an executive director, the organization is dedicated to it mission statement in making real change for the better in working with people living with disabilities to lead more productive, self-determined lives.