We speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, German, French, Luganda, Swahili, Runyankore, and Vietnamese. Other languages accommodated through Language Line.
Welcome to the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL)
BCIL is a 501(c)(3) organization that has provided services to people with disabilities since 1974, when it became the second independent living center in the country. The organization was created by people with disabilities seeking full integration into society. BCIL accomplishes this by empowering people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities with the practical skills and self-confidence to take control over their lives and become active members of the communities in which they live. At the same time, BCIL engages in advocacy and community organizing to promote access and change within society.
Our Mission Statement
The Boston Center for Independent Living is a frontline civil rights organization led by people with disabilities that advocates to eliminate discrimination, isolation and segregation by providing advocacy, information and referral, peer support, skills training, PCA services, and transitional services in order to enhance the independence of people with disabilities.
Our Antiracism Statement
The Boston Center for Independent Living commits to making all aspects of our work antiracist, not only because it is just but also because it is necessary to serve and represent our community of people with disabilities. We commit to purposefully identifying, discussing, and challenging issues of race and ethnicity to address the impact they have on our organization, our work, and our people. Moreover, we will add our voice and advocacy to similar antiracist efforts in our community.
If you suspect abuse or neglect of a person with disabilities, please contact the Disabled Persons Protection Commission hotline at 1-800-426-9009 or 1-888-822-0350 TTY (ages 18-59), the Executive Office of Elder Affairs at 1-800-922-2275 (ages 60+), the Department of Public Health 1-800-462-5540 (all Ages residing in Long Term Care Facilities), and the Department of Children and Families at 1-800-792-5200 (ages birth-17). The DPPC Sexual Assault Response Unit can be reached at 617-727-6465.
Virtual Housing Workshop Join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month to learn more about and how to apply for affordable housing options in your area. Our… Read More
Virtual Housing Workshop Join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month to learn more about and how to apply for affordable housing options in your area. Our… Read More
Do you live in Boston and feel like it’s hard to get access to healthcare, even MassHealth? Come to our LET'S TALK community meeting! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87602006726?pwd=YWVkdnRmZUhiRDhxellLVXJOTGlkdz09 We’ll meet on Zoom for… Read More
Massachusetts Historical Society Presents ‘Disability and the American Past’ Virtual Series Disappeared Disabilities - Wednesday, February 08, 2023, 6:00pmFailures in Intersectionality - Monday, February 13, 2023, 6:00pmTeaching the U.S. Disability Rights Movement - Monday, February 20, 2023 - Friday, February 24, 2023 - 9:00am - 11:30amIntro to Disability Justice - Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 6:00pmDisability Activism in Massachusetts and Nationwide - Monday, March 06, 2023, 6:00pmContact: programs@masshist.org... See MoreSee Less
Researcher Josh Matacotta is passionate about working to understand the mental health needs of people with HIV/AIDS. His approach to disability research is to explore the social and environmental factors that influence health. Listen to his recent interview to learn more + consider sharing your story as part of the All of Us Research Program: youtu.be/jeXVHKH8lRo... See MoreSee Less
FIGHT FOR BETTER CARE AND PRIVACY IN NURSING HOMESTwo years ago, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health revised state regulations for skilled nursing facilities, primarily intended to address some of the problems experienced by the COVID-19 Pandemic. While the pandemic was the impetus for improvements, they were clearly long overdue. One of the changes in the regulations was to require nursing homes to have no more than two residents per room to minimize the spread of infections and to provide more privacy to the residents. Most of the Commonwealth’s nursing homes sought to comply with the regulations, but less than ten percent of them objected. In May, 2022, they filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court that the new regulations should not be imposed Until the matter is decided in court, the complaining nursing homes are not obligated to comply with the two-resident limits, and for all practical purposes, the DPH will not enforce the regulation.Dignity Alliance of Massachusetts (DAM) supports the state in implementing the limitation of not more than two residents per room and plans to assist the Attorney General’s Office in preparing for the court review of the merits of the state’s position. We’re seeking expert testimony (including current or former residents, who definitely are experts, who can offer testimony in opposition to any more than two residents sharing a room.Can you testify for the merits of limiting the number of residents per room, or provide any research that may have been conducted which strengthens the state’s case?It’s an important opportunity for advocates to win significant, even transformational reform of the long-term care industry in Massachusetts. Before April, interested parties should contact Richard Moore of Dignity Alliance at rmoore8743@charter.net or connect with Bill Henning at BCIL at bhenning@bostoncil.org. ... See MoreSee Less
Your Voice Matters The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) is working with MassHealth to survey members who get both MassHealth and Medicare about: • Their quality of life• Their experiences with services The purpose of the survey is to compare the well-being and experiences of care of members who get One Care with members who get MassHealth and Medicare separately.UMass Chan is doing two surveys. You may get one of them. They are the: • Quality of Life Survey• Member Experience Survey If you get one of these surveys, please respond! Your voice matters! The surveys are being distributed by phone and by mail.You may get a phone call from a UMass Chan staff member who will help you answer the survey questions. The UMass Chan staff member will be calling from this number: 774-455-3400. Please pick up the phone and answer the survey questions.You may already have gotten a survey in the mail. If you got a letter, it came in a big 9x12 envelope with either a One Care or MassHealth logo on it. If you got the mail survey, please fill it out and send it back in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. If you have any questions, please email Onecare@mass.gov. ... See MoreSee Less
The
Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) reserves the right to use any photograph or video taken at any event sponsored by BCIL without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph or video. BCIL may use the photograph or video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by BCIL. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or
personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed or videotaped subject, parent, or legal guardian. A person attending a BCIL event who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the photographer or videographer, event organizers, and/or contact BCIL directly.
