We speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, German, French, Luganda, Swahili, and Runyankore. Other languages accommodated through Language Line.
Welcome to the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL)
BCIL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit 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.
Click hereto view the recent Updates to The Ride Program letter
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
Please join us for "Yoga, Disability, and Transformation" - a new series designed specifically for people living with disabilities. Come explore the principles of yoga with internationally renowned yoga teacher… Read More
We invite you to the annual BCIL Marie Feltin Award, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! This event honors individuals and institutions who exemplify the pioneering spirit of the late… Read More
Last summer, many overnight camps for kids with special needs — who are often at higher risk of COVID-19 complications — went virtual. Now some are easing back into in-person activities.
In just one week, on May 20 at 7:00 pm, a discussion with national disability rights author and activist Alice Wong will be hosted by BCIL during the annual (virtual) BCIL Marie Feltin Award Ceremony. Alice Wong (she/her) is a disabled activist, media maker, and consultant. She is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing and amplifying disability media and culture created in 2014. Alice is the editor of Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, an anthology of essays by disabled people, available now by Vintage Books (2020). You can find her on Twitter: @SFdirewolf.Alice will engage in a discussion with BCIL staff members Cecilia Nunez and Jessica Podesva examining the direction of disability rights and considering, among other things, the role of antiracism in disability rights and services.This event honors individuals and institutions who exemplify the pioneering spirit of the late DR. MARIE FELTIN, a tireless advocate for disabled and chronically ill patients. The ceremony supports BCIL and is a tribute to Marie’s legacy.To be a sponsor or supporter of this year's event bostoncil.org/bcil-marie-feltin-award-ceremony-tickets-and-sponsorships/ or contact Susan at ssmith@bostoncil.org for more information.To register to attend the virtual event, go to bit.ly/BCILMarieFeltinAwardCeremonyCART and ASL have been confirmed for this event. ...
The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has agreed to pay up to $55,000 and develop new housing accommodation policies to settle allegations that it denied a family with a parent and child who have significant health issues access to suitable housing, Attorney
If you would benefit from this program, they began accepting applications today.On February 25, the FCC unanimously adopted a Report and Order that established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was created by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting May 12, eligible consumers can apply for financial assistance to defray broadband expenses. Basics: The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides: • up to $50/month discount for broadband service;• up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and• a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Who is Eligible? A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria as follows: • has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline; • receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;• received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;• experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or• meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. Check out www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit for a Consumer FAQ and other program resources. Three Ways for Consumers to Apply starting May 12 1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you. 3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742Common Questions: • What if my provider isn’t participating in this program? Providers are continuing to submit election notices, and the list is updated daily with approved providers. Visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org to find participating providers near you in the meantime.• Will the congressional request for GAO oversight delay the program? The May 12 start date will proceed as scheduled.• How do I request a speaker? Visit www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit and click on the button for a speaker. • I have other questions? If there are any other questions, please feel free to let me know, or visit the consumer FAQs at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. Emergency Broadband Program resources now include an ASL video. You can find it on: www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit , or via the FCC’s ASL video library at: www.fcc.gov/asl-video-library . The video is directly available at the FCC’s YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ERrCGJlsFzw&feature=emb_logo . May 12 is the first day consumers can apply for EBB. The online portal has been tested for accessibility, so if there’s anything in particular that is not accessible, please let me know with as much details as possible. Further, the help page at getemergencybroadband.org/help/ lists ways people with and without disabilities can obtain help. People who rely on relay services may call using relay services. The services and devices will be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. If consumers have any concerns about whether their broadband service and equipment is accessible, we can help. Please contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov . All of this info is available by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit . ...
Congress has tasked the FCC with developing a new $3.2 billion program to help U.S. households that are struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. The FCC is mobilizing people and organizations to help share important consumer information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit. To pa...
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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.
