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) 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
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
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), Disability Law Center (DLC), Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS), the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), and The Arc of Massachusetts (The Arc) are pleased to organize two upcoming Virtual Disability Forums, with a Candidate running for Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This first forum, with Candidate Geoff Diehl, will be on September 28th, 1 00 pm -2:00 pm. The second, with Candidate Maura Healey, will be announced soon. These Virtual Disability Forums offer a unique opportunity to hear candidates speak and answer questions about issues important to the disability community in Massachusetts. The virtual forum will be presented as an hour zoom webinar and streamed live on Facebook. We are currently securing American Sign Language (ASL), CART, and Spanish interpretation. Since this is a rescheduled date, we received dozens of questions in advance, but there will also be an option to submit questions for consideration through the Q & A feature on the zoom webinar. Register Today! ... See MoreSee Less
“There isn’t a lot of research out there targeted towards me.” Brooke discusses her family health history and the need for diversity in health research. You can learn more about the All of Us Research Program and sign up at JoinAllofUs.org/disability. #JoinAllofUs ... See MoreSee Less
New Time for Wednesday forum: 1:00 pm now. 2022 Virtual Disability Forum Series: Conversations with Candidates for Governor of Massachusetts Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), Disability Law Center (DLC), Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS), the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), and The Arc of Massachusetts (The Arc) are holding two virtual Disability Forums with the major party candidates running for governor, Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl.This first forum will be with Gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl on Wednesday, September 28th, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. The second, with Gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey, will be announced soon. These Virtual Disability Forums offer a unique opportunity to hear the candidates speak and answer questions about issues important to the state’s disability community. The forum will be presented as a one-hour Zoom webinar and also will be streamed live on Facebook. We have secured American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, CART, and Spanish interpretation.Since this is a rescheduled date, we received dozens of questions in advance, but there will also be an option to submit questions for consideration through the Q & A feature on the Zoom webinar. Register Today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5phCg5KvQ-u5SMRr357M1w. The webinar link will be sent in a confirmation email. ... See MoreSee Less
R-TAG is hosting a listening session in conjunction with the MBTA Department of System-Wide Accessibility. Topic: Sharing Your Experiences with Recent and Past MBTA Service DiversionsAs the month-long Orange Line shutdown comes to an end, SWA will be working to develop updated protocols and best practices related to ensuring accessibility during service diversions.Please join us to share your experiences, whether related to the Orange Line shutdown or smaller diversions in the past.When: Thursday, September 29, 2022Time: 5:30 PM–7:30 PMLocation: Via Zoom – Register in Advanceus02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vce-ppj0oG9fNnpClrmGUk9uNmmTir0IDAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. ... 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.
