Our Story

A group of people pose for a picture at an event

Founded in 1980 as the first of its kind in Arizona, Direct is a private, nonprofit organization operated by and for people with disabilities. Today, Direct is one of five Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Arizona and part of a national network that:

  • Advocates disability rights and justice

  • Supports individuals in achieving their self-identified independent living goals

  • Promotes the Independent Living philosophy and principles of consumer control, informed choice, community integration, and dignity of risk

  • A man in a wheelchair is being fitted for a prosthetic arm.

    Our Vision

    Universal access and justice.

  • A young man with down-syndrome dressed in office attire holds folders under his right arm and a mug in his left hand

    Our Mission

    Advocate disability voice, choice, and independence.

Center For Independent Living (CILs)

The national network of CILs is:

  • Grassroots, advocacy-driven, cross-disability organizations

  • Operated by and for people with disabilities (at least 51% of staff and board must be people with disabilities)

  • Non-residential, community-based, and opposed to segregation and forced institutionalization of people with disabilities

CILs believe that the freedom to make choices, including mistakes, empowers people to further their involvement in life and the community. Persons with disabilities are not “clients” and CIL staffs are not “professionals” who advise what is best.  Instead, persons with disabilities are participants who direct their goals and services. CILs offer the tools to help individuals achieve their self-identified independent living goals.

All centers provide at least the five core services mandated by federal law and our philosophy – Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Mentoring/Support, Information & Referral, and Transitioning (out of institutions and youth). Many CILs, like Direct, also offer an array of additional programs and services.

Independent Living (IL) philosophy and the formation of CILs represent a radical shift away from the charity and medical models of disability.  Rather than focusing on a “cure,” IL philosophy recognizes disability as a natural life experience and locates the answer in social change – i.e., “fixing” society by removing barriers.

The primary principles of IL are:

  • Consumer control — people with disabilities are the experts on our own lives, not medical or rehab professionals, and must be in control of life choices and direct our services

  • Informed Choice — people with disabilities must have information about all viable options AND the right to make the decisions impacting our lives

  • Dignity of Risk — people with disabilities have the right to make choices, and mistakes, just like everyone else

  • Integration and full participation in all aspects of life in the community — individuals with disabilities have the right to supports and services so we can live in our own homes and participate fully in our community

Independent Living Philosophy

Local, State, & National Collaboration

Direct collaborates at the local, state, and national levels to advance the disability rights movement. With our mission, vision, values, and services grounded in the Independent Living (IL) philosophy, Direct dedicates its efforts to ensuring people with disabilities have equitable opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of life in our communities.

Direct participates in various local coalitions and is a member of the Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition, Arizona’s IL Network coordinated by the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the National Council on Independent Living.