Following the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, the novel idea that people with disabilities are entitled to basic human rights and equal representation under the law began to gain national attention. This was largely in part due to the tireless efforts of disability rights activists like Ed Roberts and Judy Huemann and protests such as the 504 Sit In of 1973, or events organized by the American Disabled for Accessible Public Transport (ADAPT) in the 1980s.
The then unheard of concept of independent living soon became widespread, a philosophy that, according to the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), “emphasizes consumer control, the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, having crucial and valuable perspective to contribute and deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities, particularly in reference to services that powerfully affect their day-to-day lives and access to independence.”
From there Centers for Independent Living (CIL) were established. CILs quickly became an accessible and welcoming beacon of support to the disability community, a place where people with shared life experiences could gather to receive services they need and deserve. Five core services were constructed to work toward this goal: Individual and Systems Advocacy, Information and Referral, Transition, Peer Support, and Independent Living Skills Training.
Today there are more than 400 CILs nationwide, and the Center Toward Self-Reliance (CTSR) is proud to be one of nine CILs representing the state of Colorado. Covering roughly 26% of the state, CTSR provides services and supports to the disability community across 17 counties. While CTSR has been known by different names over the years (the Sangre De Cristo Independent Living Center and the Center for Disabilities), our original purpose remains the same: to empower persons with disabilities to move toward self-reliance.
CTSR has the honor of servicing both urban and rural areas. With a main office located in Pueblo and two satellite offices in Lamar and Alamosa, our team of over thirty individuals work tirelessly to ensure that all consumers have access to the services they need. Through community partnerships with local and state-led organizations, the specialists at CTSR are constantly seeking ways to improve services and increase support during these unprecedented times in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Great progress has been made over the years with the passage of lifechanging legislation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for example, but times have shown that there is still much work to be done. With the rising costs of basic goods and an increase in housing instability, the disability community continues to be at a disadvantage compared to individuals without disabilities. CTSR has been devoted to supporting the disability community of Southeastern Colorado since 1981 and we will happily continue to do so.
