In tough times, communities find strength in people – and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other. Each May, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) joins the Administration for Community Living in the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.

RCIL recognizes the valuable contributions that older Americans provide our communities. Our agency is dedicated to providing a wide range of advocacy, programs and services to help ensure that older Americans have access to the vital services that allow them to remain independent and be contributing members of our community; and that includes their rights to choose where and how they want to age! Click here to learn more. 

CARES ACT, Independent Living (IL) Fund provides pandemic related financial assistance for independent living services/supplies/equipment, when no other funding can be found.

Living Independently is For Everyone at RCIL (LIFE at RCIL) is committed to assuring you have the services and support you need to live independently. Disruptions caused by the Pandemic pose additional and sometimes more significant challenges for individuals with disabilities who rely on home and community-based services to maintain that independence. If you are an individual with a disability or the parent of a child with a disability experiencing Pandemic-related disruptions due to school closures or loss of employment, you may be eligible to apply for CARES Act IL Funds. This assistance is intended to provide help, where no other source of funding for the needed service, supply, or equipment can be identified. 

If you are already working with an RCIL/LIFE staff person, let them know you are interested in hearing more about the CARES Act Fund and to complete an application if eligible. If you are not yet benefitting from services offered through our agency, including the CARES Act Fund, call one of our locations nearest you for more information and assistance.

• Utica – Gene Hughes   (315) 368-5625
• Herkimer – Donna Gillette   (315) 866-7245  Ext. 5800
• Amsterdam – Lisa Mastracco (518) 770-7636

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO:

The recent racially motivated killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others are the latest incidents of racist attacks against Black people in America.

RCIL is a civil rights organization fighting for the rights of individuals with disabilities to live, work and participate in the community.

Racism and discrimination of any form must not be tolerated, and significant change is long overdue. Dehumanizing people makes us all weak.

We stand with the Black community against racism and the inequalities in America, that disproportionally affect communities of color and disabled individuals.

We encourage everyone to vote in every upcoming election to support candidates that will force change.

COVID-19 Information for Employees

Under legislation signed by Governor Cuomo, New York workers are guaranteed job protection and financial compensation while they are on a mandatory or precautionary quarantine order due to COVID-19.  Please click on the button below for more information.

COVID Sick Leave for Employees 

Please click on the button below for instructions on obtaining an order For Mandatory or Precautionary Quarantine Under Governor Cuomo’s New COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law.

Obtaining an Order of Quarantine

Independence is our mission.

Your life. Your decisions.

At the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL), we believe that to live independently you don't need permission, you need resources.

At RCIL, we provide real solutions to the personal, social or governmental barriers that may prevent your decisions from being respected and realized. We have three decades of experience in providing individually tailored advocacy, information, and training services.

RCIL believes that the widespread poverty, segregation, and isolation of people with disabilities is unacceptable, should not be tolerated, and requires change.

RCIL Ribbon-Cutting For Downtown Utica Headquarters 11/12/19

RCIL is working and growing!

2018 RCIL Annual Report

RCIL Newsletters!