Our Story

How We Started

Three Rivers Inc. (3Rivers) Center for Independent Living began as a volunteer organization and incorporated in 1986 as a non-profit 501(c)(3). To maintain a consumer-driven focus, the majority of our staff and Board of Directors are persons with disabilities. Together, we advocate for communities that support people no matter their disability, understanding that communities are stronger when everyone can participate.

Who We Serve

We serve people of all ages, all types of disabilities, and all income levels. Most services are free, funded by local, state, and federal grants.

A referral or proof of disability is not required. We welcome everyone who wants to overcome challenges or barriers brought on by their disability. Our Specialists will help you define your challenges, set goals, and develop skills and solutions to overcome those challenges. Please contact us if you think you might benefit from services or want to learn more.

Who We Are

We are your neighbors and community members. We live in the communities where we work, ensuring we are knowledgeable about area resources. Most of us are persons with disabilities sharing our stories and promoting the Independent Living philosophy. Combined, we have decades of experience and training to empower individuals with all types of disabilities. We have offices throughout our service areas to make it easier to reach us.

Learn More About the History

The Independent Living philosophy grew out of the Disability Rights Movement, which began in the 1960s. The IL Movement works at replacing the special education and rehabilitation experts’ concepts of integration, normalization, and rehabilitation with a new paradigm developed by people with disabilities themselves. The first Independent Living ideologists and organizers were people with extensive disabilities. Still, the movement’s message seems most popular among people whose lives depend on assistance with the activities of daily living and who, in the view of the IL Movement, are most exposed to custodial care, paternalistic attitudes, and control by professionals.

The Independent Living philosophy recognizes that people with disabilities are the best experts on their needs. Therefore they must take the initiative, individually and collectively, in designing and promoting better solutions and organize themselves for political power. Besides de-professionalization and self-representation, the Independent Living ideology comprises de-medicalization of disability, de-institutionalization, and cross-disability (i.e. inclusion in the IL Movement regardless of diagnoses).

View the Wikipedia page on Disability Rights.

View the What Independent Living Is (DOCX) to learn more.