Walton Options for Independent Living

Walton Options South Carolina is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) that empowers people with disabilities to live independently and fully participate in their communities. They provide core services such as advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, transition assistance, and information and referral. Walton Options promotes equality, inclusion, and self-determination by helping individuals access resources, remove barriers, and develop skills for independence. Their mission is rooted in the belief that people with disabilities have the right to make their own choices and control their lives.

Center for Independent Living provide five core services: advocacy, peer support, information and referral, transition services and independent living skills training.

Advocacy is working to remove the barriers to independent living and full inclusion in all aspects of community life. Sometimes Centers will advocate for the rights of one person in his or her own community. Sometimes Centers work to achieve change that will benefit thousands or even millions of persons with disabilities all over the state or the nation. This kind of systems change is often achieved through legislative and regulatory advocacy. Systems advocacy focuses on barrier removal and equal access to society.

Peer support is providing the opportunity for people to learn and grow by discussing their needs, concerns and issues with people who have had similar experiences. Sometimes staff will provide the peer support, sometimes individuals will receive their support from another person in the community, and sometimes they will take part in a support group.

Information and referral gives people access to the information and resources they need to make informed choices and get what they need to live independently.

Independent living skills training helps individuals acquire the skills they need to live. Often it will include teaching people how to employ and manage personal assistants, or care for physical needs related to their disability, or how to communicate effectively. Who better than another person with a disability to show someone the "tricks of the trade?"