Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL) is an organisation of Disabled People firmly rooted in the British and international Disability Movement, born of the civil rights campaigns that shook the western world during the sixties, the guiding principle being that disability issues are human rights issues.  We work to the Social Model of Disability which defines disability in terms of negative attitudes and discrimination caused by a society which fails to meet the needs of people with impairments.

We are a non-profit making Community Interest Company (CIC); have a membership comprising ‘full members’ (Disabled People) and ‘associate members’ (non-Disabled allies); and operate a committee structure fully accountable to our membership.

We are committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all people, recognising that people are oppressed and can experience discrimination on the grounds of class, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, as well as impairment.

The centre is run by and for Disabled People to promote the meaningful inclusion of Disabled People into the community.  By ‘Disabled People’ we refer to people with a physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological, emotional, or any other hidden impairment.  We therefore include people with learning difficulties, system survivors, cancer survivors and those living with HIV/AIDS.

We see our roles as providing ‘user led’ services and campaigning for the rights of Disabled People.

We believe that many services traditionally provided for Disabled People have resulted in segregation, creating systems which actually increase passivity and dependence.  We work to create real opportunities for Disabled People to live independently and participate in the community.  Our services are directed at empowering or enabling Disabled People.

Our philosophy is that all individuals can live independently in the community.  People who need support for everyday living can be independent if they have control over the way support is delivered.  We assist Disabled People by encouraging them to overcome the barriers preventing their independence.  The most important thing we help people to realise is that independence is not a matter of doing everything for yourself but of having choice and control over your life and a say in what happens to you.

SCIL has become increasingly important in supporting, informing and assisting Disabled People, who comprise 15% of the adult population.

Disabled People have identified twelve basic rights which must be met before they can assume control of their lives and enjoy equality with non-Disabled People.

A Summary of SCIL’s  History

(For a detailed history click here)

SCIL was born out of a public meeting held in Southampton in November 1984 when a group of Disabled People met to set up one of the first Centres for Independent Living in the country.  Until the early 1990’s, SCIL was essentially a dedicated group of volunteers, who worked hard making itself known, campaigning and gaining representation on influential bodies.

In 1987, SCIL gained office space in Canute Road and developed a comprehensive information bank covering most aspects of disability.  However, we were forced to move in 1991 because of structural problems and for the next year we were effectively ‘homeless’.

These problems led SCIL to rethink its strategy.  We decided to continue with our dual role; our services to Disabled People remaining free, but a significant change was to develop income generating services, including the introduction of fee paying services to professional, statutory and commercial enterprises.

During 1991, SCIL received two large grants to finance the appointment of our first full-time Co-ordinator (now referred to as our Chief Executive) for a two-year period, together with facilitator and administrative back-up.  We also received funding to develop Disability Equality Training, which included running a trainer training course and appointing an administrator to establish a register of qualified trainers.  During this time we spent a great deal of time and energy developing policies and structures to ensure the efficient running of SCIL as well as demonstrating our accountability to members.

In 1992 we moved to Northlands Road.  We expanded quickly, identifying opportunities to gain funding to provide services that promote our aims to support Disabled People to live independently.  We have continued to campaign locally and nationally for individual issues and to further the demand for civil rights.  We have gained recognition by local authorities for the role we play, and our ability to represent the views of Disabled People.

In 2005 we purchased, renovated and moved to our current office premises in Rose Road which started a new and exciting development in our history.  We set-up Unity 12 CIC as the holding company for 9-19 Rose Road.  We own Rose Road in partnership with the Disability Advice and Information network (DAIN) and the Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People (HCODP).  We have undergone 2 major refurbishments of the ground and first floors and have created accessible conference facilities and office space that we lease to like minded organisations who are actively promoting Independent Living by/for Disabled People in the community.

In 2011, SCIL was one of the founder members of South East Network of Disabled People’s Organisations (SENDPO).

We have had to weather difficult economic and political climates especially over the last few years. Times have been tough but we always meet challenges head on.