Independence Alliance Celebrates 50 Years!
As we mark our 50th year in 2027, Independence Alliance reflects on half a century of empowering people with disabilities. From our humble beginnings as Total Living Concepts (TLC) in 1977, we have grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of people with disabilities. This milestone is not only a time to look back on our achievements, but also an opportunity to celebrate our unwavering commitment to empowerment, inclusion, and advocacy for all people with disabilities.
A Legacy Built on Creating Options
When our agency was founded by Martha Burks and Patricia O’Brien, there were few options for people with disabilities to live independently. Institutionalization and isolation were the predominant approach for people with disabilities; however, Martha and Patricia had a different vision: one where people with disabilities could access services in an effort to help attain a more integrated, independent lifestyle. TLC was chartered as the first independent living center in Ohio in 1977. In 1978, TLC opened its first office with primarily a volunteer staff offering four core services of advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and information and referral. It quickly became apparent that people needed more accessible housing in order to realize their independence. With the cooperation of the City of Cincinnati, and funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), TLC built the Hollister House, an affordable, wheelchair accessible apartment building that gave people with disabilities an opportunity to live in a barrier-free environment.
Change and Growth
In late 1989, TLC became Independent Living Options and began operating as Center for Independent Living Options (CILO). The 1990’s became a decade of change for people with disabilities beginning with the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law in July of 1991. This landmark civil rights legislation accelerated the nationwide shift toward consumer-controlled advocacy and community integration. Services for people with disabilities transitioned toward community-based, consumer-controlled advocacy. CILO began to expand core programs and diversify their funding streams across public and private sectors.
In 2024, CILO rebranded to Independence Alliance to represent our passion for assisting people with disabilities to live independently and signify the partnership that connects our organization to those we serve. Today we provide the core services of an IL Center in both Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. We facilitate several housing programs for people with disabilities experiencing homelessness, and our innovative art programming for artists with disabilities is positioned to become a vital cultural pillar in the arts community.
Looking Toward the Future
As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are reminded of how far we have come – and how much further we can go. We remain dedicated to the same mission that guided our founders: break down architectural and attitudinal barriers, build bridges to understanding, and create options and choices in the continuous process of empowering people with disabilities.
In 2002, we celebrated 25 years of service to the community and stated the following: we look forward to the future with hope and determination as we continue our work toward meeting the needs and fostering the hopes and dreams of people with disabilities. Now as we celebrate 50 years, this timeless message remains a powerful guide for our organization.
Thank you to the incredible community of staff, volunteers, supporters, and consumers who have fueled this journey. Your dedication has defined our past, and your passion will shape our next 50 years of empowerment, inclusion, and advocacy. Here is to the future we build together.