About SILC
What is the SILC?
The Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, consumer controlled organization. The council is composed of 21 appointees from around the state – a majority of whom have disabilities – representing diverse cultures and needs in the state. The SILC is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the 3-year Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The Council is jointly responsible for the SPIL with its state plan partners – The Vermont State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) and the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI).
Mission:
The Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council exists to advance the equality with which people with disabilities enjoy, participate in and contribute to the lives of their community, families, and friends.
Role of the SILC:
The federal Rehabilitation Act requires each state to maintain a Statewide Independent Living Council to monitor programs that help disabled people live with independence and dignity in their own homes (as opposed to nursing homes or other institutions).
In Vermont, as in other states, the 17 voting members of the SILC are appointed by the governor and the majority of them must be persons with significant disabilities. Collectively, they must represent all regions of the state as well as a broad spectrum of disabilities. The executive director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living is a voting member of the SILC; the directors of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired are non-voting (ex-officio”) members.
Legal Basis:
Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC’s), established under Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, are gubernatorially appointed councils which coordinate the functions related to the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the SPIL. The VT SILC provides support and technical assistance to the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) – a statewide, a community-based organization directed by and for people with disabilities.
Recruitment Methods
Advertisements and articles describing the SILC and its mission are written for local newspaper and other publications such as THE INDEPENDENT and ACCESSIBILITY LIVING. Persons with significant disabilities who are interested in applying to the council are encouraged to do so.
Organizations serving people with dsabilities are contacted, asking for names of potential SILC members.
Selection criteria for board members includes the following:
- The individual’s experience with a disability-has she/he developed a perspective broader than the immediate experience? Is the person sensitive to and able to appreciate broader disability-related issues?
- The individual’s leadership potential as well as her/his willingness and ability to be an active SILC member. SILC participation requires one day or more per month.
- The SILC develops and monitors the State Plan for Independent Living, awards grants for direct services, and advocates for programs and services that enable people to participate as full and equal members of their communities.
- The individual’s ability and willingness to accept the Independent Living Philosophy and to work within its principles.
- The region of the individual’s residence in Vermont (to ensure statewide coverage as much as is feasible).
- The nature of the individual’s disability (to assure cross-disability participation as much as is feasible).
Vermont SILC Committees and Work Groups
- Executive Committee
- Advocacy Committee
- Finance Committee
- Membership Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Education Initiative Workgroup
Council meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. For more information, call us at 802-233-4908, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .