MICL Training

Our goal is to produce research-based trainings with stand-alone products for support. In addition, our researchers make presentations and give workshops around the country.

In October 2010, the Center held a State-of-the-Science Conference for researchers, policymakers, independent living practitioners, disability advocates and people with disabilities. other collaborators. Through presentations and face-to-face dialogue, this conference was a means to share information about evidence-based research designed to enhance participation of people with disabilities in their communities. Part of this conference includes the Advanced Science Initiative: A Systematic Review of Participation Literature, which conducted a systematic review of the literature on participation in community life. 



One of our projects is specifically built around training. R-4, Enhancing Community Participation for People with Disabilities through Consumer Training tested a training for consumers and personal assistants.



Webinars and teleconferences are also training methods. In August 2011, Danielle Bailey presented a webinar on R-6, Community Engagement Initiative for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). She talked about implementation in Oregon, where the initiative was first launched, and how communities have begun making measurable improvements in access to health care for people with disabilities.

Glen White and Chiaki Gonda presented an IL Conversation about Project R5: CIL Services Effect on Community Participation in May 2010, a teleconferences for CIL-Net hosted by the Association of Rural Programs in Independent Living (APRIL). “Which Center for Independent Living Services Are More Likely to Improve Consumers’ Community Participation?”

Research results have also been packaged into specific topic modules or guest lectures that are easily integrated into academic courses in a number of disciplines (e.g., psychology, human development, special education, and occupational therapy) taught by RTC researchers. For example, Glen White is using these products to teach the 16-week, undergraduate course “Independent Living and People with Disabilities.” Graduate students also are part of the training effort. For information, view see Graduate Students and Research and Training Center Fellows.

Field Training

We also provide field training for targeted audiences at individual project sites:

Gonda, C. (2010). Peer-to-Peer Youth Training. In collaboration with APRIL, Chiaki Gonda developed a peer mentoring project is to increase and enhance community participation by youth with disabilities and to nurture future leaders of the independent living movement. The program was delivered at several U.S. centers for independent living. Target audience: Youths with disabilities, CIL staff.

Coble, Z. (2007, July 9-12). Change: Conversations on the direction of the disability community.Washington, DC: 25 years: Celebrating accomplishments and forging news leaders. This intergenerational discussion was to develop a written vision statement for the desired direction of the disability movement. Target audience: Front line CIL staff, Consumers.



White, G. (2007, July 9-12). Enhancing community participation of CIL consumers: Best practices from the field. Washington, DC: 25 years: Celebrating accomplishments and forging news leaders. With the emerging core CIL service to deinstitutionalize people with disabilities and facilitate their movement into communities, we must consider how to move a consumer transitioned into the community beyond the status of “occupant” to one of full “participant.” This session consisted of four CIL staff members who sent in winning proposals to a joint RTC/MICL and NCIL competition on best practices for helping to increase the community participation of their consumers. Each center presented their approach to increasing consumer involvement in the community and illustrated its presentation with numerous examples and “how to” tips. Target audience: Advocates, Project directors.