Valley Associates for Independent Living (VAIL)

Centers for Independent Living are unique in that at least fifty-one percent of the staff and board members must be people with disabilities. This allows the individual requesting services to benefit from the personal experiences, develop an easy rapport, and enhances their ability to obtain the support necessary to live independently. Additionally, it ensures that, at the very core, the organization’s focus remains on providing consumer-directed services. VAIL has continued to collaborate with other service providers in the community to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the support they need to be independent. VAIL is partnering with the Harrisonburg/ Rockingham Housing Authority to provide service coordination to the residents of the JR Polly Lineweaver Apartment complex. Recently, VAIL began partnering with Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) in providing options counseling to individuals throughout the Planning District to ensure that they are aware of all of the options available to them. Additionally, VAIL is a subrecipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the city of Harrisonburg to provide modifications and rehabilitation to homes of residents who have disabilities and have low to moderate income. As a CIL, VAIL is a member of the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL), which allows people with disabilities to come together on statewide issues. Furthermore, VAIL’s Executive Director has served on the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and helped shape Virginia’s Plan for Independent Living. The result is a collaborative effort amongst all seventeen CILs in Virginia to address housing, transportation, and other significant needs of individuals with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.

VAIL provides a wide variety of services all aimed at ensuring that individuals with disabilities achieve their goals.

Please visit our YouTube Series about VAIL’s community-based services!

Advocacy
Information & Referral
Independent Living Skills Training
Peer Support
Transition Services
Technical Assistance
Waiver Assistance
Home Modifications
Adaptive Recreation & Sports