The 10 Key Elements of Independent Living Philosophy
1. Civil rights -- equal rights and opportunities for all; no segregation by disability type or stereotype.
2. Consumerism -- a person ("consumer" or "customer") using or buying a service or product decides what is best for him/herself.
3. De-institutionalization -- no person should be institutionalized (formally by a building, a program, or by family life) on the basis of a disability.
4. De-medicalization -- individuals with disabilities are not "sick," as prescribed by the assumptions of the medical model and do not require help from certified medical professionals for daily living activities.
5. Self-help -- people learn and grow by discussing their needs, concerns, and issues with people who have had similar experiences; "professionals" are not the source of the help provided.
6. Advocacy -- systemic, systematic, long-term, and community-wide change activities are needed to ensure that people with disabilities benefit from all that society has to offer.
7. Barrier-removal -- in order for civil rights, consumerism, de-institutionalization, de-medicalization, and self-help to occur, architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers must be removed.
8. Consumer control -- the organizations best suited to support and assist individuals with disabilities are governed, managed, staffed and operated by individuals with disabilities.
9. Cross-disability -- activities conducted by organizations supporting independent living philosophy must be cross-disability in approach, meaning work is carried out by people with different types of disabilities for the benefit of all persons with disabilities.
10. Inclusion -- after barriers are removed and legal rights instituted, society in its broadest sense appreciates and includes people with disabilities in all its forms, including institutions of education, employment, housing, recreation, transportation and all other forms of public and private group activity.