The Federal Rehabilitation Act was amended in 1992 to direct each state to establish a State Independent Living Council. The Washington Statewide Independent Living Council was created in 1993 when then-Governor Mike Lowry signed Executive Order 93-04. WASILC currently operates under Executive Order 04-05.
In the late 1960s, a group of Berkeley students with severe disabilities realized that the medical and rehabilitation systems limited their ability to live independently. They knew that with the right skills and support, they could take control of their own lives. However, when they sought these resources, they faced resistance from professionals who doubted their ability to manage without institutional care.
In 1972, these activists founded the first Independent Living Center, using self-help strategies to challenge outdated beliefs. This marked a turning point—Independent Living became a civil rights issue. People with disabilities began advocating at local, state and national levels, shaping policies that directly impacted their lives. Community groups formed to tackle barriers, educate the public and push for change. The movement was built on one core idea: people with disabilities should lead the fight for their own rights.
In 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act went into effect, often called the Civil Rights Act for people with disabilities. This law banned discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, services, and benefits. It opened doors to opportunities that previous generations had been denied—things like education, jobs, housing, and transportation, which many able-bodied people took for granted.
By 1978, changes to the law led the federal government to fund Independent Living Centers across nearly every state and U.S. territory, expanding access to resources and support for people with disabilities.
