FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does SILC stand for?
Answer: SILC stands for Statewide Independent Living Council.
What is a SILC?
Answer: The SILC is an independent cross disability Council. SILCs represent the independent living needs of persons with significant disabilities across the entire state.
What is the mission the Nebraska SILC?
Answer: The mission of the Nebraska SILC is to partner with the Independent Living Network to promote Independent Living and facilitate systemic change that promotes independence, inclusion, non-discrimination, and dignity for all people with disabilities in Nebraska
What does the Nebraska SILC do?
Answer: The purpose of the Nebraska SILC is to:
1. Promote an independent living philosophy in Nebraska, for persons with disabilities while advocating for access, ful participation, and self-determination.
2. Collaborate with appropriate agencies, councils and organizations statewide to promote the independent living philosophy.
3. Advise the Governor and state agencies regarding independent living issues.
Does the SILC only represent persons with physical disabilities?
Answer: No, the SILC represents persons with all types of disabilities. The SILC represents persons with all types of disabilities including: brain injury, blind and visual impairments, cognitive impairments, deaf and auditory impairments, mental health issues, physical disabilities, spinal cord injury, etc. This is why it is important for members to have a cross disability perspective.
What does the Independent Living Philosophy mean?
Answer: The philosophy of Independent Living includes: consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy. This is all designed to promote: empowerment, independence, leadership, and productivity of persons with disabilities.
Does the SILC provide services?
Answer: No, the SILC does not provide services. The SILC contracts out for services through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
Does the SILC get involved in individual issues?
Answer: The SILC looks at broad systems issues, NOT individual issues. Calls on individual issues are referred out.
Is the SILC the same as Vocational Rehabilitation?
Answer: The SILC is NOT the same as Vocational Rehabilitation. The SILC does collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation to develop the State Plan for Independent Living.
What does DSU stand for?
Answer: DSU stands for Designated State Unit.
What is the DSU for Nebraska?
Answer: In Nebraska there are 2 Designated State Units, they are Vocational Rehabilitation and the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. A representative from each of these organizations is on the SILC as exofficio members.
Who can serve on the SILC?
Answer: The majority of SILC members must be persons with disabilities.
Other members include:
* Parents and legal guardians of individuals with disabilities;* Advocates of and for individuals with disabilities;
* Persons from organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities;
* A representative from the Division of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation;
* Representatives from other state agencies providing services to people with disabilities;
* Representative of centers for independent living;
* Persons from private business.
How does a person join the SILC?
Answer: Interested persons send an application and resume to the SILC office. They are reviewed by the membership committee. The NESILC then forwards individual names to the Department of Education of Nebraska office, which appoints members to SILC.
How can I obtain a copy of the application?
(For an electronic copy, click here)
Answer: To request an application please contact:
Kathy Hoell
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 210
Lincoln, NE 68508
1-402-438-7979
How long can a person serve on the SILC?
Answer: Members serve for a term of 3 years with a two 3-year term maximum.
Does a person get paid for serving on the SILC?
Answer: No, members do not receive pay from the SILC for serving.
What is the State Plan for Independent Living?
Answer:The purpose of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is to describe how the state's network of independent living (IL) programs and services will meet the independent living needs of persons with disabilities in the state. The plan must address how federal, state and other funds will be used within the state to develop and maintain IL programs.
Who creates the State Plan for Independent Living?
Answer: The State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired develop the State Plan in collaboration with the SILC.
How can I get a copy of the State Plan?
Answer: The State Plan is on the SILC website. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting the SILC at 402-4308-7979 (voice), or
NESILC
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 210
Lincoln, NE 68508 or email at kathy@nesilc.org
What is the Rehab Act and why is it important to the SILC?
Answer: The Rehab Act as Amended is a landmark federal disability legislation. The Rehab Act predated the Americans with Disabilities Act by decades. The Rehab Act established funding for, among other programs, the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Centers for Independent Living, the Independent Living program, and the SILCs.
How can I learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council?
Answer: You can contact the SILC at:
NESILC
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 210
Lincoln, NE 68508 or email at kathy@nesilc.org