Project Overview
To assist centers for independent living improve outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who have completed or left secondary education.
Historically, youth with disabilities, particularly those from minority backgrounds, have faced additional barriers with the transition to adulthood. While much research has focused on the transition from school to work, the Administration for Community Living funded this work to fill the knowledge gap on services to help traditionally underserved youth that have already left school.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living
Minority Youth and Centers for Independent Living (MY-CIL) uses a grassroots, stakeholder-informed approach to empower centers for independent living to increase and improve services for traditionally underserved out-of-school youth from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Centers for independent living, or CILs, are community-based organizations that are run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities to promote the principles of independent living. MY-CIL seeks to generate and share new knowledge that is developed with input from CIL staff and youth participants, as well as other stakeholders such as providers, policymakers, and advocates. A stakeholder advisory group provides input on the design and execution of all research and training activities.
Evidence & Insights From This Project

Independent Living Services for Minority Youth with Disabilities: Strategies and Success
On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 the Minority Youth and Centers for Independent Living (MY-CIL) project held their first webinar. This event was free and open to everyone.
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