Living Independently Is for Everyone at Rcil, Inc. (Life at Rcil)

LIFE at RCIL is the Amsterdam office of the Resource Center for Independent Living, at 131 Maple Avenue Extension. RCIL is a statewide nonprofit that helps people with disabilities and seniors live in the most integrated and independent setting possible, and its advocates provide one-on-one guidance on benefits, rights and options.

Services include home care through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, social adult day care, companion care, veterans directed care, youth services and employment support for people seeking competitive, integrated jobs. The organization describes its approach as consumer-controlled and self-directed.

What to know

• RCIL reports roughly 2,767 employees, 57 counties served in New York and 42 distinct programs.
• An ombudsman service is among the advocacy offerings.
• The organization runs a press room and regular stories on topics such as Medicaid resources and Deaf culture.
• Confidentiality and protection against paternalism are written into RCIL’s stated principles.