Independent Living has a rich history of providing assistive products and information to people of disabilities and those who support them.
Early beginnings
In the late 1970′s, a display of aids for daily living to assist people with disabilities was started part time at the Rehabilitation Centre in Dominion Road. The display was moved several times to the Auckland Arthritis and Rheumatism Society in Mountain Road and an Information Service was added.
Independent Living Centre
The Independent Living Centre was opened in 1981 in a purpose built building on CCS grounds at Royal Oak. The building was the first of its kind in New Zealand, housing an information service, aids display, demonstration areas, function rooms and offices for community focused, tenant organizations.
This was a community collaboration between Auckland Coordinated Council for Disabled (ACCD), Auckland CCS, Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, Rotary and other organisations who joined together to raise funds and plan the development of the centre.
The Independent Living Centre went on to change its name several times in the coming years:
- 1983 Disabled Persons Independent Living Centre Inc.
- 1988 Disability Resource Centre Auckland Inc.
- 2012 Independent Living Service Inc.
- 2014 Independent Living Service Charitable Trust
- 2018 Independent Living Charitable Trust