Heightened Independence & Progress: supporting Independent Living for People with Disabilities

What is hip?

hip is a non-profit agency run by and for people with disabilities. Its purpose is to promote full inclusion and full accessibility for all people and to enhance the ability of every individual to live and work with maximum independence.

hip was founded in 1980 as one of the first Centers for Independent Living in New Jersey. Two CIL’s comprise our umbrella organization, with locations in Bergen and Hudson Counties. We offer a variety of programs and services to people with disabilities through public and private funding. hip’s work extends beyond our two counties and several programs have multi-county, state-wide and national impact.

hip is governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed as well by people who themselves have disabilities. They understand the needs of their peers and are constantly working within their communities on new approaches to enhance the independence of both individuals and families within our spheres of service.

What does hip offer?

*information, referral and independent living skills training
*resource on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legislation
*assistance with applications for transportation, housing, food stamps, home energy and other financial entitlement programs.
*funding for disability-related equipment and home modifications
*care management, linking individuals and families to essential services
*assistive technology demonstrations and ‘hands-on’ instruction
*peer support groups
*leisure time activities
*Hispanic Outreach Program
*programs to develop confidence and self-advocacy skills for high school students to prepare for adult life and employment
*Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS), which transcribes braille textbooks for students nationwide and other essential documents for the public and private sectors

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living is based on the philosophy that all people have the right to determine how they best live, work and play in their community. Centers for Independent Living are consumer-controlled, non-residential organizations that work to make changes in their communities to benefit people with disabilities locally and in the larger society.

Support for Heightened Independence & Progress

hip’s services are available to people with disabilities, their families and friends in Bergen & Hudson and beyond. A consumer does not have to be a member of hip to receive our services. Nevertheless, hip has actively pursued a membership enrollment effort since its incorporation to provide our participants with a sense of proprietorship and to enable those who benefit from our programs and services to join the effort to extend these services to others. hip also welcomes as members the families and friends of people with disabilities, professionals and volunteers in the field of disability and members of the community at large.

hip receives funding from a variety of federal, state and local government agencies and is also financed by contributions from corporations, foundations, member dues and donations and by the gifts of supporters and friends.

How can I participate?

Contact us to learn more about how hip’s services can help you, your family or the community. You may wish to become involved in our varied activities. You can enhance your own independent living or promote the concept of full inclusion by becoming an active hip participant.

Heightened Independence & Progress

Bergen County Central Office
131 Main Street, Suite 120
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 996-9100
Fax: (201) 996-9422
Email: ber@hipcil.org
http://www.hipcil.org

Hudson County Branch Office
35 Journal Square, Suite 703
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 533-4407
Fax: (201) 533-4421
Email: hud@hipcil.org

President/CEO: Eileen Goff
Hudson hip Director: Marilyn Gonzalez-Vazquez

This information is taken directly from the hip pamphlet.

Disclaimer: I have never used this service before and I do not have an opinion on it either yes or no to how good it is and please call the above number to get further information.