State Plan for Independent Living

The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) includes independent living goals and objectives, outreach plans, and funding priorities. The SPIL shall be reviewed and revised not less than once every three years, to ensure the existence of appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address, on a statewide and comprehensive basis, the needs in the State for:


  • The provision of State independent living services;
  • The development and support of a statewide network of centers for independent living;

Working relationships between programs providing independent living services and independent living centers, the vocational rehabilitation program established under title I, and other programs providing services for individuals with disabilities.


Current State Plan for Independent Living – SPIL


The latest SPIL was submitted on October 1, 2020 and covers the period 2021-2023. Here are the highlights:


Executive Summary


The Maine State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is a document that guides goals over the next three years to promote opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate, contribute, and engage in independent living within communities.  Maine’s IL Network consists of the Maine Statewide Independent Living Council which works in partnership with Maine’s only Center for Independent Living, Alpha One, and our Designated State Entity, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.


Maine SILC did extensive research looking at past Maine SPIL survey questions, surveys from other states, various avenues of collecting data, and tailoring all of our SPIL documents in a manner that was user friendly to all.


Maine SILC created a Needs Assessment Survey on Survey Monkey that was used during the SPIL development. The Survey was active from February 15 through April 30, 2020, on Maine SILC’s website.  The Survey link was sent to other disability organizations throughout the state where many posted the link on their website. Council members shared the survey link with their agencies, organizations and contacts.


Maine held eight Listening Sessions across the state. Listening Sessions were held at the following six physical locations – Presque Isle, Machias, Bangor, Augusta, Farmington and South Portland. Maine SILC carefully chose locations that were on public bus routes to provide individuals with disabilities more opportunity to attend. Maine SILC scheduled ASL and CART availability, offered large print postage paid Surveys, and index cards for questions and comments.  Due to the rural nature of the state we scheduled two virtual ZOOM Listening Sessions. Maine SILC posted flyers with the Listening Sessions information, provided a Maine SILC brochure, a “post card” with ME SILC information and a link to the Survey for people to take and handout to others.  In addition, Maine SILC attended a resource fair to promote SILC and the Survey. ME SILC received responses to the Survey from fifteen out of sixteen counties across the state.


Following the Listening Sessions, the SPIL Development Committee reviewed all information and made recommendations regarding the SPIL. The draft SPIL was presented to the Maine SILC, Alpha One (CIL) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSE). After the public comment period, updates were made and the SPIL 2021–2023 was signed and submitted.


1.2 Goals, 1.3 Objectives, 1.4 Action Steps


Goal 1: Promote Awareness of Independent Living Services for those with disabilities throughout the State.


Objective 1.1: The IL Network will provide information on disability issues statewide.


Action Step: The IL Network will survey consumers statewide, through Survey Monkey, annually to assess knowledge of IL services.  


Target Date: By 1st quarter, 2021, will identify the locations where Survey Monkey will be posted.  By the end of each quarter of the SPIL, Executive Director will collect Survey Monkey data to share with SILC Committee Members.  Based on information provided through Survey Monkey, the Council will work on any identified areas that may lead to a SPIL amendment.


Objective 1.2: Maine SILC will educate Policy Makers and Legislators to increase awareness of the needs and issues facing people with disabilities.


Action Step: ME SILC will keep monitoring state proposed rulemaking and legislative proposals in order to advocate on issues concerning people with disabilities. Maine SILC will educate legislators through video conferences, home visits, and documentaries.


Target Date:  ME SILC Executive Director (ED) and Chair will work collaboratively work with Disability Rights Maine (DRM) on any proposed bills that impact independent living throughout all communities of Maine. When legislation is in session, DRM will share weekly email updates with ED and Chair.  An identified SILC Member will represent ME SILC at any legislative hearings, either written or in person, then Executive Director or Chair of SILC will report back to the Council with any updates.  Activity Tables will document all SILC related activity.


Objective 1.3: Maine SILC will develop education and advocacy materials to be distributed to all Maine communities.


Action Step: Maine SILC will create a PowerPoint presentation to be used to educate other organizations, Brochures outlining the role of SILC, SILC goals, and where to find resource information, and a Flyer to be inclusive of information above in various cross-disability formats.


Target Date: Review and revise all current SILC materials to ensure inclusive accessibility to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2021.


Action Step: Maine SILC will disseminate all SILC materials to identified organizations by SILC Council Members.


Target Date:  Starting in the 2nd quarter ME SILC will target 3 organizations per quarter.  With the expectations to increase SILC presentations by 5% over the 3 year plan.


Goal 2: Consistently strive for Maine SILC Membership.


Objective 2.1: Engage in outreach to people with disabilities who have indicated they have an interest in learning more about Maine SILC to share information about membership.


Action Step: Consistently use education and advocacy materials to recruit individuals for potential membership.


Action Step: When appropriate, include Maine SILC membership information with other presentations.


Objective 2.2: Make a list of councils that educate and advocate cross disabilities statewide.


Action Step: Contact councils to establish a partnership, exchanging information between Maine SILC and other councils.  This will be done quarterly during each year of the SPIL.


Goal 3: Explore and identify the best agency to serve as the DSE.


Objective 3.1: Gain concept approvals from DSE, CIL, SILC and other agencies to draft program and budget considerations.


Action Step: Compile a list of agencies that would be a good fit to be the DSE for the SILC and Alpha One (Maine’s CIL). This is to be done in the first year of the SPIL.


Objective 3.2: Make recommendations regarding the relocation of the DSE or continuation of the DSE.


Action Step: Decide feasibility of keep/change DSE. Expected to be done by the first quarter of the second year of the SPIL.


Goal 4: Advance emergency preparedness supports and services.


Objective 4.1: Work to assure people with disabilities have adequate resources and are included in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities.


Action Step: Identify and implement online materials for use by Alpha One to educate their clients about being prepared in case of emergency.  This will include information for consumers on how to make an emergency plan kit.  The responsibility for this step will be among the SILC, Alpha One, and partnering disability organizations.


Target Date: By the 3rd quarter, 2021, ME SILC will work with Alpha One to identify and review current materials.  In the 2nd quarter, 2022, ME SILC and Alpha One will develop an accessible document to share with the citizens of Maine regarding emergency preparedness.  This document will be located on Maine SILC and Alpha One’s website and accessible to other organizations to share with their clients.  Independent Living Specialist from Alpha One will distribute to 100 % of their consumers by the end of 2023.  A member of Alpha One will provide quarterly feedback on progress of dissemination.


Goal 5: Collaborate to improve access to transportation for people with disabilities.


Objective 5.1: Engage key transportation partners and members of the disability community to commit to improving transportation options for people with disabilities.


Action Step: Identify key contacts within the transportation network and disability groups and individuals to discuss ways to improve availability/access of transportation throughout the State for people with disabilities.


Target Date: ME SILC Member will sit on a quarterly committee, Moving Maine Forward, a Statewide representation of key transportation partners.  This member of the Council will then report back to ME SILC and documented on the Activity Table.  Will maintain membership on this ongoing committee.  Based on information provided, the Council will work on any identified transportation areas that may lead to a SPIL amendment.


If you have questions or need a copy of the complete 2021-2023 SPIL, - please contact the Maine SILC (see below).