History
The Independent Living Centre of WA was founded by Miss Freda Jacobs in 1977 and officially opened by Lady Kyle in March 1978. Initially the ILC was staffed and provided accommodation courtesy of the Paraplegic Quadriplegic Association (Paraquad) and Civilian Maimed and Limbless Association (CMLA) in premises located at 60 Havelock Street, West Perth.
By 1982 the Independent Living Centre had outgrown the location, space was limited and access concerns necessitated a move to Lemnos Street, Shenton Park. Funding from The Lotteries Commission and Society for Crippled Children (Rocky Bay) assisted with fitting out the building which became operational in October 1982 and was officially opened in 1983.
In December 1982 the Independent Living Centre was incorporated and developed a Management and Advisory Committee independent from Paraquad and CMLA.
Dates of note
In the thirty years since its inception the ILC has continued to grow and expand the services available to the community. Some of our most notable achievements are;
- 1979: The computerisation of the Equipment Database (ROVER)
- 1989: The launch of the Mobile Unit and Country Services
- 1990: The launch of ILC Technology
- 1995: The launch of the ILC lending library (ILC Hire) and the launch of Access and Design
- 1997: The commencement of Education and Training Services
- 2000: The beginning of North Metro Commonwealth Carelink Program
- 2002: Move to “The Niche” on the QEII site
- 2004: Administration of the Lotterywest Disability Equipment Grants
- 2005: Addition of North metro Carer Respite Centre
- 2007: Opening of Northsite to accommodate the growing Respite and Carelink Centre
- 2008: The opening of the ILC Assistive technology satellite service in Rockingham. Closed in 2010.
- 2008: Addition of Mental Health Carer Respite funding to CRCC
- 2010: Commencement of ILC Multicultural Aged Care Service (ILCMACS)
- 2011: North metro Carelink centre becomes Access Point for HACC reform
- 2011: ILC establishes a Regional Assessment Service in North metro
- 2011: Opening of second office at North site in Westminster