Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) Thunder Bay is a community-driven organization dedicated to the Independent Living philosophy, providing programming, advocacy and resources to support the autonomy of people with self-disclosed disabilities in the Thunder Bay Region.

Mission Statement

To promote ability and independence within an inclusive community.

Vision

Through action and education we will achieve a community where an individual’s choices and rights are enhanced through accessibility and inclusion.

Our Goals and What We Do

At the ILRC, we work to support people with disabilities in living independently and making their own choices.

We do this by:

  • Providing information, peer support, and advocacy.

  • Running a resource centre where people with disabilities and their support people can find help.

  • Offering workshops and programs that build independent living skills.

  • Sharing useful information with individuals, community groups, and government services.

  • Researching and creating new ways to support independent living.

  • Helping people gain skills and find employment opportunities.

ILRC Staff standing by banners

 At the Centre, we are committed to nurturing reconciliation through active learning and collaboration. Our team has taken steps to deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories, experiences, and perspectives.

Our organization is grounded in the Independent Living philosophy. We believe in the rights of individuals to self-determination, autonomy, and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives. These principles align closely with Indigenous principles of sovereignty and the importance of community. Both approaches honour the strength and wisdom of individuals and their inherent right to lead lives free from oppression and external control. By standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities, we affirm our shared commitment to these values.

It is with whole hearts that we acknowledge this land as the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people and the home of Fort William First Nation, Chief Michele Solomon, and the Metis nation.