Our Mission & Vision
The IMAGE Center of Maryland fosters independence and inclusion for people with disabilities by providing advocacy, services, and resources that empower them to lead self-directed lives.
We envision a society where people with disabilities are fully included, valued, and respected as equal participants in all aspects of life, with access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Run by People with Disabilities, for People with Disabilities
At The IMAGE Center, we believe in the power of community and lived experience. Our staff and board are composed of individuals with disabilities who understand the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with a disability. This unique perspective shapes everything we do, ensuring that our programs and advocacy efforts are meaningful, impactful, and centered on the voices of the people we serve.
Our Service Area
The IMAGE Center provides services to people with disabilities in the following areas:
- CIL Services: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County.
- Veterans Services and VME (Volunteer Maryland Equipment) Program: Statewide, serving individuals across Maryland.
What is a Center for Independent Living (CIL)?
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are community-based, non-profit organizations dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live independently, participate fully in their communities, and achieve their goals. Unlike traditional service organizations, CILs are run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities, ensuring that our leadership and services reflect the lived experiences and needs of our community.
At the core of every Center for Independent Living is a deep commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy, which recognizes that people with disabilities are the best experts on their needs. This philosophy rejects the idea that disability itself is a barrier to independent living and instead emphasizes that societal attitudes and environmental barriers are the true obstacles. By focusing on self-determination, equal opportunities, and the removal of these barriers, CILs work to create a more inclusive and accessible society.
What CILs Do
CILs empower people with disabilities by offering services and supports that promote independence, consumer choice, and full inclusion. These efforts are grounded in the five core services provided by every CIL:
- Information & Referral (I&R): Providing individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions and access community supports.
- Individual & Systems Advocacy: Empowering individuals to advocate for their rights while addressing systemic barriers to accessibility and inclusion.
- Peer Support: Connecting individuals with staff members who have disabilities to foster mentorship, shared understanding, and mutual encouragement.
- Independent Living Skills Training: Equipping people with tools and skills to live independently, such as budgeting, transportation, and daily living skills.
- Youth & Nursing Facility Transition: Assisting youth with disabilities in transitioning to adulthood and helping individuals move from nursing facilities into independent, community-based living arrangements.
Additional Services
CILs also offer a variety of other supports, including:
- Assisting individuals in procuring assistive technology to enhance independence.
- Providing opportunities for individuals to learn and strengthen self-advocacy skills.
Why CILs Are Unique
At the heart of every CIL is a belief in the power of peer mentorship and consumer choice. By connecting individuals with staff who have lived experience of disability, CILs foster an environment of mutual support, empowerment, and shared growth. These relationships underscore the belief that disability is not a limitation—it’s society’s attitudes and environments that need to change. Together, CILs and their consumers work to remove these barriers, paving the way for greater independence and community participation.
In this way, CILs serve not just as service providers but as catalysts for societal change and advocates for disability rights.
Our History
Founded in 2011, The IMAGE Center began with a mission to challenge perceptions of disability and create new opportunities for independence. From the start, our leadership has included individuals with disabilities who bring their experiences, expertise, and passion to every aspect of our work.
Over the years, The IMAGE Center has grown to serve thousands of Maryland residents, offering core services such as peer mentoring, independent living skills training, advocacy, and transition support. In addition, we’ve expanded our impact through innovative programs like VME, which builds custom equipment to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and Veterans Services, which provides tailored support to veterans with disabilities.
Today, The IMAGE Center continues to lead the way in promoting accessibility, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that people with disabilities have the resources and support to live the lives they choose.