Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia

What Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia does

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) is a private, federally mandated nonprofit systems advocacy and planning organization established around 1990 and headquartered in Decatur, Georgia. Under Title VII, Chapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, SILCGA is statutorily responsible for jointly developing the three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) with the Georgia Department of Labor – Rehabilitation Services, and it focuses its advocacy on three barrier areas — accessible housing, assistive technology, and transportation. The organization coordinates a service-delivery network of nine Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and two satellite offices across Georgia, which together provided core services — information and referral, peer support, independent living skills training, advocacy, and transition services — to 3,459 individuals in FY22. SILCGA itself does not deliver direct services; rather, it plans, advocates, and produces content that supports consumers and the CIL network, including the nationally recognized 'Accessibility Now' podcast and the 'Inclusion: The Story of the Americans with Disabilities Act' documentary, which is sold as an HR training tool.

SILCGA's revenue model is dominated by federal Title VII Independent Living funds administered at the state level through the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (administratively attached to the Department of Human Services), supplemented by individual donations at tiered levels (Platinum Star through Super Star) and modest documentary sales. Services to end consumers are provided free of charge via the CIL network, which is staffed and governed primarily by people with disabilities in a peer-to-peer model. The organization has a small staff of approximately 15 people and engages stakeholders through quarterly public board meetings, a quarterly email newsletter, an interactive online CIL map, social media (Facebook, YouTube), and annual events such as the NCIL Conference. SILCGA is not a technology company — its core technology footprint consists of standard website, email, and mapping infrastructure — and it does not disclose proprietary software, APIs, or AI capabilities.

Strategic priorities for the 2025-2027 SPIL cycle are expanding CIL coverage into 27 currently unserved Georgia counties, sustaining the federally mandated partnership with the Georgia DOL – Rehabilitation Services, and producing content such as the ADA documentary and podcast to elevate awareness of disability rights and independent living. Notable leadership transitions include the retirement of longtime Executive Director Pat Puckett in 2015 (formal commemoration in March 2016), the subsequent tenure and passing of Executive Director Shelly Simmons, and current leadership continuity under an Associate Director and programmatic staff covering housing and mobility advocacy.

Name

Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia

Legal name

Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia

Website

https://silcga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SILCGA is the federally mandated, Decatur, Georgia-based statewide independent living council that plans, advocates, and coordinates a network of nine Centers for Independent Living serving Georgians with disabilities across housing, transportation, and assistive technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Independent Living Advocacy

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Systems advocacy planning
• Accessible housing support
• Disability rights policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding: Receives federal Independent Living funds under Title VII, Chapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
2. State Funding: State funding administered through the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, which is administratively attached to the Department of Human Services.
3. Donations and Grants: Accepts donations at various levels (Platinum Star $5000, Gold Star $3000, Silver Star $2000, Super Star $500) and receives grants from various foundations and government sources.
4. Documentary Sales: The organization produces and sells the documentary 'Inclusion: The Story of the Americans with Disabilities Act' as an HR training tool.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SILCGA is a systems advocacy and planning organization that coordinates a statewide network of 9 Centers for Independent Living and 2 satellite offices to help people with disabilities live independently in their communities. It develops Georgia's three-year State Plan for Independent Living and conducts advocacy in accessible housing, assistive technology, and transportation. The organization also produces public awareness resources including the Accessibility Now podcast, the documentary "Inclusion: The Story of the Americans with Disabilities Act," a quarterly newsletter, and an interactive CIL map.

Product overview

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) is a systems advocacy and planning organization that does not offer a traditional technology product but rather provides a portfolio of services focused on advancing independent living for people with disabilities in Georgia. The core offerings include the Accessibility Now podcast (a top 10 independent living podcast), the documentary 'Inclusion: The Story of the ADA', quarterly newsletters, an interactive CIL map, and a network of nine Centers for Independent Living providing peer support, advocacy, and transition services. SILCGA's advocacy focuses on three main barrier areas: Accessible Housing, Assistive Technology, and Transportation, managed through a three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accessibility Now Podcast A nationally recognized top 10 independent living podcast featuring interviews with disability advocates, CIL staff members, and consumers throughout Georgia, covering topics including voting rights, housing, mobility, and self-advocacy.
• Inclusion: The Story of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Documentary) A documentary commemorating 35 years of the ADA, functioning as an HR training tool that demonstrates the work that went into this monumental step in the independent living movement; sold via the SILCGA website.
• Centers for Independent Living (CILs) Network A network of nine Centers for Independent Living and two satellite offices across Georgia providing five core services: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Advocacy, and Transition Services.
• State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) A three-year strategic plan developed jointly by SILCGA and the Georgia Department of Labor - Rehabilitation Services, including goals for IL services, transportation, housing, and emergency preparedness (current period 2025-2027).

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,459 individuals assisted toward independence in FY22
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSILCGA is a proud member of the National Council on Independent Living, participating in annual conferences and advocacy initiatives at the national level. NCIL provides a platform for sharing best practices and advancing disability rights policy.
• Georgia Department of Labor - Rehabilitation ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is developed jointly every three years by SILCGA and the Georgia Department of Labor - Rehabilitation Services. This partnership ensures coordinated planning for independent living services statewide.
• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent Living programs are administered by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, which is administratively attached to the Department of Human Services. This is the primary state agency partner for program administration.
• Georgia Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is administratively attached to the Department of Human Services, making DHS a key state partner in the administration of independent living programs.
• Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities and Older AdultsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSILCGA participates in the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition, which works to ensure people with disabilities are included in emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts.
• Georgia Transit AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSILCGA Mobility Coordinator Jordan Hall was re-elected to serve on the Georgia Transit Association Board, which focuses on improving public transportation in Georgia through advocacy and professional development.
• Georgia Centers for Independent Living (9 CILs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNine Centers for Independent Living across Georgia serve as the primary delivery mechanism for direct services to consumers. These community-based, nonprofit organizations are governed and staffed by people with disabilities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Parent to Parent of Georgia: Parent to Parent of Georgia is a statewide nonprofit supporting families of children with disabilities. It is comparable as a Georgia-based disability nonprofit using peer support, but focuses on family caregivers rather than disabled adults living independently.
• Center for the Visually Impaired: The Center for the Visually Impaired is an Atlanta-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation and independent living services for people with vision loss. It is comparable as a Georgia-based disability services nonprofit, but specialized to a single disability population.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of Georgia: The Arc of Georgia is a statewide disability advocacy nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is comparable to SILCGA in its Georgia footprint, nonprofit advocacy role, and focus on community-based living, but covers a broader disability constituency and direct service.
• The Shepherd Center: The Shepherd Center is a nationally recognized Atlanta-based nonprofit hospital specializing in rehabilitation for spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other disabilities. It is comparable in Georgia footprint and disability focus, but operates a clinical rehabilitation model rather than community-based independent living services.
• Disability Rights Georgia: Disability Rights Georgia is the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for Georgians with disabilities. It is comparable in its Georgia-specific focus, federal funding, and legal advocacy role, but differs by emphasizing individual legal protection rather than independent living services.
• Bobby Dodd Institute: Bobby Dodd Institute is a Georgia-based nonprofit providing disability services including vocational training, employment, and independent living support. It is comparable in geographic focus and service orientation, but extends more deeply into employment and vocational rehabilitation.

Others

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency: The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is a core state-level partner that co-develops the State Plan for Independent Living with SILCGA and administers Independent Living programs. It is comparable as a state-level Georgia entity working on disability outcomes, but functions as a government agency rather than an independent nonprofit.
• Annandale Village: Annandale Village is a Georgia-based nonprofit providing residential and community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is comparable as a Georgia disability nonprofit, but operates a residential/supportive housing model rather than systems advocacy.

Direct peers

• disABILITY LINK: disABILITY LINK is an Atlanta-based Center for Independent Living and SILCGA network partner. It is comparable as a peer-to-peer CIL providing the same five core services (information and referral, peer support, independent living skills training, advocacy, and transition services) to Georgians with disabilities.
• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): NCIL is the national membership organization for the Independent Living movement and Centers for Independent Living. SILCGA is a member and active participant, making NCIL the closest peer in mission and constituency, differentiated only by its federal-level scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYPPWHK5iCZvVxkmBS4RIEQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SILCGA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silcga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia