Independent Living for People with Disabilities embraces the philosophy of self-determination. It empowers people with disabilities to make choices for themselves. They have the freedom to decide how they want to live their lives without interference from others. The philosophy also espouses equality where people with disabilities can participate fully in the community with the provision of appropriate infrastructure and support.

The essentials of the Independent Living Programme is Peer Counselling. This is always conducted by persons with disabilities as they are the best people to understand the challenges faced by another person with disabilities. Peer counselling seeks to liberate persons with disabilities by the sharing of information in solving challenges.

Accessibility is integral to an inclusive society. This does not entail only a barrier free environment and transportation but access to medical treatment, education, information and services, among others. This enables full participation in the community by people with disabilities on equal terms with the non-disabled.

Malaysian Independent Living Initiative Group (MILIG) is a coalition of sixteen physically impaired persons who are committed to establishing at least one Centre for Independent Living in Malaysia within the next three years.

These sixteen attended an Independent Living Workshop in September 2005 that was jointly organised by the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Malaysia (JKMM) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The workshop was conducted by two Resource Persons from Japan.

The following is a brief of each Resource Person:

Ms. Hiroko Akiyama, Director of Hino IL Centre
Worked as a consultant on IL for JICA in Thailand, and has conducted training courses in the Philippines and Korea. Has published several books on IL and peer-counseling in Japanese.

Ms. Aiko Tsusumi, Vice President of Machida Human Network (IL Centre)
Published several books on IL, peer-counseling, and issues on Eugenic protection law in Japanese. She was also in charge of several training programmes on IL for international participants.