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Endependence Center
Disability Advocacy & Services

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Endependence center building exterior

Core Services

What is New

NATIONAL DISABILITY VOTING RIGHTS WEEK:

  • September 11 – 15 is National Disability Voting Rights Week. Visit our News page or click here to get more information and make your plan to vote. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Current participants can find the annual ECI Participant Satisfaction Survey by visiting the Feedback page, or clicking here

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Visit the News page for details about COVID-19 guidelines for all in-person meetings. 
Two young women with disabilities sitting down at a cafe having a business meeting.

Welcome to ECI.

The Endependence Center, Incorporated (ECI) is a consumer controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private, non-profit Center for Independent Living (CIL) operated by and for individuals with disabilities in South Hampton Roads, including the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Southampton County and Isle of Wight County.

ECI provides an array of independent living services to individuals with disabilities and to the community.

Want more information about how to remove a barrier or assist with a need you have?

ECI aims to assist people with disabilities in obtaining or maintain their desired level or independence with the use of services, supports, and advocacy. ECI advocates for the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspect of society.

An empowered looking woman in a wheel chair

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Visit Us

Come visit us and see how we make a difference.

WAIVER VA

Find out about Medicaid Waivers

Benefits (WIPA)

Make informed choices about employment with WIPA

Where to Start

Not sure where to start or what services we offer? Start here.

Independent Living

Open Doors to Opportunities with the Disability Community

The ECI’s desire is for people with disabilities to live a life that they are satisfied with. That they have the opportunities available to them as those with out disabilities. We understand that can be difficult to obtain due to the realities that the communities we live in are not always accommodating or understanding.

At ECI we do not define what Independence means we strive to work with you one on one to identify what in your life is hindering you from achieving it then work together to identify what resources, supports and services are available to make those happen. If needed we will also advocate to ensure that the communities, we live in are integrated and inclusive.

Business woman in wheelchair running a meeting
Smiling woman with prosthetic arm having coffee at a coffee shop
Man shaking hands in a business meeting
Older woman smiling with arms crossed

News & Resources

Training, News, & Useful Links

ECI’s goal is to ensure that you have up-to-date information about not only what we are doing at ECI but also what is happening that affects our community as a whole.

Blue text reads: “5 days of celebrating” with blue sparkles around it. Important dates are listed with the date inside a red block and the theme inside a blue block. September 11 is “Register, Pledge to Vote.” September 12 is “What’s on Your Ballot?” September 13 is “Make a Plan to Vote.” September 14 is “Break Down Barriers.” September 15 is “Celebrate Our Power.”

ECI Celebrates Disability Voting Rights Week

Home Page, items of interest, Links, News, Resources

September 11 – 15, 2023 is National Disability Voting Rights Week! This post will share important information you can use to make a...
Read More → ECI Celebrates Disability Voting Rights Week

ECI September 2023 Newsletter

Home Page, Newsletters

Attached is the September 2023 ECI Newsletter in Microsoft Word and .pdf.  ...
Read More → ECI September 2023 Newsletter

Text reads "Hurricane Preparedness." On far left is drawing of a house with a checkmark, and text "MAKE A PLAN." In the middle is a graphic of a first aid kit and water bottle with text that reads "Build a Kit." On the far right is a graphic of a cell phone with text that reads "BE INFORMED"

Prepare for Hurricane Season

Home Page, Links, News, Resources

September is National Preparedness Month. Hurricane season began June 1 and goes through November 30. Being prepared for a hurricane or...
Read More → Prepare for Hurricane Season

How You Can Help ECI!

The Endependence Center, as a non-profit organization, is continually pursuing funds necessary to serve the South Hampton Roads area. Your donation can make possible the continuation and expansion of needed services to individuals with disabilities in the community.

All donations are secure and processed through paypal.

ECI Quick Donations

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Personal Info

Donation Total: $25.00

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