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Endependence Center
Disability Advocacy & Services

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Endependence center building exterior

Core Services

What is New

2023 ANNUAL PARTICIPANT HOLIDAY PARTY TO BE HELD DECEMBER 13:

  • Registration required.
  • For more information, click here.

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.

Logo for the National Council on Independent Living, which is the words "NCIL National Council of Independent Living" with a light blue half circle around it

National Survey of Parents & Caregivers with Physical and Vision Disabilities

Home Page, items of interest, Links, Resources

National Survey of Parents and Caregivers with Physical and Vision Disabilities Source: Through the Looking Glass   Through the...
Read More → National Survey of Parents & Caregivers with Physical and Vision Disabilities

Gold border over white background with faint glitter stripe diagonal across, from top left corner to bottom right. Text reading “Annual ECI Participantt” Script reading “holiday party” on an angle Text reading “December 13, 12noon – 4:00pm, Entry ticket $5, Registration Required" Gold ribbon tied in bow stretched across invite

2023 Participant Holiday Party

Home Page, items of interest, News

December 13, 2023 12noon – 4:00pm Doubletree by Hilton Norfolk 1500 N. Military Highway, Norfolk   The party is open to CENTER...
Read More → 2023 Participant Holiday Party

Picture of Cheryl Simpson smiling, wearing necklace and "Support IL" button.

ECI Honors Cheryl Simpson for 40 Years of Service

Home Page, items of interest, News

A message from ECI Executive Director, Nichole Davis Cheryl Simpson has been vital to the Endependence Center for the past 40 years. Though...
Read More → ECI Honors Cheryl Simpson for 40 Years of Service

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

$
Personal Info

Donation Total: $25.00

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