Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Inc.

Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Inc. is a local, non-profit agency that provides resources for children and adults with disabilities.  Formerly known as Holly Community, Inc., this agency has been a disability resource center since 1974. Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Inc. provides services in all nine counties of Maryland's Eastern Shore. 

Centers for Independent Living are consumer-controlled, community based, cross-disability, nonresidential private non-profit agencies designed and operated by individuals with disabilities.  As a Center for Independent Living, more than 51% of the Independent Living Resource staff and Board of Directors are persons with disabilities, who provide a unique base of expertise for addressing and providing services to individuals with disabilities.

The Independent Living Philosophy starts from the premise that a disability is a natural part of life.  Some people are born with a disability while others acquire them through injury or illness. Even individuals who currently have no disability are likely, through aging and changing circumstances, acquire a disability.

Bay Area Center for Independent Living, Inc. promotes access to community resources and support for people with disabilities and their families through programs which offer choices, preserve dignity and increase independence for an improved quality of life across the nine counties of Maryland's Eastern Shore. 

Bay Area Center for Independent Living offers the following services to our consumers:

Independent Living and Assistive Technology: Bay Area CIL provides individuals, with disabilities, the necessary skills and assistive technology devices to be able to successfully live independently in the community.

Esther’s Wings: Bay Area CIL also offers residents of local nursing homes fun activities and personal care items through the Esther’s Wings program.

Money Follows the Person: Bay Area CIL assists individuals with the transition process from a Long-Term Care facility, (nursing home or state hospital) to a residence in the community

Assistive Technology: Assistive Technology (AT) assists persons with disabilities to live and work as independently as possible. Some examples include wheelchairs, ramps and computer voice recognition software. Bay Area CIL provides assessments and guidance for device choice, offers temporary loans for trial purposes and helps locate funding resources for purchases. The AT program is sponsored through Maryland’s Assistive Technology Program (MD TAP) and the United Way of the Eastern Shore.

MD TAP Statewide Portable Ramp Project: Bay Area CIL works with the Maryland Technology and Assistance Program (MD TAP) to provide temporary portable ramps to those individuals who need wheelchair access to their homes. This project allows the consumer with limited mobility to live within their own home and community.

Vocational and Pre-Employment Transition Services: Bay Area CIL works cooperatively with Maryland’s Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to provide vocational and youth transition services for those who are living in our community with significant disabilities. 

Benefits Counseling:  Bay Area CIL’s certified benefits counselors work cooperatively with DORS to assist consumers with understanding the benefits of working while maintaining SSI, SSDI, SNAP or HUD benefits.

Supports Planning Agency: Bay Area CIL offers comprehensive case management services for Medicaid long-term service consumers who qualify for the Community Options (CO) waiver, Community First Choice (CFC) or Community Personal Assistance (CPAS) Services.

Therapeutic Pool: Bay Area CIL promotes peer support and social engagement through a variety of scheduled activities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Community Classroom: The center also provides workshops and resources to assist individuals in advocating for their own needs and provides support as they navigate through the education process or social security system.

Durable Medical Equipment: 

The center provides a "reuse and recycle" durable medical loan closet to the community of no charge.