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Two photos: One shows a group of people, including individuals with disabilities, painting together indoors. The other shows a man pushing a girl in a wheelchair outdoors, holding hands with a young boy.

A Center of Independent Living

Ability Montana is a nonprofit and one of four Centers of Independent Living (CIL) in the state of Montana. Ability Montana’s mission is to promote independence and advocate for people living with disabilities. To do this, we stand by three values: empowerment, advocacy, and community. We aim to break down the barriers to accessibility and to empower people to live independently, whatever that looks like to them. We advocate for people living with disabilities, and for their right to a self-directed life.

About Our Programs

As with other Centers for Independent Living (CILs), we believe in the power of community and human connection and are proud of the peer-led aspect of CILs. To achieve that, we offer a variety of services and programs built around the five core pillars of independent living.

Each Center for Independent Living in the United States must provide programs and resources around these five core pillars of services.

Our Values

Empowerment

Advocacy

Community

Ability MT Through The Years

Ability Montana Logo

2022

mILp is now Ability MT

The organization previously known as the Montana Independent Living Project (mILp) rebranded to Ability Montana in 2022.

2020

mILp as a Center for Independent Living in Montana

mILp is one of four Centers for Independent Living in the State of Montana and is governed by a consumer-controlled Board of Directors whose lives have been personally impacted by a disability. We are funded in part by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1992 (Title VII- Independent Living Services), and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Disability Services Division).

2014

The ABLE Act

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 is a federal law that allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible individuals with disabilities.

2010

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) is a U.S. law that improves accessibility for people with disabilities to modern communication services and video programming

2010

The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, also known as Obamacare, is a comprehensive U.S. healthcare reform law aimed at increasing health insurance coverage and affordability, while implementing reforms to the health insurance market.

1999

The Olmstead vs L.C. Supreme Court Decision

In Olmstead v L.C., the U.S. Supreme Court decided that individuals with mental disabilities must be offered services in the most integrated setting possible.

1999

The Works Incentives Improvement Act (Ticket to Work)

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 is a U.S. law that established the Ticket to Work program, which helps people with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits to obtain employment services.

A group of people sitting at a table signing a document.

Photo Credit: National Archives

Source: NAID: 6037489

July 1990

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is Signed

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a comprehensive civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. It was the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.

Black and white image of activists deserted mobility devices and crawling the capitol steps.

Photo Credits:: Tom Olin/Disability History Museum

Source:: share.america.gov

March 1990

The Capitol Crawl Protest

The “Capitol Crawl” protest takes place on March 12, 1990. Over 60 disabled activists deserted mobility devices and crawled up the steps of the Capitol to advocate for civil rights and equality for people with disabilities.

1988

North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS), Inc. & Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT), Inc. Open

North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS) opens in Great Falls and Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) opens in Billings.

1988

First Deaf President of Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University students protested the selection of another hearing person as their president. These protests led to Dr. I. King Jordan being named the first Deaf president of the university in 125 years. 

1988

The Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1988 prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals in air travel and applies to all U.S. airlines and foreign airlines flying to or from the U.S.. 

1988

The Fair Housing Act, The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits housing discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations and modifications for people with disabilities, including making new multi-family dwellings accessible.

1985

Montana Independent Living Project (mILp) Established Across Montana

Montana Independent Living Project establishes offices in Helena, Bozeman, and Butte. mILp services 14 counties in southwest Montana, including Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Meagher, Park, Powell, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, and Wheatland.

1980

Advocacy Groups Unite

Two Montana advocacy groups wrote grants to the Department of Education for Independent Living and received their grants in 1981. These advocacy groups became known as Montana Independent Living Project and Summit Independent Living Center.

1978

ADAPT Formed

ADAPT formed to advocate for accessible public transit.

1977

First U.S. Federal Civil Rights Protection For People With Disabilities

Sit-ins were held at Health, Education and Welfare offices, in protest of refusal to sign regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilation Act of 1973, which was the first U.S. federal civil rights protection for people with disabilities

1973

Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)

Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs or activities receiving federal funding.

1972

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was established in 1972 through amendments to the Social Security Act and began in 1974.

1968

The Architectural Barriers Act

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968 requires that facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds be accessible to people with disabilities. 

1965

Medicare & Medicaid

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965 into law on July 30, establishing both Medicare and Medicaid.

1965

The Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark U.S. federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the civil rights movement on August 6, 1965. Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections.

1962

First Disablity Student at UC Berkeley

Ed Roberts successfully sued to gain admission to the University of California, Berkeley, making him the first student with severe disabilities to attend that school.

1956

Social Security Disability (SSDI)

In 1956, the Social Security Amendments established the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, which provided cash benefits to workers who were disabled and aged 50 to 64.

1935

The Social Security Act

The Social Security Act of 1935, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, established a social safety net for Americans, providing old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid for dependent children, the blind, and maternal and child welfare.

1918

The Smith-Sears Veterans Rehabilitation Act

The Smith-Sears Veterans Rehabilitation Act of 1918, also known as the Soldier's Rehabilitation Act, was a landmark piece of legislation that established the first federal program for vocational rehabilitation for disabled World War I veterans.

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