The mission of BRIDGES is to provide advocacy and leadership toward an accessible, integrated community promoting health and autonomy for people with disabilities BRIDGES was founded in 1987 under the name Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC). It is a community-based, peer-driven, cross-disability, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and providing services on behalf of people with disabilities. BRIDGES is one of 41 Independent Living Centers (ILC) operating in New York State under the auspices of New York State Education Department (NYSED) and New York State Department of Health (NYDOH). Each ILC adheres to a national philosophy of Independent Living that seeks to empower individuals with disabilities to make autonomous decisions regarding all aspects of living. In accordance with the IL philosophy, BRIDGES is governed by a Board of Directors that has majority representation of people with disabilities. As an Independent Living Center, BRIDGES provides essential core services of Independent Living. These include: Peer Counseling Independent Living Skills Training Information & Referral Individual & Systems Advocacy Transition Support BRIDGES provides additional programs and services. Each activity promotes individuals’ right of autonomy and encourages active participation in community life according to the desires of each individual.