About Us

The Asia-Pacific Network for Independent Living (APNIL) is a creation of the Japan Independent Living Council in its effort to share with the severely disabled of other countries in the region the benefits of living a rights-based life. It also envisions the full participation of the disabled now and in the future in all the aspects of community and societal life, especially in participatory governance on the premise of “Nothing about us without us”. Primary concern is the empowerment and organization of the sector, especially the severely disabled, so they can enjoy self-determination and spearhead the breaking of barriers – physical, social and attitudinal – for honest-to-goodness comprehensive development and progress. With a unified voice in the region, the PWD sector can successfully open avenues for change in legislation and in the implementation of government services in our respective nations.

APNIL is the powerful vehicle by which technology and expertise can efficiently be transferred, from culture to culture and more importantly, from generation to generation. Independent Living is a scientifically based, tried and tested social model that is initiated by and takes into consideration all the needs of the severely disabled, from Advocacy, to Information Service, to Personal Assistant and Peer Counseling Services. Through the network, Independent Living Centers in Asia and the Pacific can link up with each other. From this network can come mutual cooperation and support and beneficial sharing of experiences that can help address weaknesses, enhance strengths, and deepen the resolve to pursue the path of Independent Living for all the severely disabled in the world. APNIL envisions itself as the catalyst in organizing a World IL Network.