In 1976, Norma Jean Vescovo, who had been working for ten years prior to improve the school systems, parent organizations, and special education schools for persons with disabilities, helped to found the Independent Living Center of Southern California, Inc. (ILCSC).  As Executive Director of the ILCSC, Norma emphasized that the main focus of the newly established Center was on self-help, with the concept of persons with disabilities helping persons with disabilities, in a mainstream setting. 

During its first year of operation, the ILCSC served approximately 500 clients, and has now, 30 years later, has grown to 8,000 clients per year working towards independence.

The success of the Center has been due to not just working with the person with a disability, but in educating the community as well.  For example, persons with Acquired Traumatic Brain Injury are sometimes misunderstood, as they have no outward appearance of being disabled.  Therefore, the community and its services must be made aware of the nuances of disabilities, in order to better serve them.

Norma has once again led the way in the field of disabilities, by beginning a successful Toastmasters Club, the Valley Vocalizers.  This Club is offering the opportunity for persons with disabilities, including staff and clients, to learn how to express their needs to the community through public speaking.  After three years, the Club has grown to include community members, and for these three years has received the honor of being President’s Distinguished, the highest honor a club may receive from Toastmasters International.

Looking toward the next 30 years…the ILCSC will be focusing on bridging the gap between persons with disabilities and technology.  Equal access must be extended to persons with disabilities, not only to protect their civil rights but to ensure their participation in the marketplace.