The success of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley was soon followed by Centers in Boston and Houston. Within a decade, Centers for Independent Living were also established in other states.

Centers for Independent Living offer a range of services for persons with disabilities. Under the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1993, Centers are mandated to provide four "independent living core services" and may provide any of the other independent living services that are specified in the Amendments.

Information and referral services: Centers maintain comprehensive information files on accessible housing, transportation, employment opportunities, personal care attendants, interpreters for people with a hearing loss, readers for people who are blind; and many other services.

Independent living skills training: Centers provide or arrange training to assist people with disabilities to acquire and improve skills that will help them to live more independently.