Who We Are

Summit Independent Living is a consumer-driven, non-residential, private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing peer-delivered services that are unique in the world of human services designed to give people with all types of disabilities the tools and resources that are needed to improve independence, self-confidence, knowledge, skills and access to community resources. Summit serves people with all types of disabilities.

Summit provides consumer and advocacy services to residents of Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead, and Lincoln Counties as well as works on a systemic level nationally and across Montana to improve the lives of individuals living with disabilities. Summit’s primary office is located in Missoula, Montana and has branch offices located in Hamilton, Ronan, and Kalispell.

We believe that people with disabilities have the right to control their own lives and enjoy the same opportunities as all other citizens.

  • Making a Mural
  • Mike is dressed as a hobbit, and looks at a picture Matthew shows him
  • A BASE participant dresses up as a knight
  • Heidi dresses up as a male doctor holding a sword and medical bag, while sporting a dark beard and white coat
  • The BASE goers dressed in medieval-looking costumes hold Gavin up in an old wheelchair to pose for a picture
  • All four mural images displayed at the Allez! alleyway mural space
  • The BASE Collective pose in front of the mural
  • A group who attended the Wine and Cheese event pose for a picture
  • Travis and Scott pose for a picture together
  • Maddy, Scott, Madison, and Tyler pose for a picture together
  • A crowd watches Ethan perform a song
  • Robby, Tim, and Ethan perform in front of a crowd while Stella interprets via ASL
  • Jenny speaks to the crowd while Heidi and Gavin look on. Stella interprets via ASL
  • Maddy speaks to the crowd
  • An image of the cheese and veggie trays, the basket of crackers, and the wine served at the Wine and Cheese night.
  • The Summit tablecloth is hung up in the front of the alleyway, and the crowd mingles behind it
  • Heidi dresses up as her alter ego, Sparky the Clown, and performs in front of the crowd
  • Queers for Fears
  • Tami poses in a voodoo witch costume
  • Tim wears goggles, a cape, and a Bluth Company jumpsuit
  • Tyler takes a picture of Madison, who is dressed up as a vampire. She is sitting on a chair in front of a t.v. only playing static
  • Kathy and her beau pretend to eat a plate of fake blood
  • Maddy kisses a small skeleton figurine
  • Charlie and Maddy pose for a selfie
  • Casey sits in a chair yielding a knife and a cat mug
  • Ethan in a Phantom of the Opera mask, and Bobby in a Deadpool mask pretend to fight each other
  • Ethan in his Phantom of the Opera mask poses for a picture
  • Little Man watches a video showcasing the Summit logo
  • Devin smiles while wearing a fuzzy cat mask
  • Camp Horror
  • A cardboard sign says "Camp this Way" with an arrow pointing to the right
  • A few of the Camp Horror participants pose with the Sack Lunch Slasher in front of a bright light
  • A few of the Camp Horror participants pose with the Sack Lunch Slasher in normal lighting
  • The Camp Horror performers/participants pose for a picture on the stage of the Roxy
  • The creators of the Camp Horror films participate in a Q&A on the Roxy stage
  • An image taken from the back of the Roxy theater, with the audience in the dark on the sides of the image, and the Camp Horror creators lit up on stage
  • John asks the Camp Horror movie creators questions for a Q&A session
  • The Roxy Marquee says "August 25-27 Camp Horror Film Fest"
  • Betty's Divine Photoshoot
  • A group of Summit staff, board members, and supporters are dressed in clothing provided by Betty's and pose for a fierce photo
  • Mike is dressed in an orange jumpsuit with a reddish orange jacket covered in paint splashes, and wears a thick gold chain.
  • Kelly wears a multi-patterned dress and white snake earrings.
  • Two women wear fashionable clothing from Betty's while posing in front of the American flag with the stars arranged into an image of a person in a wheelchair
  • Three individuals dressed in incredible clothing from Betty's pose with their fists raised up in power
  • Three individuals dress in clothing from Betty's together
  • Tami strikes a pose in clothing from Betty's
  • Tami smiles at the camera in an outfit provided by Betty's
  • Maddy strikes a fierce pose in clothes from Betty's
  • Beehive Protest
  • Marsha confronts a staff member from Beehive Homes. Madison records the interaction
  • Marsha talks to the staff from Beehive Homes
  • Mike stands with a sign stating "Beehive is Buzzing with COVID" and an individual from the Missoulian prepares a cameras to take pictures
  • Jason holds a sign saying "Vaccinate don't seal our fate!"
  • Jason holds a sign saying "Do no harm"
  • Bobby holds a sign saying "your 'choice' = our death"
  • Gavin holds a sign saying "HB 702 is killing Montanans"
  • Maddy holds a sign saying "Buzzted spreading COVID instead of care"
  • Jason holds a sign saying "Disable, not disposable"
  • A group from Summit confront staff from Beehive Homes
  • 2022 ADA Picnic
  • Two women pose for a picture at the ADA Picnic
  • A group of individuals in wheelchairs engage in conversation together
  • Gavin and John play corn hole while Ethan runs toward the camera
  • A few adaptive bikes are on display at the ADA picnic
  • An individual checks out an adaptive canoe
  • an woman poses for the camera at the ADA picnic
  • 80's Party
  • The El Cazador food truck is parked at the new Summit building site where a crowd enjoys the Summit 80's Party
  • The Summit short bus is decked out in an 80's themed photo wall for the 80's Party
  • Tyler, dressed in a blonde mullet wig and brightly patterned pants, poses with Madison, who is dressed up in pink leg warmers and a black dress with bright paint splashes, in front of the short bus photo wall
  • Jason, all dressed in bright tie-dye from head to toe, poses for a picture
  • Jenny wears a blonde Tina Turner wig and poses with Bobby, both smiling for a picture
  • Molly gives Tyler a hug
  • Christian, dressed up in a Pac-Man onesie poses with Madison, who wears a black dress with paint splashes
  • Mark, wearing a red bandana and long rocker-style hair poses for the camera with Madison
  • Madison and Jenny pose for a picture
  • Madison gives Jenny a prize for best hair
  • Tyler, Gretchen, and Molly pose in front of the photo wall
  • Molly, dressed in an authentic black and white 90's prom dress and white glasses, poses with Tyler, wearing a blonde mullet wig
  • Bobby, Heath, and Ethan power pose in front of the 80's photo wall

Join the Action Alert Listserv

The Montana Centers for Independent Living Action Alert system is an email listserv and online portal designed to inform you about current local, state, and national issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities.

The Action Alert system is administered by Montana’s four centers for independent living who serve as a strong, collective voice on a wide range of national, state and local issues and work to assure physical, attitudinal, and programmatic access to housing, employment, transportation, communities, recreation, and health and social services.

Our action alert system works much like a listserv. Just sign up to become an advocate by clicking the button on the right and we will email you about important opportunities to advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities locally, statewide, and nationally.

You may also visit the MTCIL Action Alert system website to learn more about our advocacy efforts as well as to take action on various issues right now.

Now more than ever we all need to join forces and work together to improve and preserve the services that keep people healthy, active, productive and involved in their communities. Remember, democracy is a “participatory sport.” We all have tremendous power to bring about positive change, but only if we get involved, speak out and demand that our elected officials do the right thing.

Our Action Alert system offers many opportunities for you to get involved, follow our advocacy efforts, as well as to look up and contact your elected officials.

Montana Centers for Independent Living Action Alert system
NCIL 5 for 5 Fund Centers for Independent Living $500 million for 5 Court Services Advocacy Campaign Logo

Learn More About NCIL’s New Advocacy Campaign, 5 For 5!

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is leading a nationwide effort to Congress for $500 million to invest in community living & independence for people with disabilities.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) (Title VII, Rehabilitation Act, as amended) have been underfunded for decades, leading to individuals with disabilities lacking access to critical services and support!

Many areas in the U.S., especially in rural communities do not have access to a CIL. CILs need more funding in order to expand their service areas to address the unmet needs.

Funding CILs enables individuals with disabilities to live in their homes with their families where they can work, attend school, worship, and participate in other community activities. CILs are hubs of disability information, resources, services, and advocacy. CILs are vital to the whole community. It also creates tremendous savings for taxpayers.

To learn more about NCIL’s 5 for 5 advocacy campaign and to find out how you can get involved, please click here to visit NCIL’s 5 for 5 campaign website.

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