(201) 996-9100 Bergen / (201) 533-4407 Hudson
Heightened Independence and Progress,Center for Independent Living (hipcil)

WHO WE ARE

Heightened Independence and Progress, Center for Independent Living (hipcil).

Supporting independent living for people with disabilities, hipcil is a nonprofit agency run by and for people with disabilities.

Its purpose is to promote full inclusion and full accessibility for all people, and to enhance the ability of every individual to live and work with maximum independence.

WHAT WE DO

Heightened Independence and Progress
-hipcil-
has moved to a new location!

hipcil Bergen County Office

We will be reopening on
📆 Monday, November 17th, 2025

The new address is
📌  190 Moore Street,  Suite 101
 Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601

☎️ Our phone numbers have not changed and staff is available!

We are excited to welcome you to our
🌟OPEN HOUSE🎈
on December 3rd, 2025! 

Join us for an informative event!
Meet our team, explore our space,
and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere!

🧑‍🦽Accessible entrance is available at the intersection
of Midtown Bridge Street & River Street.

hipcil Annual Holiday Party 

Annual Holiday Party

hipcil presents
The Annual Holiday Party
Dinner, Dancing, Music
& Holiday Cheer

Join us at
The Elan, 111 Route U.S 46 West,
Lodi, NJ 07644

on Sunday, December 14th
from 12pm to 4pm

🎉 “Please register no later than Tuesday, November 25th.” 🎉

hipcil Annual Membership Meeting

 

Annual Membership Meeting

hipcil presents
The Annual Membership Meeting
Join hipcil’s Board of Trustees, staff, consumers, and friends over
efreshments and demonstrate your support of the concept of Independent Living.

Join us at
Bergen County Community College
at the Meadowlands
1280 Wall Street West,
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025,
from 6:30PM-8:30PM

Learn about our accomplishments over the past year and meet all the staff from Bergen and Hudson hipcil who have made our Centers for Independent Living so successful.

Everyone is welcome; please RSVP to reserve your spot.

The image displays a bold white word "DONATE" centered on a solid maroon background, designed to draw attention to a call-to-action for contributing or giving support.
The image features bold, uppercase text reading "BECOME A MEMBER" in maroon font, centered on a plain white background. A thin maroon border outlines the image, giving it a clean, professional appearance.
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Maroon text reading 'Follow Us' is displayed prominently above a large blue circle featuring Facebook's white 'f' icon, all framed within a clean maroon border on a white background

ONGOING & UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar
Gallery
Book Club

Book Club

,

Calendar of Events, Winter / Spring 2024
Dates TBD (always once a month)
March Book – Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
April Book – Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini

AVL Group

AVL Group

,

Calendar of Events, Winter / Spring 2024
Secaucus 10 am (Meets at Secaucus Public Library)
March 8 / April 12
Jersey City 10 am (Meets at 5 Corners Library)
March 28 / April 25
North Arlington 11 am – 1 pm (Meets at 214 Ridge Road, North Arlington)
March 12 / April 9
Washington Township/Fort Lee 11 am
Every Wednesday via Conference Call

FUNDING ASSISTANCE

The image features a maroon background with bold white text. On the left, the acronym "MAP" is displayed prominently, while to the right, the words "Modification Access Project" are stacked vertically, aligned neatly.
The image features a maroon background with bold white text. On the left, the acronym "SNAP" is displayed prominently, while to the right, the words "Special Needs Assistance Program" are stacked vertically, aligned neatly.
The image has a maroon background with bold white text. On the left, the acronym "SAIL" is displayed prominently, while to the right, the words "Special Assistance for Independent Living" are arranged in four evenly stacked lines.
The image features a maroon background with three stylized figures outlined in gold and black, representing people. A large magnifying glass overlays the group, focusing on the center figure to symbolize insight and connection. Below the graphic, bold maroon text reads "ABOUT US" against a white background.
The image is a grid of six icons in a combination of yellow and maroon tones, representing various accessibility-related services. The top row features symbols for mobility (a person in a wheelchair), hearing (an ear with sound waves), and cognitive assistance (a side profile of a head). The bottom row includes symbols for sign language (two hands forming gestures), visual impairments (a person using a white cane), and Braille (six dots arranged in a rectangular pattern). Below the icons, the word “SERVICES” is prominently displayed in bold, maroon text on a white background.
A colorful illustration with three happy yellow faces against a deep maroon background. The center face is smiling brightly, emitting rays of joy, surrounded by two smaller smiling faces. Below, bold text reads “EVENTS” in white, centered on a maroon rectangle.
The image features a bold maroon banner with the word "NEWS" written in large white capital letters, angled diagonally across a gold rectangle. Below it, the word "NEWS" is repeated in maroon text on a white background, framed by the same maroon border. This design represents an announcement or update, emphasizing the theme of news with a clear, attention-grabbing contrast.
The image features a maroon background with two white outline figures symbolizing accessibility. The first figure sits in a wheelchair with a yellow circle representing the wheel, and the second figure walks using a white cane. Below the figures, the word "RESOURCES" is prominently displayed in bold, uppercase, maroon text on a white rectangle. The design conveys support and accessibility resources.
The image features a maroon background with the letters "MTS" in large, bold, light gray uppercase font. White circular dots arranged in a Braille pattern overlay parts of each letter. Below, a white rectangular box contains the text "Braille by MTS" in bold maroon letters, matching the background color. The design emphasizes accessibility through the integration of both visual and tactile elements.MTS means Multimedia Transcription Service.
hip Gallery
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INFO & NEWS

Letter September 2024

Letter September 2024

To my colleagues and friends:  As I approach my 50th year working under the recommendations and mandates...

hipcilNews Summer/Fall 2024

hipcilNews Summer/Fall 2024

hipcil Newsletter Summer/Fall 2024 AUDIO FORMAT INDEXhipcil Holiday Party – New Location, Same Holiday...

hipcil continues to grow!

hipcil continues to grow!

hipcil continues to grow!

Our donation program has become so successful that we’ve had to upgrade to a full-sized storage unit!.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, and we’re looking forward to continuing to distribute these needed items to those in our community.

See the images.

Access Not Always Equal

Access Not Always Equal

Stanley Soden of Long Branch was heading down Lowden Court to pick up groceries for himself and two neighbors in his apartment building. Despite the sidewalks that line Monmouth Medical Center on his right, Soden, who uses a motorized wheelchair, was riding on the street next to cars and trucks.

The reason? For Soden, sidewalks can be less safe than streets. At a few curb cuts leading down the sidewalk along Lowden Court, puddles and potholes have the ability to tip his wheelchair.

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

New Jersey

Bergen County Map

Bergen County

Hudson County Map

Hudson County

We serve people with disabilities in the New Jersey counties of Bergen and Hudson.

LOCATIONS & DIRECTIONS

TESTIMONIALS

“I was so grateful for hip during the pandemic. They checked in on me and made sure I had groceries and was safe. Everyone at hip made me feel like I wasn’t alone – they are truly my guardian angels.”

Bergen Consumer

“I like the work you do. Everyone is nice and talks to me. You help me with a lot of my things and the other girls help too. I give the office 100 out of 10 stars. Thank you for everything.”

Hudson Consumer

“If hip hadn’t helped me with a new air conditioner this summer, I wouldn’t have been able to function independently and maintain my quality of life. Thanks again for all your help!”

Bergen Consumer.

See All Testimonials

REVIEWS

5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
See All Reviews

Braille by Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS)
IS A PROJECT OF hipcil

Source for state-of-the-Art braille transcription.

Multimedia Transcription Service

SOME OF OUR GREAT PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)

NJ SILC

New Jersey Division of Disability Services

NJ DDS

Adam Krass Consulting

ADAM KRASS

NJ Transit - Access Link

Access Link

Heightened Independence & Progress, Inc. is not in any way affiliated with the Health Insurance Plan of New York, hipcil of New Jersey, Inc. or their affiliates. Site Content: Copyright © 2004-2021 Heightened Independence & Progress, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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