AILN initially grew from a group of disabled people who wanted to see a change in the way that community care services were offered to people. When direct payments were first introduced in 2003 they were keen to promote this as an option for independent living. AILN have been providing high quality SDS advice and information to the people of Ayrshire for over a decade. Since 2005 the three Ayrshire councils have jointly funded the SDS support & information service. AILN is a peer-led, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with charitable status.