This manual was prepared by the Regional Rehabilitation Exchange (RRX) project to assist rehabilitation and independent living organizations and programs in submitting information to gain recognition as an exemplary program model for independent living services. The manual is intended for programs and organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. RRX independent living services include a broad range of services designed to improve the quality of life for persons with severe disabilities by way of organizations and programs that are controlled by the consumers of the services themselves. Such services may include housing, transportation or mobility services, living skills, counseling, community integration, and/or employment-related services. The manual provides information about the background and purposes of the RRX, identifies the scope of the RRX project, lists the prerequisites and criteria for validation, describes the RRX validation process, identifies 10 critical factors (program goals and objectives, target population, documentation and good recordkeeping, success rate, cost effectiveness, comprehensiveness, evaluation criteria, staffing patterns, transportability, and innovativeness) used in determining exemplary programs, provides information on completing the Information Request Form, and identifies implications for validated programs. A completed sample Information Request Form for independent living services is included. (CML)