Events

Voter Registration Drive at CIL

CIL wants to encourage you to vote by hosting three Voter Registration Days.

CIL invites you to visit the Winter Park office on Thursday August 28 from 11 AM to 3 PM and Tuesday September 16 from 11 AM to 3 PM to receive assistance with voter registration. The Lakeland office will be hosting a registration day on Friday September 12 from 11AM to 3PM. Staff will hand out registration forms and help explain the voter registration process.

Self-advocacy is important and what better way to stand up for your rights than to take an active interest in the political process by registering and voting.

For more information on CIL’s Voter Registration Days contact Rogue Gallart or Doug Davis at 407-623-1070.

You can also contact your local supervisor of elections office at:

Upcoming BAC Meeting

Mark your calendars

The next meeting of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) is scheduled for Friday, October 3 in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Scheduled to speak is Dawn Hayn, Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Labor. She will share the market trends her organization is seeing in terms of demographics related to employment, disability awareness, and litigation. She will also share the effects of the current political landscape and how that is impacting budget allocation trends.

BAC meeting

The BAC welcomes a new addition to the Executive Committee: Stacey Cooper, Human Resource Manager-Talent Management for the Home Depot, District 96.

Speakers at the May 30 BAC meeting included:

Thanks go out to the Wyndham Orlando Resort for the meeting space for the May 30 meeting.

To learn more about the BAC please call Rogue Gallart, Director of Advocacy at 407.623.1070 x120 or email Rogue

Orlando's Got Talent

Special Event to Benefit CIL

Orlando's Got Talent Logo

Charity Chicks Orlando and CIL proudly present Orlando's Got Talent September 30, 2008 7pm-10pm

Enjoy some of the best talent Orlando has to offer. Tickets are $15.00 in advance, $20 at the door. All proceeds go to benefit CIL to help people with disabilities to live independently in the community

Buy Tickets Now! Click Here!.

Cheyenne Saloon Logo Charity Chicks Logo

Performers Needed

Come out and showcase your talent at the beautiful Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House on September 30, 2008. All applicants need to submit $25.00 and a non-returnable DVD or VHS video tape to:

Center for Independent Living
Attn: Doug Davis
720 N. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789

Applications must be received by September 15, 2008. Finalists will be notified by September 20, 2008. The Top 3 winners will receive prizes. $500.00 GRAND PRIZE. All judges decisions are final!

Performers! -- For a application form in PDF format Click Me.

For more information please contact Doug Davis at 407-623-1070 or by email at Doug

Rampage 2008

Funding Progress toward Rampage 2008

If you’ve already made a donation to Rampage 2008, thanks very much! As of July 23 we have raised a little over $9,000 dollars. If you haven’t donated yet — WE NEED YOU! Please consider making a donation today. CIL needs to raise $15,000 by October 1.

In it’s fourth year, Rampage! continues to bring dignity and independence to people with disabilities. With the help of generous volunteers, CIL built 6 ramps last year. We can succeed this year but only with the generous donations of friends like you.

If you believe in the mission of CIL, please show your support. To donate, visit our secure webpage.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact CIL at 407-623-1070

6 Days 6 Ramps Project Brings Greater Access

Through a collaborative project, three Central Florida residents with disabilities received wheelchair ramps in May as part of 6 Days 6 Ramps. CIL, Volunteer Florida, and volunteers from AmeriCorp and Adventist Health System (AHS) Information Services teamed up to build ramps in the Orlando neighborhood of Colonialtown North, Southeast Orlando, and Apopka.

Volunteers from AHS built two wood ramps approximately 24 and 34 feet long. AHS employee Jennifer Mahoney is an experienced ramp builder and said that building a ramp was a great hands-on experience versus simply donating money. She said she enjoys the teamwork aspect of ramp building.

6 Days 6 Ramps Participants display a banner

6 Days 6 Ramps is a yearly, multi-site collaborative service project between Volunteer Florida; not-for-profit organizations; organizations that serve persons with disabilities; volunteer centers; faith-based organizations; AmeriCorps programs and the business community.

CIL organized the 6 Days 6 Ramps project in Central Florida and provided partial funding. Additional funding for the project came from Volunteer Florida also known as The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

CIL constructs wheelchair ramps throughout the year and every November CIL leads a special ramp building event called Rampage. To donate please visit our web site.

You can also contact Doug Davis, Outreach Director at 407-623-1070 or email Doug .

Emergency Management Conference Provides Timely Information

Hurricane season reminds us that being prepared for emergencies and natural disasters is necessary for all Central Floridians. Experts warn that citizens need to be prepared for natural disasters year round, not just during hurricane season. Fires, floods, and other emergencies can threaten our homes and lives any time of year. It's even more important that people with disabilities be ready with an emergency preparedness plan.

About 100 people attended the Emergency Preparedness for Persons With Disabilities Conference in June at the Wyndham Orlando Resort to learn about government emergency management plans and the importance of personal planning for emergencies.

Conference Participants

Representatives from Progress Energy, the Kissimmee Utility Authority, and Florida Hospital talked about the steps their companies were taking to help prevent service interruption during and after storms and how they prioritize service restoration.

Emergency management executives from Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties talked about county emergency plans and how county governments work together to provide a regional approach to emergency management. Almost every Florida County has its own emergency management plan for people with special needs. The requirements vary from county to county. Many counties require advanced registration for individuals with special needs.

Conference Participants

Personnel from LYNX and the Orange County Office of the EMS Medical Director talked about the unique challenges facing transportation and sheltering issues concerning people with disabilities and some possible solutions to those challenges.

Representatives from the Orange and Seminole County Sheriffs’ office were joined by Florida State Representative Sandy Adams to discuss public safety issues in emergency situations. Representative Adams is also a former law enforcement officer and says the legislature is working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of citizens is the utmost priority in an emergency or natural disaster in Florida.

When a hurricane approaches many people begin voluntary evacuation well in advance which means that roads become congested and emergency shelters can become filled quickly. Make your decision to evacuate early.

Plan ahead to protect yourself when disaster strikes. If you don't have an emergency plan, now is the time to prepare one. If you already have a plan, take time to review and update it. The time to create your emergency plan is before an emergency or natural disaster strikes. Preparation is your best defense.

The Emergency Preparedness for Persons With Disabilities Conference was sponsored by CIL, the State of Florida Office of Emergency Management and the Big Bend Health Council.

CIL and Disney Partner on Dreams and Plans

For the second year in a row CIL has won a grant from Walt Disney World to conduct the Dreams and Plans project. This grant comes from the Disney “Helping Kid’s Shine” program and will be used to provide transition services to middle and high school students with disabilities in the Osceola County School system.

A 2006 needs assessment conducted by CIL found there was a need for more services for people with disabilities in rapidly growing Osceola County. As a result CIL, with the help of Disney’s Helping Kids Shine grant, is expanding its transition services to serve students with disabilities in Osceola County Middle and High Schools.

CIL’s Plans and Dreams project will run concurrent with the 2008-2009 school year.

CIL Dramatically Expands Employment Services

An exciting new enhancement to CIL’s existing employment services has arrived. Through a generous grant from The Able Trust, also known as the Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, CIL is providing employment services to more Florida residents who are U.S. military veterans with disabilities.

This grant will allow CIL to provide a wide range of skills training and other services according to the consumer’s Individual Plan for Employment. Services include: resume writing help, effective interviewing, dress for success skills, effective job search, and others.

CIL’s Veterans Employment Manager, Janet Gooding says, “We are extremely pleased to be expanding our employment services and to be working closer with the Veterans Administration. This program expansion is needed now more than ever, especially in light of the recent economic downturn and more veterans returning home from overseas service.”

The Able Trust Logo

The Business Advisory Council (BAC) will play a pivotal role in providing placement services. Through the BAC, CIL has a direct link to employers willing to hire veterans with disabilities. Businesses can advise the BAC of obstacles to employment of people with disabilities and assist in developing strategies that reduce and/or eliminate these barriers. The BAC will provide guidance and offer services to organizations, with the intent of providing employment outcomes for the BAC participants and non-participants, which include sensitivity training, accessibility surveys, latest information on ADA issues, and job shadowing.

Finally, CIL will provide continued support and follow-up after the veteran is hired. CIL will maintain close contact with employers and placed employees. Employment Specialists will work with both the employer and veteran employee to ensure positive integration of the employee into the job, as well as satisfaction with the employee on the part of the employer.

CIL’s service area for this program will encompass Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. The agency has the ability, expertise, and experience to deliver expanded employment services to veterans with disabilities. CIL has been providing employment services to our three-county area for over 15 years and currently receives referrals from the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Veterans Administration.

The Able Trust, also known as the Governor’s Alliance for Employment of Citizens With Disabilities, is a 501(c) (3) public-private partnership established by the Florida legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness, and education. Since its establishment The Able Trust has awarded over $22 million to individuals with disabilities and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment related purposes. Its programs enable over 2000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year.

For more information on these and other services call CIL at 407-623-1070.

Lakeland Happenings

Two Wheelchair Ramps Built in May

CIL organized a 28 foot wheelchair ramp build in Arcadia, Florida. Ace Hardware generously donated over $682 worth of materials and the work was performed by the community group, Volunteer DeSoto. Lunch was provided by 6 Days 6 Ramps and Albertsons.

A ramp build occurred in Dundee, Florida with volunteers from Stillwater Christian Center. CIL provided the materials. The consumer’s sister generously donated lunch for the hungry workers.

Innovative Solutions

Mr. Fred Abel

CIL organized an unusual accessibility project. Mr. Fred Abel (pictured at right) was having difficulty passing safely between his vehicle and home because of a grassy strip hindering the path. A solid, firm walkway was built out of concrete pavers providing stability and safety. Funding was provided by the State of Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and volunteer labor came from the Lakeland Fire Department.

Planning Underway for Disability Mentoring Day

CIL plans to help promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities by participating in this year’s Disability Mentoring Day on October 15, 2008.

Lakeland Site Manager John Hurt recently attended a planning meeting with representatives of the Polk County School Board and the Agency for Person’s with Disabilities to discuss goals and the various activities to be conducted in Polk and surrounding areas on Disability Mentoring Day. The planning meeting resulted in identifying a number of other community and governmental agencies that would be instrumental in greater success of Disability Mentoring Day.

Disability Mentoring Day is an opportunity to underscore the connection between school and work, evaluate personal goals, target career skills for improvement, explore possible career paths, and develop lasting mentor relationships. The program’s history shows that students’ and job seekers’ participation in Disability Mentoring Day can result in an internship opportunity with the host employer; function as a first interview on the way to a part-time or full-time employment offer; or even a firm on-the-spot job offer.

Disability Mentoring Day provides public and private employers with an opportunity to recruit interns; tap a pool of potential future employees; learn more about the experience of disability; develop lasting relationships with disability community leaders; demonstrate positive leadership in their communities; and attract positive media attention. In addition, employers can get involved by enabling employees to serve as volunteer mentors, functioning as a Local Coordinator for a community, and sponsoring Disability Mentoring Day at the national or local level.

For more information on Disability Mentoring Day contact Lakeland Site Manager John Hurt toll-free at 877-891-6448.