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After moving to Orlando, Beverly led a coalition that established Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, Inc., serving as its first executive director from 1979 to 1981. Her passionate efforts inspired the Beverly Chapman Act, which improved accessibility on Florida’s toll roads. Before her death in 1993, she was named Disabled American of the Year by President George H.W. Bush, attended the signing of the Americans with Disabiltiies Act and spoke at a White House econmoic summit.
All of this was possible thanks to Beverly’s positive outlook. As a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel, she once wrote: “I have learned that most of us at some time face a challenges of a disability. When this happens, we can choose to tackle these challenges or let them defeat us.”
A
t 12 years old, Beverly Chapman was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. But
she refused to be a victim of her circumstances. Instead, she became a tireless advocate for others like herself, lobbying for disability rights at the local and state levels in Massachusetts.
After moving to Orlando, Beverly led a coalition that established Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, Inc., serving as its first executive director from 1979 to 1981.
Her passionate efforts inspired the Beverly Chapman Act, which
improved accessibility on Florida’s toll roads. Before her death in 1993, she was named Disabled American of the Year by President George H.W. Bush, attended the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and spoke at a White House economic summit.
All of this was possible thanks to Beverly’s positive Outlook. As a columnist for the
Orlando Sentinel, she once wrote: “I have learned that most of us at some
time face the challenges of a disability.
When this happens, we can choose to tacklethese challenges or let them defeat us.
CIL’s office building is constructed at 720 N. Denning Dr. in Winter Park, serving
350 clients. Services are expanded to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Working out of a small office near Florida Hospital, CIL continued to grow as did the
increasing need for disability resources in Central Florida. Beverly Chapman and other leaders realized it was time to construct a new building to accommodate this growing
need. They chose the property in Winter Park, Florida because it sat close to public
transportation, shopping centers, and medical institutions – not to mention Winter Park has a culture of supporting its neighbors and strengthening its community. Today, CIL still operates out of that Winter Park office.
The Florida Legislature passes the Beverly Chapman Act, improving accessibility on the state’s toll roads.
Some people with disabilities who drove and utilized the Florida highway system were unable to physically reach out to pay required tolls. As an advocate for independent living, Beverly Chapman worked tirelessly to change this, and in 1988 the Toll Permit Program was passed, making the highway tolling system more accessible for people with
disabilities
In 1989, Chapman was named Disabled American of the Year by President George
H.W. Bush. This photo was taken when Beverly and her daughter, Ashley, were invited to the White House to meet with the President.
The ADA is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life – to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, to participate in State and local government programs and services, and to have equal and fair access to the community around them. The ADA was modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin – and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – the ADA is an “equal opportunity” law for people with disabilities. The ADA also defined what a disability is- a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law effectively changing the country forever. Beverly Chapman was there to witness the historical event
Beverly Chapman speaks at President Bill Clinton’s Economic Summit in Arkansas.
Ms. Chapman was outgoing and strong-willed when it came to the things she believed in. In December of 1992, Beverly gave a speech at President Clinton’s Economic Summit in Arkansas and received a standing ovation from the audience.
CIL is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
CIL hosts its first RAMPAGE wheelchair ramp-building event with Rollins College.
Over time, CIL realized that one of the most critical home modifications needed in the community were at-home ramps, in 2005, CIL hosted its first RAMPAGE event, to invite local community organizations to help in the process of delivering independence to people living with disabilities in Central Florida.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development certifies CIL as a housing
counseling agency.
CIL hosts its first Stroll ‘n’ Roll fundraising event at Lake Baldwin in Baldwin Park.
CIL serves 2,295 clients.
CIL hosts its first Celebrating Independence Fundraising Gala. CIL Co-Founder, Dick Batchelor, was awarded the Beverly Chapman Legacy Award for his commitment to disability advocacy.
Disney awards CIL with $75,000 to use for their Youth Transition services and programs.
CIL is named an Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand in Orlando Business Journal’s 2018 Diversity in Business Awards.