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The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a transformative federal law signed on July 22, 2014, created to strengthen and streamline the nation’s workforce development system. At its core, WIOA is designed to ensure that individuals who face significant barriers to employment—including people with disabilities and young job seekers—have equitable access to high-quality training, education, and career pathways. For many, WIOA is the bridge between untapped potential and meaningful opportunity. At the Center for Independent Living, this legislation is far more than a policy—it is a foundational part of how we equip our consumers for long-term success. WIOA provides the legal and financial framework that supports several of CIL’s most impactful programs, including Aspire to Hire and Step Ahead, allowing us to offer individualized career planning and real-world work experiences that help consumers build confidence, independence, and professional skills.

Because of WIOA, CIL is able to deliver comprehensive job readiness and transition services tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. These services go well beyond basic training—they encompass everything from understanding appropriate workplace attire and personal hygiene to building strong communication skills, practicing interview techniques, and learning how to navigate various workplace environments. WIOA also ensures that our transition employment specialists can remain involved before, during, and after the hiring process. This means we can assist consumers with job applications, support them during interviews, help them through onboarding, and advocate for any workplace accommodations they may need. This consistent, hands-on support is often what makes the difference between simply getting a job and truly thriving in one.

Ultimately, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plays an essential role in advancing CIL’s mission of creating a more inclusive and accessible workforce. It empowers our team to remove systemic barriers, promote equal opportunity, and provide the tools and guidance our consumers need to build careers they can be proud of. Thanks to WIOA, individuals who may have once felt overlooked or underestimated are now achieving independence, discovering their strengths, and stepping confidently into their futures.

At the Center for Independent Living (CIL), we believe that every young adult deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful future…one filled with purpose, independence, and the confidence to succeed. For Javier, a participant from our Aspire to Hire program, that future is already becoming a reality.

Javier originally joined Project SEARCH eager to gain real-world experience and build the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Throughout his training, he completed three internship rotations at Lakeland Regional Health, working in the storeroom, catering, and gastrointestinal departments. Each placement offered something new…new responsibilities, new environments, and new opportunities to learn.

During this time, Javier strengthened his communication, teamwork, and organizational skills and discovered the value of showing initiative and staying focused on his goals. Most importantly, he gained the confidence to navigate workplace settings independently and interact with staff, patients, and community members with ease.

Graduation didn’t mark the end of Javier’s journey, it was just the beginning. With the support of Project SEARCH, Aspire to Hire and his CIL Transition Employment Specialist, Javier remained dedicated to securing employment that aligned with his goals and abilities.

He completed more than 20 job interviews, each one helping him refine his communication skills, build resilience, and gain clarity about his strengths and career interests. His determination earned him an On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunity, where he continued to grow his skill set and demonstrate his commitment to the workplace.

Javier’s hard work has paid off. We are thrilled to share that he has officially accepted a position with Bonnet Springs Park, marking a major milestone in his journey toward independence. In this role, he is applying everything he learned from practical workplace skills to confidence, self-advocacy, and goal-setting.

When reflecting on what independence means to him, Javier shared:
“Living independently is the most important…that you always have to stay confident, stay focused, stay on track, be successful, and stay on task.”

This mindset has guided his journey and will continue to fuel his success as he builds his career.

Javier’s story is one of many that demonstrate the transformational impact of Project SEARCH. The program equips young adults with disabilities with hands-on experience, professional development, and individualized support that bridges the gap between school and employment.

By connecting participants with community partners like Lakeland Regional Health, Project SEARCH helps young adults move from learning to earning, with the tools they need to build meaningful, self-sufficient futures.

With continued support and funding, CIL can expand this vital program—opening doors for even more young adults like Javier to gain independence, secure lasting employment, and contribute their talents within our community.

We are incredibly proud of Javier’s achievements and honored to be part of his journey. His success is a reminder of what’s possible when perseverance meets opportunity—and when young people are empowered to discover their strengths and pursue their dreams.

Please join us in congratulating Javier as he begins this exciting new chapter at Bonnet Springs Park!

Halloween is a time for spooky celebrations and connecting with others in your community. One of the most beloved Halloween traditions is trick or treating. However, many aspects of trick-or-treating can feel overwhelming for children with disabilities. To make sure that Halloween is full of fall fun for everyone this year, here are a few tips to keep your Halloween celebration more accessible.

Keep walkways well-lit and clear for people using mobility devices. Lining a walkway with jack-o-lanterns is fun but make sure there is space for everyone to get through. If your porch or door requires steps to go up, consider leaving a bowl of candy at the bottom of the steps so everyone can get a piece.

You can also offer non-food treats for children with dietary restrictions or allergies. There are many fun and unique non-food goodies you could give out on Halloween. Spider rings, glow in the dark stickers, sticky hands, and more! Kids will appreciate the variety, and many parents will appreciate not having to worry about what foods their children may get into.

Learning a few basic ASL signs for deaf trick-or-treaters can make them feel . Signs like “welcome” and “have a good night show you are welcoming to all. There are also ASL signs for “Halloween” and “Happy Halloween”. This will add both an inclusive and festive flair to your Halloween celebrations.

Consider adding tactile display elements for children with sensory issues. It may also be helpful to tone down certain audio and visual elements of your Halloween decorations for children with sensory issues who get overwhelmed easily. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo your spooky decorations all night long but perhaps pick a time earlier in the evening to keep our decorations toned down and let your friends and neighbors now when you plan to turn on the really scary stuff.

There are many ways to make Halloween more fun and inclusive for everyone. These are just a few tips to help you get started. Happy Trick-or-treating!

CIL has been helping individuals on their independent living journeys for 50 years now, and many of our consumers have been working with us for a large portion of their lives. One of our longest consumer partnerships has been with Herode. Herode is a Deaf consumer who has been working with CIL since the 80s, meaning has been with CIL for around 40 years. Herode is originally from Haiti. When he first came to Florida, he didn’t have many resources available to him and he didn’t know where to find the resources he needed. Herode was referred to CIL by another organization he was working with at the time, and from there his life changed greatly. This started his involvement with our Deaf Voices program and his independent living journey.

When asked how CIL has helped him, Herode explained that before CIL he struggled quite a bit. He was often looking for help with basic needs and going to CIL was when he was finally able to get the help he needed. CIL has assisted Herode with many things over the years: housing, immigration, education, employment, acquiring hearing aids, and more. Herode also encourages others to come to CIL and see how CIL can help them. He explained that CIL has many ways to communicate and interact with the Deaf community, such as video communication, and in-person translators.

Herode has been with CIL for a long time, and we’ve enjoyed every moment of working with him and assisting him along his independent living journey. His journey is a testament to CIL’s drive to help others. No matter where you are from or what you are going through, if you need help CIL will be there to provide it. We will continue to help Herode and anyone else who needs it as CIL grows and pursues its work in the coming years.

CIL wouldn’t be able to do everything we do without the help of our staff and volunteers. One of those volunteers is Martha. She is a VITA tax preparation specialist who works for Heart of Florida United Way. Martha utilizes her skills as a tax preparation specialist to help our Deaf and hard of hearing consumers with their taxes. Martha’s contributions are vital to our work with our Deaf consumers. We greatly appreciate the time she takes to help us and our consumers during tax season. CIL is the only site in central Florida where Deaf individuals can go to get their tax prep done and that is in large part due to Martha and her work with us. Martha has been doing her work as a tax prep specialist for many years, and she has built trust and rapport with those she works with. Last year Martha helped 132 people get tax refunds totaling more than $245,000. She is dedicated to helping the community and we are always grateful to have her assistance. 

But beyond her work as a tax specialist Martha provides relief to those in the Deaf community. She uses her talents to ease people through one of the more stressful parts of life. When interviewed, Martha explained the reason why she’s so passionate about helping others with their tax work is because when Deaf individuals go to many tax prep businesses, those businesses often don’t have the accommodations necessary to assist them. Taxes are a complicated subject, and if there isn’t clear communication, many Deaf individuals can get overwhelmed or confused during the process. As Martha explains it, “I’ve heard stories of people with disabilities that needed help, but do not know where to go to receive help. They feel stuck and limited. Here, people with disabilities have more access with assistance, as if the doors are opened to them.” Martha’s work has helped change people’s lives for the better. We are proud to have skilled volunteers like Martha who put their talents to use in assisting the Deaf community.   

At the Center for Independent Living, we try to find the perfect program for each of our consumers.  One of these consumers is Jeshua who has found his fit with our Step Ahead program as a Deaf consumer. Jeshua was first recommended CIL and our programs by one of his teachers, who explained our on-the-job training programs to him. Through Deaf Voices, Jeshua was able to get set up in one of our work training programs and start on his independent living journey.  

Jeshua is a standout employee in his workplace. He is always there to support his team members and excited to take on new tasks. According to Jeshua, his favorite parts about his current job are stocking and learning how to make new foods. So far, he has learned how to make coffee, pizza, and baked goods. Jeshua works hard to keep his workplace clean and organized, he is always proactive about getting tasks done, he makes sure to keep up with stocking, and he always jumps at the chance to help anyone who needs it. Jeshua’s manager loves having him around. One way that she effectively communicates with Jeshua at work is by setting him up with a written list of responsibilities at the beginning of the workday. She considers Jeshua to be a great worker, who always completes the tasks laid out before him. She also noted that he has a great memory for customers and fits in well at his workplace.  

Jeshua feels that CIL as an organization has supported him greatly in his independent living journey. To Jeshua, living independently means being able to do things on his own, but also being proactive and being able to help others. Jeshua’s experience shows that living independently can be a possibility for anyone with a little support from those around them. Jeshua loves his job, and his workplace is better for having him there. CIL plans to continue helping individuals like Jeshua find the best places for them to live independently and thrive, and we can’t wait to see what Jeshua does next.