Greetings | The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida welcomes you! If you have any questions about the center or the services we provide, please contact us at 352-378-7474. Our number again, is 3, 5, 2, 3, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7, 4.
As we enter the final stretch of hurricane season, which runs through the end of November, it’s important to remember that staying prepared is crucial. Hurricanes can create conditions that disrupt daily life and pose serious risks to safety, especially for people with disabilities and older adults.
Our Emergency Preparedness team attends Hurricane Expos to share valuable information about CILNCF’s resources for people with disabilities, including how we support our community before, during, and after an emergency. These expos serve as great opportunities to connect with local partners—new and familiar—and strengthen our commitment to accessible, inclusive disaster preparedness.
Recently, Kevin from our Emergency Preparedness team attended the 1st Annual Putnam County Hurricane Expo to spread the word and work with our community to ensure everyone is prepared with all the necessary resources needed to be safe.
ID: This photo shows Kevin standing behind a display table at the Putnam County Hurricane Expo. The table is covered with a blue cloth featuring the CILNCF logo and text. Various informational materials and resources are neatly arranged on the table, including brochures. A large CILNCF banner stands on the left side, displaying the organization’s contact information and services offered. Kevin is wearing a gray polo shirt with a CILNCF logo, stands with hands folded in front, smiling slightly. The background is a plain, light-colored wall with a closed door.ID: This photo shows a busy scene at the Putnam County Hurricane Expo. In the center, several people are gathered around booths with tables covered in banners for “Putnam County Emergency Services” (in red) and “Putnam Disaster Recovery, Inc.” (in black). Staff and volunteers are handing out informational materials and talking to attendees. Some people are carrying bright orange Home Depot buckets, commonly used for emergency kits. The setting is an indoor space with light-colored walls and tile flooring, and a U.S. flag is visible in the background. People of various ages are engaged in discussions and gathering resources for hurricane preparedness.
We’re thrilled to invite YOU to celebrate 30 years of breaking down barriers and creating opportunities through assistive technology!
📅 When: October 22nd, from 4pm to 7pm 📍 Where: Center for Independent Living, 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gainesville, FL
For three decades, FAAST has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities, and today, we reflect on all we’ve accomplished together. We’re honoring the journey of making assistive technology more accessible, and we couldn’t have done it without YOU!
Here’s what you can look forward to:
✨ A look back at FAAST’s milestones with a special slideshow and booklet
✨ Hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge assistive technology
✨ Conversations with the FAAST team and community advocates
✨ Light refreshments to enjoy during the celebration
Come celebrate the future of INDEPENDENCE, INCLUSION, and EQUALITY with us! Let’s continue to pave the way toward a more accessible world. We can’t wait to see you there!
ID: This image is a flyer for the FAAST (Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology) Open House celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The top of the flyer features the title “FAAST Open House” in large, bold, navy blue text, followed by the subtitle “30th Anniversary Celebration” in a cursive font. Surrounding the text, there are images of various assistive technologies and people interacting with them, including a person pressing a large red button, a close-up of someone’s hand using a tactile control device, and a person using adaptive footwear. There is also a heartwarming image of two children embracing, suggesting inclusivity and community.
The event details are below the images, featuring an icon of a calendar and clock next to the text: October 22, 2024 4:00 – 7:00 PM
The invitation says: “You’re invited to join us! Take a tour, see AT demos, and enjoy refreshments.” At the bottom of the flyer is the event location: CIL North Central Florida 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32607
To the right, there is the FAAST logo, which includes a stylized graphic of two human figures and text that reads: Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST)
We are so excited to share the incredible story of Frank and Vivian, a local couple who reached out to the Center for Independent Living when they needed help the most.
After undergoing numerous surgeries, Frank now relies on a wheelchair for mobility and was facing significant challenges accessing his home safely. The Alexanders were left with no options and turned to us in the hopes of making their home more accessible. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our team, we were able to build a custom wheelchair ramp for Frank, empowering him to regain his independence and safely enter and exit his home with ease.
Frank and Vivian are forever grateful for this life-changing improvement, and we are just as grateful to have been part of their journey. 💙
It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do—making sure that no one has to face mobility barriers alone. Together, we can continue to build a community where independence is achievable for all!
Video Description: Vivian is standing on their newly built wheelchair ramp that leads to their home. Tall trees can be seen behind the home and green grass surround the home and ramp. Vivian shares this message, “Gainesville, the city of Gainesville, Florida, and the Center for Independent Living. The Alexander family, thank you to the utmost. We thank you for what you have done for us! You have given us more light and this light. Thank you a million times over. You’re the bomb. Woohoo!” There is a solid blue background behind the video and a purple border. The CILNCF logo is displayed in white on the bottom center. The video caption is displayed between the video and and the CIL logo.
Our office will be closed today from 12pm through Thursday, to ensure the safety of our staff and community. Your well-being is our top priority. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions during the storm.
After the storm for FEMA assistance, please call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Shelter status with FL Department of Emergency Management: https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/
State and county contact information: https://www.cilncf.org/emergency-preparedness/
ID: graphic has an image of the weather report of the storm track for Hurricane Milton through the Gulf and through Florida. There is a vertical red banner on the right with the CIL logo displayed at the top and “Office Closure Notice” written in white. The information for the Disability & Disaster Hotline and after storm FEMA assistance provided above is also shared on the graphic.
At The CIL, we are grateful to have incredible partners and volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to improving the lives of others. Ben, one of our longtime volunteer contractors, is one of those people who has always gone above and beyond for our consumers. He has been a huge asset to both CIL and the wider community, providing not only wheelchair ramp repairs and installations but also offering his help with many other home modification services to those in need. Ben has always provided more than just his skills—he’s brought compassion, kindness, and unwavering support to our community.
Now, it’s our turn to give back to Ben.
During Hurricane Helene, Ben and his family sought shelter with loved ones after losing power. Tragically, when they returned, they discovered that a fire had destroyed their home, taking everything from them—including their beloved pets.
This loss is unimaginable. Ben has been there for us and countless others in our community—let’s show him the same generosity he’s shown us. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe created to help Ben and his family rebuild their lives after this devastating event.
GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/25e74744
Your support means the world to Ben and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Whether you donate or share this post, any help you can offer will make a huge difference. Let’s come together as a community and lift Ben up, just as he’s done for so many of us. ##CommunityStrong #CILFamily #HurricaneHelene
Thank you, from all of us at The CIL. 🙏
ID: In the top left portion of the image, the words, “A CIL ramp contractor needs your help!” is printed in cream colored font with a teal background. To the right, the CIL logo is placed. Below the CIL logo on the right portion of the page, the words, “It is our turn to give back and show the same level of generosity and kindness that has been provided to us.” is written out in cream colored lettering with a primary blue background. To the left of this, a green box borders a QR code for a GoFundMe, with a link placed below it ( https://gofund.me/a91b6e43 ). Below this, a series of images are placed, including a box with a heart label and a dollar sign entering the box, two hands coming together, and two hands holding a heart. At the bottom of the image, the words, “Scan the QR code or click the link to visit the GoFundMe Page” are placed in cream colored lettering with a primary blue background.
As we remain in the peak of hurricane season, it’s important to stay prepared—especially for our community of people with disabilities and older adults. If you’ve been impacted by Hurricane Helene and need assistance, please reach out to the Disability & Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959 or email hotline@disasterstrategies.org. Our Emergency Preparedness Program is here to help you with accessibility, mobility devices, and other essential resources often left out of traditional disaster planning.
Stay safe, and reach out for resources today!
ID: Square graphic is divided in half, with the left side written in English and right side written in Spanish. There is map of the southeast US region with a hurricane appearing over Florida. Below reads, “Disabled, impacted by Hurricane Helene, and need help? Call/text: The Disability & Disaster Hotline 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org #DisabLEDResponse”. The right side has the same graphic and reads in Spanish, “¿Discapacitade, impactade por el huracán Helene y necesita ayuda? Llame/texteé: LA LÍNEA DIRECTA DE DISCAPACIDAD Y DESASTRE 800-626-4959 hotline@disasterstrategies.org”. The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies logo is display on the bottom right corner for both sides.
We had an amazing time at the UF Campaign for Charities event, connecting with UF staff and sharing more about the vital services we provide to the community. Here are Brent and Sada, representing the CIL with pride! This was Brent’s first outreach event, and he did a fantastic job spreading the word about our programs, especially those with the greatest need, like our ramp-building initiative.
We were also excited to be placed next to the wonderful team from Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA). Pictured next to Brent is Lori, who has been instrumental in helping us with Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) referrals. It was so great to finally meet her in person after working together to help several of our consumers with their utility needs!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and showed their support. Together, we can continue making a difference!
ID: graphic has a purple background with a photo in the center of Sada (left) and Brent (right) tabling at the UF Campaign for Charities event. They are both smiling and seated behind the table. The table has a blue tablecloth with the CILNCF logo in white. CIL brochures are spread across the entire table.
In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, we want to celebrate one of our incredible consumers, Geovanny! Geovanny recently moved to our community from Ecuador, South America. As a Deaf individual, his goal was to obtain his driver’s license, a key step towards independence. For two months, our dedicated Consumer Specialist, Colleen, worked closely with Geovanny, teaching him driving skills and helping him prepare for the written test.
We are thrilled to announce that on September 9th, Geovanny passed his driving written test! 🎉 Congratulations, Geovanny, on this amazing accomplishment! We’re so proud of your hard work and determination. 👏
Did you know? American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language with its own unique grammar, distinct from English. Expressed through movements of the hands and face, ASL is the primary language for many Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in North America and is also used by some hearing people.
ID: Graphic shows a photo of Geovanny holding a life size Florida license plate that reads “PASSED”. He is also holding his physical license in his right hand, held over the life size license plate; his hand is covering most of his license plate to protect his information. Behind him is a backdrop with multiple pictures of the seal of the State of Florida and the Florida license plate. There is a wavy purple design on the bottom of the graphic with white text that reads, “Deaf Awareness Month” and the CILNCF logo in white is displayed on the bottom right corner.
Our office will be closed today from 3pm through Thursday, to ensure the safety of our staff and community. Your well-being is our top priority. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions during the storm.
After the storm for FEMA assistance, please call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Shelter status with FL Department of Emergency Management: https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/
State and county contact information: https://www.cilncf.org/emergency-preparedness/
ID: graphic has a photo of grey storm winds with a large, yellow, diagonal caution street sign that reads, “Hurricane Warning” with a hurricane icon, in black. There is a vertical red banner on the right with the CIL logo displayed at the top and “Office Closure Notice” written in white. The information for the Disability & Disaster Hotline and after storm FEMA assistance provided above is also shared on the graphic.
The steps you take to stay prepared are crucial, and we want to make sure our community is safe and ready. Here are some important steps to take:
✅ Refill and pack up necessary medications – Contact your pharmacy for early refills so you don’t run out. ✅ Gather all important paperwork – Keep your birth certificates, IDs, and other critical documents in a safe, accessible place. ✅ Fill or top off your gas tank – Don’t wait until the last minute to fuel up. ✅ Stock up on water and nonperishable foods – Ensure you have enough supplies to last 7 days.
Being prepared will help keep you and your loved ones safe. Stay tuned for updates, and remember that we are here to support you through the storm! 💙
ID: Graphic has a photo of a pharmacy on the top half and a blue wavy design on the bottom half. White text reads, “Did you know? When a state of emergency is declared, you can pick up early medication refills to stock your family’s emergency preparedness kit.” The is a yellow diagonal sign with a red hurricane icon displayed at the bottom right corner.
