The CIL is hosting a conference on February 26th, 2019 to prepare people with disabilities, senior adults and the community for emergencies. Speakers will present on various issues and will be available for questions. This event is free so we hope to see everyone there!
Click here to register for the event.
For any questions, please call: 352-368-3788.
The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL) and the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) are hosting a Tele-Press Conference TODAY to tell Governor Scott, FEMA and our elected officials, “There’s No Place Like Home” for tens of thousands of Floridians with disabilities still displaced by Hurricane Michael.
Disaster Survivors, Disability Leaders and Community Allies across Florida and the nation will participate in a Tele-Press Conference Friday, November 2nd, 2018 at 3:00pm. Speakers will share their stories about the immediate and long-term crisis facing thousands of displaced Floridians with disabilities. These families have nowhere to live and no good options for their recovery.
Call number: 1-641-715-3580
Access Code: 996329#
Captioning Link for participants with disabilities who require this accommodation:
https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=Disaster Strategies
Please direct questions to: Beth Meyer, Executive Director, FILC, 850-488-5624.
The University of Florida will be holding a focus group at the CIL next week on October 8th! Through this focus group, they will be leading a discussion about affordable and accessible home modifications, and everyone who participates will receive a $25 Publix gift card.
Please see the attached flyer for contact information.
Election day is right around the corner and we are trying to get our community as prepared as possible. On October 2nd, we will be holding a CIL Consumer Forum to raise voter education, help with registration and explain how to use an accessible voting machine.
Registering to vote is the first step to having your voice be heard. Make sure you register on time so you don’t miss Election Day because every vote matters!
Always remember, Disability Rights ARE Civil Rights!
September is National Preparedness Month, and it serves as a reminder of how crucial it is for us to prepare for the unexpected. Each week we will be focusing on a different theme that will hopefully get us feeling more confident and secure if ever faced with a natural disaster or emergency.
This month, you’ll be reminded about making and practicing a plan, the importance of learning life-saving skills, checking your insurance coverage and why you should be saving for an emergency. Starting a conversation about natural disasters and emergencies is sometimes the hardest part; we’ll give you tips on what to do each step of the way.
Follow our weekly updates on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/FloridaCenterforIndependentLiving
You can also read more about National Preparedness Month at: https://www.ready.gov.
“Just like harvest season rolls around every year, you can count on emergencies being a constant in our lives. And while we can’t prevent every disaster, it just makes sense to prepare for them now.” -Senator Jon Tester
Hurricane Season is officially here and runs from June 1st – November 30th. Please take advantage of the 2018 Sales Tax Holiday from June 1st – 7th for any needed hurricane supplies!
For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the GET A PLAN Program, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.
Some of the specific items in the Sales Tax Holiday includes:
The Voices Rising Community Chorus is having their semi-annual concert April 28! Every spring and fall, the inter-generational chorus gives a free concert and encourages donations in support of a local charity. This spring, the CIL has been chosen as the recipient!
Voices Rising is a group of adult and child singers ages 10 and up. They sing a wide variety of genres, including classical, folk and show tunes. The group has over 100 singers, and as the website says: “When we sing, magic happens!”
The CIL would love to see you at the concert to support people with disabilities in North Central Florida and listen to the voices of the choir. We’ll be there too!
Congratulations to our High School High Tech 2018 Speech Contest winners! The students spoke about future careers they were interested in pursuing and how HSHT helped them explore those careers. The first place winner won a donated laptop, and second and third place won chocolate!
Our first, second, and third place winners, Myles Goodwine, Deonis Jackson, and Logan Tugman, will move on to Regionals in Orlando on April 18. The top three students from Regionals will then move on to the State competition in Tallahassee.
We are so proud of all our students!
We raised a total of $5,025 from The Amazing Give this year!
Thank you so much for supporting us in such an amazing way and caring about such an important cause. The donations will impact CIL programs such as Employment, High School High Tech, Wheelchair Ramp Building and Independent Living classes. We appreciate you being a part of our mission to help empower people with disabilities to live independently during this year’s Amazing Give!
The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida will have a FREE Emergency Preparedness Conference for people with disabilities March 22 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Ocala. ASL interpreters will be provided.
Emergency Management Director Preston Bowlin will present on behalf of Marion County’s Sheriff Department. He will verify that the special needs registry is up to par for each county, making sure special needs shelters are fully equipped in an emergency situation.
Ben Nelson, a national weatherman from Jacksonville, will speak on weather preparedness.
A representative from Ocala’s fire department will share how they prepare when emergencies threaten to strike.
The last session will be a panel of these speakers; Kevin Towels, a representative from the CIL; Kyle Drummer, Marion County’s communications manager; Randy Ming, from the Health Department for Shelters; Amy Brault, Marion Senior Services volunteer coordinator; and Andrea Melvin, CIL’s satellite office manager, who will host the conference. Attendees can ask any questions on the topics.
The vendors involved with the conference are: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Marian County Sheriff’s Department, United Way, Ocala Fire, County Fire, Marion Senior Service, Shine, Seco Electric, Home Instead Senior Care, Visiting Angels, Kindred Hospice, Health South, Hearth of Florida, and Ocala PD.
If transportation is needed, contact Suntran (352-401-6999) or Marion Senior Services (352-620-3071). Say it is for the Emergency Preparedness Conference on March 22. Transportation should be free.
Registration is preferred and will be open until March 21, 8:30 a.m.