Join us at the CIL Wednesday, February 27th for a Diversity and Inclusion Forum. The forum will feature guest speaker P.J. Jones, Assistant Director of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs at the University of Florida.

Jones will be discussing a variety of topics that include realizing the benefits of fostering a culture of diversity, considering diversity within the disability community itself, and examining issues related to intersectionality.

By holding this forum, organizer Morgan Fusco, a full-time intern at the Center For Independent Living, says she hopes to “engage current consumers, reach future consumers, and raise community awareness about the issues and topics that impact the independence and lives of people with disabilities.”

This event is free of charge. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in this discussion as well as enjoy light refreshments.

See the flyer below for further information!

Last week, we held our first annual CIL Social in order to give thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, community members and anyone else who has helped us on our mission to empower individuals with disabilities. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without these amazing people, and this social was our way of giving back to our community. We also took this time to reveal our exciting new logo, and we can’t wait to share it with you all! Thank you to everyone who came out! We hope you had as great of a time as we did.

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:

• A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less
• A portable self-power radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for $50 or less
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less
• A self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less
• A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less
• A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less
• A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-Volt or 9-Volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less
• A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less
• A portable generator that is used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less

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!