Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida IFAS Extension services are hosting a “DIVING WITH DISABILITIES” event

WHEN: Saturday August 5th from 9 AM – 5 PM
WHERE: Florida Pool
University of Florida
224 Fletcher Drive
Gainesville, FL 32608

The goal is to offer FREE try scuba experience for participants. It has been well documented the positive and therapeutic impact that scuba diving has in people with disabilities, including wounded veterans and with PTSD. The event is led by our Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) instructor and marine extension agent Victor Blanco. Each participant has a one-hour slot. All you need is to bring your swim suit!

Interested participants may register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoM98v0bV90_2agaHhTHPQx08TNBQvHUvJai5_gvXaEr_Jdw/viewform. If you would like more information, please reach out to Victor Blanco at 850-838-3508.

ID: Graphic shows a picture of a scuba diver underwater, with the bright light from the sun shining from above the water. The background behind the photo is a teal color with abstract squiggly lines throughout. The graphic includes information about the event shared above. An outline of a wheelchair accessible icon is displayed on the bottom right.

Kevin & Ashlyn represented our organization at the vibrant Hampton Community Event on July 19th! They shared information about our Emergency Preparedness Program ahead of the peak hurricane season in September, prioritizing community readiness and support. They met numerous residents, emphasizing CILNCF’s willingness to lend a hand whenever needed, fostering a stronger, more resilient community. The event featured a mobile food pantry, resources, giveaways, and health screenings, showcasing heartwarming community support. We are incredibly grateful for the event’s success! Thank you City of Hampton for their warm welcome and look forward to continuing positive impact in our communities.

Celebrating 33 Years of Inclusion and Equality! Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a transformative milestone in our nation’s history.

The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, has been a beacon of hope and progress for millions of individuals with disabilities. It stands as a powerful reminder that we are all entitled to equal rights, regardless of our abilities or challenges.

This landmark legislation has paved the way for accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment in all aspects of life. From accessible public spaces to workplace accommodations, the ADA has broken barriers and opened doors for countless individuals to achieve their dreams.

Today, let’s take a moment to acknowledge and honor the individuals who have fought tirelessly for disability rights, paving the path towards a more inclusive society.

Let us continue to champion the spirit of the ADA by advocating for equality, understanding, and compassion. Together, we can create a world that celebrates diversity and embraces every unique journey.

In collaboration withSquareGlow and the FAAST Program, CIL invites you to a FREE presentation on Technology for the deaf and hard of hearing.

SquareGlow specializes in smart accessibility devices. They will be demonstrating lighted smoke detectors, bed shakers, alarms that light up, and any other Assistive Technology that will help access surroundings.

We welcome you to join in person or via Zoom. An ASL interpreter will be available.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 @ 10:00 AM
WHERE: Center For Independent Living Ocala OR via Zoom

For questions, contact Brandon Palermo:
(352) 368-3788 ext. 1012 / bpalermo@cilncf.org

For many individuals with disabilities, the idea of pride and disability together might seem like uncharted territory. Society has long made us feel ‘less than’ and filled with shame for simply embracing our disabled identity. The truth is, we are incredible beings with unique strengths, but sometimes, the need for ‘accommodations’ or special services can trigger that internalized shame.

So how can we as a community celebrate and elevate Disability Pride? How can we work together to change the outdated perception that these two words don’t and shouldn’t belong together? A great start is by sharing the Disability Pride flag! The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill, a disabled woman, and each of its elements symbolizes a different part of the disability community.

• The faded black background represents “the anger and mourning over the eugenics and the neglect that disabled people have to fight against.”
• Red represents physical disabilities.
• Gold is for neurodiversity.
• White represents invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven’t yet been diagnosed.
• Blue stands for emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression.
• Green is for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities.

The inclusive approach of the flag honors the meaning behind Disability Pride. Everyone is welcome to get involved, take part and celebrate pride in themselves and this fabulous, diverse and unique identity called Disability.

If you’re a person with a disability who was impacted by Hurricane Ian, Disability Rights Florida may be able to help you with:

1) Information and Referral
2) Housing
3) Education
4) Employment and Transportation
5) Access to Healthcare and Home Health Services

For more information, visit: DisabilityRightsFlorida.org

Call: 1-800-342-0823 | TTD: 800-346-4127

There are 6 flyers total with detailed information about how Disability Rights Florida can help persons with disabilities with issues related to recovery from Hurricane Ian. Two flyers have information provided in English, two flyers in Spanish, and two flyers in Creole. Please visit DisabilityRightsFlorida.org or call 1-800-342-0823 ; TTD: 800-346-4127 for more detailed information.

Join us for the 2023 Disability Awareness Expo where you can visit over 30 vendors showcasing products, services, and resources for persons with disabilities. Free AIC Testing and Giveaways Sponsored by Alachua County Health Department.

WHEN: Wednesday 16th, from 10am – 2pm

WHERE: MLK Multipurpose Center (1028 NE 14th St. Gainesville, FL 32601)

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the Expo, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity office by 7/24/23. Call 352-374-5275 TDD/TTY. Users: please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)

This past June continued to be a busy month for the FAAST Program! Last month, CIL Assistive Technologies Specialist, Claudia Avendano, represented the CIL and FAAST at two events, the Autism Awareness Resource Fair at the Lafayette County Public Library in Mayo, FL, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville.

The Autism Awareness Resource Fair helped families connect with organizations that provide services and resources for neuro-diverse individuals. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provided information and resources to assist Alachua County residents with preventing elder abuse and scams.

At both events, Claudia was able to provide information about assistive technology devices that can assist individuals with disabilities and the elderly, as well as various services at the CIL. As always, Claudia enjoyed speaking with community members and fellow vendors, and spreading the word about all we do for people with disabilities in our catchment area!

ID: Two pictures: The first picture is Claudia (left) and Bonnie Burgess with VR (right) standing in front of a light beige wall at the Autism Awareness Resource Fair. The photo has a purple background, Autism Awareness Resource Fair is written on the top left, FAAST is written on the bottom right, and the CIL logo is displayed on the top right. The second picture is of Claudia standing behind the FAAST display table to the right, at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event. The table is covered with the FAAST tablecloth, brochures, informational flyers and FAAST AT devices. The photo has a turquoise background, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is written on the top left, FAAST is written on the bottom right, and the CIL logo is displayed on the top right.

We’re excited to announce that our Youth Social Group (YSG) will be relaunching in person here at the CIL, 222 SW 36^th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32606, every Tuesday from 5:30pm – 7:00pm starting July 18th!  Our YSG is a space for individuals with disabilities aged 14-24.  Come on by to meet new friends, learn something new, and take part in fun activities, such as art and games.  We will kick things off with some clay pot painting and engaging icebreakers for our first meeting back together.  If you have any questions, feel free to email amichael@cilncf.org or call us at (352) 378-7474 ext. 2056.  Hope to see you there!

On Thursday, July 6th, the ILS group had their first outing since COVID! We met at the Oaks Mall in our patriotic colors and ate lunch together. All those who chose to wear red, white and blue had their name put in a bag to be drawn out for a prize. Andrew won! We then completed our Independent Living Plans for the next few months, as well as had some fun patriotic discussion questions to talk about! Everyone stated that they had a great time today!