We recently gave away laptops to some incredible high school students as part of our High School High Tech Program.  Congratulations to each of the students who received a laptop.  We know you’ll accomplish great things and make us proud!!!

Additionally, the CIL would like to thank The Florida Association of Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST), particularly Mr. Steve Howells, FAAST Executive Director.  FAAST made funding available for the purchase of the laptops and Mr. Howells, a well known and highly respected advocate for youth with disabilities, was instramental in creating the grant opportunity.  We have been able to award 8 well deserving students a laptop during this academic year.

Please join us for our Open House on June 1st from 10am to 3pm.

During the Open House, the Center for Independent Living will be hosting an Emergency Preparedness Workshop. Stop by and learn about our various programs serving people with disAbilities!

Other Open House activities will include an AWESOME RAFFLE of a prize basket valued near $3,000 worth of restaurant certificates and local business gifts.  We will have hurricane trivia and door prizes.

Lunch will be provided and free emergency kits will be given away.

The morning workshop will be presented by an expert panel to include:

• Chip Wilson, Statewide Disability Coordinator, Division of Emergency Management
• David Donnelly, Emergency Management Director for Alachua County, Department of Public Safety
• Paul Myers, Assistant Director, Alachua County Health Department
• Jeremy Gallman, Director of Safety/Security/Emergency Preparedness, North Florida Regional Medical Center

Additionally, Al Sandrik, Warning Coordination Meteorologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, will give a presentation during lunch.

The afternoon “Open House” activities will display all of our programs and guests will have the opportunity to meet staff, win door prizes and for the first 150 attendees with disabilities, receive a free Emergency Kit packed with:

• Green canvas duffle bag with zippered compartments
• Emergency Mylar blanket
• PVC “Easy Tear” duct tape, 2″ x 10 yards
• First Aid Kit, 33 pieces
• Flashlight w/ 2 D cells
• Piece Multi Tool knife
• Leather work gloves w/safety cuff
• Light stick, 2 piece
• Rain poncho
• 6 Water packets, USCG approved
• Signaling whistle
• Handy pouch kit comes with toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, soap, shave gel, razor, tissue and shampoo
• Flashlight
• Radio/Siren Combo

CIL has received a $45,000 Grant Award f rom The Able Trust Foundation to support employment services in Citrus County.
(Lecanto, FL)  The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida has been awarded substantial grant of $45,452 from The Able Trust.  Grant funds will be used to fund the “Promotion, Inclusion and Partnerships between Rural Employers and Qualified Job Seekers with Disabilities Program.”

GRANT AWARDED FOR EQUIPMENT REPAIR:
The CIL has been awarded $2500 by The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology to be used for device repair and refurbishment. The funds will be primarily used to support our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet. Howeevr, if you have a wheelchair, walker, etc. and it needs repair we may be bake ti assist, Contact Mark Mayfield at 1-800-265-5724.

RAMP BUILDING PROGRAM:
CIL has received a $1,000 Quality of Life Grant award from The Sam Schmidt Foundation.  Funds will be used for the Wheelchair Ramp Building Program!

Leading the Charge to Cure Paralysis The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is leading the charge for a cure for paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances. SSPF provides quality of life grants to organizations throughout the country benefiting people with paralysis and other life challenges.

Deaf Sign Language Users, Health Inequities, and Public Health: Opportunity for Social Justice

Researchers state the following… ”We contend that all communities contain a minority group whose health needs are understudied and underserved. This group is the sign language–using deaf population.”

Follow this link for full article…  http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/mar/10_0065.htm#Appendix

The videos below are presented in ASL and voice

(LECANTO, FL) The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida has been awarded a substantial grant of $45,452 from The Able Trust. Grant funds will be used to fund the “Promoting Inclusion and Partnerships between Rural Employers and Qualified Job Seekers with Disabilities Program”.

The History of The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) involves nearly 30 years of service by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. Our organization provides services to individuals on a cross-disability basis and has at least 51% people with disabilities comprising both our governing board of directors as well as staff. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to exert our individual rights to live as independently as possible, make personal life choices and achieve full community inclusion.

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a 501(c) (3) public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through grant programs, public awareness, public education, policy recommendations and fundraising. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded more than $25 million to individuals with disabilities and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment-related purposes, enabling more than 2,000 Florida citizens of all ages with disabilities to enter the workforce each year.