ACCESS QUARTERLY RESHAPING PERCEPTION
Changing how people percieve people with disabilities through Design Activism
Also In This Issue Going on a RAMPAGE! High Tech Skills Deaf Voice
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Upcoming Events
RAMPAGE
RAMPAGE March 2017
The RAMPAGE continues! As the 2017 season starts, take a look at some of the lives we have changed.
Deaf Expressions April 11, 2017 Celebrating Independence July 22, 2017
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Changing the Perception of Disability CIL joins others in adopting a new logo to represent accessible locations.
Stroll ‘n’ Roll October 21, 2017
High Tech Skills How this year’s High School High Tech class is learning to succeed in manufacturing and agriculture
Empowering Lives CIL’s Deaf Voice program has been a hub for the deaf community for many years. Learn what new changes are coming to the program and how we plan to improve the program in the future.
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SPRING EDITION
“People with disabilities are not stagnant. We are active, engaged, and a part of the community” Angel -Orlando Magic Wheels
MISSION “CIL, in partnership with the community, promotes inclusion of people with disabilities by eliminating architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers. CIL provides education, resources and training to enhance self-determination through informed choice.”
Board of Directors Chair Kim Byerly Darden Restaurants
Secretary Cheryl Stone Retired Microbiologist
Treasurer Mellissa Slover-Athey Centerstate Bank
Members Ahmed Albitar Hector Del Valle, MSW Rollins College NSCIA of Central Florida MBA Program Maxine Moul Alexis Kubart South Seminole Hospital Pearson Online Learning Services Charles Polk Advance Diversity Consulting
Director’s Voice As we are three months into the New Year I would like express our sincere gratitude to the many volunteers that have dedicated their time and talents to the Center for Independent Living. We could not carry out our mission without the incredible support of our volunteers. Those who serve on our board, committees, help us build ramps, serve as mentors for our young adults, and help around the office make an unbelievable impact day in and out to this organization. Thank you for making a difference in promoting inclusion and breaking down barriers for those we serve.
Brittany Pilcher Development Director www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
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RAMPAGE! O
n a brisk morning in February, the Lake Katheryn Estates awoke to a caravan of cars filled with volunteers from the Casselberry Rotary Club. Armed with tools and a desire to help the volunteers set out changing the life of a 13-year Navy Veteran forever. Materials provided by various organizations such as Home Depot and Publix, while design and architectural support was donated by Cuhaci & Peterson and Phil Kean Architects. The monumental effort is part of the 2017 RAMPAGE. A community effort to bring accessibility to the homes of Central Florida’s disability population. The project
started in 2005 as a way to reduce CIL’s waiting list for people awaiting home modifications. Companies donate funds to provide materials while architects draft the plans for the ramps. Volunteers are coordinated in daily builds 4
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SPRING EDITION
whenever is most convenient for them to participate. The stream of volunteers continued for weeks, helping many others achieve their goals of independence as well. CIL’s goal in the 2017 RAMPAGE is to build 10 ramps for people with disabilities in Central Florida. Building a ramp affects more than just the person living in the home. Once a person with a
disability is able to access their community again, the social and economic impact is far reaching. Family members and neighbors can once again build relationships with them, local businesses benefit from the added economic activity, and churches and social groups may also see additional
benefits from the reintroduction of members of their community. The process of selecting who gets a ramp is based on need. Many on the waiting list are unable to afford to have a ramp constructed themselves. CIL solicits private donors and organizations to help cover costs, however in many cases it can take several years in order to receive home modifications. Volunteers on ramps often have little to no construction experience. CIL accessibility team members interpret construction plans and designate easy to follow work tasks. Small tasks that add up to large scale projects like a ramps that allow someone to live independently.
Through donating or volunteering, anyone can participate in the RAMPAGE! To learn more about how to get involved and how to #JoinTheRAMPAGE visit our website at: www.cilorlando.org/events/RAMPAGE www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
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G N I P A H S E RPERCEPTION On March 1, 2017 Local leaders such as Winter Park Mayor, Steve Leary; Vice Mayor, Sarah Sprinkel; Winter Park Commissioner, Greg Seidel; and many others from the community gathered for an unveiling of the new Accessible Icon CIL would be adopting. The new icon is an example of “design activism,” or the idea that by updating a design to highlight different attributes of an idea, it can ultimately transform the perception of what that idea represents. Since 1968, the international symbol of access has been used to identify accessible parking, restrooms, and locations.While the intended purpose was to identify accessible areas, it also communicated a message that was reflected in its design: people with disabilities are stagnant.
In 2010, a group in Boston, Massachusets decided it was time for a change. The Accessible Icon Project was founded as a street campaign.The project sought to update the outdated perception of people with disabilities as a sedentary demographic and replace it with one that speaks to the general primacy of personhood. The icon was eventually adopted by the state of New York and has continued to gain traction across the country. In Central Florida, CIL in Winter Park is the first to lead the way in adopting the new accessibility icon. Hector DelValle, CIL Board member and Southern Regional Coordinator for the Accessible Icon Project led the charge in adopting the new icon.
The old icon also suggests that a person is part of their mobility device, “It shows me more than the old one.” Says and the passive position of the head Hector. “I’m a busy guy, I’m active, and that symbol and body suggest a lack of engagement symbolizes me.” with the lived environment. 6
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SPRING EDITION
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
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High Tech Manufacturing & Agriculture High School High Tech (HSHT) is a program with over 42 sites in the state of Florida funded by ABLE Trust Foundation, and the GiveWell Community Foundation. HSHT seeks to prepare high school students with disabilities from ages 14 to 22 for life after they have graduated school. Exposing them to post-secondary education and or employment, through hands on experience with activities such as career workshops, jobsite and campus tours, summer internships, guest speakers and leadership development. High School High Tech has a total enrollment of 19 students in George Jenkins and Bartow High School in Polk County. At the beginning of each year a theme is chosen to introduce students to opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Our HSHT theme for this year is Manufacturing and Agriculture, all activities are focused on exposing the students to lessons, careers and offsite tours in these fields. During our first semester HSHT students participated in the month of October of the Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) Career Event at Polk State College. They had the opportunity to interact with vendors from Publix, Walmart and Polk Career Source and also they were taken on a tour of the campus. Guests Speakers from Family Network on Disabilities (FND) and Vocational Rehabilitation also offered conferences to the students in November. On February 14, 2017, HSHT students went on a trip to Publix Dairy Facility in Lakeland. They took a guided tour and were able to experience the entire procedure of how milk is processed into various products such as cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream from start to finish. After the tour they were given some ice cream, something that we all really enjoyed. The months are soon passing, but before that HSHT has several activities planned to end this year of fun yet educational experiences for our students. 8
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SPRING EDITION
EMPOWERING
LIVES
CIL’s Deaf Voice program has been helping the deaf community navigate the challenges of every day life. As each consumer has different goals, the program is very tailored to the needs of the consumers it serves. Some consumers may need assistance with interpresting legal or medical documents. Others still may need assistance with applying for a driver’s license or gaining their citizenship. At its core Deaf Voice is an empowerment program that lies at the center of CIL’s mission. In addition to meeting and achieving goals, Deaf Voice consumers also gain a sense of freedom through the program. By participating and organizing support groups, the consumers of the Deaf Voice program take responsibility for their own lives. The program allows participants to reach beyond limits that have been placed on them and define their own potential to achieve whatever they dream to.
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
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VISIT www.cilorlando.org to learn more
WINTER PARK OFFICE 720 N DENNING DRIVE WINTER PARK, FL 32789 PHONE: 407-623-1070
LAKELAND OFFICE 5125 S. LAKELAND DRIVE, SUITE 4 LAKELAND, FL 33814 PHONE: 863-413-2722
INFO@CILORLANDO.ORG