ACCESS QUARTERLY SUMMER 2018
Celebrating Independence
Rebuilding a Life
A Legacy of Giving
Are You Ready for the Next
CorePAH!
04
Are You Ready? There is a 100% chance that a hurricane will impact Florida in the next 10 years. Here’s what you need to know
06
Building Success
12
13
15
2
Celebrating Independence Gala June 23, 2018
This year’s Celebrating Independence Gala honors Sandra Osborn, a lifelong advocate for children with disabilities
10
StepAhead Leadership Camp June 18, 2018
Celebrating Independence
14
Disaster Preparedness for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community June 13, 2018
The 2018 High School High Tech celebrates another successful year with a trip to Busch Gardens
08
Upcoming Events
A Legacy of Giving
StepAhead Empowerment Camp Session A July 9, 2018
Author Richard Rosenkranz passed away in 2014, but his legacy of giving and the work he started continues
Rebuilding a Life
StepAhead Empowerment Camp Session B July 23, 2018
After losing her home to Hurricane Irma, Janice came to Florida looking for a new life for her and her daughter
IT Should Not Be Your Problem
“CIL has shown me different career paths that would interest me.They have encouraged me to think about my future education and career plans.”
Celebrating Independence Presenting Sponsor iVenture talks about how to find the right IT partner to meet your needs and meet your goals
CorePAH! Learn about CIL’s new social Deaf Voice initiative focused on bringing the Central Florida Deaf Community together
BB&T Volunteers from BB&T spent a day beautifying Winter Park CIL’s, making the office safer and more attractive for CIL consumers
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
-David High School High Tech Graduate
Board of Directors Chair Mellissa Slover-Athey Centerstate Bank Past Chair Kim Byerly Darden Restaurants
Vice Chair Maxine Moul Orlando Health Secretary Cheryl Stone Retired Microbiologist
Members Hector Del Valle, MSW AIP Southern Regional Coordinator Alexis Kubart Pearson Online Learning Services Dr. Maxine Ruddock Comprehensive Psychological Ronika Carter & Assessment Services Watson LLP Steve Beres Regions Bank Tamara Mackroy Comprehensive Health Ha Tran Services Crummer School of Business
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.”
Director’s Voice
Programs and services at Center for Independent are designed to support individuals of varying abilities at any age, to live as independently as they can in their chosen community or setting. In all stages of life, access is a key component in fostering independence. Our programs Foundations to Freedom, StepAhead, Aspire to Hire, Aging in Place Case Management and Deaf Voice are all designed to promote equal access to the spaces and places where we live, work and play. Foundations to Freedom and Aging in Place case management may be most recognizable for the ramps we build or the equipment we provide to increase physical access to our communities.They are also notable for the independence and improvement in quality of life participants experience.Whether it is attending a FIT or Matter of Balance class (both geared towards fall prevention), or getting the freedom of being able to hear after receiving an amplified phone, Center for Independent Living works hard to secure community-based support services so that those we serve can return home after a rehab or nursing home stay. CIL is currently hosting 4 sessions of its Summer Youth Leadership Camp designed to provide youth with disabilities meaningful, hands on work experience, soft skills training and career exploration in preparation for life after high school. Employment is often the most challenging goal for individuals with disabilities to achieve because barriers continue to exist. Aspire to Hire incorporates traditional job placement support with targeted outreach and training for employers. This year, 52 successful job placements have been made. Seeing the need in our deaf community for more than just ASL classes, our Deaf Voice team has rebranded its weekly classes to be more comprehensive and involve life skills training with a focus on relevant topics in regard to information and communication access for individuals who are deaf. With your continued support our CIL staff is working harder than ever to serve over 1,500 individuals with disabilities each year. Thanks to YOU we are able to provide much needed programs and services to those with disabilities and continue breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of accessibility and inclusion.
Jascinth Lawrence Programs Director
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
3
PREPARING FO
There is a 100% chance that a hurricane will impact Flor
1. Be Informed
Hurricanes are common in Florida, but each region has events unique to the area. Know what potential disasters could impact where you live.
2. Make a Communications Plan
A disaster can interfere with your ability to communicate with others. Having a plan to keep in touch is vital to keeping your support network aware of where you are.
3. Create a Personal Support Network
Make a list of family, friends, and anyone else who should be a part of your plan. Include relatives or friends outside of the impacted area who can help if needed. Make sure your network knows how you plan to evacuate your home, school, or work and where you will go during a disaster. Make sure someone in your network has access to your home and knows where your emergency supplies are. If you have any special medical equipment or medications teach them how to use it in case of an emergency. Also notify your service and medical providers about your plans, and work with them to identify backup providers within your area and areas where you may evacuate. If you have equipment that requires power, speak to your health care provider about a backup plan in case of a power outage.
4. Develop a Family Communication Plan
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what to do in different situations such as if the power goes out, water is shut off, or you need to evacuate.
5. Deciding to Stay or Evacuate
Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first decision you should make is whether to stay or evacuate, and have plans for both. Make sure to register for your county’s special needs shelters, even if you do not plan to use them. If you choose to stay consider if it would be best to shelter-in-place or go to a public shelter. If you do decide to shelter-in-place be prepared for the possibility that you may be without power, water, or phone for several days. Contact your local emergency managers to prepare 4
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
OR A DISASTER
rida in the next 10 years. Here’s What You Need to Know.
shelters in advance to meet accessibility and functional needs. If you choose to evacuate, plan where you will evacuate to and the route you will take to get there. Find accessible hotels or motels in the area you are travelling to and if you have pets verify that the hotel will accept them in order to keep your pet with you. Make sure you know the evacuation plans for places you frequent such as work, school, and community organizations.
6. Build an Emergency Kit
During a disaster you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences.Think through the details of your everyday life.You should include the following in your planning:
Basic Supplies
Survival basics such as non perishable food, water, first aid, and tools for at least 3 days.
Important Documents
Copies of important documents such as family records, wills, deeds, social security information, medical records, financial documents, and cash in a waterproof container.
Additional Considerations
Copies of prescriptions At least one week supply of medication Medical alert tag or bracelets Medical insurance card List of local organizations that can assist you Extra eyeglasses and backup supplies Extra batteries for hearing aids Motorized wheelchair battery chargers Service animal and pet supplies Manual wheelchair for emergencies Items for personal hygiene and cleanup
Get Involved!
No one in your community knows your needs better than you do. Now is the time to get involved in your neighborhood and community preparedness activities. You can assist planners and others in considering the preparedness needs of your community, including people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs.
For additional resources and help with planning please visit the Division of Emergency Management’s website at www.floridadisaster.org
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
5
Building on Success High School High Tech (HSHT) has successfully completed another exciting and educational year in Polk County! The High School High Tech Shark Tank event that took place on March 23 at Family Fundamentals in Lakeland was a great success, as well as the End of Year Trip to Busch Gardens. During the High School High Tech Shark Tank event students gave a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions related to their school-based business, BAR-KINS Industries, to three potential investors from CenterState Bank. High School High Tech Entrepreneurs David Bartow, Madison Lewis, Rashelle Andrews, and Jonathon Carter answered questions related to design, development, sales and marketing of the product. The students did an extraordinary job and were very excited when they were awarded an investment of one thousand dollars from CenterState Bank. The development of BAR-KINS Industries is well under way, with a table setup at CenterState Bank in Lakeland as well as in the Lakeland Farmer’s Market on June 23rd and June 30th where you can purchase their product, a HSHT t-shirt and bracelet combo. Hope to see you there! 6 ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
Thanks to a grant from the Harper Family Charitable Foundation, this year’s High School High Tech End of Year Trip was to Busch Gardens. The students had been looking forward to this trip since the first day of school. In addition to the skills learned during the lessons provided this trip was ALL they could talk about. On May 4th HSHT students and chaperones headed to Busch Gardens for a day full of fun and learning. We arrived right as the gates opened to explore the many attractions available. The day started with some snacks at one of the many restaurants where students fueled their bodies to embark on the days adventures. While enjoying their food and planning what roller coaster they were to get on first, there was an innocent looking yet a bit hungry bird that flew on the table and swiped the Program Coordinators hot dog and fries as everyone looked on in shock as to what happened. This was definitely one of the highlights of the day. HSHT students were able to ride the majority of the rollercoasters and watch a few shows during their excursion. They also had the fun of seeing animals such as gorillas, elephants, penguins, and alligators. It was a wonderful day and an awesome way to reward the students for a year filled with hard work. Farewell from one of our seniors… David Rivero from Bartow High School wrote this message to his fellow HSHT classmates. “My name is David Rivero and I have been with High School High Tech for two years.Throughout those two years they have shown me different career paths that would interest me.They have encouraged me to think about my future education and career plans. I’ve also made new friends and they all are very nice to me. My favorite part about HSHT was after the meetings when we had snacks, time to share with friends and the field trips. My favorite field trips were when we went to Universal last year and Busch Gardens this year. I enjoyed having a lot of fun at both parks. I wanted to thank HSHT for helping me figure out my future. I could have not done it without them. Thank you all for the memories and as I graduate, wish me a good time at Polk State College. Peace, D. Rivero”
The 2017-2018 High School High Tech Program is made possible in part by a grant from the George Jenkins Fund Part of the GiveWell Community Foundation
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
7
CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE
Cocktail Reception, Dinner, & Silent Auction
SATURDAY,
JUNE 23rd HARRY P. LEU GARDENS 1920 NORTH FOREST AVENUE ORLANDO, FL 32803 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Cocktail Attire, Black Tie Optional
PRESENTED BY
8
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
Join us for an unforgettable evening of inclusion and fun for persons of all abilities at Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, Inc. (CIL’s) Celebrating Independence Gala. The event will take place on Saturday, June 23rd with over 125 disability advocates, supporters, donors, volunteers, staff, and clients coming together to recognize CIL’s successes of the past year and hopes for the future.The evening gives participants a window into the important work CIL does in the community for people with disabilities. In addition, we will present the Beverly Chapman Legacy Award to an individual who has worked hard to break barriers and create new opportunities for disability inclusion in Central Florida. Prior Beverly Chapman Legacy Award Recipients include disability advocate Dick Batchelor and Unique Abilities Partnership founder Andy Gardiner. The Celebrating Independence Gala offers an engaging program that includes a magnificent full course dinner, exciting silent auction, key raffle for a very special prize, and great entertainment. This year, we are proud to recognize Mrs. Sandra Rosenberg Osborn as the 2018 Beverly Chapman Legacy Award recipient. Sandra worked tirelessly on behalf of special needs children for over 50 years, first as a teacher, then administrator in Orange County Public Schools, and in retirement as an advocate for families of students with disabilities. Sandra served on CIL’s Board of Directors for a total of 12 years, serving twice as Board Chair. Sandra passed away on November 7, 2017, but her lifelong commitment to helping people with disabilities made a lasting impact on many lives. We are proud to present her family with this year’s Beverly Chapman Legacy Award in her memory. Mrs. Beverly Chapman was an advocate for people with disabilities at a time when the Americans with Disabilities Act did not exist.Throughout her life she fought tirelessly for their civil rights. In addition to being the Center for Independent Living’s first executive director, Beverly held a weekly column in the Orlando Sentinel, founded the Valencia High Technology Training Center for persons with disabilities, worked to create an accessible tollway system that came to be known as SunPass, and nationally helped in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Mrs. Chapman left us in 1993 and we continue to honor her legacy annually by presenting an honored member in our community with the Beverly Chapman Legacy Award.
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY 9
A Legacy of Giving Cheryl sat in a Toojays waiting for her food to arrive. It was rare for her to see any other people with power chairs in her everyday outings, but seldom did she see someone frequenting a restaraunt in a chair like herself. Curious, she approached the man and introduced herself. His name was Richard Rosenkranz and he was a writer looking to get involved in the community. Cheryl, a Board member for Center for Independent Living in Central Florida suggested reaching out to CIL to see if any volunteer opportunities were available. He did just that, and for many months Richard volunteered, helping to create new opportunities for people with disabilities to live independently and achieve their goals. As often happens, Richard moved on from his volunteering at CIL to pursue other goals some even internationally, but the lives of those he made an impact were forever changed. Richard Rosenkranz was founder of World Tibet Day, a worldwide event designed to help the Tibetan people regain their essential freedoms.The event quickly became a worldwide day of awareness. The Dalai Lama said “The World Tibet Day has helped greatly in raising awareness and support for the Tibetan cause and opened many hearts to the essential rights of the Tibetan people to preserve their culture and to practice their religion freely.� 10
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
Richard unfortunately passed away on October 9, 2014, but his life and his passion for those with disabilities was always foremost in his mind. Having a disability himself, Richard’s volunteer work at CIL allowed him to change the lives of people facing the same challenges he had faced and helped them to overcome many obstacles. Before passing, Richard left CIL with the donation of $75,000 from his estate as part of his legacy. “Richard was very charitable and a remarkable person to meet, he overcame so many obstacles throughout his life. Contracting polio at a young age in addition to other disabilities did not stop Richard from wanting to make a difference” commented Stephanie S. Woods, Trustee of the Richard S. Rosenkranz Trust. Leaving a legacy gift like Mr. Rosenkranz is just one of the many ways you can make an impact in the lives of those with disabilities and support Center for Independent Living. Is Center for Independent Living already in your will, trust or other estate plans? Thank you! Please let us know about your plans because it helps us plan for the future. Call or email Brittany Pilcher, Development Director.Your gift may remain anonymous, if you like. Don’t have a will? You’re not alone! Now is a great time to start planning, and please consider including a bequest to the Center for Independent Living in your estate plans. Contact Brittany Pilcher for suggested “bequest language” and our tax ID for you to share with your attorney. Brittany can be contacted by email at Bpilcher@cilorlando.org and by phone at 407-623-1070.
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
11
Rebuilding a Life In 2017 Hurricane Irma tore through Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands leaving over 100,000 people without a place to stay. Like so many others, Janice and her 15-year old daughter found themselves without anywhere to live and moved to Florida. Janice experienced seizures and anxiety, and her daughter had a learning disability. Even though they were staying with a family member, their disabilities made adjusting to the new life extremely difficult. It soon became apparent that the living situation was not working out and they would have to find a place of their own. Janice and her daughter were receiving Social Security Disability Income, but it wasn’t enough to afford a place to live in Central Florida’s inflated rental market. That’s when Janice called CIL. CIL’s Case Management team worked with Janice to develop a plan to help her find an affordable place to live. Unfortunately, all of the accessible housing units were full and Janice was placed on a waiting list. In the meantime, Janice continued to work on other steps in her plan. CIL staff helped Janice set up an interview to receive food stamps. She went to the interview and was approved, receiving two boxes of food before she left. Happily, about 3 weeks after Janice visited CIL, an apartment opened up that matched her needs and budget.The apartment required some work before she could move in. While the repairs were being done, CIL’s Case Management team helped Janice get power and water to her home, and connected her with Mustard Seed of Central Florida to get furniture. Shortly thereafter Janice and her daughter moved in, thrilled to once again have a place of their own and start their new life.
12
ACCESS QUARTERLY | SUMMER EDITION
PRESENTED BY
IT Should Not be Your Problem We’ve all been there: we’re on the road. A dazzling new client is ready to sign once you hash out the details with your team. All you need to do is remotely log in to your network, get in touch with HQ, and--the network is down. Your credentials aren’t recognized. The team in the office can’t print the attached documents. Your computer is estimating it will take 4 hours to download the returned file. Something in your IT is broken, and it is now a problem. More specifically, it is your problem. Technology, and how we incorporate it into our professional lives is evolving. Businesses today can’t afford to be left adrift in a sea of uninstalled updates, lest they be stranded on the island of obsolescence. Slow computers and spotty networks may be an inconvenience you can live with, but what about your customers? When technology isn’t reliable, it can really hinder your company. The field of IT is vast, complex, and ever-changing, to a point where many of your colleagues might scoff and refer to IT as a “necessary evil”. We definitely agree on one of those fronts. IT is necessary, but it shouldn’t feel like an “evil”. It is a core component to keeping your business up, running, secure, and ready for everything. Growing businesses focused on scaling up have to invest in technology, and finding the right solution is a little bit like dating. Your technology partner needs to be proactive, communicative, and most importantly, they need to understand your business. Being able to find the right IT solution comes down to your business needs and your business plan. Your tech partner has to be able to be prepared for cyber threats, to fully support your staff, and allow your company to move forward. One of the best ways to stay on top of technology while allowing your business to flourish is to look to technology professionals. Managed Services Providers (MSPs) are IT experts who can accommodate your business needs--managing all your users end-to-end, or working with your existing IT team to allow for strategic growth. MSPs provide the ongoing support necessary to stay on top of the lifecycle of hardware while staying on top of the latest in technology trends. IT should never be a problem. Even if it is scribbled in the margins of your business plan, technology and the landscape of the future digital world is something every business owner needs to be prepared to face. If you’d like to learn more about technology solutions for your business, contact iVenture Solutions in Orlando at 407-841-3400, or visit our website at https://www.iventuresolutions.com/.
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
13
CIL’s Deaf Services has been instrumental in advocating for and assisting our Deaf community in breaking down the barriers they face every day. However it became apparent that CIL could be more than a transactional experience. The staff at CIL brainstormed for several weeks, got feedback from consumers, volunteers, and staff before having the framework in place to launch CorePAH! “PAH!” is an expression in the Deaf community used to signify success and excitement, and the “Core” denotes the core skills that CIL teaches our consumers in order to succeed in reaching their goals. Combined, “CorePAH!” is a social group where the Deaf community can not only learn important new skills in a structured setting, but it also provides a safe, social environment where practical learning can take place. CorePAH! provides weekly information and support for CIL’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers. These informational topics relate back to CIL’s core services of peer support, independent living skills, advocacy, transition, and information and referral. Each week topics are discussed that relate to one larger subject such as disaster preparedness, identity theft, and rights under the ADA. In addition to holding weekly meetings, CorePAH! also has a Facebook group so members can converse, offer feedback, and support each other. Members get instant updates and can communicate via video using ASL by posting their messages to the group. Meetings are held every Wednesday; 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at Center for Independent Living, 720 N. Denning Drive, Winter Park, Florida 32789. As part of CorePAH! the Orange County Office of Emergency Management will be holding a class on Wednesday, June 13th from 6:00pm - 7:30pm to go over how to prepare for the next disaster and what you can do to ensure that you successfully weather the storm. Interpreters and light refreshments will be provided. 14
ACCESS QUARTERLY | WINTER EDITION
It had been some time since CIL had received assistance with landscaping services which were becoming more and more necessary after Hurricane Irma. The weeds were taking over, plants were dying, and the shrubs by the entry door had become overgrown, creating a potential hazard to CIL consumers seeking services. Staff did what they could but landscaping services were desperately needed. However, there were no funds to pay it. Fortunately, CIL received a call from BB&T Lighthouse Project coordinator looking for a volunteer opportunity. The Lighthouse Project is BB&T’s opportunity to provide corporate financial support to local charities, while their associates roll up their sleeves and go to work landscaping, painting, preparing meals and more. Since its beginning in 2009, BB&T’s Lighthouse Project has contributed more than 500,000 volunteer hours and improved the quality of life for more than 15 million people. Representatives from BB&T came out to CIL, and seeing the sad state of the outside of the building, were eager to take on the challenge. Alan Singer, Vice President of Asset Management at BB&T explained, “The BB&T Lighthouse Project is one of the many ways BB&T can give back to the community. We had to choose a project that supports a meaningful effective organization helping others. CIL has provided a fantastic service for people with disabilities to live and work independently for over 42 years. It was an easy decision.” “When we visited, we saw the grounds needed help. Safer and more attractive landscaping helps the clients get in and out safely, and the new plants and flowers makes clients and staff take a little more pride in this high profile resource center.” Thanks to the efforts of BB&T’s volunteers, CIL clients and staff are no longer embarrassed by the outside of the building but are proud as they walk through the door.
www.cilorlando.org | ACCESS QUARTERLY
15
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