2015\2016
Annual Report
Celebrating 40 Years of Independence
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida’s establishment in 1976. Since that time we have seen CIL grow and change into the organization it is today. We commemorated this momentous occassion with the inaugural Celebrating Independence, a gala to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities.The event was held at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center in Winter Park on April 14th. Guests helped to raise over $17,000 for people with disabilities in Central Florida. 2015 also saw the rapid growth and success of our StepAhead transition program for young adults with disabilities. We continue to see the High School High Tech program grow, now spanning Bartow and George Jenkins High Schools. Additionally, CIL’s High School High Tech program was recognized as the program of the year by The Able Trust. With the support of CIL staff, volunteers, mentors, and donors the students enrolled in the program are able to explore all the opportunities available to them in their community. As of this year we have built over a half-mile of accessible ramps through our Foundations to Freedom program. Our DeafVoice program continues to provide critical services to the deaf community to help empower them to lead full, independent lives. And our Aspire to Hire program helped over 40 people with disabilities find employment. We are eternally grateful for the donors, volunteers, sponsors, foundations, advocates, staff, and board who make possible the mission of breaking down barriers to opportunity and inclusion that people with disabilities experience every day.
Executive Director
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Born out of protests towards the inaccessibility of the Berkley, California college campus for people with disabilities, the first Center for Independent Living was founded in 1972. Beverly Chapman took note of this movement and the void in opportunities for people with disabilities in Central Florida. In 1976, the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida was founded. Conceived as an organization devoted solely to solving the independent living challenges and answering the needs of the 42,000 people in Orange County living with disabilities.
The Beverly Chapman Legacy Award Mr. Dick Batchelor, first recipient of CIL’s Beverly Chapman Legacy Award helped found CIL in 1976 and has served as an advocate for all people with disabilities. This work has empowered people with disabilities to strive for full inclusion and a life of independence. A cofounder of CIL in the 1970’s, Mr. Bachelor has spent his life advocating for people with disabilities in both public and private life. CIL’s board and staff are forever grateful for his vision and foresight.
CIL’s Beverly Chapman Legacy Award honors an individual who creates opportunities for disability inclusion through partnerships, community 2015 25th anniversary outreach, andmarked working the to advocate for the rights and liberties of peopleof with Beverly’s of the passing thedisabilities. Americans with many accomplishments impacted countless Disabilities Act, which opened the numbers of people, all gaining the freedom to doors people with disabilities choose a life offor independence.
to access the world around them As Beverly Chapman did throughout the course and empowered them to live of her life, the Beverly Chapman Legacy Award their on lives. Mayorwho Steven Leary is bestowed an individual has advocated and worked to create opportunities for of Winter Parknew joined us at the disability inclusion.
The Path to Independence Foundations to Freedom Since she was 29, Sarah lived with diabetes. As she got older, her complications multiplied until she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and lymphodema. This left her unable to enter or exit her home without significant fear of falling and required her daughter and neighbors to take time away from work to help her. She needed a change in order to stay in her own home.
“We call it our Bridge to Freedom. We would not be able to easily get in and out of our home without it.”
CIL’s Foundations to Freedom program assessed Sarah’s situation and determined she was a perfect candidate for a ramp. With funds raised by local donors and volunteers from Colorado State University on spring break, CIL’s accessibility team set to work on making Sarah’s home accessible. In a single day Sarah’s ramp was completed and she could exit and enter her house without fear of falling. Her family and neighbors no longer need to worry about her falling, and Sarah is once again able to participate in her community as an independent individual.
StepAhead StepAhead primarily addresses the needs of young adults with disabilities while in school. However, studies have shown, after a student graduates with a “special diploma” there are limited, if any, opportunities available. Young adults with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 25 are at a high risk of being less prepared than their peers without disabilities, for the responsibilities and challenges they will face once they leave the public school system. Upon graduation, students with disabilities and their families can no longer access the hands-on support received while in school, many families cannot afford the outrageous costs of postsecondary education, and they typically lack the skills needed to independently seek and maintain employment.
“I’m so excited for the future thanks to the Center for Independent Living. I’m eternally grateful for your help.”
Aspire to Hire James was born 3 months premature at 1 pound, 10 ounces. At birth, doctors told his mother that her newborn son had a 40% chance to survive and that the outlook was grim. 9 blood transfusions, and an eye surgery later, James had beaten the odds, but as James grew older he experienced severe asthma attacks and seemed to be allergic to everything, including certain foods. It also became evident that he has a learning disorder. By 11th grade, James’ allergies had created challenges that prevented him from regularly attending school and required him to be home schooled. He was also referred to CIL’s Aspire to Hire program to begin employment training. Within 3 months, he had secured a seasonal position in retail along with 20 other candidates. As the summer season came to a close, James’ positive, polite, and respectful attitude made him stand out from the other employees. His dedication to performing above and beyond the expectations set before him earned him the top sales team member month after month and got the attention of the managers. When the season ended in August and the seasonal employees were let go, James was hired on as an official employee.
“Thanks to Aspire to Hire I finally can begin to live my life. I can spend time with my friends and am saving to buy a house.”
Deaf Voice In 2014, Robert was frustrated. He lived with severe anxiety compounded by Usher Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder that steals a person’s hearing and impairs their vision. Despite this, Robert was an extremely outgoing person. He married a woman from Puerto Rico who was also deaf and envisioned starting a family with her. However, Robert was having trouble finding a job. His Usher’s Syndrome made it difficult to communicate with employers and coworkers, as well as making it impossible for him to drive at night. At home, his wife expected Robert to be the bread winner, creating enormous daily pressure on Robert to succeed in his job search, further adding to his anxiety and outbursts. Day after day, week after week, Robert was told “no” by countless employers. Desperate, scared, and hopeless, Robert came to the Center for Independent Living for help.
“CIL is the only organization that has actually helped me. You actually treated me as a human being and not a number.
Robert’s initial evaluation indicated that his anxiety had led him to have severe anger management issues that had complicated his job search. CIL staff immediately started teaching him behavior modification skills through the Deaf Voice program. Over the course of a year, Robert learned how to effectively manage his anger and channel it in productive ways; Robert was finally ready to look for work.
Impact by County The Center for Indpendent Living in Central Florida serves seven counties in the Central Florida area. CIL’s service area is home to a population of over 2.8 million people, 348,460 of which have one or more forms of disability. CIL’s Winter Park office serves Seminole, Orange, POLK and Osceola, while CIL’s Lakeland office serves Polk, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, and Osceola counties. in the 2015 2016 fiscal year the Center for Independent Living touched over 1,860 lives, and helped 1,619 people work towards their goals of independence. Each individual has different goals, and Center for Independent Living individualizes each person’s Independent Living Plan to meet those goals. Every year CIL touches the lives of tens of thousands in Central Florida with its mesage, and significantly impacts the lives of thousands with it’s actions. Together with our communities, advocates, donors, and volunteers, CIL works towards creating truly inclusive and accepting world for people with disabilities.
People with Disabilities in CIL’s Service Area
SEMINOLE
Pop: 43,463 280 Served
ORANGE
Pop: 139,313 916 Served
OSCEOLA
POLK
Pop: 94,476 242 Served
Pop: 44,345 132 Served
HARDEE
Pop:2,855 20 Served DESOTO
Pop: 4,992 3 Served
HIGHLANDS
Pop: 19,016 26 Served
1
VOLUNTEERS BY THE NUMBERS
133 FOUNDATIONS TO FREEDOM
Volunteers are the most important resource the Center for Independent Living has. The ability of people to work willingly together for the betterment of their community and for the inclusion of people with disabilities is a valuable resource EVENTS that the Center for Independent Living appreciates to the fullest. We cannot thank our dedicated volunteers enough for the time ADMINISTRATIVE and energy they have put in this past year helping us build ramps, translate to our deaf consumers, being a mentor to a young adult with a disability as they transition Volunteers in 2015-2016 worked a total of 2,852 hours, equivalent to $67,193 into adulthood, and volunteering their time and talent during our awareness and fundraising events throughout the year.
71
64
Volunteers in 2015-2016 worked a total of 2,852 hours, equivalent to $67,193 ASPIRE TO HIRE
11 10 BOARD
STEPAHEAD
6
ASPIRE TO HIRE
4
Programs Impact
Every person served by CIL has at least one goal they are striving to achieve in order to gain greater independence. In the past year, consumers successfully attained goals, by removing barriers in these signiďŹ cant life areas:
763
Communication
9
Community and social participation
75
Community based living
25
28
Transportation and mobility
120
Personal resource management
40
Self-advocacy and empowerment
43
Educational
Employment and vocational
681
49
Information and technology
Transition to community based living
Donors Abby Pacholski Ahmed Albitar Aidian Perry Alan Ginsburg Alexis Kubart Alicia Somers Amanda Proctor Amanda Singh Amanda Watson Amy Nickel Andrea Batchelor Andrew Myers Anika Roberts Anne Maley Anthony DelPrete Audley Murphy Barbara Hartley Barbara Metz Barry Siebert Bill Baker Blanca Llanos Boo Granger Brenda Carey Britany Winders Brittany Lara Bryant Santana C. Russell Slappey Candace Valencia Candy Dawson Carol DiCeglio Carynn Jackson Cassandra LeBlanc Catherine Scott Cathy Mortenson Cerise San Filippo Chad Byerly Chad Franklin Charles Polk Charlie Gray Charlotte Coulon Cheryl Stone Chris Dawson Chris Snellen Chris Wilczewski Christie Bailiff Christina Sarran Christine Mollick Cristine Pena Cindi Niemann Cindy Connors Clara Zaninelli Clyde Wetteland Cynthia Roberts Cynthia Roberts Dabra Huneycutt Dale Parker
Damaris Febo Danielle Wilczewski Darlene Bennett Dave Andrews Dave Long David Odahowski David Rauh David Whiteside Dean Proctor Deb Batt Deborah Pagan Debra Hendrickson Dedee Ley Demetria Caston Dennis Cody Devin Dominguez Diane Huber Diane Hubner Dixie Slater Donald Selvage Donna Clark Donna Lendvay Douglas Noah Ed Moss Elaine Carr Eleanor Tennant Elias Neidert Elisabeth Hotopp Elizabeth Howe Elizabeth Kurtz Elizabeth Mitchell Erika Galindez Esther Sierra-Valentin Florence Hellinger Frank Irons Fred Stickney Gary Pilcher Gerald West Glen Casel Greg Dawson Gregory Seidel Harry Arnold Hassaha Liggins Hayley Medina Hector Del Valle Holly Dykema Holly Wilton J.D. Reed Jackie Le James Rivera James Von Romer Jan Pettengill Jane Garcia Janice Ingrando Janie Black Jascinth Lawrence
Jason Jerome Jason Reilly Jayson Sloane Jean Graham Jeannie Venning Jennifer Cinque Jessica Handlan Jessica Hooke Jessie Devine Joan Barton Joe Terranova John Bonnell John Dimino John Hurt John Rumbley John Wayne Joie Slover Jonathan Crain Joseph Gardner Juanita Borysewich Judy Albertson Jyoti Deo Karen Moreno Karen Wetteland Kashaka Jarrell Kathleen Kirby Kathy Lovell Kay Yeuell Kelly Burchell Kelly James Kelly Roberts Ken LaRoe Kerry McNeely Kevin Lindeman Kevin Walker Kimberly Byerly Laura Kubart Lee Behensky Linda Costa Linda Garvin-Manzonelli Linda Mizelle Lisa Farruggia Loren Bender Loretha King Lori Lindeman Lyndsey Durning Madelyn Duran Mallory Reeves Margaux Pagan Maria Rojas Marines Hoppes Mark Conway Mark McHugh Mary Basham Mary Cooper Mary Ferguson
Mary Hageman Mary Overton Mary Robertson Matthew Devine Matthew Janisz Matthew Torrez Maxine Moul Melissa Yakimetz Mellissa Slover-Athey Merika Childers Michael Calvo Michael Frumkin Michelle Bell Mirza Hussain Monica Medina Nancy Gavaghan Neil Okun Nevin Zink Nikkia Gumbs Octavia Perdomo Pamela Nabors Raymond Ramos Rhonda CanďŹ eld Richard Miller Ricky and Luana Kutz Rise Wheeler Robert Lemon Jr Robert Proctor Robert Smith Roberta Wharton Roberto Rivera Rodney Reifsnider Roma Singh Ron Brown Rosario Ortigao Russell Overton Sabrina Case Samantha Graziani Sami Qubty Sandra Adams Powers Sandra Osborn
Sandra Spang Sandy Helzapfel Sara Jane Sarah Sprinkel Shari Cuculiansky Sharon Bowen Sheila Young Stephen Smyth Stephen Ting Steven Lincourt Suzanne Costner Tamara Mackroy Tamara Waters Tara Ziegler
Terry Overton Thaddeus Seymour Theresa Curameng Todd Allen Long Tonja Woodard Tony Jenkins Tracy Cehovin Van Messer Vanessa Crain Welton Cadwell Yvette Pue
Foundations
Givewell Community Foundation VNA Foundation Able Trust Retirement Research Foundation McKesson Foundation Boyd Foundation The Max & Victoria Foundation Orlando Health Foundation Wal-Mart Foundation
Corporate
Rotary Club of Winter Park iVenture Massey Services Center State Bank Seaworld Walt Disney World Seacoast National Bank Valencia Community College Binson’s Home Healthcare Supplies Simply Mobility OUC ST Printing and Communications Wellcare Park Avenue Insurance Sorenson Malnove Packaging Brown & Brown of Florida Cuhachi & Peterson Pi Kappa Phi UCF Chapter Florida Community Bank Guardian CRM Regions Bank Moss, Krusick & Associates Altrusa International, Inc. Of Orlando-Winter Park
Join the Conversation! Sign up for CIL’s monthly email newsletter cilorlando.org/subscribe
Read the Center for Independent Living’s Blog www.cilorlando.org/blog
Join our Facebook Page
Follow us on Twitter
Center For Independent Living in Central Florida
@CILinCentralFL
Find out about upcoming CIL events www.cilorlando.org/ events/
Winter Park Office (407) 623-1070 Lakeland Office (863) 413-2722 Email info@cilorlando.org Website www.cilorlando.org
Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, Inc Winter Park Office 720 N. Denning Drive Winter Park, FL 32789 TEL: (407) 623-1070 FAX: (407) 623-1390 www.cilorlando.org | info@cilorlando.org
Lakeland Office 5125 S. Lakeland Dr., Suite 4 Lakeland, FL 33814 TEL: (863) 413-2722
CenterForIndependentLivinginCentralFlorida
CILinCentralFL