WINTER 2015
NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE Director’s Take Volunteerism at CIL
Jascinth Lawrence gives us perspective on how to remove disability barriers to unemployment CIL’s growing volunteer program seeks to recruit fresh faces in 2016 and beyond
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Pushing for Change
The growing shortage of ASL translators in the region is creating barriers for the deaf community
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Opening Doors
2016 is upon us, find ways you can be a part of CIL’s work
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Impacting Lives
CIL staff and volunteers helped change a young boy’s life through Foundations to Freedom
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Jascinth Lawrence, Contract Services Director
Director’s Take
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spire to Hire provides opportunities for paid competitive employment to individuals with disabilities who are among the most under-served and marginalized individuals in the Central Florida Community. Anyone who is employed, whether they have a disability or not, recognize paid work as an integral part of their identity and feelings of self-worth. For those living with a disability, who are often excluded from so many areas of daily life, paid work is a means to achieving economic independence, freedom of choice and full integration into society. CIl’s Aspire to Hire program is proud to have played a role in providing soft skills training and paid employment opportunities to over 100 individuals with disabilities this year; 51% of whom are Deaf or hearing impaired. Our program services are based on a customized model for employment which involves developing an individualized relationship between the employer and potential employee with a disability. The goal is to create or carve out job opportunities unique to the abilities and needs of both the employer and the employee in an atmosphere where supports and required accommodations are provided ensuring greater success. According to the social security administration the average individual with a disability over age 18 receives approximately $560.44 per month in social security cash benefits, far below the poverty line and ensuring a lifetime unrealized potential. The impact of Aspire to Hire amounts to individuals and families now able to afford better food, shelter and clothing and realize a life of independence. “Being Deaf, it’s hard to get a job. I got a job at Universal with the help of CIL. I am really happy at Universal! Thank you for being so patient with me and helping me get back on my feet and become independent.” CIL’s Aspire to Hire program is looking for employers to partner with us to increase the number of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. Thus building Central Florida into the most inclusive community in the country. Learn how you can help by attendeding our Business Advisory Council meetings, pledging to support our Aspire to Hire initiative or volunteering your time to assisting an individual develop strong pre-employment skills. Let’s think inclusion; create opportunities!
Volunteers Make All the Difference!
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he Center for Independent Living has over 1,000 volunteers donating their time every year. We would not be able to continue the life-changing work in Central Florida without this incredible gift of service from so many individuals and groups in our community. From making a home accessible for someone with a disability to being a support coach for one of our disconnected youth, volunteers are the driving force behind all of our programs. “My experience volunteering with CIL gives me the ability to stand proud with the integrity of inclusion and make an impact in society. CIL has taken me under their wing and given me the opportunity not only in being a volunteer, but also being a part of the behind-the-scenes as well as It is fantastic to assist others obtain independence through the programs and services provided. CIL truly gives those with disabilities a hand up, not a hand out. It is an honor to volunteer for such an incredible organization that changes lives each and every day through accessibility and independence”. – Damaris Febo, CIL Volunteer There are always opportunities to become a CIL volunteer. For more information about how you can make a difference in someone’s life through the Center for Independent Living please contact us at 407-623-1070.
CIL would like to honor April Bletcher, an incredible volunteer and advocate for those with disabilities. Sadly, April lost her battle to cancer on November 10, 2015. April was a dedicated volunteer at the Center for Independent Living for years. She brought so much joy and positive energy every time she came into the office. No matter the task, April was always up for the challenge. We will always remember her as such an inspiration in all that she did for CIL and the disability community.
Pushing
for Change
Technology is transforming the way we communicate, but also the way deaf individuals can interact with their community. Beyond video remote interpreting services such as Purple and CyraCom, simple mobile apps such as FaceTime are filling the gaps. However the availability of certified sign language interpreters still lags far behind the demand for services. The Orlando Sentinel has reported, Florida has more than 3 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This number is expected to increase as the general population naturally ages. Projections indicate nearly 30 percent more interpreters and translators will be needed by 2022.
While law requires government and public facilities to provide interpreters if requested, this does not always mean interpreters are on hand. The lack of American Sign Language interpreters can present a significant challenge for the deaf and hard of hearing trying to live independently in society. Unlike the viral video featuring a Starbucks barista communicating with customers via sign language, most establishments do not have on site translators capable of communicating with customers with hearing impairments. The largest minority group is the disability community. Companies and communities that invest in interpreters, accessibility, and inclusion are more likely to expand into a markets they may not have even realized they were missing. It’s not charity, it’s good business.
Opening Doors Throughout Central Florida You might have gotten a letter in the mail from us this week. 2015 is the year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We Aspired to Hire 100 people with disabilities and went on a RAMPAGE, celebrating building our 100th ramp since the program started in 2005. None of this would have been possible without our supporters, volunteers, donors, community partners, and staff. At CIL we focus on a person’s abilities rather than a person’s disability. Since our founding 40 years ago, CIL has been an organization of people with disabilities helping other people with disabilities. We believe every person has something they can offer to positively impact our community. It is for this reason we are elevating our voices by sending more letters and taking more action. We are, because we must! Only through more impact can we say that progress has been made. Our last appeal of 2015 should be arriving in mailboxes this week and we urge you to take the time to read, think, and take action. In 2015, CIL touched the lives of over 7,000 people in Central Florida and there are thousands more waiting for our help. This letter is one of the easiest ways to help our community help those who need it most. But it’s not the only way. Whether you receive a letter or not you can still make an impact! Make a gift online. There are thousands of children, adults, families, and seniors impacted by disabilities waiting for help.
Save the Date! Celebrating 40 Years of Independence April 14, 2016 Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center 1050 West Morse Boulevard Winter Park, FL 32789
Impacting
LIVES
Family Receives New Room & Restored Hope
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n October 8th, 2015 CIL staff and volunteers arrived at a single family home on the edge of Orange County. Armed with shovels, tape measures, and hammers the build crew set forth demolishing the porch of the family who owned the home.
The Rusnak family has 3 children - 2 boys and a girl. Two of the children being diagnosed with autism only a few years ago. The third child was being negatively impacted and in order for the family to remain independent the children needed to sleep in separate rooms. The non-autistic boy’s grades were slipping due to the effect of having two siblings with autism - keeping him up nights and disturbing his sleep and his ability to learn effectively. That’s when the Rusnaks learned about CIL In December of 2014, Ms. Rusnak reached out to the Center for Independent Living for help. CIL’s team of home modification experts drafted plans to convert the Rusnak’s porch into an additional bedroom where could live. After a fixing disastrous pipe leak which led to black mold in the home, the Rusnak family was unable to afford another home modification.
Volunteers from Push America mix concrete for the room foundation CIL’s executive director, Elizabeth Howe, reviewed the Rusnak’s living situation and secured a donor to fund the home modifications to help the family Plans were drafted, permits pulled, and surveys finalized with the Orange County government.
Volunteers from iVenture measure paneling for the room exterior
Not long after, CIL staff and volunteers arrived to begin the modifications.
The porch was cleared away and the house foundation reinforced Groups of volunteers from schools, fraternities and businesses all over Central Florida came together to help the Rusnak family. Even CIL’s StepAhead students volunteered their time to help bring independence to the family. Over the course of two months, the Rusnak’s home transformed into a place where they could feel safe and live together as a family. Together with the community, CIL helped the Rusnaks build their foundations to freedom.
CIL Development Director Margaux Pagán paints the new room
A letter thanking CIL for their work