History

On April 23rd, 1998 the CILCP celebrated 10 years of service to the community. As part of our celebration, 12 persons who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of the CILCP were inducted into the CILCP Hall of Fame. These persons include, Jay Birt, Thomas Earle, Christina B. Forbich, Marcia Grim, Frank J. Nemshick Jr., Mayor Stephen R. Reed, Ed Roberts, Gil Selders, Carl Seike, Jay Snyder, Ted Williams and former Secretary Harris Wofford.

Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania

A Brief History

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP), a 501(c)(3) agency, is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. The CILCP's mission is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities through the elimination and prevention of barriers that people with disabilities experience.

1988

The Center was incorporated in April 1988, and received its first grant in October 1988. Under the direction of Marcia Grim, president of the board, the first office site was chosen at 2331 Market Street, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

1989

In February 1989, Theotis Braddy, our current director was hired. After staffing and establishing the office we began providing services to Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, and Perry counties, the area covered by the CILCP.

The CILCP initially began providing independent living (IL) services to people with disabilities through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Core Services offered under the IL Program include information and referrals, individual and systems advocacy, peer counseling, service coordination, benefits counseling and skills training. Since its inception, several programs have been established through the CILCP, but the primary purpose of the CILCP is to provide persons with disabilities a comprehensive array of services, thereby allowing full participation in society.

1990

In April 1990, the CILCP hosted a volunteer recognition dinner at the Penn Harris Motor Lodge. Honored in addition to CILCP volunteers where Christina Forbrich, Marcia Grim, Beverly Lohns, and William Shultz. Theotis Braddy served as master of ceremonies.

Later that year, a three-day board and staff retreat was held at the Harrisburg Marriott to build closer and more effective board and staff relations. This retreat was facilitated by Thomas Neuville and was the beginning of a new and more productive relationship between the board and staff.

In June, Ed Roberts, known as the "Father of Independent Living" was the guest speaker and facilitator at a two-day retreat designed to make us a more active Center. The net result of Ed's presentation and several work sessions was to move the Center into more of a consumer directed advocacy organization. Because of the consumer direction, the CILCP held its first demonstration on the square in Harrisburg to call attention to inaccessible fixed route busses. As a result of that demonstration Capitol Area Transit purchased 10 accessible fixed route busses with lifts.

1991

In June 1991, the CILCP hosted a second volunteer recognition dinner at the Harrisburg Marriott. Honored were Clyde Bachert, Christina Forbrich, Carl Odhner, Patriot News Co., Perry Human Services, and WHTM-TV.

In September 1991, two staff and one board member traveled several blocks against traffic videotaping the lack of accessible curb cuts in Harrisburg. This information was presented to the Harrisburg City council requesting the installation of curb cuts. The CILCP was promised that 0,000 would be allocated for curb cut construction.

1992

In October 1991, the CILCP assisted Accessible Community Today (ACT), a grassroots advocacy group, in receiving a one year grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC). This grant was administered through the CILCP and its purpose was to increase accessibility in the community. Many changes occurred as a result of this group, such as curb cuts in the City of Harrisburg, development of ADA Potential Violation Tickets, and a community Celebration of Human Spirit in recognition of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ACT continues to be a strong advocacy group in Central Pennsylvania.

1993

In 1993, the CILCP relocated its office to 920 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, to accommodate the expansion of services and staff.

In September 1993, the CILCP began administering an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC). This resource center provides advocacy to access funding for assistive technology, training demonstrations, referral and information about assistive technology devices and services, and administers a short-term equipment loan program. The ATRC is funded through a grant received from the PA Initiative on Assistive Technology through Temple University.

1994

In January 1994, the CILCP administered a Special Outreach and Education Project. The primary purpose of this project was to create an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Technical Assistance Service. Although this was a one year grant funded through the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the CILCP continues to offer ADA Technical Assistance.

In March 1994, the CILCP established Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) through a grant from the Harrisburg District Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The purpose of this program is to provide qualified/certified interpreter services to businesses and individuals. Since 1994, DHHS has sponsored several interpreter workshops and empowerment workshops for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and regularly participates in community expos and exhibits. Since late 1995, the program has been self-sustaining.

In October 1994, the Educational Outreach Project began operation. This project continues to be implemented by ACT-Tri County. This project provides educational/sensitivity training to school age children with and without disabilities from various local schools. The presenters are persons with disabilities who teach children to become aware of various disabilities. This one year project was funded through a collective advocacy grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).

1995

In February 1995, the CILCP began a Grassroots Advocacy Project (GAP) to advocate for local and statewide systems change. The primary focus of this initiative is to mobilize people with disabilities as well as parents of children with disabilities to advocate for more meaningful change on a local and statewide level. The GAP project is funded through a grant received from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), and is administered by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (PCCD).

Also in February 1995, the CILCP, through the DHHS program, received a grant from the Telecommunication Education Fund (TEF) to provide TTY trainings for businesses, consumer telephone bill counseling, workshops, and informational articles in newsletters. This was a one-year grant, but TTY trainings are still being provided.

In October 1995, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coalition (DHHC), a grassroots advocacy group, was awarded a grant to increase communication accessibility in the community. This one year grant was administered through the CILCP's DHHS and was funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).

Also in October 1995, the CILCP received additional moneys from the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to open a satellite office in north central Pennsylvania. The satellite is known as the Center for Independent Living of North Central Pennsylvania (CILNCP). The CILNCP will become an independent center in October 1998 and will service Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, and Union counties.

1996

In February 1996, the satellite office at 210 Market Street, Suite A, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, officially opened with full staff. This is a three-year project with the result that the satellite office will become a Center for Independent Living. At the same time, a Grassroots Advocacy Project (GAP) has also been established in the satellite office.

In September 1996, the CILNCP was awarded a grant to administer another Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) for Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Sullivan, and Union counties in north central Pennsylvania.

1997

In April 1997, the CILCP moved to 415 Fallowfield Road, Suite 101, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, to accommodate additional increases in staff and programs.

In July 1997, the CILCP received notice that it would be administering another grassroots advocacy grant from the Pennsylvania DDPC. ACT-Lebanon, a grassroots advocacy group, received this grant to increase accessibility in Lebanon County.

In October 1997, the DHHS program was renamed to the Interpreter Referral Service (IRS). It was felt that this name was more descriptive of the service being provided under this program.

In addition, in October 1997, the CILCP began implementing another grant from the Pennsylvania DDPC. This grant is geared towards improving rural transportation services through advocacy with local and state governments in eastern regions of the state.

1998

In March 1998, the CILCP participated in our 5 th PA Home Builders Show. Through the donation of a board member an obstacle course was built to simulate the differences between an accessible and an inaccessible home, including a ramp. This was our largest and most successful display in the history of the CILCP. Volunteers, board, and staff donated many hours in answering numerous questions about accessibility, assistive technology, and CILCP services.

In July 1998, the Central Pennsylvania Association of the DeafBlind (CPADB), a grassroots advocacy group, received notification that it was awarded a grant to provided DeafBlind awareness to organizations and businesses in the community. This grant will begin October 1998, and is a one-year grant that will be administered by CILCP. It is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.

1999

In February 1999 the CILCP, in collaboration with Diversified Data Systems (DDS) Inc., implemented Operation Re-Build.Com. The goal of Operation Re-Build.Com is to place refurbished computers in the homes of people with disabilities who have low income. The CILCP administers this project and DDS provides the computer technical assistance.

In March 1999 the CILCP participated in the 1999 PA Home Builders' Show. The theme was "Accessibility Features for the Home". An obstacle course, donated and built by Environmental Accessibility Consultants, was available for people willing to take the challenge using a manual wheelchair, donated by Young's Medical Equipment. Space was donated by the PA Home Builders Association with other miscellaneous donations from the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers, Beverage Express, Big Apple Bagels, Douglas Tshudy, Glen Miller's Beer & Soda Outlet, Red Land Beer & Soda Outlet, and Westy Beer Distributors.

In April 1999 the CILCP recognized our volunteers with special recognition given to volunteers who had donated over 100 hours of service in the past year. Brian Good was our Volunteer of the Year.

In April 1999 the CILCP also received notice that the PA Transportation Alliance project would continue for another year.

In May 1999 the CILCP began free computer training to consumers. This training includes basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, and Internet training.

In June 1999 Accessible Communities Today (ACT) took action in Midtown Harrisburg to make businesses accessible. Working with the Disability Law Project, ACT entitled its advocacy "Midtown Sweep."

In October 1999 the CILCP hosted its first Casino Night/Fashion Show. It was very successful and we hope to continue this event annually.

2000

In January 2000 the CILCP continued to advertise Operation Rebuild.com, a project that refurbishes used computers and gives them to people with disabilities who do not have the resources to purchase a computer. The CILCP recruited two new volunteers to work on this project.

The CILP participated in the 2000 PA Home Builders Show with cooperation from The Home Depot who provided an accessible kitchen area for display. Several board members, staff, and volunteers were available throughout the 10-day show. It was estimated that eight to ten thousand people attended the show.

Beginning in February the CILCP assisted another independent living center, Citizens for Independence and Access (CIA), in York, PA through a six-month restructure and re-organization process.

Beginning in July 2000 the CILCP began an Independent Monitoring Project with Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Juniata, Mifflin and Huntingdon Counties Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. Its primary purpose is to conduct individual interviews with individuals with mental retardation receiving services from the county Mental Retardation program. Through the interviews, obtain information about the services people receive to access their life outcomes and level of satisfaction.

In July 2000 the CILCP coordinated Rolling Justice 2000. This statewide, grassroots advocacy event drew attention to the need for accessible, affordable transportation for people with disabilities. Beginning on July 5 in Pittsburgh, Erie and Scranton transportation events were held in cities and towns across the state in a relay leading to Harrisburg on July 21 and ending in Philadelphia on July 29 near the Republican National Convention. Rolling Justice 2000 participants also marched with the Initiative 2000 torch rely which, was a nationwide event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ADA.

In September 2000 an article written for Accessible Communities Today (ACT) group on the Midtown Sweep, was published in Reading in Independent Living, a publication of Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU). Because of the article the action CILCP took was nationally acknowledge as an innovative CIL project.

In October 2000 the CILCP received a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council for RAMP. Rural Accessibility Modification Project (RAMP) focuses on organizing volunteers in Juniata, Mifflin and Perry counties to build ramps and small home modifications.

In October 2000 the CILCP participated in the West Shore Chamber of Commerce's 50th Anniversary Business and Industry Night. This was the third year that the CILCP exhibited a booth. In conjunction with the theme of the Fabulous 50's the CILCP had a "Beat the Clock" game by dropping clothespins in a bottle, and our tabletop display.

Also in October 2000 the CILCP's annual fundraiser, Casino Night, was held at the West Shore Country Club.

2001

The CILP participated in the 2001 PA Home Builders Show February 24-March 4. Several board members, staff, and volunteers were available throughout the 10-day show. The CILCP's booth was located directly behind the feature home.

Since the CILCP's inception, it has established more than a dozen programs, and the Independent Living philosophy remains the heart of its mission. This philosophy simply affirms that all persons with disabilities have the right to choose and fully participate in all aspects of society. The CILCP is wholeheartedly committed to this philosophy and diligently works toward a continuum of comprehensive services for people with disabilities in Central Pennsylvania.