Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania

A Brief History

Live well with a disability is the rallying call for the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP). We are a consumer controlled, cross-disability, nonresidential 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency dedicated to assist people with disabilities achieve and maintain independent lifestyles. The CILCP's mission is to eliminate and prevent barriers that people with disabilities experience by providing ongoing advocacy and offering innovative programs and services. 

In 1988, as part of a nationwide movement to establish centers for independent living, a grassroots coalition of persons with and without disabilities applied for funds to establish an independent living center in central Pennsylvania. Led by Marica Grim, with assistance from Chris Forbrich from the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, an application was submitted to the United States Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration(RSA). As a result, the CILCP was awarded a contract for $199,000.00 and the CILCP was formed to provide service to Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, and Perry counties and Ms. Grim became the first board president.

An office was established at 2331 Market Street, Camp Hill and in1989, Theotis Braddy (Theo), was hired as the Center's executive director. Since then, the agency has moved three times always staying close to its Camp Hill origin. 207 House Avenue, Camp Hill, has been home since 2003. In 2011, the agency expanded to better serve it's northern counties with an outreach office at 100 N. 2^nd Street in Newport.

The CILCP began its work by providing core independent living (IL) services to people with disabilities. The core services are the heart of our mission and include information and referral, individual and systems advocacy, peer counseling, and skills training.    

With confidence built on providing the core services, CILCP has pursued related initiatives that expanded our services including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Technical Assistance program, Interpreter Referral Services (IRS), Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC), Grassroots Advocacy Project (GAP), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coalition, PA Transportation Alliance Project, Operation Rebuild.com, Rural Accessibility Modification Project (RAMP), Local Housing Option Team (LHOT),  Personal Assistance Services (PAS), Payroll Services, and Regional Housing Coordinator (RHC) project.  While these programs are no longer offered at CILCP, each raised community awareness and made an impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Many initiatives matured to take on a life of their own, buoyed by their beginning here. Each was influential in the development of the agency.

Our current initiatives include Living Well With A Disability, Living Well Fitness Center, Home and Community Based Services, Home Modifications, Independent Monitoring for Quality, Nursing Home Transitions, and Specialized Services/Durable Medical Equipment (DME) project.

The tone for CILCP's advocacy was set early on when Ed Roberts, the father of the Independent Living movement, hosted the agency's first advocacy workshop. Following that Accessible Communities Today (ACT), a grassroots advocacy group, was formed. Often, in cooperation with the CILCP, it continues to advocate in ways both seen an unseen for the right to accessibility of individuals with disabilities for full community participation.  Many positive changes have occurred as a result, including 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).   More recently, working with others across the state, an advocacy campaign by the community defended Home and Community-based Services funding from proposed state cuts.

Sweep Up Your Neighbor, another advocacy effort by CILCP and ACT, went national with an article written by Accessible Communities Today (ACT) group on the sweep of Midtown Harrisburg to make it accessible.  The article 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 acknowledged as an innovative CIL project.

Additional projects and successes of CILCP over the years include:  

• Capitol Area Transit purchased 10 accessible fixed route buses with lifts.
• Opened a satellite office in north central Pennsylvania to launch CIL of North Central PA.
• Assisted two other Pennsylvania CILs restructure.
• Improving rural transportation services through advocacy with local and state governments in eastern regions of the state.
• PA Home Builders Show obstacle course demonstrated the need for accessibility, assistive technology, and CILCP services.
• Coordinated Rolling Justice 2000. This statewide, grassroots advocacy event drew attention to the need for accessible, affordable transportation
• Statewide Independent Living Conference. The CILCP facilitated Logistics for the conference, including sensitivity training of the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers staff.
• Participated in building Possibility Place, the first fully accessible playground in Central PA. CILCP staff was instrumental in the advocacy, provision of technical assistance.
• Tanya Foster, news anchor for WHP CBS 21 agreed to serve as spokesperson for the Living Well with a Disability initiative. WHP CBS 21 launched the Living Well with a Disability segment to be aired the first Tuesday of each month.
• Collaboration with Dauphin County Housing for Baldwin Village, the fully accessible 12-unit complex in Steelton, PA.
• Certification under the PANO Standards for Excellence
• Winner of the Central Penn Business Journal Innovation Award for Brand Identity/Unique Marketing Campaign for Living Well With A Disability
• Winner of the Central Penn Business Journal Award for Programs: Living Well Fitness Center
• Walk and Roll for Living Well, CILCP's annual fundraiser

The independent living philosophy 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 the IL movement. It diligently works toward a continuum of comprehensive services and the promotion of inclusive attitudes for people with disabilities so that they might live well in central Pennsylvania!

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is committed to providing services, making referrals and taking employment actions without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.