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CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING CONSULTANT SERVICES HELP LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUPS IMPROVE CAPABILITIES AND ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGE CILCP can help organizations and individuals through its Independent Living Consultant Services division. ILCS provides training to local advocacy groups, which advance the cause of independent living among people with disabilities.   (Camp Hill, Pa.) - Whether it's a nationally recognized non-profit organization, a neighborhood trying to raise money to install wheelchair accessible sidewalks, or an individual wondering how he or she can help, many Central Pennsylvanians want to achieve positive change in their communities. However, not everyone has the resources to do so. The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) can help organizations and individuals through its Independent Living Consultant Services (ILCS) division. As a leader in the field of independent living since 1989, the CILCP has provided the foundation from which ILCS originates. ILCS provides training to local advocacy groups, which advance the cause of independent living among people with disabilities. ILCS is comprised of experienced consultants, with and without disabilities, who are experts in the field of non-profit management and have assisted a wide variety of organizations. Their mission is to increase the abilities of local advocacy groups through affordable consultation, technical assistance, information, resource provision, networking and training. Consultants provide customized training and services, tailored specifically to each organization's strengths and needs. ILCS seeks to enhance the overall efforts of local advocacy groups to help them become more effective. "Our independent living consultants have experience assisting nearly every type of organization," CILCP Executive Director Theotis Braddy said. "But we are not limited to working with organizations. We can help any individual looking to make a positive impact." Organizations can receive training in strategic and long range planning; establishing a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization; fund raising and grant writing; and effective organizational management. Those seeking consultation will also be supplied with recent publications, tools and research on legislation affecting people with disabilities. ILCS will work with a variety of organizations, groups and coalitions serving or representing persons with various types of disabilities including physical, developmental, sensory, psychological and intellectual disabilities. According to Braddy, CILCP has an extended expertise in all of these areas. "Our staff members have developed a unique understanding of the challenges faced by people with all types of disabilities," he said. ILCS also offers a variety of informational publications including a Just Do It ADA Justice kit containing everything necessary for filing a Pro Se lawsuit. Additional resources include: Sweep Up Your Neighborhood, a publication dealing with community accessibility for the disabled, and Rural Transportation Advocacy: The Success Story, a manual consisting of successful advocacy strategies. The project is funded in part by a three-year grant provided by the PA Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC). For more information on the Independent Living Consultant Services visit www.cilcp.org. The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. CILCP's vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society. For more information on the CILCP and this press release contact Nathan Pigott at 717-975-2148 or via email at npigott@hersheyphilbin.com. Back to the Newsroom