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CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING HELPS GIANT CENTER ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania will advise GIANT Center staff of issues such as parking, seating options for people with disabilities and their guests, and sensitivity training for the staff.   (Camp Hill, PA) - When Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority broke ground for the new 306,000 square foot GIANT Center in November 2000, they had visions of providing all Central Pennsylvanians with a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility. Today, the 12,500-person capacity GIANT Center is home to the HERSHEY BEARS professional ice hockey team and hosts hundreds of other events throughout the year. To ensure that all people have the opportunity to attend events in the area's newest arena in comfort, GIANT Center staff has asked the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) to consult with staff on ways to enhance conditions for people with disabilities. "We see the Center for Independent Living as the perfect organization to advise us on how to accommodate people with disabilities," said Thomas Stephens, Assistant General Manager of Operations at GIANT Center. CILCP will advise GIANT Center staff of issues such as parking, seating options for people with disabilities and their guests, and sensitivity training for the staff. Mr. Stephens says he hopes the partnership with CILCP will help open lines of communication between GIANT Center and their guests with disabilities. "We believe that people with disabilities will feel comfortable contacting the Center for Independent Living with any comments or concerns and then CILCP can advise us on how to address each situation," he said. "Our goal is to make sure all of our guests obtain a pleasurable experience when visiting our venue." According to Mr. Stephens, most of the adjustments to GIANT Center have taken place and the next step is to train the staff. CILCP will hold three sensitivity training sessions for their employees in July. The goal is to have all employees trained by the upcoming hockey season. "We are encouraged that the people at GIANT Center have taken the necessary steps to ensure the facility is fully accessible," said Theotis Braddy, executive director for the CILCP. "Together we can help make GIANT Center, a top notch entertainment complex, accessible, comfortable and accommodating for all Central Pennsylvanians." For more information on the Giant Center's policies for guests with disabilities visit http://www.GiantCenter.net/about_procedures.html. 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