Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania

A Brief History
by Janetta Green

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 buses. As a result of that demonstration Capitol Area Transit purchased 10 accessible fixed route buses 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 $250,000 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 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 participate 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 5th 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 Deaf-Blind (CPADB), a grassroots advocacy group, received notification that it was awarded a grant to provide Deaf-Blind 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 left, 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 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 relay, 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.

In April 2001, the CILCP hosted its Annual Volunteer Recognition Tea. Volunteers were recognized for their service to the CILCP during the last fiscal year. Vini Portzline was also recognized for her outstanding leadership of the ACT group. Although Brian Good passed away last October, he was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year, for his time, dedication, and energy he gave to the CILCP.

In May 2001, the CILCP hosted Barrier Awareness Week in the City Government Building in Harrisburg, PA. Local agencies participated focusing on issues affecting people with disabilities, such as transportation, housing, attendant care, sign language services, employment, and education.

In June 2001, the CILCP partnered with Keefer, Wood, Allen and Rahal, attorneys at law and office neighbors, to host our first West Shore Chamber of Commerce Mixer.

During the summer of 2001 the CILCP received notice from the Wells Foundation and the Greater Harrisburg Foundation of funding to establish a 24-hour emergency interpreter service. This project is ongoing as well as the American Sign Language (ASL) classes.

In October 2001, the State Independent Living Council (SILC) hosted Pennsylvania’s 5th Statewide Independent Living Conference. The CILCP facilitated Logistics for the conference, including sensitivity training of the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers staff. All of CILCP staff attended. Through a mini-grant from the PA Council on Independent Living (PCIL) several consumers within the six counties also attend.

2002

On May 20, 2002 the CILCP and ACT recognized CIL volunteers and accessible community businesses. The event was held at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers. Vini Portzline was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and Harrisburg City Council and Mid-Town Tavern were recognized for contributions made in accessibility. Zane Phoenix (former Harrisburg City Council member, Ed Shelly (former CILCP board member), and Joe ZaVisca (Capital Area Transit) were recognized for their individual contributions to accessibility.

On July 26, 2002 in recognition of the 12th anniversary of the ADA, the Accessible Communities Today-Tri-County group hosted a celebration and memorial in honor of Justin Dart, Jr. The event was held in Harrisburg, PA with ACT members visiting local businesses and presenting the business with a keepsake bag of ADA items, and a card with a speech from Justin Dart.

In October 2002, the Center began offering attendant care services.

2003

On February 19, 2003 the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania moved to its fourth location since opening its doors in 1989. The Center is now located at 207 House Avenue, Suite 107, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The Center has more than doubled its staff and space since its inception.

In collaboration with the Dauphin County Local Housing Option Team (LHOT) the Center began administering funding from the Dauphin County Community Block Grant for a full time Local Housing Option Team Coordinator. In addition to organizing and facilitating monthly LHOT meetings the LHOT Coordinator is also responsible for leading the team in developing housing options for people with disabilities in Dauphin County.

In October 2003, the Center hosted a fundraiser at the Whitaker Center featuring an IMAX show and auction. Guests raised approximately $10,000.00 for the purchase of computers for Operation Rebuild.com. As a result of the fundraiser 15 computers were distributed to consumers who could not afford to purchase on their own.

2004

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania implemented three additional services. CILCP Payroll Services, Attendant Care Waiver Service Coordination, and Community Integration/Service Coordination Services. CILCP Payroll Services provides fiscal agent/payroll services for consumers who wish to be their own employer and employ their own attendants.

Attendant Care Waiver Service Coordination provides service coordination for consumers under the attendant care waiver.

Community Integration assists consumers in acquiring, retaining, and improving self-help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to reside in the community. Service Coordination coordinates consumer services to assist consumers to live in their community.

These services are a fee for service under the PA Office of Social Programs Home and Community Based Services, and in some cases PA Department of Aging.

2005

In February the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania began providing nursing home transition services in Cumberland, Mifflin and Juniata counties.

In July the CILCP held an ADA celebration with City of Harrisburg announcing the publication of the Accessibility Guide.

The CILCP continued to work with the Dauphin County Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand housing options for people with disabilities in Dauphin County.

2006

On July 26, 2006 the CILCP hosted an annual fundraiser with “An Evening with Peter Mayer”. Money raised from the fundraiser was designated for Baldwin Village, a 12-unit project in Swatara Township, Dauphin County. Baldwin Village is the first, fully accessible housing development in Central Pennsylvania for people living with disabilities.

The CILCP staff and board participated in building Possibility Place, the first fully accessible playground in Central PA. CILCP staff were instrumental in the advocacy, provision of technical assistance and actually assisting in the building of the playground! www.possibilityplace.org

2007

On March 29, 2007 the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania held an Open House featuring the state of the art Videophone for people who are Deaf. This was a collaboration between CILCP, the PA Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to provide this service.

In July the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania unveiled the Living Well with a Disability initiative, a one-stop resource that not only assists people with disabilities to obtain basic services and programs, but also offers access to life-changing opportunities that the consumer may have not have envisioned. Commercials were developed and aired on local TV channels. www.livingwellwithadisability.org

Also in July the Self Determination Housing Project expanded the Regional Housing Coordinator Program to include three Regional Housing Coordinators that provide services in 21 counties.

In November the CILCP in collaboration with Mohn Street Accessible Housing Inc, and the Tri-County Housing Development Corporate held a groundbreaking ceremony for Baldwin Village.

2008

In February the Center for Independent Living of Central PA opened the first fully accessible fitness left for people with disabilities in Central PA.

In the Summer the CILCP expanded its Personal Assistance Services (PAS) to consumers in York County.

In October the CILCP celebrated 20 years of service to people with disabilities in Central PA.

Tanya Foster, news anchor for WHP CBS 21 agreed to serve as spokesperson for the Living Well with a Disability initiative. Also, the CILCP launched a billboard campaign along major highways.

2009

In January,  the Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s Payroll Services reaches a goal of 100 consumer employers!

In February, CILCP and WHP CBS 21 launched the Living Well with a Disability segment to be aired the first Tuesday of each month. Also, in February, the CILCP in collaboration with Dauphin County Housing Authority hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for Baldwin Village, the fully accessible 12-unit complex in Steelton, PA.

Also in February, CILCP was awarded certification under the Standards for Excellence program, which is bestowed only to the most well-managed and responsibly governed nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated compliance with 56 specific Standards for Excellence based on honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility, and accountability. CILCP has met, complied with, and integrated the Standards for Excellence into all its activities to successfully complete this voluntary certification program.

In April, CILCP was awarded the Central Penn Business Journal Innovation Award for Brand Identity/Unique Marketing Campaign for Living Well With A Disability.  Nominees were judged on factors such as: how innovative the campaign is; its purpose; how it furthers the mission of the organization; its benefits to the community; changes that have been brought because of it; its ability to be a model to other organizations; and results that weren't anticipated.

In May, CILCP received a $250,000 Pennsylvania Accessible Housing Program Grant from Governor Rendell's administration to administer the PA Accessible Housing Project in Dauphin County.

Also in May, the CILCP hosted the first Living Well Wellness Fair.  Over 30 vendors participated in the event.  Balloons, ice cream, and massages made the fair a huge success despite the weather.

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.