The Coalition For
Barrier Free Living, Inc.

+1 713-974-4621

Corporate Office

Mon - Thu: 8:00 - 5:00

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Highlights

Abilities Expo 2023

CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
How Independent Living Benefits You and Everyone Presented

RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY - 1918 The Smith-Sears Veterans Rehabilitation Act provided for the promotion of vocational rehabilitation and return to civil employment of disabled persons discharged from U.S. military. (picture of soldiers coming back from war with injuries and missing limbs)

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, PIONEERED DISABILITY EDUCATION (picture 1 (new article) - Join the fight against Infantile Paralysis - Help the President Found the Great New National Foundation - President Roosevelt said in announcing the new national Foundation for Infantile Paralysis: "The purpose of the new Foundation is to lead, direct, and unify the fight...to ensure that every research agency is adequately financed...to eliminate improper care and needless after effect...to disseminate knowledge to the practicing physician who is the front line fighter of the sickness." What will be your response to this nation-wide appeal? How will you answer the voices of thousands of children who the length and breadth of the land cry out - "Please help protect us from Infantile Paralysis." Certainly your answer will be swift - sure. Reach into your pocketbook and send a dollar bill today. Please send your dollar to: The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, 120 Broadway, New York, Sponsored by a Friend. (Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library); picture 2 (FDR quote with his picture) - Polio Crusader Number One: "I think most cripples, children or adult, are worth taking an interest in. Economically, restorative work is sound; humanely, it is right." Franklin D. Roosevelt (Courtesy of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute))

CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING - 1972 Ed Roberts and associates founded the Berkeley Center for Independent Living with funds from the Rehabilitation Administration: It is recognized as the first center for independent living. The Houston Cooperative Living Residential Project was established in Houston, Texas. It became a model for subsequent independent living programs. One founder later served as the Executive Director of the Houston Center for Independent Living (HCIL).

THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 - 1973 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed. Sections 501, 503 and 504 prohibited discrimination in federal programs and services and all other programs or services receiving federal funds. Key language in the Rehabilitation Act, found in Section 504, states “No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States, shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) - 1975 The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) required free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive setting. This Act was later renamed The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) OF 1990 - President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provided comprehensive civil rights protection for people with disabilities. U.S. Secretary of Transportation, issued regulations mandating lifts on buses purchased with federal funding. (picture of ADA Capitol Steps - Courtesy of Tom Olin)

1999 - In Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., the Supreme Court decided that individuals with disabilities must be offered services in the most integrated setting. The Works Incentives Improvement Act (Ticket to Work) became law, allowing those who require health care benefits to work.

INDEPENDENT LIVING IS FOR YOU! - Do you want control of your life? Do you know, or want to know all of your options? Are you ready to move ahead? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, we can help!

INDEPENDENT LIVING PHILOSOPHY - The Consumer controls and has access to all services. The Consumer determines success! Services are provided by people with disabilities on a cross-disability basis. Fifty-one percent of the staff and Board of Directors of Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s) are people with disabilities.

SERVICES FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY - Peer Support Information and Referral to Resources Individual and Systems Advocacy Independent Living Skills Training SUCCESS!

PEER SUPPORT (picture of People with Disabilities helping People with Disabilities)

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL - Connects you with agencies and individuals who can assist you. If you need basic information, or more extensive assistance, HCIL will work to obtain it for you. Responses are provided within a forty-eight hour period, or less!

INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY - Whether issues affect one person with disabilities or MANY-We will fight for the rights of people with disabilities in all areas of your life, including: Housing that is affordable and accessible; Employment; Transportation; Quality Health Care

Housing Council Meeting (picture of People with Disabilities discussing Housing issues)

Independent Living Skills (picture of HCIL Coordinator giving IL Skills Training to a person with disabilities)

Nursing Home Busters (picture of a group meeting pertaining this topic)

Computer Access Training Program (picture of two People with Disabilities acquiring computer training at our centers)

OTHER HCIL SERVICES THAT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY - Consumer Independent Living Plans Assistive Technology Training Accessible Housing Referral Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreter Referral Personal Assistance Services Referral Legal Assistance Job Readiness Training Work Incentive Counseling Financial Benefits Counseling Multicultural Outreach to the Underserved Advocacy Teams and Support Groups Social and Recreational Activities American Sign Language (ASL) instruction; English as a Second Language (ESL); Equipment Loaner Program; Accessibility surveys upon request; Disability Awareness Presentations to local groups; Gulf Coast Benefits Planning Services, Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach project. Workshops and Seminars

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The contents of this website were developed, in part, under grants from the U.S. Department of Education and Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. The contents, however, do not necessarily represent the policies of the U.S. Department of Education or the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal or state government. Organizational Form 990 is available for review at www.guidestar.org.