March Newsletter

Center for Independent Living Options

Empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in the community.

March 2018

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

There are few greater joys in life than seeing results of hard work and dedication pay off. CILO recently experienced this for one of our consumers residing in Clay City in Powell County, Kentucky. This consumer now has a fully accessible bathroom

in her home that will significantly improve the quality of her life. My thanks to Amanda Hardcorn, our Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program Coordinator, for her leadership on this project and to Sean French of Right Now Mobility for coordination of the construction. As we move forward into Spring, I look forward to sharing with you each month (if not more frequent) about positive outcomes and accomplishments for our consumers.

On another matter, many of you may know the Americans with Disabilities Act is facing some very detrimental changes in Congress right now. HR 620 is also known as the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017. If this bill passes, it would be a tremendous step backward for people with disabilities throughout our nation. May I ask you please contact your Senators in Washington, DC and encourage them to vote NO on HR 620? Calling the offices is the most effective way to sound your voice!!! You can call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-2131 and they will connect you to the appropriate office based on your state of residence.

As always, I want to hear from you and get to know you. Please feel free to contact me by phone at 513-241-2600 or by email.

Regards,

Rob

YOLO Summer Program Now Accepting Applications!

Our free summer program for youth with disabilities preparing for transition from high school. This six week program will begin on June 18th! Applications are due by May 1st.

Everything you need to know:

YOLO Brochure

YOLO Application

YOLO Program Information

Adopt A Pig to support CILO!

Each $5 pig purchased gives $5 back to CILO and supports our YOLO Summer Program for youth with disabilities. Tickets are available at CILO or online. View the flyer here!

Thank you Amazon shoppers!

Why not join us in supporting CILO each time you shop on Amazon? Log on to www.smile.amazon.com using your regular Amazon credentials and select Independent Living Options, Inc , (make sure it says Cincinnati).Once signed up 0.5% of each of your qualifying purchases through www.smile.amazon.com will come directly to CILO.

Thank you Kroger shoppers!

Since the beginning of the year we have doubled the number of households participating in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. You can still register your Plus Card and support CILO each time you shop - learn more here!

PigAbilities is Coming May 5th

Are you willing to "go the distance"?

PigAbilities is an opportunity for people with disabilities along with their families and friends to participate non-competitively in the Flying Pig Marathon. Since 2013 PigAbilities has encouraged people with disabilities to enrich their lives by being more active and making healthy choices, while "training" to participate in the final mile of the actual Flying Pig Marathon course. Registration is required! Learn more about PigAbilities here.

Volunteer with us!

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Finish Line

CILO invites you to volunteer with us at the Flying Pig Marathon Finish Line on Sunday, May 6th from 6AM to 10AM. Working beside CILO staff and board members, you will greet hundreds of runners and walkers in this 20th anniversary event. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and are required to register:

1) Follow this link to the online volunteer registration site
2) Find and select Center for Independent Living Options from the Group list
3) Complete Required Volunteer Information
4) Use cilo as the group password when asked near the end of the form.

5) Click "Get Me Registered" to submit your information

Note: the finish line will be changing locations this year to Mehring way in front of Smale Riverfront Park.

Wheelchairs still available

A few brand new manual wheelchairs are still available at no cost for persons who are in need of mobility assistance and are unable to acquire a wheelchair due to limited resources. Chairs have vinyl seats measuring 18" wide and 16" deep. To find out if you or someone you know may be eligible for one of the chairs, please email us.

Free dishwasher!

Do you know of an individual who could increase their independence with a dishwasher? CILO has a brand new white counter top dishwasher (out of carton) ready to go! First come basis!

Email us.

CILO's art program for artists with disabilities invites you to our inclusive and mainstream art gallery for:

Do you need our newsletter or other CILO publication in an alternative format?