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CIL in Central Florida

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Winter Park, FL
CIL in Central Florida

We are a private, non-profit organization that was founded by Central Floridians dedicated to helping people with disabilities.

CIL is a cross-disability service agency with a mission to create opportunities for disability inclusion. It serves individuals with any type of disability of any age residing in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, and DeSoto counties. CIL has two office locations dedicated to serving the Central Florida region, each of which have specific programs and services available to their surrounding community.

09/04/2026

What does freedom look like to you?

Is it choosing where you live?
Choosing where you work?
Being able to communicate your wants and needs?
Deciding how you spend your time?
Or simply having the freedom to make your own choices?

For people with disabilities, independence doesn't always mean doing everything alone.

It means having choice, control, access, and the opportunity to direct your own life.

And that can look different for everyone.

So today, we're asking you:
What does independence mean to YOU?

Tell us in the comments.

Your answer might inspire someone else's.

09/03/2026

Who powers the Power of Independence?

Our community.

As we prepare to celebrate CIL’s 50th Anniversary, we’re incredibly grateful for the sponsors, donors, community partners, volunteers, and supporters helping bring this milestone celebration to life.

Your support does more than make one evening possible. It helps us celebrate 50 years of impact while continuing to invest in a future with greater access, opportunity, choice, and independence for people with disabilities.

To everyone standing behind our mission: thank you for being part of our story.

Want to join us on October 8? Click here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-power-of-independence-a-live-experience-celebrating-50-years

09/02/2026

The Road to Independence | Chapter Six: Every Movement Has a Beginning

You guessed the year. Now discover the story.

Before accessibility became part of the conversation, there were people willing to challenge barriers, demand change and fight for the right to live independently.

On October 8, your Power of Independence journey begins with Where It All Began, an immersive walk through disability history, the Independent Living Movement, and CIL’s 50-year story.

You’ll see the photographs. Read the headlines. Discover the milestones.

And you may be surprised by just how recent some of that progress is.

This isn’t history you’ll simply read. It’s history you’ll walk through.

Purchase your tickets below.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-power-of-independence-a-live-experience-celebrating-50-years

09/01/2026

Which one of these is assistive technology?

A reacher?
A button hook?
A communication device?
A visual schedule?
A smart-home assistant?

Answer: ALL of them.

Sometimes it's an advanced communication device. Other times, it's a simple tool that makes getting dressed, reaching an object, reading information, or completing another everyday task more accessible.

And on October 8, you'll get to explore that idea firsthand inside the Innovation Hub at Power of Independence.

Before you saw the answer, which device surprised you most?

Let us know in the comments below.

08/31/2026

Some people leave an impact. Others leave a legacy.

Who comes to mind when you read that?

As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of independence, CIL is seeking nominations for the Beverly Chapman Legacy Award.

We want to recognize someone whose leadership, advocacy, service, or commitment has made a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities and our community.

Think about the person who shows up. Who speaks up. Who creates opportunities. Who leaves things better than they found them.

That person deserves to be recognized.

Submit your nomination by September 11th : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dF4Bu9NdHEWPjcD4q9K3LzhqJ7923h5Igld3i9b55hBUMzNIWFQ2MDNGRjk0T1lCS1kzSE1BRjVJRC4u

The recipient will be recognized during Power of Independence on October 8.

08/28/2026

The Road to Independence | Chapter Five: Guess the Year

For 50 years, the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida has been part of a movement that has transformed lives through accessibility, advocacy, and independent living.

Today, we're putting your knowledge to the test.

What year did CIL first open its doors in Winter Park?
In what year was the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law?
What year was curb-cut legislation introduced?

Drop your guess in the comments before you peek!

At Power of Independence, you'll have the chance to explore moments like this through our interactive History Walk and discover how far we've come together.

Join us on October 8 as we celebrate 50 years of progress and the future we're building together.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-power-of-independence-a-live-experience-celebrating-50-years

08/27/2026

This Thankful Thursday, we're celebrating a partnership that helps put possibility directly into people's hands.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to FAAST, Inc. — the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology — for their generous donation of assistive technology to CIL!

Throughout our Tech Tuesday series, you've seen us demonstrate devices that can help someone communicate, navigate a daily routine, access information, complete everyday tasks, participate in school, or live more independently.

But behind every device is something much bigger.

FAAST works across Florida to increase access to assistive technology for people with disabilities, and we're incredibly grateful for their continued investment in our community.

Your donation isn't simply adding devices to a collection. It's adding possibilities.

Thank you, FAAST, for helping us put more tools, more choices, and more opportunities for independence into the hands of the people we serve.

08/26/2026

The Road to Independence | Chapter Four: One Story Can Change Everything

Some stories stay with you.

A first job.
Living independently.
Learning a new way to communicate.
Walking into a grocery store with confidence.
Taking your child to school.

These moments may seem ordinary to some, but for others, they represent years of determination, advocacy, and support.

At Power of Independence, you'll hear stories that don't just explain what independence looks like, they'll show you what it feels like.

Has someone ever shared a story that completely changed the way you saw the world?

Tell us about it in the comments.

Join us on October 8 and experience the voices behind 50 years of impact.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-power-of-independence-a-live-experience-celebrating-50-years

08/24/2026

“I need help...but I don't even know where to start.”

Start there. Seriously.

You don't need to know which program you need.
You don't need to understand every service that's available.
And you definitely don't need to have all the answers before reaching out.

Maybe you're a parent trying to navigate resources for your child.
Maybe you're preparing for life after high school.
Maybe you're looking for employment.
Maybe something in your home has become a barrier.
Maybe you're curious about assistive technology.
Or maybe you simply know something isn't working and you need help figuring out what comes next.

That's what we're here for.

At the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, our work begins by listening.

We'll help you explore your options, identify resources, and determine what support may help you move toward your goals and your definition of independence.

If you or someone you know could use support, reach out to CIL in Central Florida at 407-623-1070.

You don't have to know where you're going to know where to start.

08/21/2026

The Road to Independence | Chapter Two: Could you do this without assistance?

Could you...

open your medication?
button your shirt?
read needed information?
reach something on the top shelf?

For many of us, these are everyday tasks we complete without giving them a second thought.

For others, they can present real challenges.

Fortunately, something as simple as the right assistive technology can make all the difference.

A button hook can help someone get dressed independently.

A grabber can make everyday household tasks safer.

A medication opener can restore confidence.

A reading pen can unlock printed information.

This October, you'll have the opportunity to experience these challenges and the remarkable solutions that help people live, work, and thrive independently.

What everyday task would be hardest for you if you couldn't use your hands, hear instructions, or clearly see printed text? Share your thoughts below.

Experience the Innovation Hub at Power of Independence on October 8.

Get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-power-of-independence-a-live-experience-celebrating-50-years

Address

720 N Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL
32789

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.cilorlando.org/, https://a.co/izD823f

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