News Flash!

THANK YOU
Thank you to all of you that were involved in the Wheelchair Basketball Game!
Thank you to all of you that volunteered, attended, donated and sponsored the event! It was very exciting to see members Men's and Women's U of I Wheelchair Basketball Teams and members of the IWU Men's basketball team play a wheelchair basketball game! We hope everyone that attended enjoyed the event.

Interested in participating in wheelchair sports?

The University of Illinois Youth Wheelchair Sports Camps are coming up:
U of I wheelchair sports camps offer guys and gals age 12-19 with lower extremity physical disabilities an opportunity to develop skills in basketball and track. Individidual Basketball Camp, June 27 - July 1 is for beginners and/or athletes who want to build on their foundational wheelchair basketball skills. Track Camp, July 8 - 12 is a great opportunity to prepare for Junior Track Nationals, coached by Paralympic Coach of the Year Adam Bleakney. Campers must be able to independently perform all activites of daily living. For more information go to University of Illinois Sports Camps.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are currently looking for a volunteer receptionist to cover the lunch hour from about 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. two or three days a week at our Blomington Office. The receptionist would answer phones, help with our equipment loan program and provide some basic clerical support.

All volunteers must complete a volunteer application to be considered for any volunteer position. Volunteer applications can be found on our website, at LIFE Center for Independent Living Offices or you may contact Brianne at 309/663-5433 or toll free 888/543-3245.

Some of our other volunteer opportunities include:

Clerical Support for Staff
Custodian/Maintenance Support
Personal Assistants/Drivers
Workshop Facilitators
Peer Mentors
Accessibility Auditors
Board of Directors/Standing Committee Member

If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions, please contact Brianne at 309/663-5433 or toll free 888/543-3245 or email her.

HAVING TROUBLE HEARING ON THE PHONE?
Illinois has a program to help! You can get a FREE amplified phone through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp. (ITAC). It's easy to qualify.

You must:

be a legal resident of Illinois;
have your doctor or audiologist sign that you are hard-of-hearing;
have standard phone service in your residence.

There are no age or income restrictions.

You can get more information and try the phones at either of LIFE Center's offices. To receive an application, you can contact either of LIFE Center's offices or go to the ITAC website or contact Brianne.

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM IN CLINTON
This summer lunch program will serve a free nutritious lunch to any child 18 years of age or younger or any disabled person regardless of age. (Ages 3-5, adult supervision needed for feeding).

When: June 15 - July 31, 2009
Where: Countryside Community Room, 1700 E Main, Clinton
Serving Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

OR

Where: Webster Apartments Community Room, 700 N Cain, Clinton
Serving Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Webster will also have activities 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and after lunch 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Call Show Bus at 1-800-525-2454 for free transportation to Countryside Summer Lunch Program.

The Summer Lunch Program is a collaboration of Illinois Coalition for Community Services, DeWitt County Human Resources Center, Poverty Action Coalition, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, and DeWitt County Housing Authority.

HOUSING SURVEY
LIFE Center for Independent Living is conducting a housing survey to determine the need for affordable, accessible housing in our area. People with disabilities in DeWitt, Ford, Livingston and McLean Counties in Illinois are invited to take part in the survey.

Click here to take our housing survey.

Our Mission

LIFE Center for Independent Living advances equality and integration of all persons with disabilities. To achieve this mission, we:

Promote local, state and national advocacy
Educate persons with disabilities about their rights and responsibilities
Provide support services
Raise community awareness about disability issues

in DeWitt, Ford, Livingston and McLean Counties.

Who We Serve

LIFE Center for Independent Living serves persons of all ages with all kinds of disabilities in DeWitt, Ford, Livingston and McLean Counties in Illinois. We also provide community services that promote accessibility and break down attitudinal barriers.

Hours of Operation

Bloomington: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday

Pontiac: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Thursday

You may request appointments during evening hours if needed. LIFE Center also offers workshops, and hosts disability support groups during evening and weekend hours. Press the Center Activities button on the left to view our calendar of events.

More About LIFE Center

LIFE Center for Independent Living is a community-based, not-for-profit, non-residential organization that was founded in 1985. LIFE Center promotes disability rights, equal access, and full community participation for persons with disabilities. We empower individuals with disabilities to take charge of their lives and make their own choices and decisions in order to be as self-sufficient as possible. We lead efforts to break down barriers and prejudices within our communities. When these barriers are removed and prejudices are replaced with positive attitudes, persons with disabilities will have equal access to society. LIFE Center is associated with a national movement of almost 500 Centers for Independent Living. These Centers are advocacy-based organizations governed and operated by persons with disabilities for persons with disabilities.

Contact Us

Press the "Contact Us" button on the left to contact individual staff members.

Home Office

LIFE Center for Independent Living
2201 Eastland Drive, Suite 1
Bloomington, IL 61704

Phone: 309/663-5433 (Voice/TTY)
TTY Phone: 309/663-0054
Toll-Free Phone: 888/543-3245
FAX: 309/663-7024

Branch Office

LIFE Center for Independent Living
741 West Washington Street, Suite 3
Pontiac, IL 61764

Phone: 815/844-1132 (Voice/TTY/VRS)
FAX: 815/844-1148

For hearing persons to call a TTY user, call 711 for TTY relay operator, give the name and TTY number of the person you are calling. The operator will direct you further.

For hearing persons to call a Video Phone user, call 1-866/327-8877 for VP relay operator, give the name and VP number of the person you are calling. The operator will direct you further.

A member of
Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living

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