Welcome to Life Center for Independent Living.

News Flash!



LIFE Center for Independent Living's branch office in Pontiac has moved!


NEW ADDRESS: 318 West Madison Street, Pontiac, IL 61764

Open for business at new address: Tuesday, July 5

Open House: Tuesday, July 26, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
See our new offices, nibble on snacks, and help us celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the leading civil rights law for persons with disabilities.

Phone Number (unchanged): 815/844-1132 (Voice/TTY)
Fax Number (unchanged): 815/844-1148

Announcement about our Medical Equipment Loan program: Our Pontiac office will end its medical equipment loan program on June 24. The Livingston County Health Department will begin providing this service on June 27.

Closed for business at old address: June 28 - July 1

For more information, please call our office at 815/844-1132.





HAVING TROUBLE HEARING ON THE PHONE?

Illinois has a program to help! You can get a FREE amplified phone through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC). It's easy to qualify.

You must:
  • be a legal resident of Illinois;
  • have your doctor or audiologist sign the application certifying that you are hard-of-hearing;
  • have standard phone service in your residence.
There are no age or income restrictions.

There is some information you will need to submit to ITAC to get a phone:
  • 1. Completed application--you fill out the front, your doctor or audiologist has to fill out the back certifying you have a hearing loss.
  • 2. A copy of your most recent phone bill--the pages that include your name, address, taxes and fees.
  • 3. Proof of identification--this can be a copy of your driver's license, state ID card OR a piece of mail showing the same address as the application.

LIFE Center for Independent Living is a selection center for these phones. You can go to either the Bloomington or the Pontiac office during regular business hours to see and test the four amplified phones you have to choose from and select which phone works best for you.

To receive an application or if you have questions or concerns, please contact Brianne.


NEED A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER?


LIFE Center for Independent Living does not provide sign language interpreters, but we can direct you to the website that provides all of the information you need to hire an interpreter in the state of Illinois.

There are two steps to finding an interpreter.
First you must determine what level(s) of interpreters are qualified to do the job you need them for, this brochure explains the levels.
Then you need the list of interpreters to contact them and find out if they are available for the date and time you need them. You are able to hire any interpreter you wish, as long as they are within the level(s) you need for the job.

All of this information and more can be found on the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing's website. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Brianne or contact Dana at LIFE Center for Independent Living.


HOSPITALS, NO INTEPRETER? WHAT TO DO...


Watch this video to find out what you can do to stop this from happening.

Language Assistance Service Video RE: Hospitals and Interpreters.

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

LIFE Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may request appointments during evening hours if needed. LIFE Center also offers sign language classes and 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

You can email us at lifecil@lifecil.org, or 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)
FAX: 815/844-1148

A member of
Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living

Have comments about or problems with our website? Contact marianne@lifecil.org


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