SCIL Serves 5 counties in Illinois: Menard, Logan, Sangamon, Christian and Montgomery.

SCIL's Mission:

To increase opportunities for equality, integration and independence for all persons with disabilities through advocacy, services, and public education.

SCIL promotes the Independent Living Philosophy:

Independent living is the belief that all persons, regardless of disability, have the right and responsibility to control and direct their own lives and to fully participate as equal members of society.

News and Updates

Converters for Closed Caption Starting February 17th

For those who are using "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna for TV reception will need a converter to have the TV and captioning system to work. For those who are concerned about upgrading their current system, the government will be providing coupons for these converters between January 1st, 2008 to around March 2009.

for more information about these converters and transition please visit the following web site: Digital Television Transition and Public Safety, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/faq.html

This information came to us via Dean DeRusso, Deaf Systems Advocate, Regional Center for Independent Living, Rochester, NY.

Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities

Now, you don't have to choose between your work and your health care coverage. Click on http://www.hbsdillinois for more information.

A New Guidebook Filled with Wheel-Chair Accessible Vacation Ideas

101 Accessible Vacations

101 Accessible vacations is published by Demos Publishing and is the first book of its kind. It is a must have resource for wheelchair- or scooter-users, slow walkers, and travel agents. It's a guide to barrier-free travel.

101 Accessible Vacations is available at bookstores, through the publisher (800-532-8663) or on-line at www.101AccessibleVacations.com. Visit the web site to read a sample chapter, and see the table of contents for more information.

Information via email from author, Candy Harrington.

Work From Home?

Do you need funds to work from home? Or do you need money to begin, maintain, or upgrade your home-based business? If you answered yes to either question, the Telework Loan Program offered by the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) may be your answer. The Telework Loan Program offers cash loans to qualified Illinois residents with disabilities who are 18 years or older. You can use that money to purchase equipment or home modification for your home-based business. If you qualify, you can borrow as little as $500 or as much as $40,000. Your interest rate will be 5.5%, which is lower than banks, and you could choose an extended term of up to 15 years depending on the purchase. Longer terms mean lower monthly payments.

Let me tell you about one of our success stories. Have you had a great pizza, lately? IATP is proud to announce the recent opening of a pizzeria called Angel’s Place of Cicero, located in the western suburb of Chicago at 2521 South Central Avenue (708/329-1976). Angel’s Place of Cicero is owned and operated by John Garcia, an entrepreneur with a disability, an entrepreneur with commitment, perseverance, talent, and ability to pull together community resources. John is one to take notice.

CURRENT ADVOCACY ISSUES

The Olmstead Implementation Act

Health Care Justice Campaign

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SCIL Honors Community Members at 22nd Annual Meeting

Springfield Center for Independent Living's 22nd Annual Meeting was held this year on November 1, 2007 at the Inn at 835 in Springfield.

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