LIFE Center for Independent Living

08/03/2026

Prevent Blindness has once again declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

The goal is to educate parents, caregivers, professionals and policy makers on the important role vision and eye health plays in a child’s development, learning ability, and social engagement.

Prevent Blindness offers free materials on children’s vision issues, such as myopia (nearsightedness) and amblyopia (lazy eye), provides information on access to eye care, and encourages individuals to advocate for federal funding for state and community children’s eye health programs.

You can learn more by visiting Prevent Blindness's site:

Join Children's Eye Health Month 2026. Discover expert tips on pediatric vision care, early disease detection plus screening guide for young kids.

08/03/2026

LIFE CIL Offices Will Be CLOSED

Our offices will be closed for Annual Planning on the following dates:

Wednesday, August 26
Thursday, August 27
Friday, August 28

Staff will not be available during this time.

You may leave a message at (309) 663-5433 or email us at [email protected].

We will respond as soon as possible after we reopen on Monday, August 31.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

image is a zoomed in photo fo a calendar page with a yellow note on it that says "PLAN AHEAD".

07/31/2026

Today is the last day of both July and Disability Pride Month, making it the final chance to purchase the e-book at a special discounted price. Don't miss this opportunity before the offer ends.

While many of you may have already heard about Supported by Love: 2026 Charity Anthology and know that 10% of the sales come back to LIFE CIL, but we wanted to make sure you know that for the month of July - Disability Pride Month, the e-book is on sale for $3.99!

Supported by Love: A Charity Anthology Featuring Characters with Disabilities e-book is on sale for $3.99 throughout July in honor of Disability Pride Month.

Disability Pride Month celebrates the history, achievements, contributions, and lived experiences of the disability community while challenging ableism, exclusion, and harmful misconceptions about disability.

Supported by Love features stories centered on characters with a variety of disabilities, highlighting that people with disabilities experience the same hopes, dreams, relationships, and opportunities for love as anyone else. These stories offer meaningful representation and remind us that disability is just one aspect of a person's identity—not the sum of who they are.

Best of all, proceeds from the anthology benefit four organizations supporting the disability community:

National Ability Center
LIFE Center for Independent Living
K9s for Warriors
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

This Disability Pride Month, support disability representation, challenge ableist stereotypes, and help make a difference in the lives of disabled individuals and their communities.

Read. Share. Advocate.

image is the flyer about Supported By Love 2026 Charity Anthology. The flyer has a photo of the book cover in the upper left-hand corner and has a QR code in the lower right-hand corner.

The flyer says:
SUPPORTED BY LOVE
2026 Charity Anthology
Available beginning Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day)
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com

Formats available:
• E-book
• Standard print
• Large-print edition
10% of all sales will be donated to LIFE CIL.
This anthology was created with the support of Ryan T. Osborn, Receptionist at LIFE CIL, whose dedication and efforts helped secure LIFE CIL’s selection as a charitable beneficiary.

About the Book
Supported by Love is a powerful collection of stories featuring characters with disabilities. Each story explores love, self-acceptance, and belonging, while uplifting often overlooked voices — including those who live at the intersection of disability and LGBTQIA+ identity.

Content Advisory
Some stories contain sexual content and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Included Stories and Authors
• Jack of Hearts — Ryan T. Osborn
• Sweet Home — Britt Jones
• Life on a Mountain in Maine — Kathi Goldwyn
• Line of Sight — Aliya DalRae
• Unacceptable, Ms. Hap — Tia Fanning
• In the Shadow of Sound — Dani Carr
• The Cupid Cafe — Rochelle Bradley

Charities Supported
• National Ability Center
• LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL)
• K9s for Warriors
• National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

07/31/2026

So true - sharing the post from Illinois Department of Human Services. Today is the last day of Disability Pride Month.

💙 Disability Pride Month may be coming to a close, but our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity continues every day.

Throughout July, we highlighted people, programs, and partnerships that help individuals with disabilities live independently, pursue meaningful employment, access vital supports, and fully participate in their communities.

When people have the support they need, communities grow stronger.

At IDHS, we're proud to work alongside individuals, families, providers, advocates, and community partners to help build an Illinois where everyone can thrive.

07/31/2026

Can you believe it's already the last day of July? Before we know it, school will be back in session and summer will be winding down.

Today is also the last day of Disability Pride Month. As you may have noticed, we celebrate disability pride all year long, but here is our final set of disability etiquette do's and don'ts for the week.

1. Don't make assumptions.
You can't always tell if someone has a disability. Many disabilities are invisible, so it's important not to judge a person's abilities based on their appearance.

2. Respect privacy.
Avoid asking someone what caused their disability unless they choose to share that information or it is relevant to the conversation.

3. Be patient.
Let people speak for themselves and finish their own thoughts. If you don't understand something, politely ask them to repeat it rather than guessing or finishing their sentence.

4. Respect personal space.
If someone would like assistance, ask first. For example, when guiding someone with a visual disability, offer your arm instead of grabbing or pushing them.

5. Introduce yourself and communicate clearly.
When speaking with someone who may not be able to see who is in the room, say your name before speaking. In group settings, try to have one person speak at a time so everyone can follow the conversation.

As we mentioned at the beginning of the week, if you have questions about disability etiquette or would like to learn more about a Disability Etiquette Training from LIFE CIL, please send us a message, email us at [email protected], or call our Bloomington office at (309) 663-5433.

Part of this post was made with material from: https://myfcph.org/10-tips-for-disability-etiquette/

07/30/2026

The Disability Etiquette Guide linked below includes a list of helpful do’s and don’ts. Here are a few we have not talked about yet that we would like to share:

1. Do be patient. A person with a disability may need extra time to complete a task or respond in a conversation.

2. Do remember that accessibility means more than physical access. Forms, alarms, signals, and other information should also be accessible for people with visual, hearing, or intellectual disabilities.

3. Don’t avoid eye contact. Treat people with disabilities the same way you would treat anyone else.

4. Don’t touch a service animal or the person it assists without permission. Service animals are working and need to stay focused to do their job safely.

5. Don’t leave people with disabilities out of activities. Do not assume something will be too difficult for them. Let them decide whether they would like to participate.

You can find these tips and many more at:
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07/30/2026

Acorn Superglide 130 Straight Stairlift for Sale
Asking $1,250

• Brand: Acorn
• Model: Superglide 130
• Condition: Used – fully functional; diagnostic indicator light is not working
• Type: Indoor straight stairlift
• Power Supply: 100–240 VAC
• Battery Powered: 24 VDC (2 × 12 VDC rechargeable batteries)
• Drive System: Rack and Pinion
• Maximum Speed: 27 ft/min (0.15 m/s)
• Price: $1,250

If interested, please email [email protected]

image is a flyer with the above information and four photos of the stairlift for sale and one photo of the manufacturer's tag.

DISCLAIMER: This post is strictly to share information with the general public about equipment that is available from individuals in the community. LIFE CIL does not have any additional knowledge of the equipment, any affiliation with the individual, nor does LIFE CIL benefit from the sale of any equipment. Please contact the individual directly if you are interested in the equipment available. LIFE CIL is not liable for any private transaction made.

07/29/2026

Today's "Do's and Don'ts": Removing Environmental Barriers

Many barriers are things we don't think about because they don't affect us directly. Here are a few simple ways to make spaces more accessible:

1. Keep pathways clear. Avoid blocking entrances, aisles, ramps, and walkways with displays, boxes, or other items.

2. Help prevent falls. Use wet floor signs and mats during rain or snow to reduce slip hazards.

3. Give clear directions. Different people need different types of directions. Some may need landmarks, while others may need step-by-step instructions, a map, or written directions.

4. Keep your face visible. When speaking with someone who is deaf, hard of hearing, or reads lips, avoid covering your mouth and make sure they can see your face.

5. Be mindful of scents. Strong perfumes, colognes, scented products, and smoke can trigger serious reactions for some people, including headaches and breathing difficulties.

Small changes can make a big difference in helping everyone access and enjoy their environment.

Want to learn more? Check out Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities by Judy Cohen and the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association for additional examples and practical guidance, the link is below.

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07/28/2026

***UPDATE: The issue has been resolved, and we have confirmed that everything is working properly again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you experience any further issues, please don't hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your patience and understanding.***

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It has come to our attention that the online membership form is currently not processing payments as intended. We are aware of the issue and apologize for the inconvenience.

Our website developer is actively working to resolve the problem, and we will provide an update as soon as it has been fixed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your support.

07/28/2026

Join the LIFE CIL Board of Directors!

Do you believe that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to live independently, participate fully in their community, and make their own choices?

LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) is seeking individuals who share our commitment to disability rights, independent living, and inclusion to serve on our Board of Directors.

We're Looking For Individuals Who:
* Are passionate about disability rights, inclusion, and independent living
* Have knowledge, skills, or experience that can benefit the organization
* Communicate effectively and work well with others
* Are willing to commit approximately 2-4 hours per month
* Have personal experience with disability (preferred, but not required)
* Reside in DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, or McLean Counties

Because LIFE CIL is a consumer-controlled organization, at least 51% of our Board of Directors are individuals with disabilities. We strongly encourage people with disabilities to apply.

Board Member Responsibilities:
* Attend monthly Board meetings
* Participate on at least one Board committee
* Support LIFE CIL programs, activities, and advocacy efforts
* Help advance the goals and mission of the organization

Interested?
To be eligible, applicants must be a member of LIFE Center for Independent Living.

Complete a Board Member Application:

Online: https://www.lifecil.org/application-board-of-directors/

PDF Application:https://www.lifecil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Board-Member-Application.pdf

Email completed applications to [email protected] or mail them to:

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

Help create a more inclusive and accessible future for people with disabilities across DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, and McLean Counties.

image is the LIFE CIL logo