How Would You _____ With A Disability, Asks Signs Appearing in Downtown Harrisburg

(Camp Hill, Pa.) – Signs began appearing in businesses in downtown Harrisburg today, asking these questions:

* How would you cross the street if you were blind?
* How would you talk to the librarian if you were deaf?
* How would you enter the building if you used a wheelchair?

These are just a few of the questions posed by the Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) in a public awareness campaign designed to make people think about living with a disability. The Center for Independent Living of Central PA is a 20 year-old non-profit organization, which is made up of and serves people with all types of disabilities. As the public frequents restaurants and other businesses in downtown Harrisburg from October 20 – 26, they will quickly question what it would be like to have a disability.

Part of the Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s role as an organization is to not only educate the individuals and families they serve, but also people without disabilities. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the organization wants people to grasp for a moment what life would be like if you became disabled. From ordering food at a restaurant, walking up the steps to the Capitol Building, to crossing the street – how would you do this if you were blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair?

“We want people to understand that anyone at any given time can become disabled. It could happen to you on your way home from work tonight. It will happen to most of us in some way as part of the aging process. When people are faced with a new disability, questions often arise: Where do I go? Who can help me? What do I do now? We want people to know that our organization can assist individuals in finding housing, transportation options, employment – no request is too small or too large. If you have a disability or become disabled – it is not a time to give up; instead it is a time to think about how you can live well with a disability,” stated Theo Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP.

Patrons at some area restaurants were also given Braille cards with the message, “Giving you a Braille menu is like giving a person who is blind your printed menu.” The goal is to make people stop in their tracks to feel, see and think about what it would be like to have a disability.

For the past 20 years, the organization has provided services to individuals with all types of disabilities, families of people with disabilities, and businesses in the community. Through the years, CILCP has assisted with housing modifications; moved individuals out of nursing homes and into their own home; created a new fully-accessible fitness center; and educated businesses and community leaders through workshops – just to name a few of their many accomplishments.  

Area businesses participating in the awareness campaign include: Molly Brannigans, Scott’s Grille, M&T Bank, Art Association of Harrisburg, Cobalt Hair Salon, Mid Penn Bank, Sovereign Bank, 2nd Street Pizza, Hilton Harrisburg Hotel & Towers, Palumbo’s Pizza, Wachovia Bank, Hornung’s True Value Hardware, Spice, Neato Burrito, Stock’s on 2nd, and the Harrisburg Downtown Library.

About CILCP

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. CILCP’s vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society.

For more information on the CILCP visit www.cilcp.org, and for more information regarding the press release, please contact Megan Kurtz (Megan@TheSuasionWay.com) or 717.432.2468.

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Distributed: October 21, 2008

Traveling Timeline Highlights 20 Years of Accomplishments for People with Disabilities

(Camp Hill, Pa.)—The Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities. For the past 20 years, CILCP has been serving people with all types of disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. To celebrate CILCP’s 20 years of accomplishments, a Celebrating the Journey timeline will be displayed around the Central Pennsylvania area throughout the month of October.

The free-standing timeline provides photography and statements, which define the progress made for people with disabilities, and CILCP’s accomplishments. Major advancements such as accessible public transportation by CAT buses; installation of curb cuts in downtown Harrisburg; development of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; and the creation of an innovative, life changing program, Living Well With A Disability, are all included within the timeline to recognize the remarkable work CILCP has done for people with disabilities in the Central Pennsylvania area.

The timeline will be displayed in several areas in Central PA to educate individuals who may not be familiar with the programs offered by CILCP.  Various organizations who are committed to supporting the disability community in efforts for better living have agreed to display the timeline for week-long periods throughout the month of October. Participating supporters include:

• Harrisburg International Airport: October 1st - 10th
• West Shore Evangelical Free Church: October 10th - 19th
• Hilton Harrisburg and Towers Hotel: October 19th - 26th
• Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg: October 26th - November 1st

CILCP plays an intricate role in educating the community and changing the lives of people with disabilities through life-altering programs such as Living Well With A Disability - a one-stop resource designed to make sure all individuals with disabilities are living well. Through their commitment to excellence and dedication to empowerment, CILCP has become a key member in the efforts to provide all people with disabilities more fulfillment and accessibility in all areas of life. CILCP empowers individuals to fully participate in all aspects of society and also offers support to families of individuals with disabilities, community service providers, governmental agencies, and private businesses.

CILCP will continue to provide services and advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community. The organization looks forward to another 20 years of assisting people with disabilities in overcoming barriers and achieving their goals.

About Center for Independent Living of Central PA

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. The mission of the CILCP is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities through the elimination and prevention of barriers that people with disabilities experience. The organization serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. To learn more about CILCP’s mission and services, visit www.cilcp.org.

About Living Well With A Disability

Living Well With A Disability is a valuable resource for anyone with any type of disability – and it’s free. The program connects the individual with a qualified Living Well specialist who will work with the person to identify his or her needs and goals, and develop a plan for meeting them. To begin, the individual will call the Living Well hotline. A specialist will meet with the person to conduct a 25-point lifestyle assessment. It includes questions about the individual’s needs as well as their interests, hopes for the future, goals and dreams. From achieving a small task to accomplishing a life-changing goal, Living Well With A Disability is designed to help people with disabilities exceed their lifestyle expectations through one point of contact.  For more information, call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-TO-LIV-WELL or visit the Web site at www.LivingWellWithADisability.org. 

For more information regarding this press release or organization, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or email Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.

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Award-Winning Comedian to Celebrate 20 Years of Service for People with Disabilities

(Camp Hill, Pa.)– The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP), a non-profit, community-based resource and service provider managed by and for people with disabilities is celebrating its 20th anniversary by hosting a Celebrating the Journey Benefit Dinner.  On October 22, 2008 at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, Tanya Foster, News Anchor of WHP-TV21 will emcee the event to be held.  The Benefit Dinner will include a silent auction and award-winning comedian Michael Beers. Michael Beers is a young comedian and role model to the community.  As a person with a disability, he supports CILCP in its goal to ensure that all persons with a disability will have the opportunity to live well. 

The Celebrating the Journey Benefit Dinner will be an evening of laughter and fun, while recognizing the great efforts made by CILCP to the community and for people with disabilities. The organization has turned barriers into open doors by providing services to individuals with disabilities, families of people with disabilities, and businesses in the community. Through the years, CILCP has assisted with housing modifications; moved individuals out of nursing homes and into their home; created a new fully-accessible fitness center; and educated businesses and community leaders through workshops – just to name a few of their many accomplishments.  

Recently, CILCP launched the Living Well With A Disability program. The program provides support and opportunity for people living with disabilities to LIVE WELL in all aspects of life - from transportation, employment, social opportunities and physical fitness programs,  to meeting the ultimate dreams, such as riding in a helicopter or going whitewater rafting. To continue to provide these opportunities to the nearly 86,000 people living with disabilities in Central PA, proceeds from the Benefit Dinner will go towards expanding the fitness programs and improving the wellness of people with disabilities. 

Theotis Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP states, “As we look back, we are very proud and want to share our accomplishments, but also open up more opportunities for the 86,000 people living with a disability. We want to maximize each person’s ability to live the way they want.  Our journey isn’t ending here – we look forward to another 20 years.”

The evening’s events will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, silent auction and  20th Anniversary exhibit.  Following at 6:30 p.m. will be dinner and dessert, provided by Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, and a Comedy Show by Michael Beers at 8:00 p.m. 
 
Tickets are available now at $50.00 each.  To attend the Celebrating the Journey Benefit Dinner, please contact the Center for Independent Living of Central PA at (717) 731-1900.  If you should need special accommodations, please contact Megan Kurtz at (717) 432-2468.  For TTY, please call (717) 737-1335.  Sign Language Interpreter and CART service will be available. 

Sponsors for the event include McNees Wallace & Nurick, Sign-A-Rama, Gmuender Designs, and Suasion. Event and Supporting Sponsorships are still available. For more information on how you can be a sponsor and touch the lives of people with disabilities in Central PA, contact Megan Kurtz at (717) 432-2468.

About CILCP

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. CILCP’s vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society.
For more information on the CILCP visit www.cilcp.org, and for more information regarding the press release, please contact Megan Kurtz (Megan@TheSuasionWay.com) or 717.432.2468.

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