NICIL

04/02/2026

Happy Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month!
Autism Acceptance Month was created by and for the autistic community. Autism acceptance emphasizes that autistic people belong and deserve welcoming communities, inclusive schools and workplaces, and equal opportunities.
This month, we celebrate neurodiversity and the unique strengths of the autism community. A time to shine a light on understanding, celebrate differences, and stand together for inclusion and advocacy. ⭐

April is Autism Awareness Month 🩵🌍

This month, we celebrate neurodiversity and the unique strengths of the autism community. A time to shine a light on understanding, celebrate differences, and stand together for inclusion and advocacy. ⭐

Autism Awareness Month is more than awareness—it’s about acceptance, inclusion, and advocacy. Let’s uplift voices, break down barriers, and build a more inclusive world for all. 🩵

Take action in support of our mission:
✅Donate to The Arc of Illinois - https://thearcofil.app.neoncrm.com/forms/22

✅Become a member of The Arc of Illinois - https://www.thearcofil.org/join-us/

✅Amplify voices on social media - Use tags like

Together, we can create a world where every person with autism is respected, heard, and empowered! ⭐

03/30/2026

Fraudulent texts claiming to be from the DMV or the Illinois Secretary of State are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated. If you get a message like this, it’s a scam. Follow the steps below 👇

03/16/2026

Due to weather conditions our office in Sterling will be closed for in person appointments today, Monday March 16th 2026.

Phone calls will still be answered, so please reach out if you need assistance. Stay warm, and stay safe.

03/11/2026

“It’s important to understand that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that people with disabilities deserve equal rights, opportunities, and respect." - Dr. Yvette Pegues

03/04/2026

March is Women’s History Month.

Disabled women have shaped history, advanced civil rights, challenged artistic norms and transformed how we understand disability.

From Judy Heumann’s leadership in the disability rights movement to Harriet Tubman’s abolitionist legacy, from Frida Kahlo’s groundbreaking art to Alice Wong’s impact on disability storytelling and advocacy, their contributions continue to influence generations.

Representation matters. History includes disabled women. Who else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.

Image description: Graphic titled “Disabled Women Who Shaped History” with NDI logo in the top right corner. The slide features four women with brief biographies and photos: Judy Heumann (1947–2023), disability rights activist and wheelchair user who helped lead the 504 Sit-in and advance the Americans with Disabilities Act; Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913), abolitionist and political activist who sustained a traumatic brain injury and likely lived with epilepsy; Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), Mexican painter who lived with chronic pain and mobility impairments; and Alice Wong (1974–2025), disability rights activist with spinal muscular atrophy and founder of the Disability Visibility Project. Portrait images of each woman appear below their biographies.

03/04/2026

March is Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
We are sharing upcoming events from the National Disability Institute that are focused on employment, benefits and financial empowerment.

March is Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Join us for NDI events this month focused on employment, benefits and financial empowerment.

March 4- Introduction to the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN). Register: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/aden/events-aden/introduction-to-the-american-dream-employment-network-aden-3/

March 4- Understanding Federal Taxes for Small Businesses. Register: https://www.disabilitysmallbusiness.org/event/understanding-federal-taxes-for-small-businesses/

March 18- SSDI and Self-Employment. Register: https://www.disabilitysmallbusiness.org/event/small-business-webinar-ssdi-and-ssi-and-self-employment-two-part-event/

March 18- ADEN Beneficiary Outreach Event. Register: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/aden/events-aden/american-dream-employment-network-aden-webinar-ssa-disability-benefits-and-work-incentives/

March 25- Review of Benefits from the Social Security Administration for people with disabilities living in New Jersey. Register: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/financial-resilience-center/njihc-webinar-series/

Image description: A graphic titled “March Events” features a group of eight diverse women smiling and raising their hands outdoors at the top of the image. Below the photo, four event listings appear in rounded boxes: March 4, Introduction to the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) at 1:30 p.m. ET; March 4, Understanding Federal Taxes for Small Businesses at 2:00 p.m. ET; March 18, SSDI and Self-Employment at 2 p.m. ET; March 18, ADEN Beneficiary Outreach Event at 3 p.m. ET; and March 25, Review of Benefits from the Social Security Administration at 1:00 p.m. ET. At the bottom, the graphic notes Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

02/21/2026

We are all set up for Tri-County Opportunities Council Head Start/Early Head Start 2nd Annual Frosty Fun Day!

Stop by today from 11am-1pm at Northland Mall - 2900 E Lincolnway, Sterling.

02/18/2026

Here at the Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living (NICIL) we have a simple mission:

To empower people with disabilities by supporting the individual and their community with the skills and knowledge to live independently.

How do we do this? By providing support services!

Individual Advocacy: We help individuals advocate for their rights and access services.

Systems Advocacy: CILs work to change rules, laws, and systems to help improve life for people with disabilities. Systems advocacy focuses on making lasting improvements by:
Changing Policies: Pushing for new laws or changes to existing ones that make life better and fairer for everyone.
Working Together: Disabled people work together to create long-lasting change in society.
Raising Awareness: Educating others about the issues that affect disabled people, so more people understand and support the changes needed.
Influencing Services: Talking to government agencies and organizations to help them provide better support and services for people who need them.
Offering Solutions: CILs are able to offer unique solutions to persistent problems by listening to and prioritizing the perspective of people who have experienced those issues first-hand.

Peer Support: We provide a network for individuals with disabilities to share experiences and support one another.

Independent Living Skills Training: We offer training programs that teach skills for daily living, such as budgeting, cooking, and self-care.

Information and Referral Services: We connect individuals with resources and services in the community, including transportation, healthcare, and legal assistance.

Transition Services: We assist individuals transitioning from institutions to living in their communities. We also help youth with disabilities transition to adulthood.

Community Impact: We work to improve accessibility and inclusion in communities through education, collaboration, outreach, and technical assistance.

Overall, NICIL empowers individuals with disabilities to be decision-makers in their own lives and participate fully in society.

02/03/2026

Become a Personal Assistant! Earn $19.50 per hour!
Are you looking for a rewarding job and interested in gaining valuable work experience? A personal assistant is someone who helps individuals with a disability with routine activities of daily living in their homes. Duties can include personal care, meal preparation, shopping or other duties which are dependent on a person's needs.

NICIL offers FREE monthly orientations for individuals who are interested in becoming a personal assistant. The orientation covers communication skills, care techniques, information about the employee and employer relationship, and much more.
Call us at 815-625-7860 or email us at frontdesk@nicil.org for more information!
*** Individual classes offered by appointment. Call to schedule! ***

Thursday, February 5th from 9am - 12pm in person at the Sterling NICIL office
Wednesday, February 11th from 9am - 12pm via Zoom – link will be sent via email
Tuesday, February 17th from 1pm - 4pm in person at the Sterling NICIL office

01/27/2026

🚨 SNAP rules are changing on February 1.

Federal changes mean more SNAP recipients will be considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who must meet or be exempt from work requirements to qualify for SNAP.

🚨 SNAP rules are changing on February 1.

Federal changes mean more SNAP recipients will be considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who must meet or be exempt from work requirements to qualify for SNAP.

IDHS has sent initial notices and a copy of an exemption form to all current and new customers who are directly impacted.

SNAP recipients can also now use this screener to see if they are subject to, meeting, or may be eligible for an exemption from SNAP Work Requirements: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN

01/22/2026

Due to inclement weather, we will not be offering rides on Friday, January 23, 2026. If possible, please stay indoors and remain safe!

01/22/2026

Whiteside County Public Transportation will be closed on Friday, January 23.

❄️❄️Closure notice❄️❄️
Due to the extreme cold forecast, Whiteside County Public Transportation will be closed on Friday, January 23, to ensure the safety of our staff and community! Please stay safe, limit time outdoors if possible, and check on neighbors who may need extra support!