CIL in Central Florida

04/02/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Massey Services, Inc. for their generous support of our Step Ahead program, assisting youth ages 14-22 in school to plan and prepare for their next steps in life.

Their commitment to strengthening our community helps ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to live independently and thrive.

Partnerships like this are what make our work possible and what allow us to continue building a more inclusive, accessible future for all.

Thank you, Massey Services, for standing with us and investing in the next 50 years of impact.

04/01/2026

April marks Autism Acceptance Month, a time to move beyond awareness and into action.

At CIL in Central Florida, we believe neurodiversity is not something to be “understood” from a distance but something to be embraced, supported, and celebrated.

Through programs like Family Disability Navigator, we work alongside families to ensure neurodivergent individuals have the tools, resources, and autonomy to define their own futures.

Acceptance means creating environments where every person is supported as they are and not expected to change to fit the world around them.

03/30/2026

Allyship starts with action.

Being an ally for communication equity means helping remove barriers in everyday spaces. That can look like incorporating assistive technology like captions, encouraging learning different communication methods such as sign language, and speaking up when access is missing.

When we prioritize inclusive communication, we create environments where everyone can understand, be understood, and fully participate.

You never know the impact one action can make, but it starts with showing up.

See how you can support communication equity today:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/50-years-of-impact-a-future-without-limits

03/26/2026

TODAY is the day! We need your vote!

It takes less than 30 seconds to make a real impact. Every single vote helps us move closer to securing funding that directly supports the individuals and families we serve.

Don’t wait! Your vote matters RIGHT NOW.

Vote here: https://www.suncoast.com/Promo/Magic-Buckets

After you vote, drop a “DONE” in the comments so we can thank you! And don’t forget to share this post to help us spread the word.

Let’s do this together!

03/20/2026

We’re getting closer but we need your help!

If you haven’t voted for us in the Magic Buckets campaign yet, there’s still time to make an impact. Every vote brings us one step closer to securing funding that directly supports the individuals and families we serve.

It only takes a moment, but it makes a lasting difference.

👉 Cast your vote here: https://www.suncoast.com/Promo/Magic-Buckets

Thank you for showing up, sharing, and supporting our mission!

buckets

03/17/2026

Representation. Matters.

At CIL Central Florida, our DeafVoice team is led by Summer, whose lived experience and leadership help guide programs, advocacy efforts, and communication access initiatives that directly impact the Deaf community. When policies, programs, and services are informed by people with lived experience, they are more responsive, more effective, and more equitable.

Deaf leadership ensures that decisions are not made about the community without the community. By centering Deaf voices in leadership roles, we help create systems where accessibility is built in, communication barriers are reduced, and individuals have greater opportunities to participate, lead, and thrive.

03/16/2026

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be Deaf or hard of hearing. Let’s break down a few common myths.

Myth: Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing are mute.
Truth: Many Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals are able to speak, though communication preferences vary. Some may use spoken language, others may prefer American Sign Language (ASL), and many use a combination of communication methods depending on the situation.

Myth: Hearing devices give people perfect hearing.
Truth: Devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants can help amplify sound or support how the brain processes sound, but they do not restore hearing entirely. Experiences with hearing devices can vary widely from person to person.

Myth: Everyone who is Deaf or hard of hearing can read lips.
Truth: Lip reading can be extremely difficult, and only a small percentage of speech can be accurately understood this way. Many factors like lighting, facial expressions, and speech patterns can affect how much someone can understand.

Understanding these differences helps create more inclusive spaces where communication access and respect for individual preferences are prioritized.

03/11/2026

We’re proud to see the voices of our community represented in this important conversation.

Recently, our President and CEO, Charlotte, along with our wonderful inter, Andrew, here at the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida had the opportunity to speak with Spectrum News 13 at our Winter Park office about the urgent need for the Right to Repair Act for Mobility Devices.

For many wheelchair users, a mobility device is essential to independence, employment, education, and participation in everyday life. Yet under the current system, individuals can wait weeks or even months for repairs, leaving them without the mobility they rely on to live independently.

The proposed legislation would require manufacturers to provide repair parts, tools, and documentation so wheelchair users and independent repair providers can address issues more quickly and affordably.

We are grateful to our staff and community members who continue to advocate for policies that protect independence, dignity, and accessibility for people with disabilities.

Thank you to Spectrum News 13 for highlighting this critical issue and helping amplify the voices of those directly impacted.

Some users say they do not have access to their wheelchairs for months while they are in the repair shop.

03/10/2026

DeafVoice empowers Deaf individuals through advocacy, leadership development, and meaningful language access ensuring Deaf voices are centered, valued, and heard.

Through self-advocacy, peer support, and community connection, DeafVoice helps remove communication barriers so individuals can fully participate, lead, and shape the communities around them.

03/05/2026

When the Magic scores, our community wins!

We’re participating in Magic Buckets for the Community, powered by Suncoast Credit Union and the Osceola Magic and YOUR vote determines how much funding we receive.

We’re competing for a share of up to $5,000, and every vote makes a difference.

It only takes a minute:
Click the link
Select our name
Submit your vote
Share with friends & family

Vote here: https://www.suncoast.com/Promo/Magic-Buckets

Help us bring these dollars back into the community to continue expanding our impact!