IL Impact Newsletter for IL friend

Empowering Virginians with Disabilities through Centers for Independent Living

July 2024| Issue 19

Pre-ETS expands to nine more CILs

Since July 2023, CILs have provided over 500 Pre-ETS services to students with disabilities in the Northern and Central Shenandoah, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia Regions. As of this month, an additional 9 centers (13 total) are poised to begin providing self-advocacy instruction and workplace readiness training to students to cover gaps across much of the Commonwealth.

Success Stories

AIC earns Hope Award

Appalachian Independence Center recently received the 2024 Hope Award from Emory & Henry, which honors the work of a community group which daily demonstrates a profoundly visionary commitment to justice and the common good, joining citizenship to service and the long processes of building healthy communities.

(Shown front row left) AIC Executive Director Steve Halley said, “The staff at AIC work hard to help people with disabilities be more independent, set goals and learn that life can be lived to its fullest despite living with a disability. The award means a great deal to us, and we are very honored to receive such a recognition.” Read article here .

Program Highlight

RIL recognizes Eagle Scout project

Richmond's Resources for Independent Living partners with the Richmond Retrievers adaptive hockey club to provide volunteer coaching and adaptive services as needed. Nathaniel Landgraft (shown above in Eagle Scout uniform on the left) made 10 ice "gliders" out of PVC tubing, which are used to help support players on the ice that might need a little extra stability.

Volunteers made several basic versions of this model but Nathaniel improved on the original design so these gliders work with different-sized players and are practically indestructible.