CIL News

As the holidays approach, we want to express our sincerest thanks to all of our friends and supporters who make our community of services, support, friends, and fun possible. We are so grateful to everyone in our community and look forward to seeing you in 2020! On December 5 we welcomed over 100 friends at our Open House. A few photographs are below!

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Gossage as executive director of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, which also includes the Livingston and Monroe Centers for Independent Living. Gossage has served as interim executive director since 2017. During his leadership tenure he has led the launch of new services, including employment services, benefits counseling, and the EmpowerYou business incubator, growth of disability… CIL Appoints Alex Gossage as Executive Director

Want to learn more about the latest programs and services at the CIL? Check out a recent interview our leaders had with WEMU’s radio program, “All Things Considered.” Thanks for our conversation, WEMU!

It was a fantastic event by all accounts! This year’s summer celebration featured food trucks, DJ and karaoke, games, good cheer, and most meaningfully of all, a dedication and remembrance of the late Rep. John Dingell. Congressman Dingell, who served more than 59 years in Congress before passing earlier this year, was one of the original sponsors of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990.  Once enacted, he also continued to advocate… Summer Celebration Honors the Late Rep. John Dingell

  This year’s ADA Summer Celebration on July 26 will be an exciting and festive event, featuring food trucks with complimentary food and refreshments, games and prizes, adaptive and inclusive recreation, DJ music and karaoke, and our broad community of CIL friends and supporters. Our feature will be a dedication honoring the late Rep. John Dingell and his tireless work advocating for people with disabilities. Rep. Debbie Dingell will be on-hand to mark the occasion.… Join us for the Summer Celebration July 26!

John Weir Scholarship Applications are Open! Our John Weir Academic Scholarship provides one-time scholarships ranging from $200 to $500 to graduating seniors who embody the spirit of disability advocacy. The scholarship is named in honor of one of the Ann Arbor CIL founders, John Weir, who was a pioneer in changing societal attitudes about the abilities of people with disabilities to live full, active, and integrated lives in our community. Click here to learn more about how to… Apply for a youth college scholarship!

The best way to learn about what it’s like to have a disability is to experience it yourself! And that’s just what we help people do in our disability awareness training workshops. Yesterday we were out at TheRide conducting a workshop for AAATA, Uber and other transit operators with our partner Feonix – Mobility Rising. Our mission? Better, safer rides for people with disabilities across our community.

We were out talking to our legislators in Lansing yesterday! We were out as part of a state-wide day organized by CILs to bring disability issues to the attention of our legislators. Among issues we are advocating for? The new Go! logo! We strongly believe it’s important that all accessibility signs portray people with disabilities as the active and independent members of our community that we are. For more info about how you can help… Making Waves in Lansing

“I think it’s awesome … it’ll be easy to get on and off without having the bus driver help you.” That’s what one user had to say about the new automated wheelchair securements that are now in Ann Arbor area buses! We are thrilled to partner with the TheRide​, UMTRI​ and Q’Straint​ in installing these through a grant from Michigan Department of Transportation. Check out the story on MLive! https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2019/03/10-ann-arbor-buses-will-test-new-devices-to-secure-wheelchair-scooter-passengers.html