The Independent Life: Recent Episodes
Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida
The Independent Life is a podcast where we explore the services, issues, ideas, and people who will empower you to become the best version of yourself imaginable, attain your goals for Living Independently, and to serve others to your fullest potential.
Tony is joined by Dr. Carol Lewis, a community health expert who recently conducted a transformative workshop for the CIL staff. The session emphasized the importance of mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Dr. Lewis shares practical strategies for promoting mindfulness, healthy sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and social connections—practices that are accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime. The conversation explores the mental health spectrum, offering insights into managing situational anxiety, depression, and stress. Dr. Lewis provides clinical explanations and actionable tools to help us all enhance our mental health and support the wellbeing of others in our communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of mental health and discover practical ways to nurture it daily.
Dr. Carol Lewis is a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience, specializing in the treatment of chronically suicidal and self-injurious individuals through skills-based and mindfulness approaches. She previously worked at UF Health Psychiatric Hospital and now serves in the UF Department of Psychiatry. With a Masters of Public Health and board certification in public health, Dr. Lewis focuses on evidence-based behavioral health treatments for underserved populations. Her research includes developing public health interventions for non-professionals, and she is a founding member of Peace4Gainesville, a trauma-responsive community initiative.
Episode Resources:
- https://psychiatry.ufl.edu/profile/lewis-carol/: carollewis@ufl.edu
Dr. Jessica Kramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions. Her research focuses on collaborating with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to create and evaluate rehabilitation products, developing community-based interventions to help these youth and their families address environmental barriers, and designing high-quality patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Dr. Kramer employs a variety of methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches, to address complex research questions and meet the needs of various stakeholders. She has received grants from organizations such as PCORI, NIH, NIDILRR, and AOTF, and collaborates with multiple universities and advocacy groups. Her practical experience includes helping children and youth with severe disabilities participate and learn in public schools.
Resources:
- Path to adulthood: Empowering young adults with disabilities
- Dr. Jessica Kramer’s overview of UF OT Research
Mark D. Bennett is the principal of Uniting by Design LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders build organizations that achieve outstanding results, uphold ethical standards, and adapt to change. After leaving the practice of law, Mark pursued graduate studies in counseling psychology and family therapy. He then became a full-time mediator, handling disputes involving staff, leaders, and boards across businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and international organizations.
Twenty-five years ago, Mark transitioned from resolving organizational issues to fostering organizational health. He now serves as a workshop presenter on leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, values-based decision making, and creative collaboration. Additionally, he is a leadership coach, facilitating collaboration, strategic planning, and critical decision making.
Mark has authored three books:
- Uniting by Design: The Architecture of Creative Collaboration (2021) – A practical guide to fostering collaboration within organizations, leadership teams, work teams, alliances, and partnerships.
- A Field Guide to Good Decisions: Values in Action (2006) – Offers practical steps for ethical decision-making, enabling individuals to make tough choices with integrity, accountability, and credibility.
- The Art of Mediation, 2nd edition (2005) – Teaches conflict resolution and principled negotiation skills to help people bridge differences, reach agreements, and achieve peace.
Episode Resources:
- Uniting By Design
- Mark Bennett LinkedIn
In this enlightening episode of The Independent Life, Tony welcomes Jonathan Spoliansky, the insightful author of Happiness Is Key. Jonathan's breakthrough book offers a simple yet profound guide on living happily every day, emphasizing that happiness is not just a state of mind but a reflection of our actions and behavior towards others.
Together, they explore the five essential keys outlined in the book, which can unlock our happiness within and create a life filled with peace, trust, gratitude, honesty, and love. Through engaging discussion, Jonathan shares his journey and realizations, drawing from his extensive study of various philosophies and religious traditions, as well as his travels around the world. He highlights how embodying positive qualities like honesty, fairness, empathy, and generosity can create a ripple effect of positivity, benefiting those around us.
This episode is a heartfelt reminder that cultivating happiness is a daily practice that requires effort and attention. Jonathan's practical advice and inspirational insights make it clear that by incorporating these keys into our daily lives, we can make happiness a more consistent and enduring part of our experience.
Episode Resources:
- Happiness is Key Book
- https://www.happinessiskey.net/
Tony sits down with Kimberly Richey, the Senior Chancellor for the Department of Education for the state of Florida. As the overseer of all public schools from K-12 to colleges, workforce development, and various statewide programs, Chancellor Richey has a profound impact on Florida's educational landscape.
Kimberly shares how her mother, a dedicated teacher, and her grandfather were instrumental in shaping her career path, leading her from law school to significant roles in state agencies, including the Office for Civil Rights. Her journey culminated in her current position, where she champions educational excellence and equity.
Tony and Kimberly delve into the importance of advocacy, inspired by her mother's role in her success. She provides valuable insights on empowering parents to become effective advocates for their children's education by understanding systems, acquiring knowledge, and mastering communication.
The conversation also explores the essence of education, the values and virtues that drive Kimberly, and the qualities of effective leadership. Kimberly discusses the keys to successful collaboration and shares her vision for the future of education.
Join us for an inspiring discussion with Chancellor Richey, a dedicated advocate who has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless and has helped shape impactful legislation to support students and families across Florida.
Join us on this episode as we delve into the impactful world of AgrAbility, where agriculture meets accessibility. Two years ago, Florida welcomed its inaugural AgrAbility program, a collaborative effort spearheaded by The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida and The University of Florida, supported by a USDA grant. On this episode, we're joined by Chad Reznicek, a Behavioral Health State Specialist with the Colorado AgrAbility Project, as we explore the challenges, triumphs, and vital support systems needed by farmers with disabilities.
Chad shares his personal journey, shaped by his upbringing in a farming family and his subsequent work as a therapist for high-risk youth. This unique blend of experiences forms the foundation for a deep discussion on the multifaceted needs of farmers, the importance of familial and generational connections, and the profound impact of aligning one's values with their work in agriculture.
We take a holistic view, understanding that intervention must occur at multiple levels to create lasting change. Chad emphasizes the significance of addressing farmers' health behaviors, resources, and support networks, highlighting the critical role that programs like AgrAbility play in ensuring farmers can continue their livelihoods independently and with dignity.
In this episode of The Independent Life Podcast, we delve into the world of assistive technologies and their profound impact on enabling independence for individuals with disabilities. Our guests, Eric Reed, Executive Director of FAAST (Florida Alliance For Assistive Services and Technologies), and Kailey Medlock, FAAST's Training & Community Development Director, join us to share their insights and experiences.
We explore the diverse range of assistive technologies available, catering to individuals of all ages and disabilities. Discover how FAAST has evolved under Eric's leadership, expanding its reach through regional distribution centers like The Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida. Learn about the innovations revolutionizing assistive technologies, including SMART homes designed to enhance accessibility and autonomy for people with disabilities.
Eric sheds light on the intersection of assistive technologies and agriculture, discussing the role of FAAST in supporting farmers with disabilities through the Florida AgrAbility Project Advisory Board. We also delve into the importance of reaching rural communities and ensuring access to repair services for existing assistive technologies.
Discover how FAAST's partnership with The Center For Independent Living has empowered hundreds more individuals each year, promoting independence and enriching lives within our community. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of assistive technologies and their profound impact on independence and quality of life.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Independent Life Podcast for more inspiring stories and resources for people with disabilities!
Episode Resources:
- Florida Alliance of Assistive Services and Technology: https://faast.org/
- National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center - to find a state's AT program (outside of Florida): https://at3center.net/state-at-programs/
- April 17th - AT Awareness Day (by ATAP): https://ataporg.org/policy-and-advocacy/national-at-awareness-day/
- June 14-16, Family Cafe: https://familycafe.net/
In this compelling episode, we are joined by Victoria Giatanis, the Acting Director for Vocational Rehabilitation for the Florida Department of Education. Victoria's journey to this esteemed position is marked by her dedication to service and her role as a public servant.
From her early days in teaching, where she championed exceptional student education, particularly for those with visual impairments, to her current role shaping policies and initiatives, Victoria's impact is profound. As a mother to Mira Gaitanis, whose success as a young adult with a disability is credited to Victoria and her husband, our conversation begins with the impact of disability on family life, especially as the daughter of a veteran with service-connected disabilities.
Throughout the episode, Victoria shares valuable advice for parents of children with disabilities, drawing from her own experiences and emphasizing the importance of advocacy and navigating the education system effectively. We explore the qualities of a good educator for students with disabilities and delve into what it takes to be successful in Victoria's position as a servant of our state, focusing on collaboration, leadership, and service.
Victoria's journey is one of humility and service, driven by a deep-rooted motivation to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Join us as we uncover the driving forces behind Victoria's career choices and gain insights into her role as a leader and advocate in the disability community.
Episode Resources:
- Universal Design and Growth Mindset with Mira Gaitanis
- Self-Advocacy and Vulnerability with Mira Gaitanis
Resources for parents of students with disabilities I’ve found helpful below:
- Parent Help - FDLRS
- Staff Contacts (fldoe.org)
- Parent Information (fldoe.org)
For parents of students 14 and up:
- Project 10: Transition Education Network
- Contact the Florida Division of Blind Services (fldoe.org)
- Customers Contact Us | Vocational Rehabilitation | Florida Department of Education (rehabworks.org)
In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of CIL Day 2024, a pivotal event where Centers For Independent Living convene at the Capitol in Tallahassee to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities. Tony, reflects on this year's remarkable success, marked by increased engagement with senators and representatives, signaling a growing momentum for the cause.
Joining the conversation are esteemed guests who played vital roles in this year's event, as well as, in their every day role serving and advocating for our consumers. Jane Johnson, Executive Director of The Florida Association of Centers For Independent Living (FACIL), representing all 15 centers in Florida, provides insights into the collaborative efforts that make CIL Day possible. Brian Johnson, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Independent Living of Broward and Gold Coast, shares his perspectives on the impact of CIL Day on the local community.
A highlight of this episode is Ken Kerstetter's firsthand account of attending CIL Day for the first time. As the Associate Director at Resource Center Disability Solutions, serving Brevard and Indian River Counties, Ken offers a fresh perspective on the significance of meeting with legislators and sharing stories of empowerment.
We explore the year-round dedication that culminates in CIL Day, from grassroots advocacy to strategic planning by the FACIL legislative committee. The importance of securing funding to support independent living services is emphasized, with concrete examples illustrating the impact on individuals' lives.
Our guests delve into their sources of inspiration and the values that drive their commitment to this critical work. From a shared dedication to promoting independence to a passion for fostering inclusive communities, their insights shed light on the enduring significance of CIL Day and the ongoing fight for disability rights.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the tireless advocacy efforts behind CIL Day and the transformative impact on individuals striving to live independently within their communities.
In this compelling episode, we sit down with Christina Mills, the Senior Director of Inclusive Policy & Advocacy for Elevance Health, who has just returned from a transformative trip to Japan with JIL (Japan Independent Living). Christina shares her insights into disability history, paying tribute to the influential figure, Justin Dart, and exploring the impact of his advocacy.
Delving into her personal journey, Christina opens up about her upbringing with Osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that shaped her resilience. From navigating the challenges of growing up with a disability to being invited to the Youth Leadership Forum in California, her story is one of empowerment and determination.
Drawing from her extensive experience with the California Independent Living Council and active involvement in the state association, Christina discusses her advocacy work within sectors such as emergency management and digital access for people with disabilities.
Tony and Christina engage in a rich conversation, exploring the intricate nuances of disability identity and culture. They tackle the paradox of cultivating a distinct disability culture while advocating for inclusion. The dialogue extends to strategies on how advocates can work in unity to achieve independent living and leadership. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Christina Mills and Tony unravel the complexities of disability advocacy, paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.
In this reflective episode, Tony shares his thoughts on the past year, expressing gratitude for the milestones achieved by CILNCF and its role in fostering independence. But Tony, ever the visionary, isn't one to rest on laurels. He shares his philosophy of being pleased with where we are but never satisfied, always hungry for improvement—a sentiment that echoes the spirit of the entire independent living network.
The episode unfolds with Tony exploring the profound connection between the independent living philosophy and the broader state of humanity. For Tony, it's more than just an organizational goal; it's a commitment to nurturing the collective spirit of humanity, encouraging people to embrace change and strive towards becoming the best versions of themselves. With the new year, Tony looks optimistically at the challenges that lie ahead, recognizing them as opportunities for growth—emphasizing that CILNCF is in the business of receiving people going through challenges.
Disability, for Tony, is not a barrier but a thread that weaves through the fabric of the human experience, connecting us all. He shares his vision for disability to be a force that brings people together, a unifying element that transcends societal divisions. In a world that sometimes seems determined to tear us apart, Tony urges us to let disability be the bridge that brings us together.
Tony's hope and wish for the future resonate throughout the episode—to see humanity come together more and more. Join us in this inspiring journey of reflection, unity, and the unwavering pursuit of a world where everyone, irrespective of ability, is embraced, valued, and celebrated.
Welcome to another empowering episode of The Independent Life Podcast! In this episode, Tony engages in a refreshing conversation with David, the Executive Director of the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. What makes this episode particularly special is the shared journey of Tony and David, both navigating the world with low vision and overcoming similar challenges in education, thanks to the support of their parents. From the challenges faced in navigating the education system to the importance of resiliency and adaptability, this episode unveils the personal stories and shared experiences that have shaped both Tony and David.
Together, they dive into David's multifaceted experiences, spanning health and humane services, employment, and transportation. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges of being a student with a disability, the importance of assistive technologies, and the need for accommodations in education. The episode delves into personal growth, emphasizing the significance of adaptability and resiliency. The conversation unfolds into a rich exploration of disability as an asset rather than a liability, as they exchange thoughts on not succumbing to society's preconceived notions about disability.
Leadership takes center stage as they dissect its true essence. It's not just about holding a position of authority but involves teamwork and taking ownership of decisions. David shares his journey in political science, public policy, and disability advocacy as he reflects on what is effective in destigmatizing disability.
Welcome back to The Independent Life Podcast, where we dive into the stories of inspiring individuals who are making a difference in the world. In this episode, Tony engages in a powerful conversation with Jennifer Ungru, a passionate advocate driving change in healthcare accessibility and systemic transformation. She shares her dedication to ensuring hospitals and healthcare facilities have the resources to provide quality care, particularly for medically fragile children. The dialogue spans diverse subjects, including navigating leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and adapting to the ever-evolving legislative landscape.
In this insightful conversation, Tony and Jennifer navigate through the challenges and triumphs of healthcare, shedding light on the ongoing quest for a system that aims to serve every individual. Jennifer reveals her "why" – the driving force behind her dedication to making positive changes in the healthcare industry. The discussion extends to virtues and personal growth, exploring the qualities Jennifer values and those she continues to cultivate to be a better advocate and leader. This episode offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of creating a healthcare system that meets the diverse needs of all.
Episode Resoures:
- About Jennifer Ungru: https://www.deanmead.com/attorneys/jennifer-p-ungru/
In this enlightening conversation, our guest, Darrick McGhee, a seasoned lobbyist for the Florida Association Center for Independent Living, unveils the the diverse facets of his life. Beyond the realms of political influence, Darrick is also a Pastor and a man of unwavering faith. Together, Tony and Darrick embark on an exploration of the distinctive intersectionality of lobbying, spirituality, and personal development. Darrick's experiences in both the public and private sectors provide a fresh perspective on what this role can truly embody.
In this episode, Darrick lays bare the challenges faced by the disability community, drawing on his own experiences to create a narrative that resonates with authenticity. The conversation delves into the transformative power of education, dismantling social and cultural stigmas, and breaking free from limiting beliefs that hinder personal and collective progress. Darrick shares his formula for triumphing over adversity, inspiring all who tune in to believe in their own capacity to overcome. Tony and Darrick engage in a discourse on profound topics such as self-discovery, examining the question, "Who am I?" to unlock a deeper understanding of life's purpose. They explore the significance of facing challenges head-on and emerging stronger, using Darrick's life circumstances as a powerful testament to resilience.
This conversation goes beyond the surface, exploring the heart of advocacy, faith, and the transformative journey of a lobbyist who is not only making a difference in the political landscape but also in the lives of those he serves. This episode is a beacon of empowerment, urging us all to reflect on our own paths and the potential for growth that lies within.
Episode Resources:
- About Darrick McGhee
- Florida Commission on Human Relations
For More Information about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, please visit http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
Gainesville office: (352) 378-7474
Ocala Office: (352) 368-3788
Join us as we sit down with Commissioner Gabriella Passidomo, recently reappointed to the Florida Public Service Commission by Governor Ron DeSantis. Commissioner Passidomo, a dedicated public servant, takes us through her journey from serving in the FPSC’s Office of General Counsel to becoming a crucial figure in ensuring Floridians have access to essential utilities.
A member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Gabby sheds light on her involvement in NARUC committees and task forces, emphasizing the significance of planning and safety in the realm of gas utilities. Delve into her advocacy for the Florida Telecommunications Relay Incorporated (FTRI), a service vital for those with hearing impairments, and discover her commitment to continual improvement in this crucial program.
The conversation takes a personal turn as Gabby shares insights into her experiences with disability, drawing inspiration from her grandfather's journey towards independence with the support of personal care attendants/home-aids. She discusses the importance of equity in utility services, particularly for those with lower incomes.
Tony engages Commissioner Passidomo in a candid discussion on leadership philosophy, emphasizing the values of connection, communication, and collaboration. Gain valuable insights on handling unconstructive criticism, a lesson applicable to leaders and individuals alike. Gabby's unique perspective as an ultra-athlete adds an intriguing layer to the conversation, exploring the parallels between the discipline required in athletics and its impact on one's approach to life.
Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of leadership, advocacy, and the diverse roles Commissioner Gabriella Passidomo plays in shaping the landscape of public service and utilities in Florida.
Episode Resources:
- PSC Website: https://www.floridapsc.com/
Book Recommendations:
- The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, by: Candice Mallard
- Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow
- The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen
- The Roosevelts by Ken Burns on PBS
In this episode, we sit down with Jane Johnson, the dedicated CEO of the Florida Association of Centers For Independent Living (FACIL), representing all 15 centers across the Sunshine State. As Florida gears up for its upcoming legislative season, Jane takes us on a journey through the world of advocacy, legislation, and the power of collaboration.
Jane begins by providing an insightful introduction to FACIL, shedding light on the organization's mission and its crucial role in supporting people with disabilities in Florida. Join us as she delves into the intricate details of the legislative season, giving us a glimpse of the cultural and political climate in the state.
The heart of the discussion revolves around the legislative agenda FACIL is championing. With unwavering dedication, Jane shares valuable information for those involved in public entities, shedding light on the intricacies of the advocacy process.
One key aspect that Jane and Tony explore is the importance of networking with other organizations. They emphasize the need to work closely with agencies like the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and the Department of Child and Family Services to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities.
Tune in to this episode to gain a deep understanding of the vital work FACIL is doing, the legislative season ahead, and the passion that drives the leaders in the field of independent living. It's a journey that promises to inspire and inform.
In this episode, we explore the vital systems that primarily serve vulnerable communities. We delve into the intricacies of these systems, from Medicaid and child protective services to housing and transportation. Our guest, Mary Mayhew, is tasked with overseeing these massive systems that impact the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of individuals. Her role is not just about maintaining the status quo; it's about finding ways to make these systems better and more responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable members of our society, many of whom are people with disabilities.
Tony and Mary engage in a dynamic discussion about the inherent purpose and essence of these systems, aimed at extending a helping hand to those in need. Together, they explore the strategies and opportunities for improvement within these systems, dissecting the "why" behind their existence and their fundamental mission.
Mary shares invaluable insights about leadership, the importance of a guiding "north star," cultivating self-confidence and self-worth, and embracing humility. Through personal anecdotes and experiences, they tackle the challenges we all face in life and how we can approach them with resilience and determination.
This episode isn't just about systems and leadership; it's also about personal growth and self-care. Discover the significance of building a strong social support system and the importance of dedicating time to be of service to others. In an increasingly divisive world, they also explore ways to foster unity and bridge the gaps that separate us.
Join Tony Delisle on this inspiring episode as he sits down with Cammeron Smith, a dedicated professional working at the CILNCF Gainesville office, focusing on paratransit services. Cammeron's remarkable work involves reaching out to the consumers to determine their need for paratransit services, breaking down the transportation barriers that hinder individuals from accessing education, employment, and full community inclusion.
In this deeply moving conversation, Cammeron shares his personal journey into the world of disability, a journey that began with a traumatic accident that should have taken his life but didn't. He delves into the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges he faced in the aftermath of the accident and how these experiences transformed his life.
Cammeron and Tony explore the higher purpose and calling that emerged from Cammeron's circumstances. They discuss the struggles he faced while recovering and the ongoing transformation he continues to undergo. Together, they dive deep into the world of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shedding light on what it's like to be triggered into a PTSD episode and how Cammeron employs techniques to manage and overcome these distressing situations.
The conversation also touches on the crucial topic of mental health, with Cammeron candidly sharing his struggles and how he's working towards overcoming the challenges. He emphasizes the importance of establishing a daily routine as a foundation for mental well-being.
Cammeron's story is not only one of resilience but also a testament to the significance of fellowship and unity among individuals. He passionately discusses the importance of finding and creating our life's purpose, showcasing his commitment to helping others overcome their obstacles and lead independent lives.
About Cammeron:
Cammeron Smith, originally from Williston, FL, relocated to Gainesville during 7th grade, attending Fort Clarke Middle School and Buchholz High School. In high school, they studied Italian for four years, participated in marching band, and played lacrosse. His college journey began as a nursing major at Santa Fe College, simultaneously contributing to the Gator Band's drumline for two years. However, a life-altering car accident prompted a change in direction. Cammeron transitioned to IT-Security Risk Management, earning their A.S. degree in Spring 2022. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's in IST-Security, Cammeron anticipates graduating in Spring 2025. He is passionate about philosophical conversations, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and sports. Future aspirations include living abroad to broaden their cultural horizons and fulfilling their dream of creating a comic.
Episode Resources:
- CIL Services: https://www.cilncf.org/services/
- CIL Contact: https://www.cilncf.org/contact-us/
In this episode, we sit down with a true champion of health equity, Monica Simmonds, the Director of Health Equity Program Implementation for Walmart. But before we dive into the incredible work Walmart is doing, we rewind to a chance encounter that set the stage for a transformative partnership.Tony and Monica, who share a unique journey that began during Tony's first semester of his doctoral program at the University of Florida. Little did he know that teaching a class would lead to a powerful partnership focused on serving marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities. Together, they embarked on service-based projects that harnessed evidence-based approaches to better understand how to support those in need.Monica joins us to shed light on the incredible work Walmart is doing to promote health and wellness within communities, especially for those facing health inequities. They delve into discussions on disability, attitudes, beliefs, and the importance of serving people with disabilities in society. The conversation takes a deep dive into vital topics such as social determinants of health, health disparities, and health inequities. Discover why Walmart has made it their mission to address these issues and how it's fundamentally ingrained in their values and goals.Monica also shares her insights on solving complex issues affecting marginalized communities and the innovative approaches required to make a lasting impact. Community emerges as a central theme, highlighting the pivotal role played by community-based organizations in this mission. Throughout the episode, we explore the core values and virtues that drive Monica's dedication to this work. Learn what motivates her every day and why she finds inspiration in serving others.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that uncovers the intersection of retail, health, and community, and how a giant like Walmart is making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Episode Resources:
- Connect with Monica Simmonds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-simmonds-msph-10268221b/
- About Monica Simmonds: https://monicasimmonds.com/
Are you or someone you know in search of essential resources and services within your community to meet unique needs? If you're seeking affordable housing, medical assistance, transportation, social support, or ways to become more involved in your community, this episode is a must-listen! In this informative episode, we're delving into a remarkable solution for a pervasive challenge faced by many individuals and families in search of specialized resources and services within their communities.
Mark Fafard has dedicated his efforts to creating a revolutionary web-based tool, "My Needs Network," an interactive platform has emerged as a beacon of hope for those grappling with finding the right resources to meet their specific needs. Tony and Mark's discussion navigates the genesis of My Needs Network and how it has evolved into an indispensable resource for individuals and families, especially those living with disabilities. The real magic lies in the fact that the platform is built with the intention to be continuosly improved and innovated by the very people it serves. Feedback, insights, and experiences from users will shape the platform into a robust network brimming with diverse resources and services across various categories.
But My Needs Network isn't just about locating services; it's a dynamic hub fostering connections, relationships, and empowerment. This episode unravels the platform's unique features that empower users to not only access resources but also to connect with one another, forming a supportive community that transcends the virtual realm. As Tony and Mark delve into the platform's current status and its immense potential, it's clear that the future is a tapestry woven by the community it serves. The platform's growth, evolution, and impact are intrinsically tied to the contributions of the individuals and families it caters to. Through sharing their stories, expertise, and support, users can transform into invaluable resources for others, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment.
"My Needs Network" is a testament to the strength of collaboration, empathy, and technology. With countless individuals seeking assistance yet unsure where to turn, this episode shines a light on the transformative power of My Needs Network in illuminating the path towards necessary resources. Tune in to uncover the captivating journey of its creation, its present impact, and the boundless possibilities it holds for a more connected and supported future.
Whether you're someone in need or someone who knows someone in need, this episode hopes to help you navigate towards connecting with the necessary resources.
My Needs Network Mission:
Designed for and driven by families and caretakers, My Needs Network is a special needs specific, community-based resource platform. We provide easy to use networking tools for special needs families and organizations to connect, share and find resources. My Needs Network’s abilities and content is solely dependent on the valuable information and expertise provided by the special needs community.
My Needs Network Message:
Dear Special Needs Community: Please note, this is YOUR platform so if you have any suggestions, edits, ideas, or comments that will lead to My Needs Network working for you, please let us know. This includes but not limited to:
- Resources that need to be added to the database
- Edits to preexisting resources
- Ideas for additional tools to be added to My Needs Network
- Ideas to improve existing My Needs Network tools
- General thoughts on improving My Needs Network overall
Contact Mark: mark@myneedsnetwork.com
Episode Resources:
- My Needs Network: https://www.myneedsnetwork.com/home
- Connect with Mark Fafard: https://www.myneedsnetwork.com/about/contact
In this captivating episode, we're joined by an inspiring individual who is making waves in the world of community engagement and empowerment. Ashlyn Michael, our Community Health Worker at The Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida, sits down with us to share her remarkable journey and shed light on the invaluable work she's been doing to foster a sense of belonging and visibility within the community.
In this candid conversation, we delve deep into Ashlyn's personal journey, navigating life with a low vision disability. Through her own experiences, she brings an unparalleled perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by those who often go unseen. We'll learn how Ashlyn's unique insight serves as a driving force behind her passion for making a real difference.
Together, Ashlyn and Tony dive into the heart of the matter—what does "community" truly mean? Through a thought-provoking conversation, they dissect how to authentically connect, ensuring every individual feels not just included, but celebrated. And it starts with one fundamental principle: asking and understanding what people what they truly need.
Disability identity comes to the forefront as Ashlyn eloquently articulates the complexities of defining oneself within the context of disabilities. The conversation delves into the intrinsic drive to serve others and the core values that fuel Ashlyn's dedication to her work. From adaptability to social fluency, and from empathy to the innate desire to make a positive impact, listeners gain insight into the qualities that make Ashlyn's approach so effective and inspiring.
Episode Resources:
- School Outreach Efforts with Emily, Ashlyn, and Alex: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sWqWNATodvumpI44mYxbE?si=7SWx7YanQqiF9RVBxf6oqw
- Bridging The Gap Between Clinic and Community, with Dr. Nancy Hardt: https://open.spotify.com/episode/464ZxjFSJVLPwoxJyA1yR6?si=8xzMte6gQWuCf9fImQyYqA
Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with Sean, whose life changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2003. From facing initial misdiagnosis to navigating insurance denials, Sean's journey sheds light on the harsh realities individuals with disabilities endure. Discover how he embraced optimism and empowered himself with a positive mindset, leading to remarkable transformations. Sean's passion for writing led him to explore the legacy of Justin Dart, the Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and delve into the rich history of the disability rights movement. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on courage, resilience, and the power of positivity in the face of adversity.
Meet Sean Spence, a visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to community service, organizational development, and fundraising. Throughout his career, Sean has honed his expertise in various domains, including marketing, event production, and business management, amassing an impressive track record of raising over $20 million to support critical causes.
Sean's entrepreneurial spirit has driven him to found and successfully run two ventures: The Sunrise Agency, a thriving marketing firm, and Community Events, a renowned event production company. Additionally, he contributed significantly to a $700 million e-commerce company, serving on its esteemed leadership team.
With a keen understanding of marketing and organizational building, Sean has traversed diverse roles, gaining invaluable insights along the way. Today, he channels his passion and skills to collaborate with The Salvation Army, where he actively raises funds and awareness to empower those living in poverty and facing the aftermath of disasters.
Sean Spence's journey is a testament to his dedication to making a positive impact in the world, and his determination to build a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Episode Resources:
- Breaking Barriers: Disability History in the United States
On this episode, Tony is joined by Founder and CEO of Abilities Workshop, Jeanetta Bryant. Abilities Workshop is dedicated to serving families and caregivers to those with special needs so that they can be their best. If you have a child that has been diagnosed with Autism or another Special Needs Diagnosis, Abilities Workshop is here to help. They offer a variety of programs and workshops to help you and your family navigate this process. They also have series that have been designed for the newly diagnosed family's all the way through to families looking for ways to find success as an adult.
Jeanetta Bryant is a dynamic and compassionate leader in the special needs community. With over 10 years of experience in the industry and 3 years with Abilities Workshop, Inc., she has dedicated her career to restoring hope and encouragement to families with children who have special needs.
Her journey into this field began when her daughter was diagnosed with a medical condition. Over the last decade, Jeanetta has witnessed her child defy the odds and overcome their diagnoses, inspiring her to become an advocate, author, and speaker. She has written books, developed learning apps, and founded a non-profit organization to provide resources and support to families in need.
Prior to starting her non-profit, Jeanetta had a diverse background in entrepreneurship and corporate sales, managing national accounts in a business-to-business environment. With a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Information Technology - Digital Media, she is skilled in programming, graphic design, advertising, and marketing.
Jeanetta is a dreamer who believes in hard work and never giving up on a project. She is known for her honesty, thoughtfulness, compassion, quick decision-making abilities, and her willingness to constantly learn and adapt to different audiences.
At Abilities Workshop, Inc, Jeanetta works with parents, pastors, and teachers to help children with special needs reach their full potential. She provides workshops, podcasts, live events, and publications to help families access the resources they need. The organization also participates in local resource fairs, events, and walks, and provides materials for other events.
In her personal life, Jeanetta is a big fan of chocolate, romantic comedies, and college football (Go Noles!). But her true pride and joy is her family - her husband Matt Bryant and their two children, Jackson and Lindsey. Together, they love making memories at theme parks and simply laughing and talking in the kitchen.
Overall, Jeanetta Bryant is a dedicated advocate for families with special needs and an inspiring leader in the community. She is committed to working together with others to provide support, resources, and hope to those who need it most.
- (407) 951-6117
- Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC): https://autism.org/autism-treatment-evaluation-checklist/
In this thought-provoking episode, we are joined by Sarah Catalanotto, as we delve into the remarkable work of Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) in the state of Florida. Join us as we explore the extensive programming AHEC offers to promote health and facilitate the learning of pre-health professionals, including medical doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physician assistants, and physical therapists.
AHEC goes beyond traditional classroom education, providing invaluable hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice. By working with individuals facing health disparities, AHEC nurtures essential skills such as health literacy, cultural competencies, and an understanding of social determinants of health.
Our guest, Sarah, shares her personal experiences with disability and how she has channeled her knowledge and passion into serving people with disabilities through AHEC. Together, we explore the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in navigating the healthcare system and discuss the significance of addressing these issues head-on.
As an adjunct professor at the University of Florida in the College of Public Health and Health Professions, Sarah teaches a course called Community-Based Participatory Research. At the heart of this course is discovering how to engage communities, gain their trust, and empower them to identify their needs. We explore the development of programs and policies that address these needs and discuss sustainable approaches to community health initiatives.
Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of mobilizing communities to improve the health of individuals with disabilities. By empowering communities, we can tackle the root causes of preventable diseases and work towards a future where everyone can lead longer, healthier lives.
Join us for this enlightening episode as Sarah shares her insights and advice on how to navigate the healthcare system, mobilize communities, and champion the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Together, we can foster positive change and build a healthier, more inclusive society.
Sarah Catalanotto, MPH, CTTS, is the Executive Director at Suwannee River Area Health Education Center. Sarah has been with Suwannee River AHEC since 2011. In this role, she plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the center’s programming and day-to-day operations. In addition, Sarah assists with grant writing and the development and management of the organization’s budgets, along with coordination of two statewide and two national associations. Prior to working at Suwannee River AHEC, she was a Tobacco Prevention Specialist within the Alachua County Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, and served as a Community Coordinator for the Chronic Disease Program. Sarah received her Bachelor of Art in Political Science and Sociology from Flagler College. Following her passion in healthcare and access to care, she pursed a degree in Public Health from the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions.
Episode Resources
- Suwannee River AHEC: https://srahec.org/
- Suwannee River AHEC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/srahec/
- Suwannee River Area Health Education Center: p: (386) 462-1551
- Connect with Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-catalanotto-mph-ctts-0b35a31a/
- Smoking Cessation In Populations With Disabilities with Sarah Catalanotto and Tobacco Free Florida: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nGPRDGUV1nYsTZFuVjPb4
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, join hosts Tony Delisle and Vanessa Spero as they delve into the multifaceted world of disability. In their engaging webinar, they unravel the intricacies of disability - exploring the definition, synonyms, and positive language associated with the term "disability."
Tony and Vanessa go beyond mere definitions to discuss the concept of independent living and the vibrant culture surrounding it. They explore the attitudes and beliefs that shape our understanding of disability, addressing the pervasive issue of stigma within society.
Together, they provide a comprehensive view by discussing the perspectives of individuals working within the disability community, as well as sharing insights from those with personal experiences of disability. Through their conversations, they hope listeners gain a broader understanding of the diverse range of experiences and perspectives within the disability community.
Understanding the lexicon, laws, and cultural aspects surrounding disability can be daunting for those with limited exposure. Drawing from their own personal and professional experiences, Tony and Vanessa offer listeners an intimate glimpse into the world of disability, with the intentions of shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, while also highlighting the incredible resilience and strength within the community.
Stereotypes and stigmas are confronted head-on in this enlightening conversation. Tony and Vanessa debunk common misconceptions and provide invaluable insights to improve communication and foster inclusivity when interacting with people with disabilities. Additionally, they touch upon important legislation and laws pertaining to disability rights, empowering listeners to advocate for equality and accessibility.
Join us in this engaging and heartfelt discussion, as we challenge preconceived notions, and inspire listeners to embrace diversity and inclusion.
Note: This podcast episode is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or medical advice.
Mark Salzer, PhD is a professor and former department chair in the College of Public Health at Temple University. He has also been the principal investigator and director of the Temple University RRTC on Community Living and Participation For People with Serious Mental Illnesses, a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, since 2003. The RRTC is part of the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities (www.tucollaborative.org). Prior to coming to Temple University he was a faculty member at Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and was most recently an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Dr. Salzer has been the principal or co-principal investigator on more than $30 million in federally funded research grants, has published more than 150 articles and book chapters on the delivery of effective community mental health and rehabilitation services to individuals with psychiatric disabilities, and has given more than 450 presentations around the world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Israel, England, Australia and New Zealand. His awards include the Paul W. Eberman Faculty Research Award from Temple University, the Bell of Hope Award from Mental Health Partnerships (Philadelphia, PA), the Impact Award from NAMI of PA Montgomery County, and the 18th Annual Bruce Woodcock Memorial Lecture in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Salzer has been interviewed on CNN, NPR, the Australian Broadcast Company, and various other news outlets.
During Dr. Salzer’s seven years as a department chair he oversaw an 80% increase in student enrollment, hired more than 15 faculty members, led a dramatic increase in research funding, and supported successful accreditation efforts in occupational therapy and recreational therapy. He has served on more than 30 departmental, college and university committees, including being appointed by the president of the university as co-chair of the Periodic Review Report Steering Committee for Middle States Accreditation. His service to the field has included roles as associate editor of two journals, being an ad hoc peer reviewer for dozens of journals, and participating on more than 40 grant review panels and competitions for U.S. and international funders. He also works closely with government and community agencies, and has been a part of proposals that have resulted in more than $25 million in new service grants.
Episode Resources:
- The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion: https://www.tucollaborative.org/
In our last episode, we had on Jonathan Pruden, Wounded Warrior Project’s® Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for Warrior Care, who shared his journey of disability and finding purpose in supporting veterans with service-connected disabilities. As an Army veteran, Jonathan's firsthand experience as an IED casualty in Iraq led him to advocate for fellow warriors. He testifies before Congress, develops programs like Working with Wounded Warriors, and promotes peer support. Jonathan's commitment extends to volunteering, policy work, and speaking engagements, highlighting the challenges faced by injured service members. If you didn't get a chance chance to listen to the previous episode, we encourage you to listen to the enlightening conversation of empowerment and resilience with Jonathan.
In this episode, we explore the impactful work of the Wounded Warrior Project’s®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting injured service members and veterans. Join us as we delve into the programs and services offered by WWP, ranging from physical and mental health support to career counseling and adaptive sports. Discover how WWP promotes holistic care and assists wounded veterans in transitioning to civilian life. We also discuss the organization's advocacy efforts and public awareness campaigns, shedding light on the challenges faced by injured veterans. Tune in to gain insights into the inspiring initiatives of the Wounded Warrior Project and their mission to empower and uplift wounded warriors.
Episode Resources:
Wounded Warrior Project®: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Join us on this episode as we dive into the inspiring story of Jonathan Pruden, Wounded Warrior Project’s® Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for Warrior Care. This is the first of two parts where Jonathan shares his journey into disability and how he found his purpose in helping other veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Jonathan Pruden is an Army veteran and the Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for Warrior Care at Wounded Warrior Project. He provides assistance to warriors in complex crisis situations, conducts initial assessments, and refers them to appropriate internal or external resources. Jonathan is also a liaison for high profile warrior care cases, ensuring rapid, coordinated, and collaborative responses.
During his military service, he served as a Medical Service Corps Officer and later as an Infantry Officer. Jonathan was on the initial invasion of Iraq with 3rd Infantry Division and on July 1st, 2003 became one of the first Improvised Explosive Device (IED) casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite undergoing 20 operations, including the amputation of his right leg, he earned his MA in Public Affairs from the University of Florida and began working with Wounded Warrior Project.
Jonathan has testified before U.S. Senate and U.S. House committees on affairs such as DoD-VA Transition Issues, Palliative Care, Prosthetics/DME, and support for caregivers and care for those struggling with PTS and TBI. He has also helped develop various programs, including the Working with Wounded Warriors (W4) program for the White House and WWP's Peer Support Program, which trains warriors on how they can support their brothers and sisters just beginning their road to recovery.
In addition to his work at Wounded Warrior Project, Jonathan volunteers at the VA and Team Rubicon, and serves on several government and non-profit advisory boards and steering committees. He regularly engages in policy work and speaks to groups about his experiences and the challenges faced by injured service members.
Learn more about advocating for veterans with service-connected disabilities on this must-listen episode. Get ready to be inspired by Jonathan's journey of purpose!
Episode Resources:
Wounded Warrior Project®: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we continue to pull the thread on community with Dr. Laura Guyer. As we emerge from the isolation brought by the COVID pandemic, we believe that reconnecting, re-engaging, and reuniting our community and the community of people with disabilities is more important than ever.Tony and Dr. Guyer met at the University of Florida and have worked together on collaborative efforts for a few years now, working to build community academic partnerships. In this episode, they discuss the concept of community health workers and how this model can be used to meet the needs of our community, especially those living in rural areas.Community health workers are people who represent the target communities, such as communities for people with disabilities. For example, if we want to meet the education needs of people with disabilities, we may consider targeting a student in high school or their parents to be a community health worker. Another example is our newest program, the AgrAbility project, which aims to aid farmers, ranchers, other agricultural workers, and farm family members living with a disability. We may target a farmer who has a disability and who is interested in helping support other farmers who have disabilities.Dr. Guyer and Tony discuss the utility of community health workers in meeting the needs of rural communities. The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida serves 16 out of the 67 counties in Florida, and they are predominantly rural communities. They also delve into how the counties in our rural area rank in county health rankings and the work that needs to be done in promoting the health of these counties.They also discuss how we can potentially propose cracking the code on addressing the needs of people in rural communities, by the use of community health workers. Join us in this conversation to learn more about the importance of community health workers and their potential to serve our communities in need.
In this episode, we continue our conversation about the Florida AgrAbility project and talk about how important this program is to our farmers in Florida and to our community. If you haven't had a chance to listen to our previous episode on AgrAbility with Lindsey Head and Serap Gorucu, we highly encourage you to take a listen and learn about the Who, What, and Why of Florida AgrAbility. In this conversation, Vanessa lays the ground work for her enthusiasm for disability advocacy, as a mother of a son who has down syndrome. Vanessa Spero works for the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension as a 4-H Youth Development Agent. She earned her BS from Cornell University in Animal Sciences and her MS from Florida Institute of Technology in Environmental Education. She has worked for extension for 6 years. Previously she had volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa, the Jane Goodall Institute in East Africa, and owned and operated her own non-profit in East Africa. Her interests led her to a pursue a career in non-formal education with a focus on teaching about the environment. More specifically within Extension, her programs began to focus on gardening with youth. By teaming up with the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Brevard (Elizabeth Shephard), she began targeting healthy eating and nutrition concepts as part of her programming. Over the years she has presented at national conferences (North American Association for Environmental Education, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Extension Professionals of Florida, etc.), received awards (National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Environmental Education Award, Florida Association of Extension 4-H Agents Program in Excellence Award, etc.), and secured grant funding (United Healthcare, Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Sciences, etc.), to promote gardening and healthy eating initiatives.
Episode Resources:
- Florida 4-H: https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/
- A Soccer for Success Innovation: https://ussoccerfoundation.org/blog/a-soccer-for-success-innovation/
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office) 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The National AgrAbility Project is a federally-funded program that aims to help farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities to continue working and living independently. The project is a collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and various universities across the country.The primary goal of the National AgrAbility Project is to provide assistance to agricultural workers who have physical, cognitive, or other disabilities that may make it difficult for them to perform their work safely and efficiently. The project provides a variety of services to help these workers overcome the barriers that they may face in their work, including:
- On-site assessments: AgrAbility staff members can visit a farm or ranch to assess the needs of the worker and make recommendations for modifications to the workplace or equipment that may help them to work more comfortably and safely.
- Technical assistance: AgrAbility staff members can provide information about adaptive technology and equipment that may be useful for agricultural workers with disabilities, as well as training on how to use this equipment.
- Education and training: The National AgrAbility Project offers workshops, webinars, and other training opportunities for agricultural workers with disabilities, as well as their families and caregivers. These events cover a wide range of topics related to agriculture and disability, including assistive technology, financial planning, and workplace safety.
- Peer support: The project also provides opportunities for agricultural workers with disabilities to connect with others who have similar experiences, through support groups, mentoring programs, and other peer-to-peer support services.
Overall, the National AgrAbility Project is a valuable resource for agricultural workers with disabilities who want to continue working in the field. The project helps to ensure that these workers can work safely and efficiently, while maintaining their independence and quality of life.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Serap Gorucu, PhD from the department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The University of Florida and Lindsey Head, Principal Investigator for the Florida AgrAbility Program. The National Agrability Project has been around since 1990 and is now in 21 states. This is the first time Florida has received funding for this program. Serap and Lindsey discuss why agriculture is so important for everybody, as it touches everything from food, medicine, transportation, clothes, and more. Agriculture is fundamental to our society and culture, and they delve into what farming culture is like. They also talk about why they are inspired and passionate to support those who work in agriculture.The Florida Agrability program received notice of award 8 months ago in August 2022 and now has an amazing team whose goal is to serve farmers and those who work in agriculture and have disabilities or have been injured. Agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions in the United States, making it crucial to reach out to this community, meet them, gain their trust, and better understand their needs and challenges so that they can continue farming. Serap and Lindsey both emphasize that farmers are the backbone of our society, and supporting them is essential. They talk about their “why” - why farming, why a program like this exists, and why they do it. Tune in to learn more about how the AgrAbility project is helping to support farmers and agricultural workers with disabilities, and why it is so important to continue this work.
Episode Resources:
- Website: http://agrability.ifas.ufl.edu
- E-mail: fl-agrability@ufl.edu
- Phone: 352-262-0265
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fl.agrability
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/FL_AgrAbility
Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities is an essential step towards creating a more inclusive, equitable society. People with disabilities are often subjected to discrimination, lack adequate access to resources and services, and are underrepresented in the public sphere. Disability advocacy seeks to address these issues by amplifying their voices and advocating for improved policy changes.
On today's episode, Jane Johnson joins us to recap CIL Day at the Capital, which took place on January 26th. Tony, CIL Gainesville staff, and others throughout the Independent Living Network converged at the Capital in Tallahassee; they met with legislators and heads of state agencies to talk about the Legislative Agenda. Jane and Tony get into a conversation about advocacy, unpacking the current legislative agenda, and the pillars of The Independent Living Movement. They also discuss their partnership with special programs such as Agrability, which supports farmers with disabilities, and a pilot program serving inmates with disabilities who are preparing to be released back into the community.
We also talk about the upcoming expiration of the Federal COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, which is set to expire on May 11, 2023. For those on Medicaid or knows anyone on Medicaid, this is an extremely important episode to listen to, to ensure that you are not left without the type of insurance and resources you need when this executive order expires.
Episode Resources:
- Check Your Eligibility via Access My Florida: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/
Self-Direction. Participant-Direction. Consumer-Direction. Regardless of what it is called in your state, these phrases represent a long term-care option for Medicaid eligible individuals and their families that puts them in control. If you or a loved one is an individual with disabilities, chronically ill, or simply aging, self-directed home care is your alternative for supporting you in performing everyday activities. Your alternative to admittance into restrictive long-term institutional care, or to using a home-care staffing agency that offers little to no choice or control over your support workers and services.
Public Partnerships | PPL supports you and your family in that choice to remain in your home and community. As Medicaid law in most states prohibits direct cash payments, our role as a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider, is to help you in your role of the employer of your own support workers. They assist you in hiring, paying for your choice of support workers and services, all within your state-approved personalized spending budget and local rules.
Mark Altieri is the V.P. of Business Development for Public Partnerships. He joins us on this episode to share his story and his family's experience with homecare. Mark works passionately to empower people who have chosen to remain independent in their homes and active within their communities. He talks about the services that Public Partnerships offers, ranging from helping people navigate through complex systems of eligibility, enrolling people into the services they need, providing homecare services, and helping people to live an independent life. Public Partnerships works to empower people to have and make the choices that are necessary in their lives to stay in their homes without having to go into unnecessary institutionalized care.
Episode Resources:
- Public Partnerships: https://www.publicpartnerships.com/
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Cheryl Russell shares her journey in discovering her own disability and her experience of being a parent with a disability. She is an IPE Advocate (Individualized Education Plan) for parents with students who have a disability in the school system. She helps parents and guardians with students with disabilities prepare for for the IEP Program, helping to set the expectations for what to do before, during, and after IEP meetings. Cheryl works to ensure parents and students have the necessary resources to be successful academically and beyond. She provides real skills and knowledge that’s needed to be successful in these IEP meetings.
Cheryl also talks about the 4th Annual Disability Resource Expo, held locally in Gainesville, FL. This is a day event will take place Saturday February 4th at Trinity Church, from 11am - 3pm. The expo will have community based organizations, public agencies, private businesses, faith based organizations, providing all different types of resources for people with disabilities and their families, from infants to seniors. The expo will also have free screenings for vision, auditory, and education. This year, the expo will also be providing physical screenings for blood glucose for diabetes, blood pressure, COVID-19 vaccines, and the seasonal flu vaccines.
This expo is driven by those who are needing these resources and asking themselves, “How can we serve?”
Resources:
- Disability Resource Expo Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/2eVSqObji
- Sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e4ca5a92ea2fa7-disability1#/
Nancy Hardt is known for her dedicated commitment, demonstrated leadership, innovative approaches and proven impact on improving access to primary care health services and positive health outcomes of Florida’s at-risk populations. Her innovative approaches for positively impacting health outcomes in Florida include: data to action -- providing data in a format that is both engaging and focused through hotspot density maps that depict prevalence of adverse health conditions at the census block level; place-based interventions – taking the services to underserved populations; telling the story; and providing hands-on opportunities for students to personally experience serving at-risk populations. In Alachua County, she is a leader promoting productive community collaborations to provide services to people where they live and work. Hardt has built up community assets, enhanced organizational capacity, supported training programs and fostered system change that has led to lasting policy changes to improve health.
In retirement, she collaborates with community leaders to address local health equity issues, specifically early childhood brain development as an important social determinant of adult health. A health report card for Alachua County was developed by Dr. Hardt, and key indicators were mapped, resulting in numerous community actions to respond to highlighted health inequities. She spearheaded the University response, the Mobile Outreach Clinic, in which an interprofessional team meets the needs of the underserved in neighborhoods throughout Alachua County.
In six years of operation, more than 23,000 free health care visits were provided by community health professionals, faculty, and student volunteers. This effort resulted in a significant reduction in premature births and documented cases of child abuse and neglect.
She co-founded the innovative Intimate Partner Violence Clinic in conjunction with the College of Law, in which law and medical students learn together how best to meet the needs of victims. This clinic has over 99% success obtaining orders of protection on behalf of their clients, more than twice the rate of success in this community. The law-medicine partnership led to formation of Peace4Gainesville which seeks to reduce trauma and enhance resilience for children and adults.
She serves on the statewide AIDS Education Advisory team, The Healthy and Safe Schools Coalition, Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Team. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow serving as a health legislative advisor for U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She has served in faculty positions at the universities of Florida, Kentucky, Memphis and Tennessee. Her undergraduate degree is from Sweet Briar College and her Medical Doctorate is from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.
Resources:
- UF Health Disparities Research and Intervention Program: https://ufhealthdisparities.med.ufl.edu/about/health-disparities-info/
- Lars and the Real Girl: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/
- Crip Camp: https://cripcamp.com/
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this episode, we present a panel discussion about disability identity. At a state conference .. Tony had the opportunity to moderate this panel discussion based on the topic of disability identity. This discussion is both critical and foundational to who we are as people; disability helps to really form our perspective of who we are and our place in the world, which drives our thoughts, words, and actions. Understanding how all this impacts our identity is such an important aspect of having a disability.
Panelists:
- Drew Dees: CILNCF High School High Tech Coordinator
- Whitney Doyle: Executive Director for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technologies (FAAST)
- Sarah Goldman: Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives for the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC)
- Chris Littlewood: Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Center for Public Safety Innovation (CPSI) at St. Petersburg College; FILC
Today we wrap up Season 2 of The Independent Life Podcast and what a season it has been! On today’s episode, Tony emphasizes the message on unity and the shared human condition that we call disability.
He reiterates the thread we’ve pulled on throughout the podcast, of this idea that we can always work towards becoming better versions of ourselves; collectively, we’re on a quest to create and fulfill our purpose. We may not be there yet but knowing that there is power in knowing that there are so many ways we can seek to improve ourselves - mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, professionally, financially, etc. It is part of the human condition to seek improvement.
We invite you to continue along this journey with us, as we aim to see things from the perspective of others; to share conversations about independent living and connections in a safe space. In preparation for Season 3, we’re going to be working to expand our message across more platforms so that we have more reach with our messaging, tying our advocacy efforts into the services that CILs and the IL Network provides to its community and consumers.
Our Call To Action is this: We want to hear from you. To our listeners and our community, we want hear what you have been going through and your experiences; what’s on your mind and in your hearts that you want to share with the world? Our intentions and hope is to facilitate more engagement and connections within our community.
One of the Independent Living philosophies is to be consumer driven, consumer created, and consumer controlled. This is the goal we seek to build a better tomorrow. As social beings, we’re wired for the need to come together, to be there for one another; we are better together, stronger together. This is our opportunity to create the tomorrow that we all want through unity, through disability.
Connect with Us! We want to hear from you!
- Contact: theindependentlifepodcast@gmail.com
- Instagram: @TheIndependentLifePodcast
On our final dojo for the season, Tony wraps up his reflections on the remaining dojo episodes, N-Z, as he continues to share his takeaways on the threads we’ve pulled within these dojos. Let's always remain mindful as we continue traveling the road of becoming the best version of ourselves possible.
Key Takeaways:
- 00:00:46 Need
- 00:04:54 Opportunity
- 00:07:29 Purpose, Passion, and Philosophy
- 00:13:55 Questions
- 00:16:39 Resistance and Resilience
- 00:22:06 Suffering and Service
- 00:26:07 Time
- 00:22:06 Suffering and Service
- 00:26:07 Time
- 00:29:37 Unity
- 00:33:32 Values, Virtues, and Vulnerability
- 00:39:21 X-Men Superheroes
- 00:44:32 Youth Transition
- 00:47:51 Zen and Zeno
On today’s dojo, Tony’s intention is to take stock in what we’ve talked about on the past Disability Dojo episodes from Season 2. This is Part 1 of his reflections, A-M, on some of the threads we’ve pulled within these dojos, so that we can continue work towards becoming the best version of ourselves possible.
Key Takeaways:
- 00:01:23 Authenticity
Being authentic to our true selves as we are delivering our services to consumers * 00:03:51 Beliefs and Behaviors
Do we have a fixed mindset and limiting beliefs or do we have a growth mindset to believe that we can capable? What can we do to facilitate taking on or giving up behaviors that can help transform our lives? * 00:07:36 Choice and Control
Freedom to make the choices in our own lives and, understanding what is up to us and what is not up to us * 00:09:34 Disability and Diversity
Two things that unify and brings us together. We are built on diverse cultures and societies and we share the ability to celebrate those differences. * 00:12:14 Equality and Equity
Equality represents each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities that are needed to reach that equal outcome * 00:15:28 Forgiveness
Forgiving of others for the wrong they may have done us for our own health and wellbeing. Forgiving for our own wrongdoings and for when we haven’t been the best versions of ourselves to others, and commit to being better. * 00:18:27 Gratitude
Gratitude can serve as an antidote to getting beyond the stress and allow us to be grateful for the circumstances that life has given us. Exercising gratitude practices on a regular or daily basis, can help to benefit overall wellbeing and quality of life. * 00:22:10 Humility
Humility keeps us in that lane of seeking to always learn and to not think we’re better than others. Being in the seat of the learner and always seeking to learn more * 00:25:22 Independence
Recognizing that independence can be an individualized meaning that is different for each person and each lived experiences. It’s meaning can also be on a spectrum based on social and environmental context. Independence is uniquely gifted to each of us * 00:28:48 Justice
The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. There’s things in history that happened that shouldn’t have happen and it is our responsibility to work towards bringing equilibrium to those situations * 00:31:39 Kindness
The importance of being good and loving to one another. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; treat other people with the concern and kindness you would like them to show toward you. * 00:35:14 Love
Love for ourselves, love for our family, love for our neighbor. Recognizing that love should be given to other people regardless if it is ever returned. * 00:37:46 Meditatio Malorum
Meditating on our own mortality, inviting us to think about the last day that we’re going to live on the very day that is right in front of us; how would we choose to live this day and make it our best? What thoughts would you hold if you knew you only had today left to live? The idea of (pre)Meditatio Malorum is not induce panic or depression but rather to live our best day possible, with our reflection and meditation on our own mortality. The lesson here is to try and choose the best thoughts, the best words, and the best actions possible to live the best day that we can have.
On today’s episode, Tony dives into a conversation with Dave Platt about assistive computing and his journey into making technological devices more accessible for people with disabilities and older adults.
Dave teaches user experience engineering at Harvard University Extension School, and at companies all over the world. He is the author of 12 books, and of MSDN Magazine’s monthly back-page column “Don’t Get Me Started” . Microsoft designated him a Software Legend in 2002
Dave’s journey into assisted computing and innovative technologies started when his father began experiencing limitations with the devices and technologies he wanted to use on a regular basis. Dave wanted to make sure his father had access to music, movies, sports, and all the things that he enjoyed watching or listening to. He sought out solutions to making these complicated systems, simpler. In his class at Harvard University Extension School, he assigns a project to his students to pick something that is widely used in the general population and thats technologically driven, then develop a way to make it simpler and more accessible for people with disabilities and those that might have limitations.
He started researching and teaching about user experience at Harvard extension school with the knowledge that we can now build any kind of software that we want to build - we’re no longer constrained by limitations. Now anything that we think can make our users happy or more productive is something that we can pursue developing. Dave shares the sentiment that anytime that a software does not meet its potential or does not meet the needs of its users, its not because we couldn’t do the right thing, but rather its because we didn’t know what the right thing was to do - at that time.
In this conversation Dave helped Tony to better understand the culture of programmers and helped to widen his perspective of it, sharing that there is a younger generation out there who are looking out for us so that we can be included in this wonderful new world. Together, Tony and Dave collectively resonate on a quote by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Episode Resources:
- Dave's Assisted Computing™ project where you can find the original Spotify music app that Dave built for his Dad: https://assistedcomputing.org/
- TV Remote App for his dad: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/plattdave_dear-readers-im-looking-to-make-a-usable-activity-6947664384999452673-tHVr/
- Why Software Sucks...and What You Can Do About It: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321466756/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0321466756&linkCode=as2&tag=rollingthun01-20&linkId=CZVH2NMYBIMACAEB
On today’s dojo, Tony talks natural disasters and how we, as a community, respond to them. Anticipating the arrival of Hurricane Ian as it approached Florida’s West Coast, Tony reflects on previous hurricanes that have been met by Florida’s coastline, noting that many are still working to recover and heal from storms from over a decade ago.
When it comes to natural disasters, it affects everybody. No matter where we are geographically, shelters are getting activated due to increased occurrences of natural disasters. During these times, people with disabilities tend to be the most vulnerable population, before, during, and after disasters. Unfortunately, we are not yet at a place where we have systems in place to ensure all their needs are met, especially in the aftermath when the charge is recovery and helping people get back their lives.
Disasters are going to keep happening and our ability to respond efficiently and effectively is something that needs our attention today. Once disaster strikes, these issues become much more complicated. To ensure that all people are safe before, during, and after disasters, is something that we have to continually work towards getting better at, if we want to evolve together, as a culture, a community, and group of people that are connected and unified.
Remember to.. “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Emergency Preparedness Episodes:
- The North Central and Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FIqW7SyoDVs2ll1bULbBp?si=fVxbgb98RYCbeGkWms-UqQ
- Emergency Preparedness Collaboration: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YhzJQdhUHPJRcWYI0Qerv?si=6A0YQbnoRmuQ9bSx5dOoMg
- Emergency Management Leadership with Peter Newman: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pmpVxI3Po2lhSsLCfHPW2?si=1m8A9J7GQJ-4tbHSp2MfuQ
- Service Animal Preparedness and Advocacy with Laura Lee Putzback: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Wd47qY1GuLKyu4577NvbK?si=uJX3A9JHSTyiOailKBB6dw
- Emergency Management Disability Liaison with Laura George: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WXRNwbXdWtwPGdlu7mHS7?si=DEK_6gQRQmC4uF0YbFrG2g
- The Crucial Role of The Independent Living Network In Times of Emergency Preparedness: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WXRNwbXdWtwPGdlu7mHS7?si=DEK_6gQRQmC4uF0YbFrG2g
Gerry Altamirano is an Inclusion Strategist at Tangible Development. He joins us back on the podcast with an exciting conversation around being socially conscience, civics minded, and philosophically astute. Gerry describes himself as an emotionally intelligent relationship builder who believes in changing people’s hearts and minds by connecting them to their why.
On this episode, Tony talks with Gerry about how he was raised, all the different parts of his identity, and how they intersect with one another. Gerry reflects on how all these factors have helped to shape his philosophical approach to disability, inclusion, equity, access, and how it has allowed him to become to successful in the area of his working with organizations to help promote disability inclusion. Gerry has an incredible amount of experience in this area, as he talks about some of the challenges and facilitators of where we have been, where we are today, and where we are going, in terms of the disability movement.
Gerry opens up about the challenges that advocates have in this area of work and shares some of the ways he thinks we can make sure that we all stay on the same page. His effort aims to lift each other up and to be sources of inspiration, regardless of our background, acknowledging that people have different experiences and how that helps to form how we see the world. Despite our differences, how we can all get together and become unified even if we come from different places and backgrounds?
Learn more about Tangible Developments: https://twitter.com/tangibledevel
On today’s dojo, Tony reflects on the Autumn Season and the lessons it can bring us as it related to preparations and harvest. The fall season is rich in examples. Tony takes this time to reflect upon the things he’s planted in the days, weeks, and months leading up to this season that would allow for an abundant harvest.
If you’re listening to this episode, Tony’s hope is that you can take stock of what’s around you and the changes in the air. Take time thinking about areas in your life that you’re benefiting from today that is a direct result from what you planted in the days, weeks, and months leading up to today. Take the time to ask yourself, “What could you be planting that you’ll be benefiting from in the future?”
On today’s dojo, Tony reflects on the Autumn Season and the lessons it can bring us as it related to preparations and harvest. The fall season is rich in examples. Tony takes this time to reflect upon the things he’s planted in the days, weeks, and months leading up to this season that would allow for an abundant harvest.
If you’re listening to this episode, Tony’s hope is that you can take stock of what’s around you and the changes in the air. Take time thinking about areas in your life that you’re benefiting from today that is a direct result from what you planted in the days, weeks, and months leading up to today. Take the time to ask yourself, “What could you be planting that you’ll be benefiting from in the future?”
Joining us on today’s episode is the one, the only, Jane Johnson. A dear friend and true champion of the Independent Living Network, we welcome Jane back onto the podcast to discuss legislative updates that includes new leadership, new funding opportunities, and keeping the end goal in mind. The Independent Living Network is currently in an expansive phase with opportunities on the horizon that could see tremendous impact within the community for people with disabilities.
Diving straight into the current changes that have already happened at the state level, Jane expresses an opportunity have a great fresh start with new leadership, sensing a much more open communication style and willingness to partner towards efforts that will improve the IL Network and the impact on CILs within their catch-men areas.
They talk in depth about the recent pilots with the Florida Department of Correction, a program conducted with inmates who are incarcerated, to provide an accessible employee readiness program. Through collaboration efforts, a trauma informed curriculum designed and developed for students with disabilities. This tremendous effort would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment from Lindsey Telg, Dr. Jacob Atem, Tony, and Jane to trail blaze this initiative to where it is today. Collectively, they worked to develop this training that every inmate is required to receive prior to being released. The pilot received overwhelming positive feedback from the department of corrections, as well as from the inmates who took the class. As a result of such great outcome, they’re now looking at taking the pilot to the next phase and expanding the program throughout the state. See below for episodes resources related to the creation and impact of this effort.
Jane has also been fundamental in supporting the efforts of the independent living network. She works tirelessly to ensure proper funding to operate initiatives, such as Adult Transitions, which helps to get people out of institutionalize care or prevent them from entering into institutionalized care by providing the necessary services in order to help keep them in the community. This effort also manifests into a lot of different services at Centers For Independent Living.
Jane exemplifies how to be a force for good and how to do this by not getting lost and selling out to the system but instead to be better because of it. She shares how she doesn’t allow herself to be associated with certain legislators or political parties but rather to be associated to the cause, which is independent living. For Jane, that is the one thing - supporting people disabilities to live as independently as possible. For her, that is a constant that doesn’t change no matter who she’s talking to or making a funding request from. The needs are the same: serving at risk and underserved populations. In closing, Jane talks about how diligence is the mother of good luck, that things don’t just happen; its the right time, right place, right people coming together and willing to work together for an outcome.
Episode Resources:
- Occupational Therapy with Lindsey Telg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EsAHhJH4LXnLgmzB3jhWa?si=lSfBD9AlTbOQYov2tRPwKg
- Taking Back The Pen and Rewriting Our Story with Lindsey Telg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vCwrV3CLVSz96LHPOEtoJ?si=WTOFeXP4Q3SMRLYKTrDqXA
- Choice, Freedom, and The Independent Life with Dr. Jacob Atem: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NFGGPUub489wk6HMepgHQ?si=EzjahpHLQm6djCzz6I_4CA
Joining us on today’s episode is the one, the only, Jane Johnson. A dear friend and true champion of the Independent Living Network, we welcome Jane back onto the podcast to discuss legislative updates that includes new leadership, new funding opportunities, and keeping the end goal in mind. The Independent Living Network is currently in an expansive phase with opportunities on the horizon that could see tremendous impact within the community for people with disabilities.
Diving straight into the current changes that have already happened at the state level, Jane expresses an opportunity have a great fresh start with new leadership, sensing a much more open communication style and willingness to partner towards efforts that will improve the IL Network and the impact on CILs within their catch-men areas.
They talk in depth about the recent pilots with the Florida Department of Correction, a program conducted with inmates who are incarcerated, to provide an accessible employee readiness program. Through collaboration efforts, a trauma informed curriculum designed and developed for students with disabilities. This tremendous effort would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment from Lindsey Telg, Dr. Jacob Atem, Tony, and Jane to trail blaze this initiative to where it is today. Collectively, they worked to develop this training that every inmate is required to receive prior to being released. The pilot received overwhelming positive feedback from the department of corrections, as well as from the inmates who took the class. As a result of such great outcome, they’re now looking at taking the pilot to the next phase and expanding the program throughout the state. See below for episodes resources related to the creation and impact of this effort.
Jane has also been fundamental in supporting the efforts of the independent living network. She works tirelessly to ensure proper funding to operate initiatives, such as Adult Transitions, which helps to get people out of institutionalize care or prevent them from entering into institutionalized care by providing the necessary services in order to help keep them in the community. This effort also manifests into a lot of different services at Centers For Independent Living.
Jane exemplifies how to be a force for good and how to do this by not getting lost and selling out to the system but instead to be better because of it. She shares how she doesn’t allow herself to be associated with certain legislators or political parties but rather to be associated to the cause, which is independent living. For Jane, that is the one thing - supporting people disabilities to live as independently as possible. For her, that is a constant that doesn’t change no matter who she’s talking to or making a funding request from. The needs are the same: serving at risk and underserved populations. In closing, Jane talks about how diligence is the mother of good luck, that things don’t just happen; its the right time, right place, right people coming together and willing to work together for an outcome.
Episode Resources:
- Occupational Therapy with Lindsey Telg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EsAHhJH4LXnLgmzB3jhWa?si=lSfBD9AlTbOQYov2tRPwKg
- Taking Back The Pen and Rewriting Our Story with Lindsey Telg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vCwrV3CLVSz96LHPOEtoJ?si=WTOFeXP4Q3SMRLYKTrDqXA
- Choice, Freedom, and The Independent Life with Dr. Jacob Atem: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NFGGPUub489wk6HMepgHQ?si=EzjahpHLQm6djCzz6I_4CA
On today’s dojo, Tony talks about having a growing awareness and frame of reference for how to best serve others. He reflects on his recent conversation with Eric Davis, sharing how he has been impacted by him and his work, without prior communications or correspondences. As a result, Tony expresses how it has influenced the way he sees the world. Eric’s openness was so authentic and illuminating during their conversation; his vision on how to serve people to the maximum, and his idea and vision, has Tony feeling entangled in his world.
Tony also shares his reflection through the story of The Four Philanthropists. He examines the importance of meeting the concrete needs of people and how Centers For Independent Living and agencies like St. Francis Home provides food, water, and temporary shelter for people that are homeless. He drives home the message that this is the first place we really need to start when working with people because if don’t have those physical and physiological needs met, its much more challenging to help in the other areas.
Episode Resources:
- Becoming of Maximum Service To Others With Eric Davis and Mark Brisbane: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rwHkkQ6kJSRzWWOkIzi17?si=E5F2eVBSToOcSULpKWUttw
- Dedicating Their Lives To Creating a Change: With Eric Davis and Mark Brisbane: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Abya6M0YdOqU0A3odUjAf?si=XFXsPJhnTXKlhkC66nMGWw
- The Four Philanthropists: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16121550-the-four-philanthropists
On today’s dojo, Tony talks about having a growing awareness and frame of reference for how to best serve others. He reflects on his recent conversation with Eric Davis, sharing how he has been impacted by him and his work, without prior communications or correspondences. As a result, Tony expresses how it has influenced the way he sees the world. Eric’s openness was so authentic and illuminating during their conversation; his vision on how to serve people to the maximum, and his idea and vision, has Tony feeling entangled in his world.
Tony also shares his reflection through the story of The Four Philanthropists. He examines the importance of meeting the concrete needs of people and how Centers For Independent Living and agencies like St. Francis Home provides food, water, and temporary shelter for people that are homeless. He drives home the message that this is the first place we really need to start when working with people because if don’t have those physical and physiological needs met, its much more challenging to help in the other areas.
Episode Resources:
- Becoming of Maximum Service To Others With Eric Davis and Mark Brisbane: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rwHkkQ6kJSRzWWOkIzi17?si=E5F2eVBSToOcSULpKWUttw
- Dedicating Their Lives To Creating a Change: With Eric Davis and Mark Brisbane: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Abya6M0YdOqU0A3odUjAf?si=XFXsPJhnTXKlhkC66nMGWw
- The Four Philanthropists: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16121550-the-four-philanthropists
On part two of Tony’s conversation with Eric and Mark, he dives right into talking about systemic, policy-based changes and how we can really come up with solutions to affordable housing. They talk about humanization for both sides of the equation; noting how oftentimes property owners are demonized for their role due to a lack of understanding of what property owners may be going through, as people who is also working to operate a business. They emphasize the importance of the property managers’ role in finding a solution to address affordable and accessible housing. Eric shares that what makes him effective when it comes to executing his role and his job, is that he truly understands both sides: the people they serve and that of the property owners.
They also get into a discussion about things that Eric has seen on a individual level that he’s been able to work with people on; things that they’ve been able to gain that have allowed them to put themselves in a position where they have been able to get housed and be a part of the solution. Some of the things that are needed when working with individuals is coming from a place of non-judgment, a place of humility, having an attitude of gratitude; coming from a heartfelt place is a way that we can help individuals, to inspire them to go above and beyond what they think they’re capable of.
Collectively, they express that this issue is one that is bigger than any of us. Eric shares real life stories and situations to illuminate the type of situations that people are in, in hopes of shedding light and empathy towards those who are currently living in very challenging situations. Collaboration on this issue is key; working together on this situation helps to humanize the individuals we serve. Developing and cultivating a relationships with property owners is a real and effective piece of addressing the issue of affordable housing; they get to see firsthand the impact they can have on someone’s quality of life. They discuss the need to allocate more resources, more money, more people to ending homeless and focusing on the real solution, which is housing. It takes people who are willing to dedicate their life to creating a change.
Episode Resources:
- Becoming of Maximum Service To Others With Eric Davis and Mark Brisbane:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rwHkkQ6kJSRzWWOkIzi17?si=Jp8wULVzTsiKnmjTlL3oUA
- St. Francis House: https://stfrancishousegnv.com/
- CIL Housing Program making a difference!: http://www.cilncf.org/meet-mark-brisbane/
Albert Einstein said, "The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe."
On today’s dojo, Tony explore’s this question. He shares real life examples and scenarios, some which he has experienced himself and others from those he knows within the community. He examines and dissects the nuances of how each situation could sway anyone one way or the other. Based on his lived experiences and those of others, Tony shares his perspective and asks for us to reflect on our own vision of how we view the world.
On today’s episode, Tony gets into an authentic and heartfelt conversation with Eric Davis, Director of Housing at St. Francis House and Consumer Specialist Mark Brisbane, who oversees housing efforts at CILNCF. Together, they work to get people into affordable, accessible, and safe housing.
Eric joins us today to share how he operates first and foremost, from a place of humanity, and from a place of light and of love. He emphasizes the importance of speaking directly to the people that he serves and not just listening to what others may say.
Eric opens this conversation by speaking with vulnerability about his own lived experiences, which he believe is essential to include, as it is a part of who he is and a part his story. Eric shares what its like to have schizophrenia, what it’s like to be addicted, and to be challenged with mental health conditions. He also talks about what its like to overcome those situations and to be transformed by those situations; to be someone whose mission in life is to maximize service to other people, especially in the arena of affordable housing and working with people who are challenged through the same things he has experienced. Eric expresses the importance of making the issue of homelessness, something that can resonate with all people, sharing stories that illustrates how anyone can find themselves in a situation where they’ve become homeless. For those listening who may not understand homelessness or have ever met someone in this situation, Eric brings a level fo humanity to this conversation, in an effort to make it relatable to those of us who don’t have the lived experiences he’s had. He talks about some of the causes of homelessness, adverse childhood experiences, and how important this issue homelessness is. Eric goes on to share his vision of a better day, in terms of addressing the affordable housing issues.
Episode Resources:
- St. Francis House: https://stfrancishousegnv.com/
- CIL Housing Program making a difference!: http://www.cilncf.org/meet-mark-brisbane/
On today’s dojo, Tony takes a brief look into the history of Labor Day, as it is important to know the purpose and intention for it’s inception. Until preparation for this dojo, Tony himself had a vague understanding of the history and origins for Labor Day, which always falls on the first Monday in September. It’s origins point to the year 1882 and began in New York City, where people organized in Union Square on the first Monday of September during the industrial revolution, in the reconstruction era. The focus for Labor Day was to celebrate workers and to have some leisure time but during this time, working conditions were becoming what we would consider deplorable and there weren’t any protections in place for working people. Many young children at this time were not going to school; they were working in factories and in harmful working conditions. Part of the protest was to protest the working conditions, better wages, the right to organize, and child labor. Within a few years, this caught on to other states, where they began organizing and advocating for more fair working conditions. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland, made Labor Day a national holiday. It wasn’t until 1938 that Franklin Roosevelt passed the first federal protection for workers. In these federal protections came the 8 hour work day, 5 day work weeks, and the end of child labor.
Shifting gears from the history of how Labor Day, Tony reflects on how in his position as Director of CIL, he is constantly needing to stay up to date with labor laws. Some of the ones that stand out to him and that he thinks is very important, especially as it pertains to people with disabilities, is that we can’t discriminate based on disability, race, ethnicity, age, or how people identify themselves. In tony’s most recent conversation with Allison Chase, they talked about how the unemployment rate is 2-3 times greater in people with disabilities than without disabilities. Tony describes the interesting employment market we’re in today and shares his hope that it will provide a unique opportunity to close the gap in the inequities between the employment rates of people with and without disabilities.
Episode Resources:
- Building Trust and Lasting Relationships With Allison Chase: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5q4Fl05pcmfGsUro4FRIP0?si=XBJV7XKgSm6k9PTZK-ic8g
- History of Labor Day: https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history
With more than twenty-five years’ experience, Allison Chase has dedicated her career to the employment of people with disabilities. As President & CEO, Chase is committed to ensuring The Able Trust is the leading expert in Florida for disability workforce inclusion, providing valuable resources to businesses, employment service providers, communities and Floridians with disabilities. Chase has worked in the public, private, and non-profit sectors giving her a 360-degree perspective of the field. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Rehabilitation Services, and completed the National Executive Leadership Institute for rehabilitation leaders at the University of Oklahoma.
The mission of The Able Trust is to be a key leader in providing opportunities for successful employment for Floridians with disabilities. The organization was created by the state legislature in 1990 as the Florida Endowment for Vocational Rehabilitation, as a direct supporter of vocational rehabilitation efforts by state agencies and community organizations. Operating under the dba of The Able Trust, the organization has helped to put thousands of individuals with disabilities to work, and has supported employment-related efforts in all counties of Florida.
Episode Resources:
- The Able Trust: https://www.abletrust.org/
On this dojo, Tony reflects on celebrating the 7th anniversary since he’s joined The Center For Inpdendent Living of North Central Florida, as the director. Tony recalls well-known author and motivational speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer having passed away on the same day he came onboard at CIL. This event has Tony reflecting on Dr. Dyer’s teachings and expansive work in self-development, to which Tony is constantly learning how to implement into his life. On this episode, Tony shares Dr. Dyer’s principles on how to live the good life.
Episode Resources:
- Dr. Wayne Dyer: https://www.drwaynedyer.com/
High School High Tech is a free program for high school students with disabilities. The Center For Independent Living works to get students into the program as early as their freshmen year, to help guide them through the process from the beginning of their high school years to the end. The main purpose is to prepare students with disabilities for life after high school. This effort helps students to figure out what it is they want to do after high school, whether that’s going straight into the workforce or if they want to explore the post secondary education option. What Drew expresses enjoying the most about the program is how students are able to explore and try new things and the opportunity for them to get hands on, real world experience.
The High School High Tech program is designed for students to learn and explore what their special interests are, then a program is created around those interests. Students get immersed in the actual field they’re interested in, to confirm whether or not it’s the right field for them. Participants are connected to hands on experiences, such as job shadowing, internships, field trips, and workshops. Students get to learn life skills, such as financial literacy, resume building, and skills that are needed whether they’ll be choosing to take the route of going into the workforce or into post secondary education.
High School High Tech also provides interactive and engaging special projects for the participants, such as encouraging entrepreneurialship and tapping into the imagination that students have about creating products or services that can make the world a better place.
This is an exciting program especially at the start of a new school year. Enrollment is year round, for any school year. Two workshops are held monthly and are designed to interest of the students; the program takes significant efforts to meet students where they are.
Drew has seen first hand and have heard from both students and parents how much of a difference this program has made. One of the most impactful aspects of this program is that it offers students in high school a role model and mentors who help to encourage and show students that they are capable of achieving what they want out of life; believing in students when they most need it.
Drew leads by example, by overcoming challenges and barriers in his own life and he’s now eager and inspired to show others how they can lift themselves up to live the independent life.
Episode Resources:
- Transitioning Into The Real World and Cultivating Human Connection with Drew Dees: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jOuduiaH7SJ2bihiN6TTJ?si=JPICXJd9R7iRmC8J1GUGLw
- For more info about HSHT: Able Trust-High School High Tech Link: https://www.abletrust.org/high-school-high-tech/
HSHT contact:
- Dr. Niusha NazarKazemi - HSHT Program Director and Alachua County Program Coordinator: nnazarKazemi@cilncf.org
- Drew Dees - Alachua Rural and Levy County: adees@cilncf.org
- Celine Shameer - Marion County: cshameer@cilncf.org
- Pepper Anderson - Putnam County: p2anderson@my.putnamschools.org
To kick off today’s episode, Tony takes us through a story about a teacher who initially misjudged one of her students and made assumptions about them before taking the time to learn about the student’s full story. He shares this story to provide an example of how our interactions and treatment of someone in the present moment can impact their future. This story serves as a reminder to how many of those in the disability community are misjudged before they’re given the opportunity to truly be seen for who they with consideration to their life circumstances.
From his life experiences, Tony has seen firsthand how everyone has their own challenges and are going through something that we may not have the privilege to yet see. Unlike the teacher, we don’t have access to their files but if we did, perhaps we could also experience enlightenment that could explain why this person may be the way they are. Though we may not have someone’s file to review prior to interacting with them, what if we just treated people with more compassion, with better communication, and with more encouragement? What if we didn’t take things so personally and reached out to find understanding? What if we had the courage to take a step beyond our own thinking? Maybe it could change the course of their future but also, our own future.
As a takeaway from today’s dojo, Tony invites you to think of all the people currently in your life who may have a backstory that you know nothing about and how you can change the way you see and interact with them. How can you interact with them better, how can you conduct yourself better in the present moment? How can you endeavor to imagine transforming yourself and perhaps even transforming them and maybe both parties will be met with unexpected success. What we do now will impact our future and the future of other people. You’ll never know how much impact we have on somebody in the present moment and how that impact will shape their future.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On part two of Tony’s conversation with Sada, she chronicles her experience at CIL. She started with the Center For Independent Living during UF practicum internship where she began working in Paratransit Services to ensure needs were met for the area that CIL serves. She later came back as a COVID specialist working to ensure people who are homebound get the resources and vaccinations that they need. As a Community Outreach Specialist, Sada wears many hats on a daily basis to provide and help meet the needs of the of those within their catch-man area. Whether she is working to ensure community events are accessible or helping people to get the proper Gerbil medical equipment or putting her efforts into accessible and affordable housing - she’s doing it all with passion and with a smile.
On this episode, Sada really drives home the message by sharing her perspective on equity, diversity, and intersectionality. She shares her dedication for working to get people the essential resources they need to live and to meet their basic needs; she is passionate about providing experiences for people to feel included. On her journey to find and discover herself, she has found a calling and a purpose by working to improve the lives of others.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On today’s dojo, Tony reflects on how our memory of the past can be something that captivates our consciousness and can take us away from being fully present in the moment. He poses this question: When we reflect on the past, are we doing it to relive that moment, which takes us away from the moment we’re currently in or are we doing it in order to learn from it and helping us to instill a level of gratitude that gives us more appreciation to be in the present moment?
Sada came to the Center For Independent Living during her sophomore year while attending The University of Florida, to complete her practicum. She then came back as an intern, and once again to take on a temporary position as a COVID specialist. Today, Sada is a Community Outreach Specialist at CIL, supporting multiple roles and wears many hats on any given day.
On this episode, Sada takes us along on her journey to discovering that she has several different types of diagnosis. Sada shares how this discovery came about and provides insights and advice to those entering a new school year. She talks us through her personal experience and how to examine and reflect on whether something may be a personality trait or perhaps an underlining symptomatic diagnosis. She also talks about how to face and lean into the stigma that individuals might have as they uncover and may begin to question their diagnosis.
Tony and Sada partake in an important conversation regarding mental health challenges that young adults may be going through today. They also dive a discussion on success; how society defines it compared to how Sada has come to define it for herself. All of this has impacted her decision on what she has ending up studying at UF and ultimately leading her to where she is today at CIL.
Tony recorded this episode on the cusp of his 53rd birthday, which propelled him into reflection of his age, this time in his life, and what it means to approach senior citizen status. But moreover, the timing allowed him to question his own stereotypes about what it means to be an older adult.
On today’s dojo, Tony takes us through vast perspectives that we, as a society, have on age.
He talks about the linear relationship between age and disability; the older we get, the more likely we are to get a disability. He reflects on the messaging that seems to worship and promotes youth over aging, and the over exposure we have to that messaging. And what the research shows is that people who are exposed to aging messaging, have elevated levels of cortisol and blood pressure. The World Health Organization sites ageism as a major public health issue. Their research has shown that older people experience more discrimination when it comes to housing, employment, getting approved for certain financial situations, and all kinds of discrimination that tends to happen.
Why does this matter? More research is pointing to how when younger or middle aged adults are exposed to anti-aging or discriminatory ageism messaging, that when they become older, they are more likely to have a cardiovascular event than people who are reporting less exposure to anti-aging messaging.
In wrapping up his reflections, Tony talks about looking to other cultures, regarding how age is seen and respected, and how this could be helpful to abating a lot of the issues that are around ageism.
Episode Resources:
- Becca Levy, Ph.D: https://ysph.yale.edu/profile/becca_levy/
As a person with a disability, Christien Woodell grew to learn that she had rights, and that law and policy were critical to allowing her to have the opportunity to have a full life. Not only was her life affected, but also the lives of her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She realized that what she had learned during her life allowed her to influence others to understand why compliance with the laws was critical.
Christine Woodell is the State Affiliate for the Southeast ADA Center. On this episode, Tony partakes in a powerful conversation with Christine about the importance of The Americans With Disabilities Act. Christine shares what life was like for her growing up with polio, decades before the ADA was passed and the critical role of having a parent who is willing to teach and adapt to the circumstances of having a child with disabilities. She also talks about the necessities our current generation needs to take to continue the work of the ADA, who were born into a time when the ADA has always existed for them, as well as, other laws that ensure equal access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Christine talks about what it was like to be an active member, participating in the civil rights movement that brought us the ADA. During this time she met some of the legends, such as, Ed Roberts who was instrumental in starting the Independent Living Movement to Judy Heumann who is recognized internationally as a leader in the disability community. Christine shares her role as an ADA advocate, her ongoing trainings, and educates us on the ideals and spirit of the ADA. Most importantly, she talks about the humanity and the humanitarianism that is connected with having a disability; how we should be seeing disabilities and interacting with people who have disabilities, how its not just about laws and enforcing those laws, but more about connecting with people’s hearts and the union that comes from this collective humanitarian experience that we all have around disabilities.
Episode Resources:
- Contact Christine Woodell: cwoodell5@gmail.com / 228.257.7003
- Southeast ADA Center: 800.949.4232 / www.adasoutheast.org
- Webinars, trainings and events that will enhance your knowledge of the ADA: https://adasoutheast.org/training/
- ADA Anniversary Tool Kit: https://adaanniversary.org
- ADA National Network: https://adata.org
- Disability Webinars – Hosted by the Southeast ADA Center: https://disabilitywebinars.org
- Christine's ADA Learning: Courses on Disability, Inclusion, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from the Southeast ADA Center: https://courses.myadalearning.org/courses
On this dojo, tony reflects on being a parent and furthermore, being a parent with a disability- from his perspective and experiences. As a parent with a disability, he shares challenges that he faces and the virtues he’s learned from his adversities. Tony acknowledges how having a disability has taught him how to be adaptable, resilient, to persevere, and how to not concerning himself with what others may think of him. Despite the evolving difficulties of having a disability, he finds gratitude in the opportunity to gain virtues he may not otherwise would’ve been able to receive. As a result, Tony makes a conscious effort to drive these virtues home to his children in different ways, teaching them to understand privilege and disability. He shares his efforts to impart both a growth mindset and limitless mindset upon his children, teaching them that they shouldn’t have any limiting beliefs about what they can achieve. And he notes that perhaps the greatest gift as a parent that he can give to his kids is being fully present when he is with them because these moments.. they go by fast.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
July 26 marks the anniversary of the ADA, The Americans With Disabilities Act, and this year we celebrated it’s 32 years of passage. To commemorate this anniversary and celebrate Disability Pride month, Tony invited CIL staff and colleagues to share their thoughts and reflections on the ADA.
On this episode we are joined by:
- Sada Ahmed: CIL Community Specialist
- Dr. Vijay Vasudevan: Associate Data Scientist at Autism Speaks Chair of the Disability Section of American Public Health Association
- Emily Bernt: COVID-19 Vaccine Specialist
- Kevin Towles - CIL Emergency Preparedness
- Brian Russell - Emergency Management Coordinator For Disabilities Rights Florida
Episode Resources:
- Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496)
Happy Anniversary to the Americans with Disabilities Act! On July 26, the ADA celebrates 32 years since it was passed in 1990. On today's dojo, Tony reflects on the history leading up to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities ACT, those who were involved and who've made it possible, and what the ADA means to those are need it and to those who may not yet need it but that may benefit from it within their lifetime.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life.
Episode Resources:
- What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): https://adata.org/learn-about-ada
- Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.ada.gov/
Jacob came to the United States as a Lost Boy, fleeing the Southern Sudan Civil War. He has made some incredible choices that set him on a path to getting his Ph.D and founded a nonprofit organization. At the time when Tony and Jacob reconnected, CIL was in need of someone to fulfill a position with unique qualifications. The Independent Living network was collaborating with Florida’s Department of Corrections to run a pilot program for inmates who are incarcerated with disabilities. Lindsey Telg, a friend of the podcast, worked with CIL to create an innovative curriculum for inmates with disabilities that would prepare them to be in a position where they can be employed when they got out of prison. More importantly, it would provide these inmates with the foundation to not go back to prison. With this innovative curriculum in hand, they were now in search of an individual who could relate to prisoners, who knew what independent living was, and who could really help to connect with them. Jacob became that person who could fulfill this role.
With the pilot program now complete, Dr. Atem shares his his experience of delivering this unique course to the inmates and the insights he has gained.. On today’s episode, Jacob and Tony debrief on his experience in the prison, what he learned, his experience with the inmates, and what life will be like for them when they get out.
Episode Resources:
- Disability Dojo: Freedom and Independent Living With Dr. Jacob Atem: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LyK2TbfgD9CuR9Z1jmRZz?si=-JhHX64iQD6lIwTEk4WErA
- Surviving Civil War and The Journey of a Lost Boy with Dr. Jacob Atem: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yUBptKEAtpbYStB0SmLH3?si=NXlXEJE6QQ29QCeDkVq5LA
- Resilience In The Face of Adversity with Dr. Jacob Atem: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gs8QoINIW2ShC5iad35wQ?si=zeC_iQiDSQaO0poSrWslGg
- Taking Back The Pen and Rewriting Our Story With Lindsey Telg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vCwrV3CLVSz96LHPOEtoJ?si=hmehMK9FQL6XNTHQKfjpHQ
Today on the dojo, we have the privilege of having Dr. Jacob Atem join us to share his perspective on the freedom of choosing to be a better person and who himself chooses to do the work that gives people the freedom to make choices for themselves to be better people. Be sure to tune into our weekly long form interviews this Thursday for our follow up conversation with Dr. Jacob Atem.
Episode Resources:
- Surviving Civil War and The Journey of a Lost Boy with Dr. Jacob Atem
- Resilience In The Face of Adversity with Dr. Jacob Atem
Whitney Doyle is the Executive Director for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST). Whitney is passionate about creating a reality in which all people are equal and have equal access. Her disability advocacy work started in 2008 when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member on the Board of Directors for three national organizations: the Association of Youth Leadership Forums, the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Whitney’s leadership and involvement with these organizations have provided an opportunity to experience examples of best practices to bring to Florida. At the state level, Whitney is a long-time volunteer with the Florida Youth Leadership Forum and Treasurer of the gubernatorial appointed Florida Independent Living Council. Whitney has a Bachelors of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College, a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida, and is a Certified Prosthetist (CP).
Sarah Goldman is the Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives at the Florida Independent Living Council. Having previously worked as a legislative aid and being a voice for people with disabilities, she talks about her experience and journey in advocacy. Sarah unpacks what it takes to be an advocate for people with disabilities, the challenges she’s faced and how its helped to shape her into the best version of herself so that she can better serve others. Sarah provides us with a lens into what its like to be young with a disability. She talks about how having a disability has given her a strong foundation for resiliency, the ability to adapt, and having an open mind. Sarah is an advocate for youth leadership and talks discusses the importance for self-advocacy for people with disabilities at a younger age.
- For more information about FAAST: https://faast.org/
- The Youth Leadership Forum: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
Today on the dojo, Tony continues the thread on freedom and independence, sharing his thoughts on how freedom is not free from responsibility and obligations. He talks about how the ability to make our own choices for ourselves is an important philosophical principle for the liberties for people with disabilities, which also includes the freedom to make wrong choices.
Tony also dives into the freedom of our minds and the thoughts he may have. The inner voice we have within us can be the worse critic and become an unhealthy aspect of our lives. It takes conscience effort to have the awareness to redirect our thoughts and that we don’t have to accept all the thoughts that pop into our head. He touches on Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how the highest level on that hierarchy is is self actualization. Tony reminds us of Epictetus and how our chief task in life is to identify those things that are up to us and those which are out of our control. To Tony, this points directly to freedom: the freedoms you have are the freedoms you have control over.
Centers For Independent Living strive to provide the options and opportunities for people to make decisions to better their lives; opportunities that were not available before coming to the centers to receive the services they need. CILs empower their consumers to make choices that could increase their independence but that they have the freedom to make whatever choice they deem is most suitable for them. Independence is about choice, making choices for ourselves.
Episode Resources:
- Statue of Responsibility
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this episode, Tony shares an inspiring conversation with Noah Russell and Zach Staubitz. Both are currently in college, working full time jobs, and are involved in service based volunteer projects to further the advancement of the independent living movement, representing the future of leadership for our youth. Both Noah and Zach serve on The Florida Independent Living Council’s Youth Committee, providing insights on how we can do better in the independent living movement to connect with the younger generation and ways on how they can be encouraged to get involved. Noah is also involved in The Associates Program For Rural Independent Living, a very important piece of the independent living network because so many people with disabilities live in rural areas and it can be very challenging to meet some of their needs. They talk with Tony about youth leadership, the different types of councils they’re both on, and share their experience with the Youth Leadership Forum, which is coming up at the end of July 2022.
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a unique leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities. Students participate in a multi-faceted series of online leadership training, role playing, mentoring, job preparation, career exploration and activities to build social and communication skills.
- Tapping Into The Power of Being Hyerfocused with Zach Staubitz
- To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
- Listen to our episode on YLF: https://open.spotify.com/episode/12c8hPKqa5VlXwxgLBhNCc
Happy 4th of July! On today’s dojo, Tony talks about freedom, liberty, and the consensus around fear of our freedoms being taken away. He talks about how freedom is the foundation on which our country was founded on and currently, a lot of people are feeling that it is being threatened. However, he hopes that we may be able to celebrate this day as a unity the people.
Tony also uses this opportunity to tie in the struggle for civil rights for people with disabilities. He takes us back to a time not too long ago, when people with disabilities were institutionalized; it wasn’t until the 1973 Rehabilitation Act that people with disabilities finally had laws to help ensure that they can live in the community to whatever extent possible and not to be institutionalized against their will. Many things had to happen before that freedom was gained. On this dojo, Tony takes us back to the time of Crip Camp, where campers and camp counselors found freedom and liberty to be themselves when they created a community that supported each other: free from stigma, free from tyranny. Through that bonding and through that freedom, many of those campers and camp counselors went on to be to be revolutionaries in the civil rights movement, some of which helped to pass the 1973 rehabilitation act.
Freedom takes time, it takes a lot of people to fight for it, and wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the ideals signed into a resolution and declared a long justification, known as the Declaration Of Independence. These ideals were fought for in our civil war and taken up by Ed Roberts, who wanted to go to Berkeley California but it wasn’t accessible. He had to fight for it, which started the independent living movement, giving birth to the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.
On this episode, we welcome back a force of nature! Mira Gaitanis joins us this week to give us a life update, as she’s getting ready to graduate from Florida State University and planning for law school. She talks with Tony about universal design and why its critical not just for education but also to extrapolate outside of education into areas like transportation, the workforce, etc. They dive into what it would mean if we could work towards implementing universal design throughout the world and making cities fully accessible.
In this inspiring conversation, Mira shares with us her vulnerabilities, such as, internalized ableism- how its impacted her and how she’s used music as cathartic means to work through her challenges and difficulties. They talk about representation and what its like for her generation to be living through these times, in regards to what’s going on in the world and the movements that are happening in between the great resignation and the anti-ambition movement. Mira continues to share her vulnerabilities and what it means to live with a growth mindset.
Resources:
- Mira Gaitanis | linktree
- Mira Gaitanis | Instagram
- Mira Gaitanis | Facebook
- Flat Moon Theory | Spotify
- Flat Moon Theory | Youtube
- Self Advocacy and Vulnerability with Mira Gaitanis
- NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Gaelynn Lea
- Steal Like An Artist by: Austin Kleon
- We’re Not Really Strangers
In the last dojo, Tony talked to us about fear and the importance in identifying and recognizing the different types of fears, especially as it pertains to disability. On today’s dojo, he dives into how to we can face our fears and work through them with courage and bravery. This comes from Tony’s personal experience from what he’s seen in his life and what’s worked for him, as well as, coming from a place where he recognizes he still has a lot to learn. His hope is to be able to share with you some of the things he’s found useful in his life and experiences.
Do you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners? Leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Vijay Vasudevan is the Associate Data Scientist at Autism Speaks. He joins us today as a result of reconnecting with Tony through work related to promoting the COVID-19 vaccine in populations with people with disabilities. His work in the disability community is extensive and together, they dive into conversation about such topics as how to work towards efforts that can be made to destigmatize disability. They also talk about the medical model of disability, regarding how people in the clinical settings view disability, and how the preparation and training of medical students and other healthcare professionals impact people with disabilities’ access healthcare.
Tony also talks to Vijay about Autism Speaks as an organization and community, and the needs they have within this community. Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. They do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Resources:
- Austism Speaks
What is fear and why is it important for us to understand what it is? On today’s dojo, Tony talks to us about fear. In his experience, he is witnessing the undercurrent of fear being the root cause of much of the suffering challenges, and increased anxieties that we’re seeing- and that we may be experiencing ourselves.
Dr. Venditto joins us back on the podcast to share his wealth of knowledge and expertise in the efficacy and effectiveness of vaccines, and how they impact the spread of viruses, specifically of COVID-19. As a communicator of science, Dr. Venditto also talks about the limitations when it comes to the vaccine, sharing facts about science in a clear and concise way. He shares his take on the life cycle of COVID-19, where we are in the timeline of the pandemic, and how long we’ll be in it for.
Centers For Independent Living have been charged to promote the vaccine among people with disabilities and Tony shares his experience with common reasons for why people are hesitant to get the vaccine. To help address concerns and answer consumer questions, Tony gets Dr. Venditto’s take on how he would respond to people who don’t want to get the vaccine or who are on the fence about getting the vaccine. Additionally, as a concerned parent, Tony gets Dr. Venditto’s feedback on getting young children vaccinated.
Dr. Vincent J. Venditto is an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky. He received training in vaccine design and immunology and continues to investigate vaccine strategies to better understand how the immune system works in disease progression. He obtained a BS in chemistry from Gettysburg College and then worked for two years at the NCI, NIH as a cancer research trainee before attending graduate school. He obtained a PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University and worked on vaccine development as an NIH postdoctoral fellow at University of California, San Francisco. Students and fellows in his lab come from diverse backgrounds with interests in chemistry, biology, drug delivery and experimental therapeutics, but a common goal of exploring novel methods to modulate the immune system. Students and fellows in his lab are encouraged to utilize their skills to advance projects while learning new skills to better appreciate the various aspects of designing novel immunotherapies.
This episode is a continuation of recent dojos, regarding how we can best cope with the challenging things that are going in our lives. Tony shares how philosophy can help us to ground us and how we can use utilize philosophy to help mitigate the challenges and suffering that may be present in our lives. Philosophy is important in terms of anchoring ourselves during difficult times. It has become a pillar that Tony relies upon and one that can be put into daily practice to help him become the best version of himself. On this dojo, Tony provides a broad overview of his understanding of eastern philosophy and how it pertains to his life, as someone with a disability and perhaps, how it could relevant to others who have a disability.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Kaley Mayer is the Community Resource Specialist at Epilepsy Alliance Florida. On this episode, Tony talks to Kaley about her journey from clinical setting to community work. She joins us today to provide us with information about Epilepsy and a window into what it’s like for people who live with epilepsy and those who care for them. Epilepsy touches millions of people, just in Florida alone. It’s a condition with unclear treatments and those who are diagnosed, live with the unknown on a daily basis. Kaley talks about the courage embodied by those who have epilepsy, to lean into the uncertainty of not knowing when they might have an episode but continue to work and live their life despite it.
Epilepsy Alliance Florida is dedicated to supporting those impacted by epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. Established in 1971 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), Epilepsy Alliance Florida (EAF) is the principal agency for epilepsy programs and services sponsored by the State of Florida, servicing over half a million Floridians who live with the condition. For most of our history we were known as Epilepsy Foundation of Florida but in July 2018 we formally changed our name as we co –founded Epilepsy Alliance America, a nation-wide network of community-based epilepsy organizations. EAF also serves as the lead advocate for the rights and needs of people with epilepsy and seizures at the local, county, state and national level.
Resources:
- Epilepsy Alliance Florida
- Contact Kaley Mayer: kmayer@eafla.org
- Epilepsy Alliance Florida Services Video
On today’s dojo, Tony continues the thread from the last few dojos, connected to the topic of how we may be going through more difficult times and how our emotions affects us through this journey. He walks us through how to lean into our emotions and not away from it, in a way that teaches us in how we perceive life.
Tony references the research and book by Dr. Susan David, Emotional Agility, the process of being in the present moment when emotions arise. He unpacks the 4 steps in the emotional agility process:
- Showing up
- Stepping out
- Walking your why
- Moving on
Tony talks about how make better choices for how we speak, how we behave, and how we conduct ourselves. He shares how negative emotions can be he best teachers for us, in living the independent life and being the best version of ourselves.
Resources:
- Emotional Agility, by Dr. Susan David
On this episode, Tony continues his experiment on wisdom that transcends time. The intention he hopes to provide, is a philosophical foundation on wisdoms that have stood the test of time and how that can serve as an anchor to help guide us.
In his conversation with Alex, they reflect upon a poem that can serve as a counsel for the ages. Together, they discuss deep and powerful principles and values, and how to work those into a conceptual framework that may fit into today’s times. They share their ideations on how we can integrate this wisdom into practice and become better versions of ourselves; with the idea being that if we can become better versions of ourselves through understanding these wisdoms, then we can be better for those in our lives.
On today’s dojo, Tony gives us a peek into the world of psychology, through the lens of his lived experiences. He shares how psychology has helped him to process things throughout his life, such as his emotions and going through adversities.
So what does psychology have to teach us about how to have a strong inner citadel? Having knowledge about psychology can help us to process things like our emotions. From his personal perspective and experience, Tony has found emotions to be one of the most powerful dimensions of the human condition. He reflects on how emotions have been a driver in many of the decisions he’s made throughout his life. Psychology can help us to arrive at a place where we can lean into our emotions with courage and be curious to learn why we’re having them. Understanding how to process our emotions can help us to be resilient when we encounter suffering and hardships.
Over the next couple long form interviews, Tony and Alex discusses knowledge and wisdom that has been shared through the ages. These next couple episodes are also connected to the recent dojo episodes where Tony has talked about how we are all going through am amplified level of anxiety and stress. In these conversations, Tony shares the importance of being anchored in age tested wisdoms and how that anchoring can provide a solid foundation for staying centered and grounded during uncertain times and experiencing extra challenges in our life.
On this episode, Tony will be taking us through some ancient wisdom and sharing that wisdom with Alex. Alex has been working with CIL NCF for a few years, in areas of employment to help consumers with finding jobs. More recently, he is now on their leadership team as a project manager. Alex helps to lead the workforce incentive program and assistance program, as well as, runs the youth leadership forum, helping our youth to obtain the social and leadership skills that are needed to help them succeed.
Resources:
- A prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
- I Am, Directed by Tom Shadyac
- Prayer of Saint Francis, by Sarah McLachlan
- Prayer of Saint Francis, by Oracão de São Francisco
On this dojo, Tony talks about about how philosophical principals that were founded centuries ago, like Stoicism, still apply and resonate with the adversities we face today. Many of the philosophies were founded on misfortune but it shows us how we can find meaning and purpose through suffering. On this episode, Tony continues on the thread of suffering and shares the philosophies he finds helpful for when we go through difficult and dark times.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
This episode is part 2 of the collaboration between Centers For Independent Living and The American Red Cross, coming together to help educate volunteers, staff, and supervisors about meeting the needs of people with disabilities during disasters. The phenomenal folks who work within these organizations dive deep into a conversation about how to communicate with people with disabilities during disasters and discuss ideas on how they can help with accommodations while sheltering.
Coming out of the recent conversation Tony had with Deborah on the previous episode, we learned that there are approximately 200,000 volunteers that work for the Red Cross, so getting the proper communications and training to each of them can be quite a heavy lift. It is imperative to help educate people, especially those with limited experience in helping to serve people with disabilities.
Through collaboration, The American Red Cross has become a wonderful partner in helping to facilitate opening the door for Centers For Independent Living to connect with their volunteers and staff. This is a special episode in that you get a peak behind the scenes of what its like when high level collaborations occur, resulting in trainings that are helpful to volunteers who work to ensure the safety of the community is met when it is needed most.
Resources:
- Look For The Helpers With Deborah Koch
- For all things Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/
- Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html#step1
- Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/inclusive-preparedness-resources.html
On this dojo, Tony talks about what can we learn from those who have an impenetrable inner citadel and how we can work towards building one for ourselves. The inner citadel is a powerful concept for Tony to adapt into his life. Continuing the conversation from the previous dojo about suffering, this episode talks about the inner citadel being a tool that can help us make sense of suffering, so that we can become better through that suffering.
So what is the concept of the inner citadel? Tony came across the inner citadel through his studying of the stoics and stoic philosophy, which is meant to be put into practice for the purpose of helping us to become better people. The inner citadel is an inner fortress and inside that fortress is the true essence of who we are. According to the Epictetus, if we have a strong inner citadel, then our true self can never be harmed. This fortress which protects the true essence of who we are is something that according to the stoics, we are not born with; we have to create this inner citadel to protect our true selves. And not only do we need to create it, but we have to cultivate it, foster it, nurture it, maintain it, and sustain it over time.
Deborah (Debbie) Koch) [pronounced kotch] leads the American Red Cross Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter as the executive director. Debbie served as the president of the Junior League of Miami in 2018-2019, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In her 10 years with the League, she previously served as executive vice president, vice president of community and in several chair positions.
Prior to the Red Cross, Debbie served as marketing director for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, covering the east coast of the U.S. She joined J.P. Morgan following a decade at Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust where she helped grow the bank from four to seven offices and nearly doubled deposits to over $1 billion. She began her banking career at BankUnited, rebranding the bank from a small local company to a state-wide institution. Her previous experience was in marketing and public relations for nonprofit arts organizations.
She is active in the community, serving as a member of the United Way Financial Stability Impact Council and Women United. She sits on the Boards of the Miami-Dade Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and FRIEND, Inc, the County’s long-term recovery agency. An art lover, she is active as a Friend of the Pérez Art Museum Miami and serves on the Prizm Art Fair Advisory Board. In June 2021, she received the Monsignor Walsh Human Services Professional Award from the United Way of Miami-Dade which recognizes a human services professional who has dedicated his or her career to helping others. In February 2022, she received the Jewish Community Services Community Champion Award.
Debbie received her MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. She is an avid Gator fan, and enjoys yoga, reading and traveling.
Resources:
- For all things Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/
- About our Founder, Clara Barton: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/clara-barton.html
- Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html#step1
- Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/inclusive-preparedness-resources.html
In today’s dojo, Tony talks about suffering. For the purpose of this dojo, suffering is being used as a catchall word that could mean a variety of feelings many of us may be feeling: it could mean anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness.. it could mean a lot of different things. In this episode, Tony’s intent is to have a discussion of thoughts that he has had around suffering, especially when we zoom out and take a look at such aspects like inequality, economic challenges, world events taking place today, etc.
As the center is picking back up with serving more people and reconnecting with consumers in person versus virtually, what Tony has seen more recently is that they’re meeting people who have more complicated needs than ever before and on levels they’ve never seen in the past.
With the passage of time, Tony has been able to reflect and see how these experiences have helped to fortify and put him in better places in his life had he not gone through them. That suffering lead to him being in a better place and giving him values and knowledge that he wouldn’t have had otherwise. Tony also shares how there may also be the opportunity to find meaning and purposes through the suffering that we experience.
Resources:
- Viktor Frankl
- Boundless Heart by Christina Feldman
Sarah Goldman is the Director of Youth Leadership at The Florida Independent Living Council (FILC). On this episode with Sarah takes us through her journey into advocacy, what she’s learned along the way, how she leans into her fears, and the important of empathy and resilience. She shares about how her father taught her the importance of never taking no for an answer and if someone says no, you work to figure out a way to do it.
Sarah shares her specific activities that she does in her role with FILC and talks about the Youth Leadership Forum, which will be held summer 2022 in Tallahassee. She talks about how YLF has a formula for empowerment, helps to solidify a unity and community of people with disabilities, and how it provides access to resources and opportunities. Tony and Sarah have dive into the issues that are important to the younger generation today, such as employment and disability benefits. They also discuss the pandemic, social isolation, and both the advantages and pitfalls of social media.
Together, they share an important conversation regarding personal care assistance and how it plays a key role in providing independence for those with disabilities, as well as, the issues regarding high quality personal care assistance to help people maintain their independence. Sarah is truly an inspirational individual with a lot of heart and a lot of knowledge and experience to teach others about how to live an independent life and to live a life of unity.
To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum and how to apply, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
Florida Independent Living Council, Inc.1882 Capital Circle NE. Suite 202
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Phone: 850-488-5624
www.floridasilc.org
Listen to previous conversations with Sarah:
- Self Advocacy and Youth Leadership with Sarah Goldman
- Florida Youth Leadership Forum
On today’s dojo, Tony continues the series on energy, as he dives into the importance of sleep. For Tony, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep are 3 pillars that we can conduct to maximize our energy level. It’s important to keep our energy levels up to ensure we’re functioning on an optimal level, and to have each of these pillars integrated optimally. In his own experience, Tony has found that people either have a sleep disorder or have disordered sleep. Simply put- it’s quite rare to find someone who is getting the recommend 8 hours of sleep on a regular basis. On this episode, he shares the health benefits as it relates to sleep because it is so important in terms of being restorative to our brain activity to optimize our brain functioning. Tony’s wish if for all of us to have more energy in our days and for us to be the best version of ourselves possible.
On part 2 of our conversation with Lindsey, we go deep on trauma informed care, the powerful utility of describing the story of who we are and approaching it in a way that is therapeutic and healing.
Lindsey talks about her struggles with anxiety & depression, how she has coped with it and ultimately how its been a good teacher and lesson for her in order to overcome the stigma associated with it and leaning into that vulnerability with courage, being able to tell her own story, and doing it in a way that allows her to still be a productive and high achieving individual.
About Lindsey:
For Lindsey, this is more than a profession. She has personally walked the same path many of her clients face. Lindsey is an adoptive Mommy; the parent of a child who has overcome severe feeding aversion. She has struggled with her own chronic health conditions. Lindsey really “gets it”. She has been an Occupational Therapist for 7 years working with children and adults across a variety of settings. She’s also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida and enjoys sharing her passion for this profession with students. And she loves living in Gainesville! Lindsey works very collaboratively with her clients. Together, she makes sure her clients are the very best version of themselves. She has specialized training in feeding therapy, mental health and trauma-based interventions. Her goal is to make sure that kids and adults are able to participate in all the activities that are meaningful to them, in a way they can feel proud of.
Resources:
LCS Occupational Therapy
Continuing the thread of having energy and vitality in our every day lives, Tony expands onto the importance of cultivating healthy and sustainable energy, especially for those with disabilities. On today’s dojo, Tony walks us through how to achieve healthy nutrition with what we eat and put into our bodies.
The world health organization says that nutrition is attributable to nearly 95% of the chronic diseases that are the top causes of death. We make the decision every day, regarding what we choose to eat or not eat. The behaviors that are related to nutrition is very skill and education based. Tony shares some of the things that are important to know about nutrition and how it impacts people with disabilities, as it pertains to health outcomes and every day life. Nutrition is a factor that is attributed to being able to improve such things as our academic performance and our ability to focus. They’ve seen this in schools where they access the nutrition of students and the evidence is pointing towards the fact that when students and those in learning environments are eating healthy, the brain works more optimally. People’s productivity also tends to be connected to what they are eating and when they are eating, so these are very impactful factors to be considered for health, academic learning, work performance, and quality of life.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
For Lindsey, this is more than a profession. She has personally walked the same path many of her clients face. Lindsey is an adoptive Mommy; the parent of a child who has overcome severe feeding aversion. She has struggled with her own chronic health conditions. Lindsey really “gets it”. She has been an Occupational Therapist for 7 years working with children and adults across a variety of settings. She’s also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida and enjoys sharing her passion for this profession with students. And she loves living in Gainesville! Lindsey works very collaboratively with her clients. Together, she makes sure her clients are the very best version of themselves. She has specialized training in feeding therapy, mental health and trauma-based interventions. Her goal is to make sure that kids and adults are able to participate in all the activities that are meaningful to them, in a way they can feel proud of.
Resources:
- LCS Occupational Therapy
On today's dojo, Tony talks to us about physical activity- the importance of moving and being active on a regular basis in our daily lives. Tony has a wealth of experience in adaptive physical activity, teaching people with disabilities how they can be physically active no matter what kind of disability you may have. The amazing thing about adapted physical activity is that we can modify movements that are based on people’s capabilities and skills. He also breaks down the principles of fitness to help us stay consistent along our journey of implementing physical activity into our daily lives, which include: the principle of overload, progression, recovery, specificity, and variety. Tony also discusses the importance of being in line with your why and aligning yourself with the right motivation to go the extra mile in adhering to physical activity in order to take care of your body and overall health.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The Center For Independent Living North Central Florida's Wheelchair Ramp Building Program continues to make a difference in people’s lives, improving their quality of life, emotional well-being, and their ability to live independently and have adequate access into the community.
People needing wheelchair ramps are often without the financial means to have one built themselves. In Florida, there are very limited resources to assist individuals with disabilities in building a ramp at their home. Having a wheelchair ramp is not a luxury, but a necessity that many people are living without, and there continues to be an overwhelming amount of requests for wheelchair ramps to the Center, almost every other day.
Imagine not being able to access your own home or enjoy going out into your community any time you wish. Imagine being so dependent on others and being carried in and out of your own home when you have appointments or simply want to go shopping. This is the daily reality for so many people, such as Mark, a wheelchair user who recently shared his story of needing a wheelchair ramp years ago and the difference it has made. For three years, family and friends had to carry or pull him in and out of his home for doctor’s appointments, errands or simply wanting to enjoy the outdoors. After a long wait, Mark eventually had his ramp built, and he is thrilled that he has access to the community, and is living a more independent life!
Mark Brisbane is the program manager for one of the five core services that The Center For Independent Living offers. He’s also the Director for CIL’s Building Ramps, Building Lives program, which installs wheelchair ramps into the homes that do not have the financial means to obtain a wheelchair ramp. On this special episode, Tony and Mark aim to raise awareness and to raise funding for this prevalent issue faced by too many people in our community: access to a wheelchair ramp so they can go to and from their home safely.
To Donate: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Riding the continual momentum of the spring season, on today’s dojo, Tony talks about how we can be in alignment with this time of the season. The season of spring is vibrant with energy and vitality. He shares his that he often struggles with feelings of not being able to meet the demands of everyday life with a certain level of energy. Tony’s goal for the next few dojos is to share about how we can maximize the energy systems of our body, mind, and spirit.
Resources:
- Disability Dojo: Preparation
- Disability Dojo: Creating Your Own Mission Statement and Finding Inner Peace
- Disability Dojo: Cultivating Unconditional Love For All
- Disability Dojo: To Be Of Service To Others
- Disability Dojo: The Resistance Behind Behavior Change
- Disability Dojo: How The Resistance Manifests in Our Lives
- Disability Dojo: How to Beat The Resistance
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Deidra Simon is the Executive Director at Gainesville Opportunity Center. Her passion for serving persons with disabilities has allowed her to operate in fulfilling roles. Deidra has had the privilege of providing accessible communication, employment services, and direct case management to the disabled community. These efforts have led to the reduction/removal of barriers, allowing persons with disabilities to live more independent lives. Additionally, Deidra has earned a Bachelors degree in Public Administration, which supports her passion for leadership in the nonprofit sector. She enjoys connecting with individuals who care about professional development and providing life changing support and services to others.
Resources:
- Gainesville Opportunity Center
Spring is a time of renewal and blossoming of life. On today’s dojo, Tony shares how he sees his life occurring in seasons and just like the onset of spring- the new season ahead allows us to be renewed with fresh energy and inspiration. He talks about how we can integrate spring and the newness of it, into advocacy. At Centers For Independent Living, just as in life, there will always be issues that will never fully be solved because these issues will long outlive all us.
Spring has a way of offering a sense of renewed energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to address these ever present and infinite issues that will always be a cause for work to be done. While routine is important to the ways we operate, variety is also necessary to really change things up and, to see and do things differently. While ongoing issues may seem familiar, there is a newness and freshness to these issues with a new season because there may be new eyes now be present to see the situation from different lenses and provide different perspectives. It is important to have a renewed sense of motivation and inspiration to tackle these ever present issues that will be with us for a long time. Spring brings newness to provide a burst of renewal for continuing on the path to always improve upon ourselves and the organization we serve, helping us to achieve our goals.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Claudia Friedel managed the University of Florida’s portion of the Florida Disability and Health Program (FDHP) for over 11 years. The FDHP was one of 19 CDC-funded, state-level Disability and Health grants working to make evidence-based health promotion programs accessible to persons with disabilities. Claudia first came to work for the FDHP after receiving her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Florida. Her past experiences interacting with children and persons with disabilities fueled her motivation to make the program a success.
The FDHP coordinated with several programs to ensure they were being inclusive of children and persons with disabilities by working closely with the Florida Department of Health and various other state-wide and National disability programs to implement adapted evidence-based programs with inclusion in mind. The FDHP implemented adapted school health programs at several Florida elementary schools and adapted Diabetes Prevention Programs in several counties, as well as training healthcare providers on the importance of being disability competent.
Claudia now works for a private healthcare company and enjoys spending her time with her husband and two young boys.
Resources:
- UF Office on Disability & Health
- Dr. Nicole Maslow
- University of Florida Reports and Publications
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Alex Cavalcante joins Tony on this special dojo to share his perspective on a simple, yet deeply insightful poem written by Portia Nelson that beautifully describes the stages of transformation in a simple and concise way.
“I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost... I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still takes me a long time to get out.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
I walk down another street.”
― Portia Nelson, There's a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery
Emergency Management Specialist, Kevin Towles joins us to talk about emergency management and how centers for independent living are involved in emergency management. Also, why are they involved in emergency management? People with disabilities tend to be most impacted by disasters and are most vulnerable before, during and after disasters. Centers for Independent living is in the business of keeping people with disabilities in the community. When disasters like hurricanes and pandemics occur, people with disabilities tend to be more susceptible to being institutionalized. Their mission is to divert any institutionalized care from happening in the first place and to ensure that people stay in their community to whatever extent possible. Kevin works hard to ensure those in the community are ready; that they’re prepared and are able to respond to any disaster that might happen.
Register for the Emergency Preparedness Expo in Marion County and Alachua County below:
5th ANNUAL MARION COUNTY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO
- English: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-emergency-prep-expo-for-people-with-disabilities-tickets-183672026977
- Spanish: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5ta-expo-anual-de-preparacion-para-emergencias-personas-con-discapacidades-tickets-203802728447
ALACHUA COUNTY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO
- English: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emergency-preparedness-for-people-with-disability-in-alachua-county-registration-185091091437
- Spanish: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preparacion-para-emergencias-para-personas-con-discapacidad-en-el-condado-d-tickets-203789408607
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Two years ago in 2020, shut downs began to happen all over the world as a result of COVID-19. On this dojo, Tony reflects on these past two years in terms of the changes that have occurred, the shifts that we’ve been forced to make, and the lessons we can take away from this to ensure we live our lives to the best of our ability. When confronted by our own mortality, how can be best take care of ourselves and how can we be there for others and lift them up?
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The 2022 legislative session has been quite the roller coaster ride. Jane joins us once again on today’s episode to share an update to the end of the legislative season. While the process may be messy and feel discouraging along the way, making an impact requires consistent effort to yield progress over time and to allow continual movement forward. The election in November will bring new faces to the senate so it is important for CILs to get to know their legislators and meet their elected officials so they can see the good work being done in the community. There is always work to be done; a lesson to take away from this legislative season is that its never over until its over and to never give up advocating.
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit: Online Sunshine
You can also visit:
- Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Senate
- The Florida Channel
Death is part of the human condition. It’s something we will all experience and go through. On this dojo, Tony talks openly about how short and fragile life is- we never know when we will go, so how can we spend the time we have in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling. There is so much we can learn from death- how we process it and how important it is to implement those lessons into our lives. Tony’s hope for those listening to this dojo is for death to become an important teacher for us and to start thinking about how we can process death in a way that helps to serve us.
Resources:
- Five Stages of Grief by Elisabeth Kubler Ross & David Kessler
On today’s episode, we welcome back Mark Bennett, who joins Tony in a vulnerable conversation about death and losing loved ones. Mark shares the lessons that he’s learning from death and also, how it relates to organizational growth. Mark conveys how organizations need to prepare with coming to terms with letting go of old habits or patterns of doing business, and how we need to let go of the notion of returning to how things were before the pandemic. He dives into how organizations can grow from deaths of certain aspects that may be holding the back their progress. Mark also offers advice on how to reconcile relationships within a organizations or within families.
Mark brings tremendous value on this episode. On a personal level- we are all going to experience the passing of loved ones, and learning how to move through that process helps us in our personal lives. On an organizational level- how can we be apart of an organization in a way that helps it grow and achieve its mission, especially now when we are challenged in ways we’ve never been challenged before and how we can live to be our highest purpose every day.
Mark D. Bennett is the principal of Uniting by Design LLC, a consulting firm with a mission to help leaders unite organizations that deliver superior results, earn ethical reputations, and adapt to change.
He left the practice of law for graduate study in counseling psychology and family therapy. Then, he began to work with a wide range of organization disputes as a full time mediator. These disputes included staff, leaders, and boards of businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and international organizations.
Twenty five years ago, he shifted his focus from cleaning up organizational problems to promoting organizational health. He serves as a workshop presenter on leadership, teaming, conflict resolution, values-based decision making, and creative collaboration. He is also a leadership coach and facilitates collaboration, wise planning, and critical decision making.
He has written three books:
- Uniting by Design: the Architecture of Creative Collaboration (2021) - a practical guide to building collaboration in organizations, leadership teams, work teams, alliances, and partnerships.
- A Field Guide to Good Decisions: Values in Action (2006) – the practical steps of ethical decision making to make difficult decisions with integrity, accountability, and credibility.
The Art of Mediation, 2d edition (2005) – the skills of conflict resolution and principled negotiation to help people bridge differences, make agreements, and make peace.
Episode Resources:
- Mark Bennett | Website
- Mark Bennett | Email
- Mark Bennett | LinkedIn
- Mark Bennett | Book
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
In the previous dojo, we talked about what humility is and what it isn’t. On today’s dojo, Tony is going to dive into humility as it pertains to learning, society, and personal growth.
Resources:
- Think Again, by Adam Grant
Marisol Rose is a State Parent Consultant for the Early Steps Program at the Florida Department of Health. She joins us today to share her experiences with having a son and daughter with a disability. Marisol talks about accessing Early Steps, a phenomenal resource that helped her our along her journey in raising her two children with disabilities, and how she came to work for the agency.
Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have or are at-risk for developmental disabilities or delays. Early intervention supports families and caregivers to increase their child’s participation in daily activities and routines that are important to the family.
Positive early learning experiences are crucial for later success in school, the workplace, and the community. Research shows that children’s earliest experiences play a critical role in brain development.
15 Local Early Steps (LES) throughout the state receive referrals from various primary referral sources. Infants and toddlers are assessed in the following developmental domains to determine eligibility: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional and adaptive.
Each child receives an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) that meets his or her unique needs. Families also receive support to develop the skills and confidence needed in helping their child learn and develop.
Services will support children in their communities where they live, learn and play. There is no income requirement to qualify for the program and although families may choose to allow access to insurance or Medicaid benefits, families are not charged for services.
Resources:
- Early Steps
- Marisol Rose | Email
On today’s dojo, Tony talks about what he considers to be one of the highest virtues and values that we as humans, can embrace: humility. What is humility, what is it not? The Oxford Dictionary defines humility as a modest or low view of one’s own self importance. Another definition of humility that Tony has found to be more fitting for himself personally, is that humility is freedom from pride and arrogance.
On this episode, Tony talks through the life lessons he’s learn, especially in regards to disability through the lens of humility and providing services. He shares that often times, his entryway into humility is going through an experience where he feels vulnerable, when he’s needing to ask for help- and in doing so, he’s leaning into his fears and insecurities. When he is then in a position where others are asking him for help, it provides him a life experience to draw upon and have empathy for others that he recognizes are coming from a place of vulnerability and perhaps just needing some assistance. A valuable lesson he’s learned is how humility provides an opportunity to be grateful for the things you have and to be of service.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.” -H.L. Mencken
We are back with Jane Johnson this week, as she provides us with an update for the current legislative session. 'Tis the season of legislators positioning themselves for future re-elections! So, what does this mean? This means we are in a legislative season where we can expect a lot of red meat issues that really pander to the base and can be very divisive. The issues that Jane and Tony cover on this episode, however, aren't those red meat issues that typically get overblown in the media. Instead, the issues we’re advocating for as a Florida Association For Centers For Independent Living are real issues that affect real people. Some of these issues are related to funding that will allow people to stay in their homes, to provide home modifications, durable medical equipment, and assistive technologies, to name a few. One of the most fruitful parts of today's conversation is to help us, the residents of the state of Florida and for anyone who follows politics, to not be bamboozled by issues that are meant to distract us. They also talk about what we can do to not buy into the issues that are intentionally meant to be illusive in order to create fear, division, and keep us polarized.
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit: Online Sunshine
You can also visit:
- Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Senate
- The Florida Channel
Salvation comes from finding purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life. In our previous two long form interviews, we had the privilege of having Jacob Atem, who shared his story of survival, resiliency, and adovacy. In this dojo, Tony takes the opportunity to reflect upon the lessons and takeways he’s received from knowing and talking to Jacob:
- Perspective
- Resilience
- Overcoming Inequities
- Unity
- Love wins
Listen to our Interview with Jacob:
- Surviving Civil War and The Journey of a Lost Boy with Jacob Atem
- Resilience In The Face Of Adversity With Jacob Atem
Resources:
- Jacob Atem
- Imagining A Journey: Jacob Atem at TEDxUF
- Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization
- How A Lost Boy From Sudan Found His True Calling In The U.S.
Jacob was six years old when his parents and several of his siblings were killed by northern Sudanese Arab militias waging war on southern Sudan. The militia entered his village, killed men, kidnapped women and children and burned homes to the ground. Jacob was in a nearby cattle field during the attack. He ran to the forest with his older cousin to escape danger when he saw the smoke rising from the village. That day was the beginning of a thousand-mile journey for Jacob as he searched for protection amidst war.
During their journey, with northern forces closely behind, they often hid during the day and walked all night. With lion attacks a constant danger, they made timetables to decide who would sleep while the other stood watch. They ran from lion attacks and swam through alligator-infested waters, and eventually they made it to safety in Kenya.
Listen to Part 1 of our conversation with Jacob: Surviving Civil War and The Journey of a Lost Boy with Jacob Atem
Resources:
- Jacob Atem
- Imagining A Journey: Jacob Atem at TEDxUF
- Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization
- How A Lost Boy From Sudan Found His True Calling In The U.S.
Jacob stayed in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya until he came to the United States when he was 15. He was sent to Michigan, where he lived with a foster family and received his high school and college education. Jacob traveled to the University of Florida to get his Ph.D. after he received his bachelors and master’s degree in Michigan. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, Linda, and his two kids, Samuel Dut and Theodore Yai. He graduated in December 2017 with his Ph.D. in environmental and global health, and he plans to use his education to help people around the world.
On this dojo, we continue the dialogue on how we are all called to live our life’s purpose and it is our job to find what that purpose is. Unfortunately, many of us have an un-lived life because the of the resistance, an invisible force that can felt and heard, preventing us from living our calling. On this episode, Tony shares some strategies on how to beat the resistance, which aims to bring us down:
- Understanding and having faith that resistance is something that’s real
- Awareness and observing the resistance; being aware of the resistance and it’s negative voices and redirecting your awareness to more positive thoughts
- Be a professional; show up to do the work that’s necessary to not allow resistance to bring us down
- Having order and routine in our life to keep us on track and protect us against the resistance that will show up in our day to day lives
- Asking daily questions to set your mindset and intentions for the day: What can I look forward to, what do I need to look out for, and where can I bring the joy?
- Building a wall of virtue; what wall of virtue do we need to build to fortify ourselves against the resistance
- Patience; being able to have the patience with ourselves as we journey on this path of always having to face that resistance
- Self-love; loving ourselves enough to go live our calling
- Treating success and failure the same
- Be free from the opinions of other people
- Be inspired and not passionate; to be inspired is to be within our spirit
- Specific skill based strategies on how we can beat the resistance
- Memento Mori: Realizing our own mortality and living our life like this is our last day and living it to the best of our capabilities
Resources:
- Steven Pressfield: The War of Art
- The Resistance Behind Behavioral Change
- How the Resistance Manifests in Our Daily Lives
- Disability Dojo series on stress:
- Paying Attention to Stress
- Behavioral Techniques for Stress
- Cognitive Base Strategies to Deal With Stress in Healthy Ways
Jacob was six years old when his parents and several of his siblings were killed by northern Sudanese Arab militias waging war on southern Sudan. The militia entered his village, killed men, kidnapped women and children and burned homes to the ground. Jacob was in a nearby cattle field during the attack. He ran to the forest with his older cousin to escape danger when he saw the smoke rising from the village. That day was the beginning of a thousand-mile journey for Jacob as he searched for protection amidst war.
During their journey, with northern forces closely behind, they often hid during the day and walked all night. With lion attacks a constant danger, they made timetables to decide who would sleep while the other stood watch. They ran from lion attacks and swam through alligator-infested waters, and eventually they made it to safety in Kenya.
Jacob stayed in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya until he came to the United States when he was 15. He was sent to Michigan, where he lived with a foster family and received his high school and college education. Jacob traveled to the University of Florida to get his Ph.D. after he received his bachelors and master’s degree in Michigan. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, Linda, and his two kids, Samuel Dut and Theodore Yai. He graduated in December 2017 with his Ph.D. in environmental and global health, and he plans to use his education to help people around the world.
Resources:
- Jacob Atem
- Imagining A Journey: Jacob Atem at TEDxUF
- Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization
- How A Lost Boy From Sudan Found His True Calling In The U.S.
In this dojo, we continue the conversation on the resistance and talk specifically about how it shows up and how it manifests in our every day lives. Tony walks us through the different ways that resistance can manifest itself in our lives to prevent and distract us from being who we really are and from living our highest value:
- Procrastination
- Anything that would be addicting
- Self-help and healing used as distractions
- Consumer culture and shopping
- Ego
- Self-dramatization
- Unhappiness
- Self-Doubt
- Loneliness
- Resentment and grievances
- Guilt and shame
- Sorrow
- Victimhood
- Hypocrisy in others
- Fundamentalism
- Cruelty to others
In today’s dojo, we discuss specific examples so we can learn how to beat this force that can kill our dreams and kill our calling. We are all capable of doing it but we have to first realize that it’s real and be able to define and describe it. Resistance doesn’t care about us, it cares about shutting down who we are called to be.
Resources:
- Steven Pressfield: The War of Art
We welcome Dr. Vincent Venditto back onto the podcast to talk about the recent updates regarding the COVID pandemic, vaccinations, and looking ahead to adapting to a brave new world. On this episode, Tony and Dr. Venditto dive into the importance of communicating science and understanding the scientific process. This conversation dives into understanding how science is a method- that there is no such thing as a perfect experiment when it comes to collecting data because there are things that we can’t predict or miss when originally designing experiments. This is why the peer-reviewed process is so important, as it serves to help authors identify the potential things that may have been missed when designing their experiment. Together, Tony and Dr. Venditto discuss how science can be communicated better, how we could start teaching critical thinking in early education and build that foundation at an early age, and how to have healthy skepticism about the information being given to us.
Dr. Vincent J. Venditto is an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky. He received training in organic synthesis and vaccine development. He obtained a BS in chemistry from Gettysburg College and then worked for two years at the NCI, NIH as a cancer research trainee before attending graduate school. He obtained a PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University and worked on vaccine development as an NIH postdoctoral fellow at University of California, San Francisco. Students and fellows in his lab come from diverse backgrounds with interests in chemistry, biology, drug delivery and experimental therapeutics, but a common goal of exploring novel methods to modulate the immune system. Students and fellows in his lab are encouraged to utilize their skills to advance projects while learning new skills to better appreciate the various aspects of designing novel immunotherapies.
Resources:
- Addressing Concerns and Resistance to the COVID-19 Vaccine with Dr. Vincent Venditto
- The Importance of COVID-19 Vaccinations with Dr. Vincent Venditto
- Dr. Vincent Venditto | UK College of Pharmacy
On today’s dojo, Tony gets into what he considers to be the biggest reason why many of us don’t live the life we’re meant to live. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about The Resistance, as described by Steven Pressfield in his book, The War of Art. In the subsequent dojo episodes, we’ll then talk about how it manifests in our lives and how we can go about beating this resistance.
Why is this relevant to people with disabilities? People with disabilities face an even greater resistance in their lives and have more reasons and excuses to not live the life they’re meant to live. As we dive into the characteristics and identifying the resistance, Tony’s hope is that we’ll be able to see how it truly is a force that impacts everyone. The problem is most of us don’t even see it, acknowledge it, or realize that we’ve already or are currently being affected by it.
Resources:
- Steven Pressfield: The War of Art
As someone who has a disability, Drew has 23 plus years of lived experience and 7 years of experience working with and advocating for people with disabilities. Since 2014, he has worked as a freelance motivational speaker and advocate giving talks to various organizations throughout the state of Florida. During that time, he has also served as the Media Relations Coordinator for the Gainesville “Night to Shine” Prom for people with disabilities sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. He recently graduated this past summer from the University of Florida with his Bachelors of Science in Telecommunication-News. During his time at UF he was heavily involved in advocating for disability rights through UF organizations, such as, Disability Ambassadors and serving as a student advocate for the Disability Resource Center on campus.
Since graduation from the University of Florida, Drew has joined the wonderful CIL team serving as the High School High Tech program coordinator for Alachua Rural and Levy counties. In his role, he assist high school students with disabilities take their next life adventure after high school, with a focus on employment for people with disabilities. High School High Tech was created to empower young adults to pursue their dreams in areas including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through job shadowing, internships, and workshops. Being able to guide other people with disabilities like himself on their journeys to becoming productive members of society has been such a rewarding experience for Drew.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” -Franklin D Roosevelt
Resources:
- Drew's News Podcast
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
As Tony concludes this dojo miniseries on life mission statements, he hopes it can serve as an example of why creating and having mission/vision statements for ourselves is important, as it can provide awareness and clarity especially during uncertain times. It might also serve as a compass for when we may not know where we’re going or it can help to keep us grounded.
Service to others is what Tony finds to be his purpose. In reflecting on why and how he’s become involved in serving others, he has his parents to thank for leading by example and giving him the opportunity to see life from different perspectives and circumstances. On this dojo, he breaks down the components of service, based on his personal life experiences with serving others and his community:
- Privilege: it is a privilege and an honor to be able to serve
- Vulnerability: being of service requires you to enter into a space of vulnerability
- Empathy: getting out of our own heads, being selfless instead of selfless
- Gratitude: having appreciation for being in a position where we can give back to others
- Sacrifice: service requires an important sacrifice
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
It’s a new year, which means we’re in a new legislative session! On this episode, Jane talks about the culture and climate for the Florida 2022 Legislative Session. She provides an update on COVID, Re-districting, potential Gerrymandering, and breaks down FACIL’s legislative agenda for the year.
Jane also highlights other types of legislative actions that are expected to take place, such as, changing the age in which students are considered to have developmental disabilities and eligible for educational services, and funding for the Florida Alliance For Assistive Services and Technology (FAST Program). She will join us periodically throughout this legislative session to share updates and inform us on what may be coming down the pipeline. Jane’s continued efforts to provide knowledge on the legislative process and terminology helps to educate us on how the process works, which in turn, helps us to be better advocates.
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit: Online Sunshine
You can also visit:
- Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Senate
- The Florida Channel
Love is a spiritual condition that helps us to find meaning and purpose in our lives. Today’s dojo is a continuation of the previous dojo where Tony talks through the importance of having a mission or vision statement for ourselves, to help guide us through another new year. On this dojo, Tony talks about unconditional love for all and shares how unconditional love breaks down for him, in his life.
Today is also Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Tony takes this this time to talk about his message and his vision, and how love ties into a lot of what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. And one of his most powerful messages is perhaps the message of loving one another. It is in this message of love that we need to look towards to in order to be united, to overcome our differences, and to create a harmonious society.
Resources:
- Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It By: Kamal Ravikant
This week we continue the message of gratitude and sharing the independent life from the perspective of our guests within the Independent Living network. We have had the privilege of interviewing guests from all walks of life, across all age groups, with vastly different experiences, and an abundant amount of life lessons to share. We hear from leaders who have dedicated their life work towards making a difference in their community, champions for the people who strive to advocate for those unable to advocate for themselves, artists who are forging the path for disability representation in the media, educators and researchers working to examine access and support for those with disabilities, students learning to navigate their way through the education system and gaining resilience through the journey, and established legal professionals who’ve left their corporate career to make a difference in nonprofit work. These perspectives and countless others is what makes the independent living network so impactful, powerful, supportive, and life changing. Join us in leaning into the experiences of those paving the way for advocacy for all.
Listen to the full episodes from our guests featured on this episode:
- Brian Johnson
- Brianna Chesteen
- Jose Morales
- Max Gastelum
- James Jones
- Mira Gaitanis
- Zach Staubitz
- Shirley Bloodsworth
- Patrick Dodds & Mark Watson
- Dr. Consuelo Kreider
A mission and vision statement is critical to the success of an organization. From this perspective, Tony thought about the benefits we could gain from creating a mission statement for ourselves, which gives us direction so that we can be successful in our lives. On today’s dojo, Tony shares with us his mission statement and his personal formula for achieving inner peace in his life:
- Awareness
- Clarity
- Non-reactivity
- Non-resistance
- Non-judgement
- Non-attachment
- Patience
- Forgiveness
- Gratitude
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
A new year is upon us, with unlimited potential for how we can continue making strides towards being the best version of ourselves that we can be. On this episode, we take a look back at some of our guests’ responses to “What does the independent life mean to you?” It is through the different perspectives and countless experiences of others that we may broaden our understanding on what it means to live independently for those who have adversities and challenges in their daily lives.
Listen to the full episodes from our guests featured on this episode:
- Shera Curtis
- Beth Myers
- Linda Butler
- Terri Poucher & Mark Brisbane
- Drew Dees
- Tyler Morris
- Whitney Harris
- Kathy Elkins
- Bea Awoniyi
2022 may be a year where we continue to see adversity and continue to be challenged. As we enter into the new year, are we thinking about the importance of preparing for what’s ahead? Are we remembering that we have everything within our capacity and control to make sure that we overcome these challenges and to be the best version of ourselves that we can be by facing these adversities?
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The American Red Cross approached the Florida Associations of Centers For Independent Living (FACIL) to learn to how they can better and more effectively communicate with people with disabilities during disasters. As we’ve discussed on previous episodes on the podcast, people with disabilities tend to be one of the more high risk populations during disasters and the folks that tend to serve people during disasters, such as those who work at The American Red Cross, were eager to learn how they can better serve this community.
On this episode, various Directors within FACIL have a candid conversation with folks at The American Red Cross on social etiquettes, how to effectively communicate with people with disabilities, what are the recommendations in those communications with people, and collectively share lots of useful information and knowledge on how to better communication with people with disabilities.
What is a Centers for Independent Living?
CILs are consumer-driven, non-profit organizations who support community living and independence for people with disabilities based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices and participate fully in society. CILs provide tools and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities. CILs serve all disabilities and all ages in every county in Florida.
All 67 counties in the state of Florida are covered by a center for independent living. We are a disability resource center with a mission to keep people with disabilities living in the community, independently. We serve all disabilities and all ages, proving a wide array of different services, free of charge.
Where are Florida's Centers for Independent Living? Visit Florida Association of Centers For Independent Living to find a CIL near you.
Resources:
- Peter O’Connell is the Executive Director for The Center for Independent Living of South Florida, located in downtown Miami
- Center for Independent Living of South Florida with Peter O’Connell
- Ciawanda McDonald is the Executive Director of Disability Solutions for Independent Living, covering Volusia and Flagler County
- Brave Spaces with Ciawanda McDonald
- Carolyn Grawi is the team leader of the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida
- Dedication To Accessibility and Inclusivity with Carolyn Grawi
- Brian Johnson Chief is the Program Operator at the Center for Independent Living of Broward Ft. Lauderdale
- Believing You Can Do Anything with Brian Johnson
- Harvey Brooks is the Executive Director at Suncoast Center for Independent Living
As we approach the end of another year and look ahead to a new year, it is an opportune occasion to reflect on time. Time always seems like it has flown by too quickly when we’re looking back to reflect but when we look forward and when we’re going through it, there never seems to be enough time. And with the pandemic, it’s common to hear that time feels warped this past nearly 2 years. When we take a step back and look at time in the grand scheme of things, life is quick and fragile, and time is extremely precious and the older we get, the faster time seems to fly by.
On this dojo, Tony reflects on time; what are we doing with our time? How are we spending our time? Are we working on improving ourselves or are we constantly worried about other things that are outside of our control. He talks about the now being the most valuable point in time; living in the present. He asks you to think about how much you may be sacrificing by not being present- by not thinking and living in the now. What are we doing in our lives to make sure that we’re choosing the right here and right now, to do what we need to do.
Resources:
- Cal Newport: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
What does the world of disability look like from the lens of family; a mother, a father, brother, sister? Kathy is a mother of two children who have disabilities, who are now young adults. She joins us on this episode to share her rich experiences in this role- what it’s like to receive an early diagnosis of autism for your 8 month old baby and what it’s like to process that information. She shares the experiences she had raising children with disabilities; how it impacted her friendships along the way and what parents with children with disabilities may need to learn about the friendships they have with others. She shares her perspective on teaching young people with disabilities how to be self-advocates. Kathy gives tremendous insight and specific experiences that her children have gone through and dives into what family networks in disabilities is all about.
Kathy is also the Project Director for the Parents of the Panhandle Information Network for the Family Network on Disabilities. FND’s mission is to strive for complete integration and equity of people with disabilities in a society without barriers. They serve all persons with disabilities and advocate for inclusion, quality of life, and quality for individuals with disabilities. They serve families of students 0- 26 years. FND provides technical assistance to families and over 30 different workshops, presentations on individualized education programs. They hold 3 parent training and information (PTI) grants, funded by the US Department of Education.
Resources:
- Family Network on Disabilities
- Special Education Downloadable Resources: https://fndusa.org/esedownload/
- FND’s Guidebook to Transition: https://fndusa.org/resources/transition-tool-kit-2/
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this special Christmas dojo, Tony reflects on having a blessed life but mostly taking the time to remain aware and acknowledge that there are those who are not as fortunate- not just around the holidays, but year round. He reflects through various events throughout the years where he’s gotten the opportunity lend a hand, give his time, and simply just be in presence with those whom we can share our blessings with. Tony invites you to continue to reflect, count your blessings, and seek ways on how we can both pay it forward and give back. How can we be of service during this holiday season? How can we spread joy to those who may be going through tough circumstances? How can we make this world a better place? It all starts with us- giving kindness, supporting one another, lending a helping hand. We invite you to take a step out of your comfort zone, spend some time with those less fortunate, and see how it can change your world ..and heart.
Debra Saenz was born and raised in Gadsden County Florida, where she still resides today. She has been an L.P.N. for over 30 years and has worked in retail pharmacies, hospitals, pediatrician offices and the WIC program. Today, she is employed by the State of Florida in the Title V program as a Family Leader providing a family voice with stakeholders in the Big Bend area. She is the proud mother of 32 year old twin boys who have autism.
Debra joins us on this episode to help widen the lens on the world of disability from the perspective of a parent, caregiver, and professional. She shares her experience on raising her sons, who are diagnosed with autism at an early age; attending school in the early 90s where there was very little to no support from teachers, administrators, or from the school system. Debra shares her journey of how she coped with this reality and how she navigated through the challenges to help her sons thrive in life. Her journey has helped her become the person she is today; it has allowed her a pathway into working with parents and families, helping them through these challenges, to give them the resources to be the best parents and support for their children that they can be.
Resources:
- To learn more about CMS, visit: www.cms-kids.com
- Partners in Policymaking Florida
- Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Title V Program
Contact:
- Debbie K. Saenz LPN Phone: (850) 901-8639 Email: Debra.Saenz@flhealth.gov
New Year Resolutions are easy to make but hard to keep. What can we do to be a better person and work towards being the best version of ourselves possible? On this dojo, Tony dives into the steps and various ways methods we can implement when we attempt to make a behavioral or habitual change in our lives.
The How starts with ‘The Why’. Why are we doing what we’re doing? Ask yourself, “Why am I choosing this? Why is this so important for me to be doing and is it the right thing for me to do?” ‘The What’ is the mindset that we have and the specific strategies and habits that we have. What is going to be our mindset going into ur behavioral change? Mindset is crucial, so if we’re going to be doing something different, we have to believe that we can do it. And lastly, probably the most important thing as we go into this is our identity- who we identify ourselves as, as we go into this. By de-identifying ourselves from the behavior we want to change from and identifying ourselves with the new one we seek, it can help us get closer to achieving our goals because when we identify with our goals, it helps us to remain consistent and live up to our identity.
Join Tony in this conversation as he covers the basics and the ‘how to adapt to a behavioral change:
- Setting the right goals
- Making sure we have the proper education and builiding necessary skills to enable us with confidence
- Utilizing resources
- Identify the barriers and create if/then plans
- Time management
- Managing social inputs
- Environmental controls
- Behavior rewards
- Being intentional in visualizing our behavior
- Assessment of progress
Resources:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Carolyn Grawi is the team leader of the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida. She has a deep sense of commitment to our region’s nonprofit sector. She continuously works for the betterment of the community and has served nonprofits at all levels in program, fundraising, executive and leadership and has a breadth of perspective and experience. Since 1987, Carolyn has been engaged in and with the field of disability.
Carolyn has been associated with the CIL of Northwest Florida since 2018. Prior to the CILNWF, from 2004 – 2017, Carolyn served in a variety of roles as the Center for Independent Living including Executive Director.
Carolyn has over 30 years of executive planning, social work, teaching, administration, communications, and marketing experience in the nonprofit sector. She provides leadership and supervision to diverse teams; is an advocate for civil rights; communities’ relationship building; casework to develop reasonable accommodations for consumers in employment and housing; department activities, training, presentations; provides educational consultations on accessibility and sensitivity to city governments, libraries, schools, transit providers, builders, and developers; recommended and implemented policies in conflict management, and other issues.
Carolyn is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, is a member of the UM School of Social Work Advising Faculty for the Online Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design (DIAD) Program, and an adjunct instructor at the University of West Florida Department of Social Work. Carolyn has a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Certificate of Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Michigan Schools of Social Work and Rackham Graduate School. She additionally is a certified Americans with Disability Act Coordinator through the University of Missouri and the Great Plains ADA Center. She is also a Certified Mediator for Dispute Resolution Centers.
“I am dedicated to this work because it provides vital human services and cultural enrichment to our community. When we have inclusive and diverse opportunities, we strengthen our work teams’ effectiveness. When our communities are accessible and inclusive of ALL of us, everyone will have the support to live their life as their best self and increase both their own and others success. I am proud to be involved in so many journeys of success of people and community.”
Presently Carolyn Grawi serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the United Way of West Florida’s Agency Directors’ Association. She is a member of the Policy Committee for the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce (as the Co-Chair of the Economic Recovery Policy Committee and a member of the Quality-of-Life Subcommittee). She is a founding member of Pensacola Civic Con. Carolyn Grawi is a member of the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living Board of Directors and is part of the JP Pass Committee and the Legislative Committee. She is a member of the Florida Independent Living Council Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Carolyn is a member of the Florida Disability Rights Voter Accessibility Rights Committee. She is a member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. Carolyn Grawi is a member of the National Association of Social Workers in the Florida and Michigan Chapters and is licensed to practice in both Florida and Michigan.
Resources:
- Job Accommodation Network
- Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida
- info@cilnwf.org
- 850-595-5566
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Tony’s signature sign-off for each episode -onward and upward- serves as a message to always aim for improvement; moving towards a better version of ourselves and recognizing that we’re all a constant work in progress. With the New Year on the horizon, now is a greater time than ever to reflect where we’ve been, assess what went well, and review what could we improve upon? Join Tony on this brain storming dojo where he talks through ideas, areas, and countless ways we can contemplate and learn to integrate our lives, so that we can continuously improve to better versions of ourselves, especially as we look ahead to a new year.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Since 2007, Kristen Griffis has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Elder Options, located in Gainesville, Florida. Under her direction, Elder Options administers an array of programs and services designed to benefit older adults, persons living with disabilities and their caregivers. Ms. Griffis was raised in Lakeland, Florida and moved to the Gainesville area in early 2000 where she began her work with Elder Options. Prior to being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Griffis served as the Director of Planning and Outcomes Analysis, and then as Elder Options Associate Executive Director. In her more than 20 years with the agency she has seen many changes in the field of aging and has great passion for the work. Ms. Griffis also serves as the President for the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging and is a Board member for the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Ms. Griffis earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida in Public Administration.
Resources:
- www.agingresources.org
- Elder Helpline: 1-800-262-2243 The Elder Helpline, a service of Elder Options, is your starting point for seeking information and other kinds of assistance for seniors and their caregivers. The Elder Helpline is part of Florida’s Aging & Disability Resource Center network that provides callers with information, referrals, choices, and assistance in accessing the many services available to older adults, persons with disabilities, their caregivers, and family members.
Jane Johnson joins us today on a special dojo to talk about CIL Day at the Capitol, advocating for policies supporting people with disabilities. Planned months in advance, the purpose of CIL Day serves as an opportunity for CILs to come to The Capitol, to meet with legislators and present awards of appreciation to the members who supported CIL issues last year. Jane catches us up on how CIL Day went at The Capitol- meeting with all the representatives, senators, and heads of departments and agencies. She also shares plans and what to expect from the upcoming 2022 legislative agenda, as we look ahead into an expansive time that will offer so many different opportunities to better serve people who are in need of living independently. The 2022 Legislative Session kicks off in January; be sure to join us for frequent updates!
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit: Online Sunshine
You can also visit:
- Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Senate
- The Florida Channel
Happy Thanksgiving! On this special holiday episode, we are joined by staff at Center For Independent Living North Central Florida - many of whom have previously been a guest on the podcast - to share what they are grateful for in their lives. Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to remind one another of the many reasons there are to be grateful. The holiday season is more than the festivities; it gives us time to reflect upon what lessons we’ve learned and how we can spread happiness around, to look back at all the great memories and good people who came into our lives. At this time of Thanksgiving celebration, our thoughts turn gratefully to you with warm appreciation. May your blessings be multiplied this year and throughout all your life. We hope that you’re surrounded with the love of your dear ones on this festive season. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
As we enter into the holiday season and a week primarily centered around gratitude, Tony takes this time to peel back the layers of how we approach gratitude, while keeping a balance with allowing ourselves to feel the tough emotions that come with every day life.
Steps to gratitude:
- Recognition: what are we grateful for and what could we be grateful for; think about what blindspots you may have in your life for the things you could be grateful for
- Appreciation: feeling gratitude takes reflection and helps you to understand why you feel grateful for something
- Acknowledgement: the expression of gratitude
Tony also shares gratitude exercises you can utilize regularly, which has been shown to significantly increase overall happiness, satisfaction, quality of life, and wellbeing. Additionally, practicing gratitude has also been proven to improve our physical health and health enhancing behaviors, such as, eating better and getting better sleep. Join us in this reflection on gratitude and we invite you to practice these gratitude practices:
- Journaling: write down what you have to be grateful for and why
- The gratitude visit: think about someone in your life that has done something to benefit your life; write a letter to this person telling them what they did that made your life better, then deliver this letter to them
- What went well and why exercise: identify at least one thing in the day that went well and why
Happy Thanksgiving and happy gratitude practicing :)
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Consuelo Kreider, PhD, OTR/L is a Clinical Assistant Professor where she teaches in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Her clinical expertise is in community-based occupational therapy working with individuals and families with neurodevelopmental and psychosocial challenges. Dr. Kreider has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health for investigation of the development of skills, strategies, and supports for fostering the social functioning and self-management of individuals with neurodiversity who are transitioning to new adult roles and social contexts. Her work extends to examination of access to supports and services for rural Veterans with disabilities through the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Gainesville. Supports developed through her research have been adopted by the University of Florida and have been judged as an Institute of Education What Works Clearinghouse intervention for post-secondary educational settings.
Resources:
- Consuelo M Kreider, PhD, OTR/L | Email
- Graduate Faculty, Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program
- Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers (VRHRC)
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this Disability Dojo, Tony talks about the journey and process of happiness. He explores how the obstacles in life is the way towards happiness and how we learn values and virtues by going through the obstacles. Through this process, we are exploring the meaning of life and can we be happy as we’re going through these experiences, knowing that this process is giving birth to all that we need to learn.
Episode Resources:
- Dr. Martin Seligman, Father of Positive Psychology
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Kevin McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief for Accessibility.com, is an ADA Coordinator and Certified Accessibility Professional, and has served in numerous roles as an advocate for persons with disabilities, including Disabled Services Division Chief, 508 Compliance Officer, and Accessibility Project Manager, and continues to serve on numerous boards and commissions that advocate for persons with disabilities. Kevin has been recognized by the Florida Council of the Blind for his work in improving access to information technology and the City of Jacksonville for his management of the city’s Project Civic Access transition to ADA compliance in coordination with the Department of Justice. He has also received recognition for his work in effective communication by the Independent Center of Northeast Florida and the State of Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. In 2021, the City of Colorado Springs received the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition’s Kathy Vincent Award of Effective Communication for his work in digital accessibility.
Learn more about how you and your organization can become a catalyst for equal access to the physical and digital worlds, at Accessibility.com
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On today’s dojo, Tony dives into virtue. The stoics regard virtue through Summum Bonum- the pursuit of the highest good, which are: courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. Tony takes us through an exercise where he shares a few stoic ideas for listeners to consider to use to have a better life.
References:
- Summum Bonum: The Pursuit of the Highest Good
- Amor Fati: The Formula for Human Greatness
- Premeditatio Malorum
- Memento Mori
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Brian Johnson Chief is the Program Operator at the Center for Independent Living of Broward Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Brian has been involved in the disability advocacy field for the last 20+ years providing assistance to individuals with disabilities who are trying to become more independent in their community and access services that they are entitled to, and may not even be aware exist. Brian has served as a volunteer surrogate parent for foster children with disabilities, conducts independent living assessments, training in independent living skills, assistive technology, employment assistance, housing assistance, and advocacy (ADA and IDEA). Brian is a person with a disability (spinal cord injury), and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Philosophy from the University of Miami. Brian has been married for the last 17 years to his high school sweetheart, whom he has been with for over 20+ years. He is a proud father of two young kids, a 11-year-old son and a 8-year-old daughter, and he views his family as his greatest accomplishment.
Episode Resources:
- Brian Johnson | Email
- Center for Independent Living of Broward
- The Able Trust High School High Tech Program
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this dojo episode, Tony gets into Philosophy, specifically stoic philosophy, as he feels stoicism is an ideal philosophy for disability. We all have philosophy and a philosophical way of seeing life. In the first few episodes of the Disability Dojo series, Tony spent an episode each asking, Who Am I?, Why Are We Here?, Why Am I Here? These questions allowed him to dive into and reflect on his philosophy on life- how he sees himself, how he sees the world, and how he sees his place in the world. This helps to drive his philosophy, which is always evolving and changing.
References:
- Zeno: Founder of Stoicism
- Stoic School
- Mediations by Marcus Aurelius
- Mediations by Marcus Aurelius: A New Translation (Gregory Hayes)
- Epictetus
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Patrick Dodds has been the Director of the Continuum of Care (CoC) for the United Way of North Central Florida and the North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry since July 2020. Prior to joining the United Way Patrick was an attorney in private practice covering the areas of real estate and property law, contract law, and non-profit law. His work with the UWNCFL and the NCFAHH focuses on ending homelessness in the CoC’s five counties which include Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Putnam counties. Patrick is also a dad to two incredible boys and has lived in Gainesville since 2011.
Mark Watson currently Manages a Homeless Street Outreach Program at Grace Marketplace. Mark is a Social Worker and Paralegal. He has worked with people living outside for the past ten years to assist them in obtaining resources, income, and housing. He has been a therapist, artist, pig farmer, house framer, and educator. Mark has worked in the nonprofit sector for the last 18 years. He resides in Gainesville, Florida with his partner where they raise an ever-growing family of three kiddos, one dog and two cats.
References:
- North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry
- United Way of North Central Florida
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Federal program that provides funding related to housing
- The Continuum of Care (COC): The Continuum of Care (CoC) program promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The program provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness.
- Public Housing Authorities (PHA): Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.
- HUD-VASH: The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8: The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Permanent supportive housing is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services.
- Rapid ReHousing: Rapid Rehousing is an intervention designed to quickly move families and individuals out of homelessness and into permanent housing. Rapid Rehousing is also used to keep the housing for households who are at risk of falling into homelessness. In some areas of the state, the local lead agencies provide Rapid Rehousing programs.
- State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP): Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
- ALICE: An acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, is a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget.
- Built for Zero Program: Built for Zero is a national movement of communities working to achieve an end to homelessness that lasts and leaves no one behind.
- Sadowski Fund: The Sadowski Housing Coalition is a nonpartisan collection of over 30 statewide organizations. The coalition came together in 1991 with the goal of obtaining a dedicated revenue source for Florida’s affordable housing programs. Membership in the coalition has grown since and continues to grow today. Currently, membership in the coalition ranges from business and industry groups to faith-based organizations, demonstrating a wide breadth of support across all industries in the State of Florida.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
None of us are free from the potential of being homeless. On this Disability Dojo episode, Tony talks about housing. Centers For Independent Living are highly invested in ensuring that they work to find housing for people with disabilities by offering transition and diversion services, along with information and referral services. The number request related to these services is housing.
Affordable housing is define as households that can pay for their rent or their mortgage and still have money leftover to afford other costs of living, such as food, transportation, healthcare, education, and all activities related to daily living.
Safety is also a big consideration, as often times affordable housing units are in areas that have a higher prevalence of crime, than in other areas and people with disabilities are often 3 to 5 times more likely to be victims of crime. People with disabilities represented nearly half of the people that are homeless. When we talk about affordable housing, it is also necessary that we consider accessibility, safety, homelessness.
This dojo precedes this week’s long form interview with Mark Watson and Patrick Dodds on housing. On this upcoming episode, you’ll hear a lot jargon and acronyms related to housing that can be referenced below:
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Federal program that provides funding related to housing
- The Continuum of Care (COC): The Continuum of Care (CoC) program promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The program provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness.
- Public Housing Authorities (PHA): Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.
- HUD-VASH: The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8: The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Permanent supportive housing is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services.
- Rapid ReHousing: Rapid Rehousing is an intervention designed to quickly move families and individuals out of homelessness and into permanent housing. Rapid Rehousing is also used to keep the housing for households who are at risk of falling into homelessness. In some areas of the state, the local lead agencies provide Rapid Rehousing programs.
- State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP): Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
- ALICE: An acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, is a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget.
- Built for Zero Program: Built for Zero is a national movement of communities working to achieve an end to homelessness that lasts and leaves no one behind.
- Sadowski Fund: The Sadowski Housing Coalition is a nonpartisan collection of over 30 statewide organizations. The coalition came together in 1991 with the goal of obtaining a dedicated revenue source for Florida’s affordable housing programs. Membership in the coalition has grown since and continues to grow today. Currently, membership in the coalition ranges from business and industry groups to faith-based organizations, demonstrating a wide breadth of support across all industries in the State of Florida.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Shirley Bloodworth is 92 years young. She has spent her life making active change for those who often cannot advocate for themselves. Shirley is part of a community concerned for older adults, Community Coalition for Older Adults (CCOA), who got together through community collaboration and advocated to build a senior recreation center. It exists to provide all kinds of programs to promote independent living for seniors, to educate seniors on advance care planning, to provide peer support services, to provide opportunities to learn different activities of daily living skills, and to connect seniors to resources for all kinds of recreation. The recreation center would not have been possible with the efforts of the CCOA in advocating to local city and county commissioners, to put together the necessary resources to build it, along with getting a community agency to run the center and provide the operational cost. The CCOA does so much for the community; they hold monthly meetings, inviting all kinds of people to come and talk to their group about all different aspects of what it means to age healthy.
Shirley talks about being a lifelong learner, about serving and returning, paying it forward, and about the challenges she’s going through during this time of division. She is a true champion for people.
Episode Resources:
- Community Coalition for Older Adults | Facebook
- Advocate for the elderly
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On today’s dojo episode, Tony talks about how to address stress through our brain; how we can conceptualize stress, recognize our perspectives about stress, how we can rightsize stress in terms of how we think about it. Tony will walk through different cognitive ways we can learn to manage our stress: internal and external control, self-awareness, perspectives, how to address fear, how to help cope with rude behavior, forgiveness, gratitude, as well as, prevention based ways of helping to conceptualize stress.
References:
- Epictetus
-
Albert Ellis
-
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
-
Serenity Prayer
- Mickey Singer, The Untethered Soul
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Mark D. Bennett is the principal of Uniting by Design LLC, a consulting firm with a mission to help leaders unite organizations that deliver superior results, earn ethical reputations, and adapt to change.
He left the practice of law for graduate study in counseling psychology and family therapy. Then, he began to work with a wide range of organization disputes as a full time mediator. These disputes included staff, leaders, and boards of businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and international organizations.
Twenty five years ago, he shifted his focus from cleaning up organizational problems to promoting organizational health. He serves as a workshop presenter on leadership, teaming, conflict resolution, values-based decision making, and creative collaboration. He is also a leadership coach and facilitates collaboration, wise planning, and critical decision making.
He has written three books:
- Uniting by Design: the Architecture of Creative Collaboration (2021) - a practical guide to building collaboration in organizations, leadership teams, work teams, alliances, and partnerships.
- A Field Guide to Good Decisions: Values in Action (2006) – the practical steps of ethical decision making to make difficult decisions with integrity, accountability, and credibility.
The Art of Mediation, 2d edition (2005) – the skills of conflict resolution and principled negotiation to help people bridge differences, make agreements, and make peace.
Episode Resources:
- Mark Bennett | Website
- Mark Bennett | Email
- Mark Bennett | LinkedIn
- Mark Bennett | Book
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on stress and how to deal with it effectively. In this episode, Tony dives into actionable ways to process stress in healthy ways, such as:
- physical activity
- healthy eating
- healthy sleep patterns and habits
- meditating and journaling
- having positive social support systems
- engaging in art and music
- volunteering and being of service to others
- random acts of kindness
- managing our time
- being smart with our money
- avoiding stressors such as too much screen time
- laughter
Join Tony next Monday as he talks about cognitive tips and things to contemplate to help manage our stress.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Mira Gaitanis is an artist and an advocate who happens to have low vision. Currently, she is Junior pursuing a major in Media and Communication Studies at Florida State University. She likes to stay involved on campus with The Center for Leadership and Social Change and their programs, which includes Service Scholars.
On this episode, we have the privilege of hearing Mira share her story, her experience with having low vision disability, why she’s inspired to be a lifelong learner, and how she came to be an adaptive and skilled self-advocate. She talks to us about her journey through education and how her support systems helped her to grow during her transition into college. Mira speaks on how representation in media for people with disabilities matters and expresses how the lack of representation has fueled her inspiration as an artist. One of many important takeaways from Tony’s conversation with Mira is learning to lean into our vulnerabilities. On this episode, Mira talks about isolation, self esteem, shame, independent living, confidence, and how all those integrate with each other and how she navigates that.
When she’s not busy with school and community service, Mira loves to create music with her band, Flat Moon Theory, whom she’s known since second grade! They have released two albums and and EP.
Episode Resources:
- Mira Gaitanis | linktree
- Mira Gaitanis | Instagram
- Mira Gaitanis | Facebook
- Flat Moon Theory | Spotify
- Flat Moon Theory | YouTube
References:
- Florida Low Vision Initiative
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
This is the first part of a 3 part series about the topic of stress- why its important to pay attention to our stress and what it may be telling us. In the following two episodes, Tony will be getting into actionable and healthy ways to manage stress.
References:
- Stoic Philosopher Seneca
- Robert Sapolsky: Physiological Effects of Stress
- General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Jane Johnson is back on the podcast this week for a special State Of The Union episode on what the independent living network has been up to within this past year and what we can expect, as we’re gearing up for the end of the year and the beginning of the legislative session.
For those joining us for the first time, Jane Johnson, the Executive Director for the Florida Association for Centers For Independent Living. She is an advocate for the centers; Jane works on regulatory issues, serves as a liaison with the state agencies in Tallahassee, Florida, and works with the legislature- either on public policy issues that are important to the centers or funding issues.
Despite the division and discontent we saw a result of the ongoing pandemic, Jane shares how centers for independent living stayed focus on working towards making things better for people with disabilities. Centers for Independent Living worked to increase capacity at the centers and received approval for increased funding to provide more transitional services for people with disabilities. Through their efforts to inform the community about the legislative process and updates they were able to provide insights to new legislators about who the centers of independent living folks are and what they do. An example of the kind of impact made from this outreach, is a bill that has passed requiring every school to provide information to students and parents about centers for independent living so they can take advantage of this resource in their community. Jane also shares a very important project where she is leading the charge in looking at what she calls the social determinants of employment success and is working with the department of education to provide required training to inmates; the goal behind this training is to increase people’s employability by working on soft skills and hard skills, such as how to create a resume, job interview skills, how to conduct yourself in a workplace, etc.
Centers within the independent living network have benefitted tremendously from her leadership, ingenuity, and hard work. Jane shares that one of the biggest things she’s learned so far, is that she did not fully appreciate independent living when she came into her role, in the way that she does today.
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
Education is needed but often not sufficient in to getting where we want to go. On this dojo episode, Tony talks about how we should look at it is a social determinant of health, given how our level of educational attainment predicts how long we will live, our resiliency to chronic disease, and quality of life. From his perspective, Tony sees education as being as much of an academic or professional outcome as he does a health outcome.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Brianna Chesteen M.S., is the Founder and Executive Director of the Health Education and Training Center of Gainesville, Inc.(H.E.A.T.). Brianna is a Health Educator from Ocala, FL who is passionate about informing and educating others about public health. Brianna holds a master’s degree in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida. Brianna enjoys learning and teaching how behavior can determine our lifestyle through H.E.A.T.’s community health and wellness courses. Brianna's goal is to educate the community on how to maintain a healthier lifestyle through overall holistic health, which focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. Brianna is currently collaborating with other non- profit wellness centers to help contribute to the overall well- being of the Gainesville community. Brianna sits on the Board of Directory for the Southern Legal Counsel (c.2021), and is an advocate for wellness for minorites. Brianna enjoys spending her time writing poetry, playing the guitar, and indulging in yoga classes! You may find her attending one of the yoga classes we offer!
Worthy Warriors book by Brianna Chesteen: https://www.heateducation.org/books-1
Brianna's book, Worth Warriors is an affirmation book that encourages children to look within themselves! This affirmation book is for all children to learn more about themselves and to help each child understand themselves by providing an internal mirror. Parents, please use this book as a guidebook to help facilitate behavior change in your child and practice mind, body, and spiritual healing! This book is a great resource to use to enhance postive self- esteem and continue the healing jouney for you and your child! We believe wellness is the state of encompassing the body, mind, and spirit, as we continue to help our children better understand themselves! All proceeds go back to our wellness programs for underserved minorites within Gainesville, FL!
- Health Education and Training Center of Gainesville, Inc.
- Phone: (352)-448-1190
- Facebook: health.education.and.training
- Instagram: @heat.education.training
- Website:https://www.heateducation.org/
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/heateducation
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
What would your personal mission statement be? Mission statements can give us clarity and be the north star that helps to guide us. And when you do identify what your mission is, declare it, call it out into a statement- make it something that you can say to yourself on a daily basis. Having a mission statement means having a vision for the future and a path forward, which now allows you to set goals.
On this Disability Dojo episode, Tony dives into the many aspects that lives within the question of ‘Why am I here?” along his journey of trying to be the best version of himself that he can be, within all the different areas in his life. He talks about how he finds this to be a universal purposes for all of us- how we as humans are always on this path of constantly needing to get better and to improve and not allow yourself to be trapped in the comfort zone
A short exercise to help determine your mission statement:
- Question 1: What to do you love to do?
- Question 2: What are you good at?
- Question 3: What does the world need?
- Question 4: How can I make a living out of that?
Linked resources mentioned:
- Esther Perel
- Tony Robbins
- Simon Sinek: Start With Why
- Brendon Burchard: - High Performance Habits
- Stephen R. Covey - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Jim Kwik: Kwik Brain Podcast
- Cal Newport: Deep Work
- David Goleman: Emotional Health Work
- Susan David, Ph. D.
- Wayne Dyer
- Rob Bell
- Deepack Chopra
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this episode, Tony gets to know Zach, who is currently in his second year of college and has a lot to share on what has allowed him to be successful in his academic journey. Zach talks about his experiences with school during his K-12 years and his transition into college- the struggles he experienced in his first year, the lessons he’s learn, and how he’s carrying them forward. He talks about stigma and his resilience through facing stigma throughout his life. Having ADHD, he shares his challenges with being distracted but also is here to teach us about how to not be distracted in a society built with unlimited distractions. Zach also shares about his experiences participating in the Youth Leadership Forum and life after attending YLF.
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a unique leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities. Students participate in a multi-faceted series of online leadership training, role playing, mentoring, job preparation, career exploration and activities to build social and communication skills.
To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
Listen to our episode on YLF: https://open.spotify.com/episode/12c8hPKqa5VlXwxgLBhNCc
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Why are we here? This is a question that helps Tony identify his true mission. When Tony thinks about here and where we are, he zooms ..out a lot. He does so to keep himself grounded and it helps him to put perspective on the problems and issues that he finds challenging and continuously allows him to appreciate the life he’s been given.
Humans are made up of the elements that come from the core of the stars- the iron in our blood, the carbon in our cells, the phosphorus in our DNA, the calcium in our bones. A well known consensus in astrophysics and physiology is that we are literally the universe coming together to become conscious and aware of itself.
From the beginning, we are reliant on others, we need each other- that seems to a natural part of our evolution, which ties into a theme for our purpose with this podcast- having a community where we can come together, around disability, have some unity with disability, to be able to do so through social connection, and in doing so we can ascend to being the best version of ourselves possible. It’s so important to be together to be connected, to have community, because we are stronger together.
References:
- A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
James is a founder of an organization call “Be Able, Be Fit” which used physical activity, as a way to work on people’s physical health but also gets into their mental and emotional health and really working on their mindset. The mission of his organization is to promote a place where people with all different kinds of disabilities, can come for encouragement, support, camaraderie, and community.
In this conversation Tony and James dive into his lived experiences and journey into disability, his struggles and anger with his disability, and how all of that has lead him to a place that he is in now. Through having role models, being mindful about his thoughts, and aiming towards having more positive thoughts, James came to a place of surrender in regards to his life. His perspective shifted away from that anger into a mindset of choosing to live with strength and lessons learned. On this episode, James shares with Tony the importance of developing a heart set and becoming a better individual, and how important it is to think about what we truly want for ourselves and how do we get there, which allows the shift from a lacking mindset to a growth mindset.
To learn more about Be Fit Be Able, visit https://befitbeable.org/ and discover how you can get active, gain independence, and be all you can be.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Who am I? Who are you? A person has many different aspects to who they are, not just disability, but all these various aspects, such as, nationality, race, the gender they identify with, the roles they fill in the life, their job, their talents, etc. For Tony, the answer to this question drives everything that he does- the way he thinks, the way he speak, the way he behaves. It’s a question he asked himself constantly and that answer can change constantly, as well. It’s a deep question to ask ourselves and its a very important question because knowing ourselves allows us to be the best version of ourselves.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
In this powerful episode, Max Gastelum and Isaiah Swaysey, two alumni from this year’s Youth Leadership Forum, join Tony in an inspirational conversation. Through immense courage and bravery, they talk about important and rich areas regarding transformation- moving from a place of not being well and not doing well, to transforming and evolving into a place of hope, aspiration, and having a new outlook in life. They share the ways in which they cultivated their purpose, their why, what they’re working on, the power of art, and what it does for them. With an open heart, they share their take on how we can go about helping others, especially those with disabilities, and the best approach for doing that. Max and Isaiah share what they want people to know about their life, their attitudes towards living their life to the best of their ability, and how they would appreciate people interacting and communicating with them. They talk about the difference between pity and empathy, and they give us their take on what it means on living independently and have the independent life.
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a unique leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities. Students participate in a multi-faceted series of online leadership training, role playing, mentoring, job preparation, career exploration and activities to build social and communication skills.
To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
Listen to our episode on the Florida Youth Leadership Forum
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
People with disability report a lower quality of life, more consistently than people without disabilities. Quality of life is declining in many demographics in our country but when we look at disability- it is more magnified and that’s what we call a health inequity and health disparity; it’s not consistent with the general population so it’s important or us to take a look at that and find ways for improvement.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Tony Delisle and Sarah Catalanotto participate in a Health Equity Collaborative call with Tobacco Free Florida. In this conversation about smoking cessation and populations with disabilities, they discuss the prevalence of smoking rates and people with disabilities, in comparison to the average population. In this conversation, we talk about smoking cessation efforts; many who joined the call are smoking cessation counselors, who were not necessarily aware of these disparities among people with disabilities and might not realize the people they’re working with, have mental or physical disabilities. Tony and Sarah talk about making sure that people with disabilities have the same level of access to the information and resources being shared. This also ties to health literacy- the ability to communicate information in a way that people can understand and act on.
This is a great conversation for folks to hear because in the area of public health, smoking is still the number preventable cause of death and disease in our country. This impacts people with disabilities disproportionally, as compared to the general population.
For additional resources on Health Literacy from the CDC and HRSA:
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/gettraining.html
- https://www.hrsa.gov/about/organization/bureaus/ohe/health-literacy/index.html
- and from the Florida Rural Health Association: https://www.floridaruralhealth.org/health-literacy-echo
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Join us weekly in conversation with Tony, as he reflects on topics and ideas related to living an independent life.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Jose Morales is the ADA Manager at the Center for Independent Living in Jacksonville. On this episode, Tony and Jose share a conversation where he talks about the importance of being ourselves, being authentic to who we are in our true nature, and when we do that, it brings us to a place of empowerment where we can then create the synergies needed in our lives to live up to our fullest potential. Jose talks about how he was able to achieve an authentic identity that he embraces, what it means to be a great leader, what those qualities entail, and how he’s manifested them and puts them into practice through his advocacy and the advocacy of others.
Connect with The Center for Independent Living in Jacksonville: https://www.ciljacksonville.org/
Mailing Address: 2709 Art Museum Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207 Toll-free: 888.427.4313 Voice/TTY: 904.399.8484 Fax: 904.396.0859 Email: info@ciljacksonville.org Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM
There’s an art and science to service. How do we make peace in the world? How do we make the world a better place? How do we promote independent living? The disability dojo aims to create a safe space for discussing these questions: how can we learn more about these issue areas, how can we best improve and be the best version of ourselves, and what is our role in helping out others?
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
“Health equity” will be achieved when every individual has the same opportunity to attain their full health potential because there is equal access to equal health care based upon equal need. Dr. Laura Guyer’s career has been dedicated to the mitigation of health disparities that are associated with social, economic, racial, and educational disparities and elimination of barriers in the health care system. At risk for health disparities are members of socially and economically marginalized populations due to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, age, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Dr. Guyer established the only undergraduate academic program nationwide dedicated to eliminating health disparities while adding diversity to the health professions workforce. Health Disparities in Society, housed at the University of Florida, works in partnership with thirty local safety net clinics, nonprofit organizations, and state agencies to teach students about social inequities, the social determinants of health, cultural competence, health literacy and the social mission of health professions education.
Before returning to UF to establish the health disparities minor, Dr. Guyer spent twenty-five years immersed in the rural culture of north Florida. As a clinician, wellness nutritionist and community educator, she developed cultural sensitivity and awareness about the health care and educational needs of diverse individuals.
Her deep and long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion and undergraduate education has been recognized by numerous awards including the UF Presidential Service Award for Leadership and Service Advocate of the Year (2020), Faculty Achievement Award (2019), UF Faculty Advisor/Mentor of the Year Award (2016), UF Faculty Leadership and Service Advocate Impact Award (2016) and Advisor of the Year Award (1993). Her commitment and service to the dietetics profession in Florida was recognized by the 1995 President’s Award. The hallmarks of her career include leadership, innovation, creativity, community engagement and collaboration.
To learn more about Dr. Guyer's work visit:
- How Can We Change Healthcare? Build Better Doctors. Ytori Magazine. Fall, 2019: 36-37
- LK Guyer, ML Wayne, NS Hardt. (2018). Undergraduate minor in health disparities in society: a magnet for under-represented pre-professional students. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 5: 495–503
- Gainesville Fire Rescue Community Resource Paramedicine (CRP) Program
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The Disability Dojo is an opportunity for us to take some space and to really think about important questions, identify issues, and take stock in some issues worth contemplating and relevant to our mission towards understanding more about what it means to have a disability to live independently, and to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
Each week, Tony will use this space to examine some of these questions and issues that may not have clear answers but are worth reflecting on. This week we reflect on the questions of,
"Why am I here?"
"Why are we here?"
"Who am I?"
"What’s my purpose? What’s my role? What is it I enjoy doing? What can I contribute to the world? How can I be of service to others?"
Join us in this conversation as Tony dives into the nuances and reflects on this topics.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com! We'd love to have guests participate with Tony on our Disability Dojos- so if that person is you, reach out and let us know!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this episode, we welcome back Dr. Vincent Venditto, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. Tony and Dr. Venditto begin by reflecting on where we were in the pandemic when they first connected in January and where we are with the pandemic today. Dr. Venditto shares his perspective on where we are in the life cycle of this pandemic and discusses the concerns over the delta variant. They dive into questions about the vaccine, boosters, should people who’ve had the vaccine be masked indoors or should they not be masked, can people who have had the vaccine still spread COVID-19, and get into depth about the hesitancy and resistance with getting vaccinated.
Dr. Venditto received training in vaccine design and immunology and continues to investigate vaccine strategies to better understand how the immune system works in disease progression.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Fact vs. fiction: https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news-events/archive/covid-19-vaccines-fact-vs-fiction
- Top 10 questions: https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news-events/archive/10-quick-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
On this episode, Tony takes us back to our mission with the purpose and our intentions for The Independent Life podcast: providing a lens to what it’s like to have a disability and to live independently. In Season 1, we strived to accomplish this by talking to people with disabilities in order to gain insights into their lives through their lived experiences. We hoped that by doing so, we could build a community based on unity around disability.
For Season 2, we dove straight into a mini series on Emergency Preparedness to address access and functional needs for people with disabilities, before, during, and after disasters. We spoke with folks across organizations and agencies of people with disabilities, advocates of people with disabilities- to hear their perspective and understand areas that could use improvement in order to better serve those who are most vulnerable during times of disaster.
Tony also introduces us to a new weekly addition: Monday Disability Dojos. Each Monday, Tony will talk about a topic, issue area, or philosophy related to independent living and dive into his thoughts about it and perhaps where the disability community needs to be thinking about and keep on the forefront.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss with our community and listeners, leave a comment or contact us at cilncf.org@gmail.com!
For More Information visit: Center For Independent Living of North Central Florida
- 352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
- 352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
We’re joined today by Joe, Jody, and Beth to learn more about what the independent living network is and why centers for independent living are an important resource for emergency management professionals and community based organizations who are looking to do better in the area of making sure people with disabilities are better prepared for disasters.
Joe Didomenico and Jody Armstrong joins us from the Disability Achievement Center on the west coast of Florida and Pasco County. Beth Meyers is the Executive Director for The Florida Independent Living Council, a statewide independent living council that helps to ensure centers for independent living are doing what they’re charged to do and delivering on services for people with disabilities.
Collectively, this panel has a lot to share in terms of meeting needs and how we can better collaborate. Whether you are in emergency management, if you’re a first responder, whatever you’re role is in terms of meeting needs of people, this is an important conversation you don’t want to miss.
Joseph J. DiDomenico Executive Director Disability Achievement Center 12552 Belcher Road, South Largo, FL 33773 Office: 727.539.7550 ext. 222 Fax: 727.539.7588 http://www.mydacil.org/
Beth Meyer, ADA PA Executive Director Florida Independent Living Council, Inc. 1882 Capital Circle NE, Suite 202 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 850-488-5624 (Voice) www.floridasilc.org
Laura George is a disability advocate and a liaison between the disability community and emergency management, first responders, health care organizations, and other community-based organizations in the area of disability and disaster preparedness. With year of personal and professional experience in this area, Laura provides us with insight on how we can ensure that the most vulnerable people have all their access and functional needs met.
National Council for Independent Living - Emergency Preparedness (NCIL-EP) Committee
Learn about: Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion in Disasters Act (REAADI)
Florida Statewide Independent Living Council
FB: Hurricane Michael Resources - ILC
Miracle Relief Collaboration League - Disaster Assistance
Noah's Ark & Company - Board Member
Connect with Laura George (Author, Presenter, Caregiver):
Facebook / laurageorgeemdl@gmail.com / 770.330.5653
Check out Laura's BOOK!
North Central Healthcare Coalition Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness
Chris Littlewood is an instructor and instructional technology coordinator who teaches Effective Strategies for Communicating with People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Others with Access and Functional Needs at St. Petersburg College.
The next class is in Pasco County (Aug. 24-25, 2021) and another TBA in Sept 2021 in northeast FL. Under the same grant/project are 20 more class titles/offerings available for victim advocates, healthcare and allied professionals.
All classes are FREE to the target audience. For information contact CPSI through littlewood.chris@spcollege.edu or VOCA grant project coordinator, Wayne Morris at morris.wayne@spcollege.edu or (727) 341-4631
For More Information about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida: http://www.cilncf.org/ Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com Gainesville office: (352) 378-7474 Ocala Office: (352) 368-3788
North Central Healthcare Coalition: www.ncfhcc.org Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition: www.neflhcc.org Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness: www.marionCHAMP.org
Laura Lee Putzback has over 30 years experience in health and human services, working with folks with mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, dementia, Alzheimer’s, elderly, homeless, and the economically challenged.
Laura is a service handler and has a service dog named Riley. Together, they travel throughout the state of Florida to help educate and conduct free trainings.
In this episode, Laura unpacks why being an advocate is important. She talks about the common access and functional needs that people with services animals often experience during natural disasters, as well as, during everyday emergencies that might involve car accidents, fires, and other types of injuries where first responders are present. Laura illuminates the importance of the people that have assistance animals, when it comes to engaging them in this pre-planning process with organizations who are looking at their policies and procedures, as well as, other actions plans in order to make sure that they’re ready for when situations occur with people with service animals
Laura represents The Service Dog Alliance of Florida- an incredible resource and organization which offers FREE trainings any where in the state of Florida. They help to educate organizations and agencies about the laws and responsibilities they have in making sure the accommodations for people who use service animals, are met.
Service Dog Alliance of Florida Contact: (352) 410-6500 / servicedogaf@hotmail.com
Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program
North Central Healthcare Coalition Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness
Peter Newman is the Director of Emergency Management for the Florida Department of Education. On this episode, we unpack the skills, values, and leadership that is needed in the area of emergency management. Peter discusses the role of local response at the county level, the state level, and the federal level when a disaster occurs. He talks about common access and functional needs, in terms of meeting the needs of people with disabilities and the progress still needed in this area. Together with Tony, they dive into the art and science of collaboration, especially with organizations like CIL, who are advocates and exist to be solution oriented. Peter shares his own experiences to illustrate the importance of mental health for those on the front lines working in emergency management.
Peter Newman, Director Peter.Newman@fldoe.org(850) 245-9989
North Central Healthcare Coalition Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness
For More Information about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida: http://www.cilncf.org/ Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com Gainesville office: (352) 378-7474 Ocala Office: (352) 368-3788
Steeped in experience in disaster preparedness, Tony talks to Tyler, Jane, and Ciawanda about the impact they’ve had through their involvement before, during, and after disasters. Their stories illuminate areas of access and functional needs. The centerpiece for this episode is collaboration- why collaboration is so important between emergency management professionals, community based organizations, and for the community of people with needs that we’re trying to meet. Collectively, we will discuss how these collaborations are formed and how trust plays an integral part of these connections and relationships.
Jane E. Johnson, Executive Director
Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living
Office: 850-575-6004
Ciawanda McDonald, Chief Executive Officer
Disability Solutions for Independent Living, Inc.
Office: (386) 255-1812
TTY: (386) 252-6222
Tyler L. Morris, Executive Director
CIL Jacksonville
Office: (904) 399-8484 ext: 302
For more information on emergency preparedness:
North Central Healthcare Coalition Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness
Leigh Wilsey and Eric Anderson joins Tony to kickoff the Emergency Preparedness Miniseries here on The Independent Life Podcast. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be discussing how we can collectively come together to meet the access and functional needs for people with disabilities, how their members can get better connected with centers for independent living, and reach the community of people with disabilities to better serve.
North Central Healthcare Coalition: www.ncfhcc.org Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition: www.neflhcc.org Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness: www.marionCHAMP.org
For More Information about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida: http://www.cilncf.org/ Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com Gainesville office: (352) 378-7474 Ocala Office: (352) 368-3788
This miniseries is brought to you by the North Central Florida HealthCare Coalition and Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida. This series of 8 podcast episodes will unpack what it means to have a disability, address the access and functional needs for people with disabilities, and how collaborations between different agencies, departments, community based organizations, and the community of people with disabilities are so integral in meeting the needs of people with disabilities- before, during, an after disasters.
North Central Healthcare Coalition: www.ncfhcc.org
Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition: www.neflhcc.org
Coalition for Health and Medical Preparedness: www.marionCHAMP.org
Leigh Wilsey
Healthcare Coalition Program Manager
Northeast Florida Regional Council
lwilsey@NEFRC.org
(904) 279-0880 ext 105
Eric Anderson, AICP
Emergency Preparedness Manager
(904) 279-0880 ext 178
eanderson@nefrc.org
For More Information about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
Gainesville office: (352) 378-7474
Ocala Office: (352) 368-3788
Emily Berndt, Ashlyn Michael, and Alex Cavalcante have been leading the charge on conducting outreach to schools within the Center For Independent Living’s catchman area of 16 counties, which include 16 different school districts. They’re beginning a process of connecting to schools where CIL currently does not have a presence within, to get to know their students and parents and to offer CIL’s valuable services.
We’ll be following Emily, Ashlyn, and Alex on their outreach journey throughout Season 2 to learn about the exciting work they’re doing in the community through engagement, building trust, offering value.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Survey: https://forms.gle/YjhG14s3jMANwosi8
- Newsletter / Mailing List Sign Up: https://forms.gle/duyZgLSWWfPhW8147
- Instagram: @cilncf_advocate4edu
- Educational Advocacy Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/137392331715471
- Contact Alex Cavalcante: ACavalcante@cilncf.org
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
In this episode, we reflect on the past year as we wrap up season 1 and look ahead at how we can continue to be the best version of ourselves so that we can better provide for those in need. Shera Curtis, Mark Brisbane, and Kevin Towles joins Tony in reflecting upon the things they’ve been doing, challenges and issues they’re seeing in the live of people they serve on a daily basis, success stories that give us hope, and share what drives each of them to being able to be of service to others.
Tony and all of us at CIL would like to extend a big thank you to our listeners, supporters, all our guests, and the producers behind the scene that have helped to make our Season 1 such a huge success. We can’t wait to see you back here on July 5th. Until then, onward and upward!
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
Dr. Bea Awoniyi is the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at Santa Fe College, overseeing the disability resource center, serves as Ombudsperson, and helps to oversee grant awards among many other different aspects of her role. Dr. Awoniyi has a long career in higher education, previously having worked in other universities at their disability resource centers and serving in vast leadership roles. She is a member of the Association on Higher Education And Disability and together with her colleagues, they work to better understand what they need to do, with the national organization so that they can bring individuals from the minority population to the table.
In this episode, Tony and Dr. Awoniyi talk through how to navigate our identities in a healthy way, that integrates our social and environment context, in the way we live our lives. They dive into an important discussion in reflecting about who we are, understanding our purpose, and if we have the means- how can we give back.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Contact Information:
- bea.awoniyi@sfcollege.edu
- 352-395-5513
It is a time to celebrate. In a collective and true grassroots effort, we have achieved a lot. But even if we hadn’t achieved the things that we did, this brings cause for celebration because this has been a session where we’ve witnessed all of our members of Centers for Independent Living, JPPAS participants, come together and work together towards common goals.
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
This week we bring you a very special episode from our Independent Life community of advocates who join us to share their personal stories in an effort to demonstrate the human and economic return on investing in the JPPAS program. This will be accomplished through meeting several of the recipients of the program and learning why JPPAS has been so instrumental in achieving their dreams and Independent Living goals.
Whether you’ve been following along on our journey from day one or are just joining us today, we encourage you to contact key senate and representative decision makers to advocate for increase funding for the program for its sustainability and future growth to add more people onto it.
The James Patrick Memorial Work Incentive Personal Assistant Services program provides financial assistance to persons who are gainfully employed and have severe or chronic disabilities that require assistance from a personal care attendant (PCA) for at least 2 activities of daily living such as self-care, including ambulation, bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting, and other similar tasks.
The program is primarily funded by the Tax Collection Enforcement Diversion program which provides the deliquent tax owner an opportunity to pay back the taxes instead of being prosecuted and serving time in jail.
Do you qualify for the program?
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
Guests:
- Dug Jones: Clark University, Program Manager https://www.linkedin.com/in/dugjones https://www.clarku.edu/schools/sps/new-graduate-studies-staff-appointments-announced/
- Salim Nasser: Nasa Mechanical Engineer; Inventor of ROWHEELS https://www.rowheels.com/about-rowheels/our-story/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/snass101
- Christina Martin: Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant; Ms. Wheelchair Florida 1999 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-martin-msrc-crc-33846620
- Carey Larabee: Disney's Wide World of Sports Guest Services Representative https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/pmr-patients-hard-work-rewarded-at-happiest-place-on-earth https://www.linkedin.com/in/carey-larabee-48ab764
- Mark Brisbane: Wheelchair Ramp Program Consumer Specialist https://www.wuft.org/news/the-only-thing-i-cant-do-is-walk/
Key Legislators:
- Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (House sponsor of FACIL priority bill - HB 427)
Co-sponsors of FACIL’s priority bill:
- Rep. Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee)
- Rep. Michelle Michelle Salzman – (R-Pensacola)
- Rep. Daisy Morales – (D-Orlando)
- Rep. Susan Valdes – (D-Tampa)
- Sen. Aaron Bean (Senate sponsor of FACIL priority bill – SB 794)
Support we need to pass the bill on the floor of the House:
- House Speaker Chris Sprowls – (R-Palm Harbor)
If the bill passes the House, we will need final approval and signature from:
- Governor Ron DeSantis
Weekly Legislative Update w/Jane Johnson: April 19-23
This week we witnessed a direct affect of advocacy by grassroots efforts from the CILs, specifically Tony (Lake County) and Liz (Polk County), for contacting Senator Stargel, who represents counties within their catchmen area. As a result of Tony and Liz sending emails to the chair of the senate appropriations committee to express the importance of this issue, the senate picked up and matched the house offer for Centers For Independent Living.
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
Ciawanda McDonald is the Executive Director of Disability Solutions for Independent Living, covering Volusia and Flagler County. She is a voice for the independent living movement, in terms of equity, diversity, and intersectionality, spearheading a group comprised of folks throughout the state to advance the conversations related to equity for all groups of people with disabilities. She unpacks the important things that are needed to be know in having these conversations, what are the terms, what’s the context, and what’s the conversations being had, how does it conceptualized, and why its important to really understand who we are, our awareness of ourselves, our implicit biases. Ciawanda discusses addressing the fears we have when entering into these conversations, how to overcome them, how does it all tied back to the independent living movement, and how we can do better to serve better for the people that we’re charged with serving and providing.
Some of the work they done at the centers is creating brave spaces that encourages a dialogue that recognizes differences and holds a person accountable for what it is that they do or say and sharing experiences. Within these work groups, participants share their own experiences, have conversations, and work on how to make the centers for independent living more diverse and more equitable for others.
Disability Solutions for Independent Living, Inc. 119 South Palmetto Avenue, Suite 180 Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 386-255-1812 Fax: 386-255-1814 TTY: 386-252-6222 www.dsil.org info@dsil.org https://www.facebook.com/DSILDaytona
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
Kathy Elkins supervises Sign Language Interpreting Services at CIL. Kathy has had 18 years of experience working at a center for independent living, of which 15 have been in the sign language interpreting program. She joins us to today to discuss why these sign language interpreting programs are so important. Kathy shares what a situation that requires sign language interpretation looks like and explains the process of how of how to go about requesting an interpreter. CIL of North Central Florida operates a sign language coordination program to ensure the availability of interpreters for individuals who are deaf.
For more information call Kathy Elkins at 877-629-8840 or e-mail at kelkins@cilncf.org.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
Sarah Goldman is the Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives at the Florida Independent Living Council. Having previously worked as a legislative aid and being a voice for people with disabilities, she talks about her experience and journey in advocacy. Sarah unpacks what it takes to be an advocate for people with disabilities, the challenges she’s faced and how its helped to shape her into the best version of herself so that she can better serve others. Sarah provides us with a lens into what its like to be young with a disability. She talks about how having a disability has given her a strong foundation for resiliency, the ability to adapt, and having an open mind. Sarah is an advocate for youth leadership and talks discusses the importance for self-advocacy for people with disabilities at a younger age.
Resource:
- Episode Transcript
- To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum and how to apply, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
- Florida Independent Living Council, Inc.
- 1882 Capital Circle NE. Suite 202 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Phone: 850-488-5624
- www.floridasilc.org
Whitney Harris is the Executive Director for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST). Whitney is passionate about creating a reality in which all people are equal and have equal access. Her disability advocacy work started in 2008 when she joined the Florida Youth Council and became a volunteer at the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. Being inspired by others who have disabilities has led her to become an active member on the Board of Directors for three national organizations: the Association of Youth Leadership Forums, the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Whitney’s leadership and involvement with these organizations have provided an opportunity to experience examples of best practices to bring to Florida. At the state level, Whitney is a long-time volunteer with the Florida Youth Leadership Forum and Treasurer of the gubernatorial appointed Florida Independent Living Council. Whitney has a Bachelors of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College, a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida, and is a Certified Prosthetist (CP).
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- For more information about FAAST and Florida's YLF:
- https://faast.org/
- http://floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
- Andrew Gurza: http://www.andrewgurza.com/
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a unique leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities. Students participate in a multi-faceted series of online leadership training, role playing, mentoring, job preparation, career exploration and activities to build social and communication skills.
We’re joined this week by two previous participants of The Youth Leadership Forum, who now occupy leadership positions in the independent living network.
Whitney Harris is the Executive Director for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST).
Sarah Goldman is the Director of Administration and Youth Initiatives for Florida Independent Living Council, Inc. (FILC).
In subsequent episodes, we dive more into Sarah and Whitney’s respective roles and hear how they continue to advocate for the independent life.
To learn more about The Youth Leadership Forum and how to apply, visit: https://www.floridacils.org/youth-leadership-forum
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
Weekly Legislative Update w/Jane Johnson: Mar. 15 - Mar. 19
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
Ariella Bak, NREMT, pioneered and manages the Community Resource Paramedicine Program within the Gainesville Fire Rescue department. She created this program while working as a volunteer for GFS and attending The University of Florida. Her team goes into the community to address the complex needs that are present and helps to identify the needs that align with the services that CIL provides, such as, access to affordable housing, home modifications, wheelchair ramps, to name a few. It’s this level of community collaboration that allows CIL to serve the independent needs of many people within their community.
Ariella shares with us the innovative program they’re facilitating to address the access and functional needs that people are challenged with for getting the COVID vaccination. People with disabilities, the most vulnerable population to COVID, are experiencing many barriers when it comes to receiving the vaccination. The Homebound Vaccination Program has Ariella and her team going into communities with disabled people to administer the vaccination. She talks about the logistics and the challenges in getting the COVID vaccination out to the community.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
We're back with updates from Jane on Week 2 of the legislative sessions! Continue to follow along each week and also catch updates in the link below to stay in the know with weekly updates from Jane Johnson!
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
Tyler Morris is the Executive Director for The Center For Independent Living Jacksonville, covering a 5 county catchman area. His phenomenal staff at CIL Jacksonville provide a wide variety of services to the communities they serve. On this episode, we get to hear insights from Tyler ranging from equality, diversity, intersectionality to disaster preparedness related to people with disabilities. We also spend time talking about the youth and their leadership role in the future of disability. In this new age, Tyler discussed different and creative ways to market Centers For Independent Living so that we can ensure we do the work to get the word out there about how CILs can help people achieve their independent goals.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- To learn more and to connect with CIL Jacksonville, visit: https://www.ciljacksonville.org/
- http://floridacils.org/
Welcome back! Week 1 of the legislative session is in the books! Continue to join us each week and follow along with updates in the link below to stay in the know with weekly updates from Jane!
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
Laura Lee strives to empower individuals with disabilities to become highly skilled service dog handlers who have access to a safe and inclusive community. As advisory board chair for New Life Medical Service Dogs, Inc. she co-authored the person-centered curriculum which focuses on awareness and impact of disability when using a service animal, dog handling skills, and the rights and responsibilities of service animal owners. She is certified by the University of Missouri as an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator. As the lead advocate with the Service Dog Alliance of Florida, she conducts business and community education, manages the warm line to support service dog handlers and local businesses with information and referral services, and assists handlers in navigating employment, housing, transportation, and pubic access issues.
She has 30+ years’ experience in the delivery, design and management of public and private health and human services. She has managed community-based programs for the disabled and elderly. Laura Lee is a two-time recipient of the City of Virginia Beach Creativity in Public Service Award (1993 & 1997).
As a volunteer her leadership has built organizational capacity. Those roles have included: George Dame Federally Qualified Health Center Vice President, Leadership Citrus Board of Governors Chair, NAMI Florida Board of Directors, Florida Local Advocacy Council (Gubernatorial Appointed) vice-chair and United Way of Citrus County Treasurer.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Americans with Disabilities Act https://www.ada.gov/
- ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program https://www.adacoordinator.org/default.aspx
- Service Dog Alliance of Florida: 352-410-6500 / servicedogaf@hotmail.com
Peter O’Connell is the Executive Director for The Center for Independent Living of South Florida, located in downtown Miami. Peter and his staff serve a diverse population, staying true to the independent living (IL) philosophy, and therefore, all of our services are person-centered. The consumer, along with their family and/or support system, identify the services needed, and together with CIL staff, map out a plan that guides every consumer in achieving their independent living goals.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- For more information about The Center for Independent Living of South Florida:
- Website: https://www.cilsf.org/
- Phone: (305) 751-8025
- Videophone: (786) 347-7318
- Email: info@cilsf.org
Follow the 2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Arlene Jennings spearheads CIL’s High School High Tech program, which exists to assists students with disabilities in making better more informed decisions about their career and their futures. HSHT is structured according to the nationally recognized, evidence-based Guideposts for Success: School-based Preperatory Experiences, Career Preparation & Work Based Learning, Youth Development & Leadership, Connecting Activities and Family Involvement & Support.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- For more information: http://www.abletrust.org/
- Contact: ajennings@cilncf.org
For additional information about CIL: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
Beth Myers is the Executive Director for the Florida Independent Council (FILC). She joins us today to talk about how her role and FILC’s role with the independent living network aligns. We hope this conversation helps our listeners better understand the independent living network, how it can better support people with disabilities, and to serve and meet their needs. FILC is responsible for ensuring that Centers For Independent Living have access to effective communication and programs needed by people with disabilities to live the independent life.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- For More Information about FILC: www.floridasilc.org
- Contact: beth@floridasilc.org
This week we discuss unexpected changes in the head of agencies that can cause a ripple affect on the independent living community. We also talk about the importance of looking out for unintended consequences of a bill or constitutional amendment that looks good on its face but can have negative impacts in the long run when it comes to people with disabilities.
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
Dr. Vincent Venditto is an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. He received training in vaccine design and immunology and continues to investigate vaccine strategies to better understand how the immune system works in disease progression.
On this episode, Dr. Venditto speaks on the importance of getting the vaccine and helps to clarify some of the questions surrounding the COVID crisis. We also discuss the impact of COVID on the population of people who have disabilities and issues related to the access barriers for getting vaccinated.
For more information:
Fact vs. fiction: https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news-events/archive/covid-19-vaccines-fact-vs-fiction
Top 10 questions: https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news-events/archive/10-quick-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
We are back with Jane this week to catch us up with a legislative update for the week of January 25th - January 29th. This week we’re also adding a ‘CIL School House of Rock’ a play off of Schoolhouse Rock: America - I'm Just a Bill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFroMQlKiag&feature=emb_title), to provide some civics 101 for our listeners.
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
Despite living with Cerebral Palsy, Drew Dees does not let it stop him from pursuing his dreams. His upbringing consisted of a simple principle that has carried him throughout life — anything can be accomplished with effort. Drew is currently dedicating a lot of time and effort to pursuing a career as a Multimedia Journalist, which has been his dream job as long as he can remember. Drew wants to inspire and make a difference in this world through his work, and another way he defines himself is by his work as an advocate for those with special needs. The ability to help others is a gift, and he is glad to be able to serve his community in this way.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Contact Drew Dees: deesreports@gmail.com
- Facebook | Instagram | Twitter: @drewdeesreports
The Independent Life Podcast is excited to bring you a new series of weekly updates, sharing what is going on in our Capitol, related to the legislature, the policies, the laws, the issues that impact people with disabilities.
Jane Johnson, the Executive Director for the Florida Association for Centers For Independent Living, will be joining us weekly to share what is going on today, what to look forward to tomorrow, and some things we should know about the process works, in order to be better advocates. Advocacy is one of the core services that CIL provides; Self Advocacy and Systemic Advocacy are two parts in what it means to advocate, each of which are very important in terms of the legislative process.
This will be space where we learn more about what’s relevant, what’s going on in the capitol, learn more about the process, and through this, we’ll be better informed to push for advocacy for the issues that impact people with disabilities.
2021 Legislative Session Weekly Updates: http://floridacils.org/news
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
Jane Johnson is the Executive Director for the Florida Association for Centers For Independent Living (FACIL). Created from the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, there are now 15 centers of Independent Living throughout the state of Florida and nearly 500 across nationwide.
Jane joins us to talk about why Centers For Independent Living are important and why they matter. She shares examples about how people with disabilities can become advocates for systemic change and what is needed to navigate our current political landscape by allowing our values to guide us towards being the best version of ourselves for the greater good of the people we serve.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
For helpful general information and links to the House and Senate websites, statutes, the Florida Constitution and a directory of Florida lobbyists visit “Online Sunshine” at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm
The House website is: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
The Senate website is: https://www.flsenate.gov/
The Florida Channel website is: https://thefloridachannel.org/
As we start a new year and begin to work through our resolutions, we invite you to join us on this journey as we collectively ask ourselves: How through these challenges that we have, through the world of disability or the greater world at large, make us a better person? And as we strive to become a better person, how can we help other people to do the same. In times of uncertainty, Tony reflects on drawing upon values of commitment, integrity, caring about people, diversity, and collaboration to be his compass.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Gerry Altamirano is the Inclusion Strategist at Tangible Development. He also serves on the Board of Directors for CIL. On this episode we'll be unpacking a lot of terms and concepts that are used in having conversations regarding equity, diversity, intersectionality, and ableism.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Contact Gerry Altamirano: gerry@tangibledevelopment.com
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Linda Butler is the Director of Employment Services at the Center for Independent Living. Her team works to provide a wide array of different types of services to ensure people with disabilities can find meaningful and sustainable employment. So much goes into a meaningful and independent life in terms of our ability to be employed. Linda discusses these services and why it is important that we focus on ensuring that people with disability are meaningfully employed.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Find your local Florida office of Vocational Rehabilitation: http://www.rehabworks.org/
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Mark Bennett is the Principal of Decision Resources Incorporated, a consulting firm that works with leaders and organizations to help unify the organization to achieve superior results, to earn ethical reputations, and to adopt to the changing environments.
With 25 years of experience, Mark takes on a multitude of roles when working with organizations, from facilitating workshops to strategic consulting, and many different areas including mediation and conflict resolution, decision making, wise planning, and creative collaborations.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- Contact Mark Bennett: mark@decisionres.com
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Terry Poucher and Mark Brisbane joins us on this episode to talk about two of the five core services that all Centers For Independent Living provide: Independent Living Skills & Peer Services.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
- To join an independent living skills class every Thursday at 10:30am EST:
- https://zoom.us/join
- Meeting ID: 3523787474
- password: cilclass
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Mark Brisbane is a husband, father, and mentor to those with physical disabilities in the Gainesville community. At CIL, Mark serves as a consumer specialist for the Wheelchair Ramp Program, which builds home access ramps. He also teaches Peer Support classes on how to live more independently with physical disabilities.
Our ramp program runs throughout the year and we maintain a database for all wheelchair ramp requests. As we have limited resources, staff continually writes grants and conducts other fund raising activities so that fewer people have to be placed on the waiting list.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
Shera Curtis talks Community Outreach, providing resources and services to any one who is in need. If you have a disability, call and connect with Shera, who serves to provide you with information and referrals, one of the 5 core services you can find at all Centers For Independent Living.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
What is the Center for Independent Living?
Centers for Independent living programs work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society.
Dr. Tony Delisle and Amy Feutz from The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, shares how these programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.
Resources:
- Episode Transcript
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)
The Independent Life is a podcast created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities and those who care about them. Here, we offer a unique lens into the world as we live it. Join us as we create unity through disability by taking a deep dive into the issues, ideas, services, and stories of courage, advocacy, and empowerment for living the independent life.
For More Information: http://www.cilncf.org/
Contact Us: cilncf.org@gmail.com
352-378-7474 (Gainesville office)
352-368-3788 (Ocala Office)