SILC NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2015
Sharing Information Loud and Clear
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
The momentum of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continues
as the Independent Living Centers (ILCs) and State Independent Living Council (SILC) work to
make independence a reality for Californians with disabilities. Whether it’s meeting with
legislators in Washington, D.C. or supporting the Youth Leadership Forum or helping students
with disabilities succeed in school, the SILC and ILCs are actively addressing barriers to
independent living.
This edition of Sharing Information Loud and Clear shines a spotlight on the many ways the
SILC and ILCs improve services and programs to equip Californians with disabilities to live and
work independently. The articles include:
 SILC Members Sharing Information Loud and Clear on Capitol Hill
 Independent Living Centers and Students with Disabilities Team Up to Pave the Way to
School Success
 ILCs Open Doors to Independence for Californians with Spinal Cord Injuries
 Planning the Future of Independent Living at the SILC’s Quarterly Meeting
 Sharing Aspirations, Needs and Dreams to Shape the A.N.D. Plan and 2017-2019 SPIL
 Living the ADA at the 2015 Youth Leadership Forum Luncheon
Your recommendations are always welcome for future articles in Sharing Information Loud and
Clear. Please join the SILC in sharing this edition with your friends, family and colleagues, and
don’t forget to encourage everyone you meet to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Ben Jauregui
Chair, SILC
SILC MEMBERS SHARING INFORMATION LOUD AND CLEAR ON CAPITOL HILL
State Independent Living Council (SILC) Executive Director Liz Pazdral was joined by SILC
Members Joseph Cody, Fiona Hinze and others at the National Council on Independent Living’s
(NCIL) 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living in Washington, D. C. in July.
Participants at the record-breaking event took part in workshops and panels, and more than
1,000 disability advocates marched to the Capitol, culminating in a rally and visits with
legislators. During those visits, Hinze had the opportunity to speak with Senator Barbara Boxer
about issues impacting people with disabilities.
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Photo: SILC Member Fiona Hinze’s Visit with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer in Washington, D.C.
Photo Collage: Participants at the NCIL 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living and
March to the Capitol and the Road to Freedom Bus
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Pazdral participated in a workshop on intergenerational bias that covered specific training on
diversifying SILCs to engage multiple generations. She also served on an Aging and Disability
Resource Connection (ADRC) panel to discuss the future and sustainability of the program and
share what is happening with California’s ADRCs.
Ted Jackson, Statewide Community Organizer with the California Foundation for Independent
Living Centers received NCIL’s Regional Advocacy Award for Region 10.
Photo Collage:
First Photo L-R: Ted Jackson Accepting the NCIL Regional Advocacy Award, Sheri Burns,
Executive Director of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center and Region 9 representative on
NCIL’s Board, and Allie Cannington, NCIL’s Youth Transitions Fellow and a California Youth
Leadership Forum Alumna; Second Photo L-R: Sheri Burns and Ted Jackson
Sheri Burns, former SILC Member and Executive Director of Silicon Valley Independent Living
Center in San Jose, was re-elected to represent Region 9 on NCIL’s Governing Board. And
former SILC Member Jessie Lorenz, Executive Director of the Independent Living Resource
Center San Francisco, was elected to the one-year Member-at-Large position on the NCIL
Governing Board.
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Photo: Speakers at the NCIL 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living Rally at the
Capitol in Front of a Banner with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote: “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat
to Justice Everywhere.”
INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TEAM UP TO
PAVE THE WAY TO SCHOOL SUCCESS
Amid the frenzy of school shopping and signing up for classes and activities, students with
disabilities and their families are joining forces with California Independent Living Centers, such
as Community Access Center (CAC) in Riverside, to ensure students receive everything they
need for their academic success. CAC offers students of all ages individualized programs and
support services for tackling the hurdles that interfere with learning and ultimate independence.
“Our mission is to empower persons with disabilities to control their own lives and achieve
complete social, economic and political integration,” explained CAC Programs Director Faustino
Alvarez. “By supporting young people early on, we help pave the way to their independence as
adults.”
CAC starts to pave the way by representing parents on their children’s Individualized Education
Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans to ensure specific needs are met in school for accommodations,
modifications and other services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical
therapy, vision therapy and assistive technology. While in school, CAC staff continually
advocates for students to remain in school and interfaces with the Department of Rehabilitation.
CAC also works closely with the Inland Regional Center (IRC), which serves individuals with
developmental disabilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including in-home
behavioral interventions for families.
As students near graduation, CAC works with them on completing college and financial aid
applications and assists with job searches. And when students move from one school to another
or from high school to college, CAC staff is available to facilitate those transitions.
“We attend transition meetings at new schools with parents and encourage them to talk to their
children about what to expect and help them meet new friends,” said Alvarez. “This is
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particularly important for children who do not deal well with change. And we accompany college
students to their campuses and introduce them to programs and services for students with
disabilities.”
When asked about what could be improved for students with disabilities, Alvarez highlighted the
growing demand for skilled individuals who can effectively collaborate with one another and
partner with the students for a successful educational outcome. He also cited the length of time
students must spend on buses to be transported to other locations for special education
classes.
“Our team wears many hats to make certain someone is always available to partner with each
child to ensure she or he is heard and receives appropriate assistance,” concluded Alvarez.
“I’ve witnessed so many successes with the students we’ve served. Personally, I live for the
work I do.”
“California Independent Living Centers offer a variety of resources for students,” noted
California State Independent Living Council Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “Preparing children
with disabilities to live independently is one of their top priorities.”
ILCs OPEN DOORS TO INDEPENDENCE FOR CALIFORNIANS WITH SPINAL CORD
INJURIES
With nearly 300,000 Americans living with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and the number of new
SCIs estimated to reach 12,500 annually, the role of Independent Living Centers (ILCs) like
Southern California Resource Services for Independent Living (SCRS-IL) is increasingly
important. SCRS-IL is one of 28 ILCs in California opening doors to independence for
individuals with SCIs by providing a range of programs and services, notably assistive
technology services and education.
“In serving people with SCIs, staff members reflect our philosophy of supporting persons with
disabilities to transform their lives by making their own choices on how they live, work and
participate in their communities,” noted Interim SCRS-IL’s Executive Director Mario Galdamez.
“The programs and services we offer are designed to educate and increase the skill levels of
individuals living with disabilities.”
Through assistive technology (AT) services, SCRS-IL offers individuals with SCIs the
opportunity to access technology as one means to living independently. AT includes a broad
range of devices such as scooters and wheelchairs, remote controls, accessible keyboards and
communication devices or more complex items such as durable medical equipment and home
modifications. When combined with training, individuals learn how to use the equipment and
become more self-sufficient.
SCRS-IL also conducts monthly disability-related presentations and workshops, tailored for
SCIs at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) in Downey, CA. One
such workshop is the drum circle, designed to enhance brain activity for spinal cord repair and
improve sensations and movement for individuals with SCIs. By partnering with Rancho’s
occupational and physical therapy staff, SCRS-IL can increase the level of resources and
services provided to individuals with SCIs and their families. Additionally, SCRS-IL participates
in Rancho’s annual Spinal Injury Games that provide individuals with SCIs an opportunity to
engage in a variety of wheelchair sports.
“One of our consumers, who is participating in this year’s Spinal Injury Games in October, came
to us in 2013,” said Ignacio Gonzalez, SCRS-IL’s Service Coordinator/Independent Living
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Advocate. “He sought help from us on his application process for the position of Wellness Ally at
Rancho, where he actively participated in rehab programs and the SCI support group for men.
We helped him develop a résumé and personal reference page, which contributed to his landing
the job. He has mentioned that both SCRS-IL and Rancho are ‘amazing’ and have ‘changed his
life.’”
In addition to the above programs and services, SCRS-IL continues tackling the obstacles of a
lack of funding for equipment and devices as well as inaccessible and unaffordable housing.
SCRS-IL is breaking down barriers to Independent Living by creating a documentary film to
educate stakeholders on the critical need to prioritize accessible sidewalks and curb cuts in
several neighborhoods of Los Angeles County. Additionally, SCRS-IL supported the inclusion of
Hector Ochoa as a new commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities
who will be the leading voice in advocating for all persons with disabilities, not limited to the
SCRS-IL catchment area.
“The SCI services provided by SCRS-IL is one example of the type of work being done to
maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities,” concluded California State
Independent Living Council Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “By understanding and addressing
the unique realities of individuals living with SCIs, ILCs are well prepared to increase
opportunities for living independently.”
PLANNING THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING AT THE SILC’S QUARTERLY
MEETING
The California State Independent Living Council’s (SILC) quarterly meeting was held on
September 15-16 in Concord, California. In addition to time reserved for public comments, the
meeting included committee and agency updates, presentations by various stakeholders and
panel discussions on the 2017-2019 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) and supporting
Aspirations, Needs and Dreams Plan (A.N.D. Plan).
The Communication and Collaboration Committee reviewed and approved the public affairs
calendar themes through June 30, 2016, and the state legislative agenda, which concentrated
on 13 bills impacting the state’s Olmstead Plan and SILC’s mission.
The SPIL Committee voted to accept the Quality of Life Survey for the transition from medical
institutions programs in the state. The A.N.D. Plan process started with focus groups and
stakeholder meetings, including representatives from native populations, veterans, youth and
the Central Valley. Two additional events will be held for stakeholders from Northern and
Southern California as well as interviews with Independent Living (IL) directors during the
summit in Burbank. The SPIL must be approved by 51 percent of all California IL directors.
Galen Ellis, President of Ellis Planning Associates Inc., and Edward Kako, Senior Associate of
Mission Analytics Group, Inc. provided an update on the A.N.D. Plan. They discussed the ILCs
and groups across the state needing additional services and resources based on existing data.
The consultants will include data from surveys of the ILC directors and members of the IL
network as well as Native populations and youth.
Ellis gave an overview of the focus groups research to date indicating employment, housing and
transportation were the core issues raised. Other concerns included the need for and
importance of advocacy, particularly in schools; the isolation of Native populations, especially in
rural areas; the importance of hearing veterans’ stories and coordinating the IL network with
Veterans Administration services; and the importance of youth participation at ILCs.
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The first day concluded with a stakeholder meeting for individuals interested in IL to garner input
for the A.N.D. Plan. The stakeholders also were asked about valuable programs and services
that have been lost in their communities or are not being provided.
Wednesday’s meeting began with a mentee/mentor “PIE With Breakfast” led by SILC Member
Ben Jauregui to Prepare, Inform and Engage Council Members in sharing information,
teambuilding and fun activities.
Following the breakfast, Mayor Tim Grayson welcomed the group to Concord and noted that IL
encompasses all ages and conditions – far more than just the aging community.
Photo: Concord Mayor Tim Grayson
The meeting continued with a dialog on various changes in regulations led by Elizabeth Akinola,
Independent Living Program Specialist, Independent Living Administration, Administration for
Community Living. She discussed the new SPIL templates and major changes in the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act and various sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that will
affect the development of SPILs.
At the request of SILC Vice Chair Linda Schaedle, Jay Harris, Chief, Independent Living and
Assistive Technology, California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), provided an overview of
the data collection systems at California ILCs. The Department of Rehabilitation does not
require the ILCs to use any specific system, provided they can report the data in the required
format.
Next on the agenda was Independent Living Resources of Solano and Contra Costa Counties’
(ILR) Assistive Technology and Advocacy Team who talked about IL and assistive technology.
The team included Executive Director Susan Rotchy, Assistive Technology Specialist Eddie
Lopez and Independent Living Specialists Danielle Roundtree and Michael Hopfe.
The afternoon session included reports by representatives from state agencies on program and
regulatory changes and budget implications for the disability community.
Following the agency updates, SILC Members and staff shared their experiences at various
meetings and conferences attended since the last quarterly meeting.
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Yvonne Walden, SILC ADRC Grants Project Manager, recapped where the SILC is with the
ADRC grants, noting that funding ends September 29 with reporting to conclude by December
29.
The day ended with comments and suggestions from SILC Members and staff. The next
quarterly meeting will be held on December 3-4 in Laguna Hills, California. Check the Meeting
Notices section of SILC’s website at www.calsilc.org for updates and information.
SHARING ASPIRATIONS, NEEDS AND DREAMS TO SHAPE THE A.N.D. PLAN AND 20172019 SPIL
The California State Independent Living Council (SILC) is working with stakeholders and the
public to gather testimony and data for the Aspirations, Needs and Dreams Plan (A.N.D. Plan),
which will inform the development of the 2017-2019 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).
The following focus groups, stakeholder events, meetings and interviews were held during
September to support the effort:
 Sept. 2: Native Populations Telephone Focus Group
 Sept. 10: Central Valley Telephone Stakeholder Event
 Sept. 10: Veterans Focus Group at Central Coast for Independent Living
 Sept. 11: Youth Telephone Focus Group
 Sept. 15: SPIL Committee at SILC
 Sept. 15: Northern California Stakeholder Event in Concord
 Sept. 22: Independent Living Summit Burbank: Independent Living Director Interviews
 Sept. 22: Southern California Stakeholder Event in Van Nuys
In October, the SPIL Committee will conduct semi-monthly telephone meetings that will be open
to the public. This is your opportunity to work with us to ensure comprehensive services for
Californians with disabilities are delivered effectively by the state’s network of Independent
Living Centers.
To join the SPIL team or for more information, contact SILC Executive Director Liz Pazdral,
liz@calsilc.org, voice: 916-445-0142, toll-free: (866) 866-7452, TTY (toll-free): (866) 745-2889
or visit SILC’s website http://www.calsilc.org/meetings.html.
LIVING THE ADA AT THE 2015 YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM LUNCHEON
The Sacramento Convention Center was rocking with enthusiasm as the public joined Youth
Leadership Forum (YLF) Delegates to celebrate their week-long achievements. This year’s
Luncheon focused on the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and featured
keynote speakers Katie Estrella and Jacob Lesner-Buxton, both YLF alumni.
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Photo: SILC Member Michael Agyin Pointing to ADA25 Sign
The YLF is an annual five-day leadership program in Sacramento providing information and
resources about employment, education, independence and assistive technology for high
school juniors and seniors with a disability. Delegates have the opportunity to connect with
students their own age as well as staff with various disabilities. The California State
Independent Living Council was one of the major government partners for this year’s YLF
Luncheon.
Photo Collage: SILC Members Michael Agyin (top left) and Eli Gelardin (top right); the YLF Spirit
Squad Leading Cheers at the 2015 YLF Luncheon (bottom)
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[Call-Out Box]
JOIN THE SILC MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED PHOTOS AND SELFIES FOR OUR
FACEBOOK PAGE
Photo Collage: Facebook Posts with SILC Members
THANKS to our 1,331 Facebook friends and 105 Twitter followers and those who have sent
photos to the SILC for our Facebook page. Please keep the photos and selfies coming and
invite your friends to “like” and “follow” us, too! Oh, and don’t forget to share our Facebook posts
and retweet our tweets! #calSILC
The California State Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent state agency which,
in cooperation with the California Department of Rehabilitation, prepares and monitors the State
Plan for Independent Living.
The SILC Mission: To Create Policy and System Change for Independent Living
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