Every 3 years, the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) [1], and the Iowa Centers for Independent Living (CILs) [2], are required to develop a plan for how to strengthen and expand the network of CILs, and to “promote a philosophy of independent living… in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and [their] integration and full inclusion… into the mainstream of American society.”

Attached is a DRAFT copy of the new Iowa State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) [3].  We are seeking Consumer and Public input on this new plan.

To help you with the attached document, here is a list of the key sections you may wish to read and provide comment on:

• Pages 7-12:  Description of the Independent Living Network, and the proposed goals, objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.
• Pages 13-15:  Targeted populations for outreach & CIL current funding.
• Pages 16-20:  SPIL Financial Plan.
• Pages 28-35:  Existing CIL Network, Expansion of CIL Network, New Funding Priorities

Of course, you are welcome to read the full document and provide comments on any part of the document, but the sections listed above are the main sections pertaining to what the SPIL is to do.

You can provide comment in two ways:

•    E-mail or call Dawn Francis, SILC Executive Director, at dawn@iowasilc.org [4], or toll-free at 1-877-466-7442 with your comments.

•    Attend one of SIX SPIL Consumer & Public Input Meetings that are being held in April by the six CILs!

Meetings Schedule

Accommodations:  Please note, if you need any type of accommodation to participate in any of these meetings (sign language interpreter, braille, etc.), you must notify the CIL where you will be attending at least a week prior to the meeting in order for them to provide the accommodation request.  Sign language interpreters or other accommodations will NOT be provided unless you request a specific accommodation at least a week prior to the meeting.  The phone numbers for each CIL are listed below.

Council Bluffs

When:         Friday, April 15th from 1:00 – 3:00
Location:    League of Human Dignity-Southwest Iowa Center for Independent Living (SWICIL)
                  1520 Avenue M
                  Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sponsor:     League of Human Dignity-Southwest Iowa Center for Independent Living (SWICIL)
Phone:       712-323-6863

Sioux City

When:         Tuesday, April 19th from 1:30-3:30
Location:    Disability Resource Center of Siouxland (DRCS)
                   520 Nebraska Street, Suite 101
                   Sioux City, Iowa
Sponsor:     Disability Resource Center of Siouxland (DRCS)
Phone:       712-255-1065

Des Moines

When:         Wednesday, April 20th from 12:00-2:00
Location:    Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (CICIL)
                   655 Walnut, Suite 131
                   Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsor:     Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (CICIL)
Phone:        515-243-1742

Oskaloosa

When:         Monday, April 25th from 1:00-3:00
Location:    South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (SCICIL)
                   117-1st Avenue West
                   Oskaloosa, Iowa
Sponsor:     South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (SCICIL)
Phone:        641-672-1867

Davenport

When:         Tuesday, April 26th from 2:30-4:30
Location:    Milestones Area Agency on Aging
                   935 E. 53rd Street
                   Davenport, Iowa
Sponsor:     Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living (IICIL)
Phone:       309-793-0090

Cedar Rapids

When:         Wednesday, April 27th from 1:00-3:00
Location:    Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor (A2I)
                   605-2nd Avenue
                   Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sponsor:     Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor (A2I)
Phone:       319-499-8706

Iowa City

There will NOT be a meeting held in Iowa City.

PLEASE NOTE!  The TIME for the Cedar Rapids meeting has been changed and will now be from 1:00 to 3:00. The tentative meeting for the Iowa City location has been CANCELLED, so there will be no meeting in Iowa City.

FREE REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AT EACH MEETING!