California Foundation for Independent Living Centers - Sacramento, CA

Location: Sacramento, CA.

What is it that we do? We're glad you ask! For starters, our membership advocacy cover an array people we serve on the independent living center level. To assist in focusing on each of the important areas of advocacy, we've created programs to drive those needs.

• Ability Tools - Ability Tools is expanding the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase independence, improve personal productivity, and enhance the quality of life for all Californians. Ability Tools provides information, referrals, training, and technical assistance to those who share an interest in and commitment to the practical and effective use of technology by people with disabilities.

• Digital Access Project - The Digital Access Project is a program that supports people with disabilities in getting internet services at a lower cost, perfect for those who have limited incomes.
  This program aims to help those who do not have the digital literacy skills they need to succeed and help them understand the relevance the Internet has in their lives. Whether it's finding a job, helping their children complete homework for school or accessing e-commerce, electronic medical records and connecting with distant family, it is vital that we encourage every person and persons with a disability to take advantage of the tools they need to succeed.

• Disability Organizing Network - The DOnetwork calls to action the California Disability Communities and allies, through community organizing, advocacy, education, leadership development and coalition building to effect systems change in local, state and national issues. The CFILC Disability Organzing Network is a statewide disability advocacy network of 28 Independent Living Centers and the communities they serve. In each center there is a full time staff person devoted to increasing civic participation through community organizing, education and advocacy around issues that affect the Disability Communities.

• Peer Insights Project - Who better to review and advise executive directors of ILCs of best business practices than other directors in ILCs? This Peer Review focuses primarily on business practices, although it does touch on the standards and indicators to assist Centers in addressing the full scope of what quality looks like in Independent Living Centers. Executive Directors of Centers who wish to participate voluntarily may act as peer reviewer(s), and be reviewed by peer Executive Directors in the Independent Living community in California, after completing required training.

• Youth Organizing! Disabled and Proud - Youth Organizing (YO!) develops community organizing activities to build a power base among youth with disabilities so that we can effectively work for change. We engage youth to learn about our history, the disability rights movement, disability pride, organizing and advocacy. Youth with disabilities build community with each other, develop a sense of leadership, a positive disability identity and organize and mobilize each other on issues that affect our lives. We provide opportunities, resources and information for young adults with disabilities. Disabled youth are able to volunteer with local independent living centers, work on advocacy issues and campaigns that are important to them and find mentors within the disability community. YO! works with teens and young adults with disabilities ages 16 to 28.