LIFE Center for Independent Living

12/22/2025

Just a reminder, we are in the office today, December 22, and tomorrow, December 23, and then we will not be open again until Monday, January 5, 2026.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

12/17/2025

Sharing some information from Connect Transit regarding their Connect Mobility services:

Starting January 6, individuals riding Connect Mobility will begin receiving robo-automated calls when their ride arrives. There will no longer be someone from dispatch calling.

If you WANT a live person calling you, contact Connect Transit and asked to be put on the list for live calls.

Keep in mind - the 5-minute window starts as soon as the robo-automated calls goes through; it does not matter if you answer the call or not.

Learn more about Connect Mobility services:

Connect Mobility is one of the amazing services we offer at Connect Transit. Click here to view who is eligible, how to apply, or how much it costs.

12/17/2025

Do you have a hard time hearing on the phone? Need some assistive technology to help you communicate more clearly?

The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC Program) has a variety of FREE assistive devices for individuals who have hearing loss and/or need assistance with communication.

To qualify for this program, you must:
1. Be a resident of Illinois
2. Complete the application, including a medical professional to certify your need for the assistive device(s)
3. Provide proof of phone service for the type of device are applying for

Our staff at both our Bloomington and Pontiac offices would be happy to help you with the paperwork and show you the devices that are available. Some of the equipment is in our offices for you to see and test.

The equipment that is available through this program can be viewed on the ITAC website at: https://itactty.org/equipment/voucher

We are happy to help! Contact us in Bloomington at 309/663-5433 or Pontiac at 815/844-1132 or email us at lifecil@lifecil.org.

ITAC is a Not-for-Profit serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, Deaf-Blind, and Speech-Disabled communities. Our equipment is designed specifically for people who are having difficulty hearing on the standard phone system.

12/16/2025

There are so many winter holidays and so many traditions that are done. We asked our staff to if they would like to share any holiday traditions and this is what we learned:

Melissa, our Community Living Advocate said, "On Christmas eve we do pizza, snacks, hot chocolate & watch Christmas movies. When able we all get together & make sugar cookies."

Andrea, our Community Reintegration Advocate said, "Getting together with family and making sugar cookies with my kids." and
"As much as possible, my kids and I love to drive around and check out all of the amazing holiday light displays around town. The ones with music are really impressive and we can sit forever!"

Tiena, our Vision Access Advocate said, "Our holiday tradition is to open ONE gift at midnight on Christmas Eve. This helps relieve some of the anxiety so that everyone can get a little bit of sleep and get some rest before the big day. This way, no one is staying up all night and sleeping through actual Christmas Day."

Brianne, our Administrative Services Director said, "Our family has a few traditions that we do during the holiday season - we decorate our tree after Thanksgiving with ornaments we've gotten throughout the years. We also go around looking at the lights displays and decorations. We do some annual baking that includes decorating sugar cookies, and we spend as much time as possible with our loved ones."

Want to share? What is your favorite holiday tradition?

image is a blurred snowy background with a snowman on the right-hand side wearing a red stocking cap and red and white striped scarf. The snowman is smiling and has a carrot nose and two buttons on its belly. To the left of the snowman it says in red letters "Happy Holidays"

12/12/2025

December is National Giving Month. A few interesting facts about National Giving Month:

*Last year, Americans gave a record-breaking $410.2 billion to charity.

*1/3 of all annual giving is done in December with 12% happening in the last three days of the year.

*28% of nonprofits raise as much as 50% of their contributions in December

LIFE CIL would like to thank everyone who has given to us over the year. We appreciate each and every one of you! It is thanks to you that we can continue to help remove barriers for individuals with disabilities.

If you would like to give to LIFE CIL, there are a few different ways you could contribute:

1. Mail a check (payable to LIFE CIL) to our Bloomington office: 2201 Eastland Drive, Suite 1, Bloomington, IL 61704

2. Stop by one of our offices and make a contribution in person.

3. Make an online contribution: https://www.lifecil.org/donate/

Facts about National Giving Month came from the nationalgivingmonth.org website.

Financial Support Donate Today 1 in 4 Americans have some type of disability. Disability does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any time. LIFE CIL helps over 2,000 people with disabilities each year gain greater independence in their own homes. You can help by donating to LIFE CIL. Rememb...

12/11/2025

C.O.V.E. Holiday Celebration at LIFE CIL will be on Thursday, December 18 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate the end of the year with food, friendship, and fun!

You must RSVP to Carson (ccross@lifecil.org) by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15 if you plan to attend.

C.O.V.E. is Creative Original Voices for Everyone Adults With Disabilities Peer Group.

image is the C.O.V.E. logo with a disability rights flag as the backgound with a wave coming up from the bottom right-hand corner with the words "C.O.V.E. Creative, Original Voices for Everyone" with an actual disability rights flag standing behind the wave and words.

12/10/2025

Today, December 10, is Human Rights Day, this day commemorates the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly.

Human Rights Day is celebrated globally to promote and protect human rights. This year's theme is "Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials" aiming to re-engage people with human rights showing how they shape our daily lives, often in ways we may not always notice or take for granted.

As the website for the holiday states:
Human rights are POSITIVE
Human rights are ESSENTIAL
Human rights are ATTAINABLE

Learn more about Human Rights Day by visiting

Human Rights Day commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

12/10/2025

The image below has a box across the top with the edge of a tree in the upper left-hand corner with a red bulb hanging. To the right of that is LIFE CIL's logo and in red letters under the logo it says "Wishing you and yours the very best of the Holiday Season".

Then the post says:
The Board of Directors and Staff of LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) would like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!

LIFE CIL offices will be CLOSED from Wednesday, December 24th through Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

We will be open again for regular office hours on Monday, January 5, 2026.

12/04/2025

Sharing on behalf of Prairie Pride Coalition

Join us Tuesday, Dec. 9 for our annual holiday reception at the Bistro!

12/03/2025

We have been asked to share this on our page.
The image is a flyer with the information below:

Cerebral Palsy Research Network

NCHPADmentor
Mindfulness, Exercise & Nutrition to Optimize Resilience

Explore a fresh approach to health and wellness from home with MENTOR: Now Enrolling!

MENTOR is an 8-week introductory wellness program designed to support your health – all from the comfort of your home. Each week you’ll have access to free, online, adapted exercise classes, cooking demos and mindfulness sessions. Our supportive team of health coaches and disability health experts will help you reach your health goals in just five hours a week!

Classes are offered virtually and led by disability health experts.

All the equipment you need to fully participate is mailed right to your door.

Access the benefits of MENTOR - and more - by enrolling through NCHPAD Connect.

NCHPAD Connect is for individuals with physical disabilities aged 18 and older. You’ll gain access to individualized programs like MENTOR along with personalized resources on mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, diet and weight management – all at no cost to you! Scan the QR code with your smartphone to get started!

Get the support you need to reach your health goals.
Contact us to sign up for MENTOR today!
402-302-2776
mentor@cprn.org

12/03/2025

Shout out to Bloomington Normal Deaf Club!

The Bloomington-Normal Deaf Club is bringing holiday festivities to kids who often miss out on some of the fun the season can bring. They started with an ASL class at U-High.

11/13/2025

Sharing the Alliance for Community Services post.

Join us in Normal, Illinois to protest against ongoing SNAP delays and cuts made by the Trump administration. 11/17, 1215-1245PM, Uptown Circle, Normal, Illinois. Have questions? Contact: danellew@allianceforcommunityservices.org