Vermont Center for Independent Living

10/02/2025

Where can I get vaccinated?

This is a common question for VCIL now that our statewide, home-based vaccine program ended last year due to lack of funding.

We are grateful for the ongoing dedication and support of Conley's Drug Store of Ipswich. Even though they are from Massachusetts, they are doing their best to make sure that the most vulnerable Vermonters don't get left behind due to systemic inequities.

In between trying to address the unmet needs of assisted living facilities, they are doing what they can to address the public health deserts of rural Vermont. (And all without funding.)

Tomorrow they will be offering outdoor vaccines- including Novavax and so much more!- at the Chelsea Farmers Market.

All are welcome to sign-up and they can offer masked, car side vaccines.

Thank you Conley's!

Please click the link to complete this form.

10/02/2025

VCIL was excited to receive this donation from Illari Vihinen and will use it to help support our programming supporting disabled Vermonters. In his words:

“This year I raised $5,232 and rode 240 miles for 3 days of the Lake Champlain Ride (LCR), a new Journey of Hope (JOH) route in VT and NY I designed that goes through the Green Mountains, around beautiful Lake Champlain along the majestic Adirondacks and through the Lake Champlain Islands. I started and ended in Barre, VT from August 1 – 3, 2025. This ride helped The Ability Experience (AbEx), a charity that helps raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Since 1977, it has raised over $20 million dollars to help people with disabilities. AbEx also agreed to give a grant of $750 out of the $5,200 to the Vermont Center for Independent Living, a local non-profit that helps people with disabilities.

AbEx improves access to facilities by building handicapped-accessible entrance ramps, boardwalks, pavilions and playgrounds, and improves awareness of people's abilities, rather than their disabilities. This cause is near and dear to my heart because I saw how adaptive equipment can help people like my Dad, who had ALS, and many others. It’s part of my faith as a Christian to help those in need, as Jesus says “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.” (Matthew 25:35) It is also more blessed to give than to receive. I’m happy to help VCIL this year as it runs a Meals on Wheels program to deliver hot meals to individuals under 60 with chronic conditions or disabilities. VCIL also provides peer advocacy counseling and resources for accessible home modifications to promote independence, like AbEx’s mission.

Thanks & Regards,
Illari”

10/01/2025

Economic Services Can Help with Home Heating Costs

Department for Children and Families, State of Vermont

Announcement
We can help you stay warm this winter! The Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program can help with heating costs for renters and homeowners who are income eligible.

Gross Monthly Income guidelines can be found here:
https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel

If you'd like to apply online, just scroll down to the "How to Apply" section and click the link for the online application: https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/applicants/mybenefits

Or download and print the 3-page application to mail in.

If you need extra help this winter, you can also apply for Crisis Fuel Assistance through your local Community Action Agency: https://dcf.vermont.gov/contacts/partners/caps

Fuel Assistance also qualifies you for FREE Weatherization Services. On average, the program adds 1,500 square feet of insulation, makes about $10,000 worth of improvements, and cuts drafts by 40%, helping your heating dollars go further.

Learn more:
https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/weatherization

Can help improve the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of your home and save you money on your energy bills. Who Is Eligible You may be eligible if you have not received free weatherization services in the past 15 years and at least ONE of the following is true: Your household income meets the....

09/24/2025

VCIL is excited to announce several new opportunities for youth as part of the statewide Vermont Pathways to Partnerships program. Next up is Japanese Cooking Club!

Learn to make popular dishes featured in anime each week- no cooking experience needed.

Why Join?
-Make new friends from your own kitchen, via Zoom.
-All ingredients provided.

Learn more and join: tinyurl.com/VCILcookingclub

09/19/2025

VCIL is excited to announce several new opportunities for youth as part of the statewide Vermont Pathways to Partnerships program, including paid disability pride internships!

Civil Writes
Find your power, your people, and your story. Join VCIL's 10-week internship!

Meet weekly on Zoom with peers to learn about disability civil rights through stories, current events, and personal experiences.

Earn $600 while learning and making friends.

Learn more and apply: www.tinyurl.com/civilwritesintern

09/19/2025

VCIL is excited to announce several new opportunities for youth as part of the statewide Vermont Pathways to Partnerships program. The first is Anime Club!

Free for P2P Students (if you are not yet signed up we can help you to sign up, including homeschooled students).

Anime Club is all about good movies, self-advocacy, and being proud of who we are.

Why Join?
-Get a 3-month Crunchyroll subscription.
-Make new friends.
-Watch and discuss awesome anime in a safe space of peers.

Learn More & Sign Up: www.tinyurl.com/VCILanime

09/18/2025

Looking for ways to save money this fall? A heat pump could help you heat your home for less. Our partners at Efficiency Vermont have rebates to help make heat pumps more affordable. They also offer free virtual home energy visits to help you find more ways to save energy and money in your home. Stay warm and spend less by visiting: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/blog/how-to/how-to-heat-and-cool-your-home-with-heat-pumps

09/17/2025

https://www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/get-set-for-independence/?ref=disability-debrief-newsletter

Why I left the rehab hospital more disabled than when I arrived

09/11/2025

Don't forget to sign up for the "Nutrition Upgrade" training!

When: Sep 16, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/w-kDoMgXR--bY5TmhKKhiw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Nutrition Upgrade . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

09/02/2025

https://vermontbiz.com/news/2025/september/02/wohl-americans-disabilities-act-turns-35?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=eHealth%20%7C%20Amid%20CDC%20chaos%2C%20VT%20joins%20coalition%3B%20SVMC%20to%20cut%20some%20programs%3B%20GMCB%20says%20health%20salaries%20are%20too%20high&utm_campaign=EHealth%209%2F2%2F2025&vgo_ee=bsMj4PSorjXtEo2gU8oLioYR%2Bf%2Fr%2BID3w4p8l0%2FbeXr06vUpT0o%3D%3ATuEtv4oFGd3DheVWjnvbh6v%2BHsLBjWtZ

Submitted by tim on Tue, 09/02/2025 - 13:01 Related Company Brattleboro Retreat by Elizabeth Wohl In April of 2017, I woke up one morning with the feeling that my left ear was clogged. There was a strange whooshing sound, and I could no longer make out my children’s high-pitched speech from the ot...