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Center for Independent Living - Berkeley

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Center for Independent Living - Berkeley

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CIL supports and empowers people who aspire to achieve beyond the boundaries of the expectations

The Center for Independent Living (TheCIL) provides advocacy and services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the community. Our programs provide people with skills, knowledge, and resources that empower them to eliminate damaging and stereotypical notions of disability to strive toward realizing their full human potential. We emerged from the independent living movement of the 1960s as a powerful social catalyst on the University of California at Berkeley campus. There, Ed Roberts, Hale Zukas, and Jan McEwan Brown joined forces to lead a movement that made the university's full academic and social life accessible to all. On March 3, 1972, these students and community members joined The Center for Independent Living, Inc. From 1975 to 2011, our headquarters were located near the UC Berkeley campus on 2539 Telegraph Avenue. There, we provided services for people with disabilities that included wheelchair repair, assistance finding accessible and affordable housing, and vocational training. TheCIL also hosted the first national conference on independent living in 1975. Our peer-based services were so successful that today we serve as a model for roughly 400 independent living centers nationwide, as well as similar programs in 20 countries.

10/22/2026

♿ Travel More Safely!

The Center for Independent Living (CIL), in collaboration with AC Transit, invites you to participate in our Wheelchair Marking and Tether Strap Program.

This monthly workshop is designed to help wheelchair users and people who use other mobility devices travel more safely on public transportation.

📅 November 13
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 PM
📍 Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

📲 Schedule Your Appointment!

Contact CIL's Transportation Team to reserve a spot during the workshop.

📞 (510) 422-5087
✉️ [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you!

♿ ¡Viaja con mayor seguridad!

El Center for Independent Living (CIL), en colaboración con AC Transit, te invita a participar en nuestro Programa de Marcado de Sillas de Ruedas y Correas de Sujeción.

Este taller mensual está diseñado para ayudar a las personas que utilizan sillas de ruedas y otras ayudas de movilidad a viajar de manera más segura en el transporte público.

📅 13 de noviembre
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 p. m.
📍 Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

📲 ¡Agenda tu cita!

Contacta al equipo de transporte de CIL para reservar un espacio durante el taller.

📞 (510) 422-5087
✉️ [email protected]

¡Te esperamos!

10/22/2026

🎙️ Introducing BEYOND HEUMANN | A Special Series of The Independent

This is more than Judy Heumann's story. It's the beginning of a revolution.

Go beyond the film and discover the people, stories, and movement behind Being Heumann.

Join Dr. Victor Pineda for conversations with the cast and creatives of Being Heumann, exploring Judy Heumann's legacy, the historic 504 Sit-In, disability rights, and the independent living movement.

🎬 EPISODE 1: Writing Being Heumann with Rebekah Taussig

How do you write a hero without turning her into a saint?

In our first episode, Victor sits down with co-screenwriter Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty, to explore the process of bringing the story of Judy Heumann and the 504 Sit-In to the screen, the power of collective action, and why this story is ultimately about “we,” not one hero.

Listen to the first episode:

YouTube: https://bit.ly/4yyzZuQ
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4ijvT3Y
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4iaBASZ

🍿 Being Heumann opens in select theaters November 6 and streams on Apple TV November 13.

⚠️ Spoiler alert: This episode includes some spoilers for the film.

504SitIn IndependentLiving CILBerkeley

10/21/2026

🗳️ Your Voice, Your Choice!

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) and Ala Costa Centers invite you to our Community Voting Information Workshop!

Join us for an open, welcoming, and inclusive gathering to learn, share, ask questions, and explore information about the upcoming elections.

♿ Accessibility and Community Care

We're committed to creating a safer, more accessible, and inclusive environment for everyone.

- Masks are required for all attendees.
- Scent-free space: Please avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, or other scented products.
- COVID-19 tests will be provided.
- Refreshments: Light refreshments will be available in a designated area.

📅 Event Details

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

This is a nonpartisan space where all voices, perspectives, and personal voting choices are respected.

Everyone is welcome!

To RSVP, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://bit.ly/4eKzqaa

Your voice matters. Your choice matters. Let's make civic participation accessible to all!

10/20/2026

The Single Rider WAV Program Is Launching!

Join the Center for Independent Living (CIL) as we celebrate the official launch of our Single Rider Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Program!

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 PM PT
📍 Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

Come meet our Single Rider WAV Program team, learn how the service works, and discover how to sign up for your first ride!

🚐 About the Program

Designed to fill gaps in traditional paratransit, the Single Rider WAV Program offers on-demand, same-day, door-through-door transportation for people with physical disabilities, with rides starting in Northern Alameda County and extending beyond the area.

🎉 Enjoy light refreshments, raffle prizes, and an opportunity to connect with our community!

RSVP: https://bit.ly/4hSEdbz

Accessibility & Health Information:
🌿 Fragrance-free event
😷 Masks are required and will be provided
🧪 COVID-19 tests will be available

We look forward to celebrating with you!

10/19/2026

💀🎨 Celebrate Creativity & Tradition!

Join us at CIL's Fruitvale Office for a fun sugar skull painting activity! Decorate your own colorful sugar skull, get creative, and enjoy time with our community.

📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 CIL Fruitvale Office
1470 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA

Light refreshments will be provided!

📞 Please confirm your attendance with Britney at 510-422-5067.

We look forward to seeing you!

💀🎨 ¡Celebra la creatividad y la tradición!

¡Acompáñanos en la oficina de CIL en Fruitvale para una divertida actividad de pintura de calaveritas de azúcar! Decora tu propia calaverita, deja volar tu creatividad y comparte un momento especial con nuestra comunidad.

📅 Miércoles, 28 de octubre de 2026
🕙 10:00 a. m. – 12:00 p. m.
📍 Oficina de CIL en Fruitvale
1470 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA

¡Se ofrecerán refrigerios ligeros!

📞 Confirma tu asistencia con Britney al 510-422-5067.

¡Te esperamos!

10/14/2026

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) mourns the passing of Gerald Baptiste Sr., former CIL Deputy Director and a dedicated leader in the disability rights movement, who passed away on October 12, 2026.

Since joining CIL in 1979, Gerald devoted more than 30 years to advancing independent living, advocating for greater inclusion of Black disabled people, and strengthening our community. His leadership helped shape the movement and played a vital role in establishing the Ed Roberts Campus.

Gerald's compassion, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to disability rights leave a lasting legacy.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. 💛

Rest in power, Gerald.

Read more about Gerald's life and legacy: https://bit.ly/3TEAjKt

10/07/2026

NEW EPISODE | The Independent

What does it truly mean to build a society where everyone belongs?

In the latest episode of The Independent, Dr. Victor Pineda sits down with Ariel Simms, President and CEO of Disability Belongs, for a conversation about moving the disability movement from intention to action.

Drawing on their lived experience as a disabled and q***r leader, Ariel discusses leadership rooted in care and empathy, the power of authentic disability stories, coalition building, and the importance of ensuring disabled people are not only included in decision-making spaces—but leading in them.
Victor and Ariel also explore “Nothing without us,” the role of non-disabled allies, key policy priorities, and a vision for “effortless inclusion”, where accessibility is designed in from the start.

Watch or listen to Episode 11 now:

YouTube: Watch on YouTube
Spotify: Listen on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts

10/01/2026

Need an accessible ride?

Something new is coming!

The Single Rider Program, powered by The CIL, is launching soon!

Designed for people with physical disabilities, this new program will provide same-day, door-through-door, wheelchair-accessible rides, helping fill gaps left by traditional paratransit.

Rides begin in Northern Alameda County and can take riders to destinations well beyond the area, whether you’re heading to an appointment, accessing essential services, or simply getting where you need to go.

Your Ride. Your Choice.

For more information: [email protected] / (510) 422-5075

09/22/2026

Our Transit Justice Workshop is back for a second session!

Impacted by cuts to Berkeley Rides for Seniors and the Disabled? Come share your story and make your voice heard.

Join the Center for Independent Living (CIL) for our second Transit Justice Workshop, a space for seniors, people with disabilities, and community members to share their experiences and discuss how transportation changes are affecting our community.

📅 October 1
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library
1901 Russell St, Berkeley, CA 94703

Hybrid — attend in person or via Zoom

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit bit.ly/4xqHWSe to join on Zoom.

Questions? Contact Julia Newton at [email protected] or (510) 422-5087.

Your story matters. Join the conversation for transit justice in Berkeley.

09/18/2026

♿ Disability Community Town Hall

Your experiences matter and they can help shape decisions affecting disabled communities across the Bay Area.

The Center for Independent Living (CIL), Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL), Independent Living Resources of Solano & Contra Costa Counties (ILRSCC), and Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) invite you to a Virtual Disability Community Town Hall led by the Peer Power for Disability Equity in Governance: Peer Ambassador Program.

Come share your lived experiences and perspectives on:

🚍 Transportation
🏠 Housing
🚨 Emergency Preparedness
🌎 Climate Resilience

Your input will help inform local and regional planning, including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Policy Advisory Council and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Regional Planning Committee, helping ensure disability perspectives are centered in decisions that impact our communities.

📅 October 7
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom

🎁 Raffle: One $100 Lyft voucher and two $50 Trader Joe’s gift cards will be raffled during the event.

📲 Register today! Scan the QR code, visit bit.ly/4cQ90TI, or use the link in bio.

For access needs, please contact [email protected].

Your voice. Your experience. Your community. Join the conversation.

♿ Foro Comunitario sobre Discapacidad

Tu experiencia importa y puede ayudar a dar forma a las decisiones que afectan a las comunidades de personas con discapacidad en toda el Área de la Bahía.

El Center for Independent Living (CIL), Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL), Independent Living Resources of Solano & Contra Costa Counties (ILRSCC) y Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) te invitan a participar en un Foro Comunitario Virtual sobre Discapacidad, liderado por el Peer Power for Disability Equity in Governance: Peer Ambassador Program.

Comparte tus experiencias y perspectivas sobre:

🚍 Transporte
🏠 Vivienda
🚨 Preparación para emergencias
🌎 Resiliencia climática

Tu participación ayudará a informar la planificación local y regional, incluyendo el Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Policy Advisory Council y el Association of Bay Are

Address

3075 Adeline Street Suite 100
Berkeley, CA
94703

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.thecil.org/

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