CIL Berkeley Announces 50th Anniversary
(BERKELEY, CA) - This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Center for Independent Living, Inc (CIL) and the Independent Living Movement from Berkley, CA. In honor of this anniversary CIL will host #CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal: a series of celebrations and events in October 2022 meant to reflect on our history, reunite with advocates and leaders from our history and renew our commitment to Independent Living through education and organizing.
#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal
HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE AND SAVE THE DATES: October 14, 2022 & October 19-23, 2022; Oakland - Berkeley, CA
CIL was founded in 1972 by Ed Roberts and his fellow disability advocates as a community hub run by and for disabled people to promote Independent Living (IL), and provide advocacy opportunities and community supports for people with disabilities. The IL Movement sparked in Berkeley, CA has grown to over 400 similar centers across the United States and even more in 20 countries spanning the globe today.
#CIL50 Honorary Host Committee
Each member of this honorary committee represents a unique connection to CIL’s history, a contribution to the disability rights timeline, or a commitment to expanding and defending our rights. From the early volunteers and staff that worked, often sacrificing, to launch CIL and keep the doors open, to the advocates of the Section 504 Sit-Ins who secured access for many. Members had an impact on passage of important policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act, have worked since the Olmstead Decision for deinstitutionalization and expansion of community supports, and much more. They have been influencers that have helped create change, protected disability rights and expanded community service.
Honorary Co-Chairs
- Zona Roberts
- Judith E. Heumann
Honorary Host Committee
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
- Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan
- Berkeley Vice Mayor Kate Harrison
- Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett
- Berkeley Councilmember Rigel Robinson
- Honorable Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator (IA - retired)
- Honorable Tony Coelho, U.S. Representative (CA - retired)
- Honorable Loni Hancock, CA State Senator (East Bay - retired)
- Honorable Tom Bates, Mayor of Berkeley (retired)Gerald Baptiste
- Joan Leon
- Kathy Martinez
- Melissa Male
- Janni Lehrer-Stein
- Joyce Bender
- Merrill Friedman
- Katherine Perez
Additional Honorary Host Committee members to be announced
#CIL50 SAVE THE DATES
The CIL board of directors, staff, volunteer leaders and community partners have come together to plan a series of diverse events to make sure there is something for everyone. Please mark your calendars and share these events with your friends, allies and family – everyone is welcome!
Fruitvale Fiesta: October 14, 2022
Aguachiles El Tamarindo
3053 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
CIL invites the Fruitvale community and our local partners to celebrate our 50th anniversary at a taco truck lot take over. Featuring civic and community speakers, kid friendly activities, local Spanish speaking cultural artists and performers including DJ Trice, Folklorico Dancers, Mariachi and more! This event is meant to introduce Oakland’s Spanish speaking community to our Fruitvale based services and Independent Living while also having fun.
#CIL50 Independent Living Summit: October 19-October 21, 2022
Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
This 3-day conference style summit held will engage disability community members in tracks committed to community organizing advocacy, emergency preparedness, access to employment and more, while also serving to connect community members to Independent Living services.
Daily Track Focus Topics:
- Wednesday October 19th Independent Living: Assistive Technology, Residential Access, Housing, Transportation
- Thursday October 20th Community Engagement: Advocacy, Community Organizing, Emergency Preparedness
- Friday October 21st Access to Employment: Employment Policy Panel, Competitive Employment and Getting Ready for Work Breakouts, Disability Employment Advocacy
Additional information on specific speakers, panels, sessions and both in-person and virtual options coming soon.
#CIL50 Street Festival October 22, 2022
Adeline Street between Ashby and MLK, Berkeley, CA
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Held in front of the Ed Roberts Campus, this street festival will celebrate CIL’s 50th anniversary through the art, music, performance, culture and history of the disability community. We will also be joined by civic and community speakers. The festival is designed to give the whole Bay Area community an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Independent Living Movement. Specific attention is being focused on multiply-marginalized, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled artists and influencers for this event. A live DJ and musical acts will perform throughout the day with food and beverage vendors available.
For information about becoming a vendor or having a table at this festival please contact Sara Kershnar, Development Director skershnar@centerforindependentliving.org.
#CIL50 Anniversary Gala: October 23, 2022
Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
Pre-Gala Reception 4:00 p.m.
Gala Awards Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
We will celebrate the accomplishments of CIL and its founders and community at an awards dinner to recognize and highlight the work of grassroots leaders and benefactors from the Independent Living Movement that have helped keep this organization moving forward for the past 50 years. Tickets will be sold in packages that also include sponsored tickets for disability community members. Special guest speakers to be announced soon!
The Center for Independent Living, 3075 Adeline Street, Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94703, email at info@thecil.org, website at https://www.centerforindependentliving.org/
Ted Jackson, Executive Director
Center for Independent Living (CIL)
Additional Info Website: