Center for Independent Living of Gulf Coast FAAST Program
The Center for Independent Living (CIL) Gulf Coast is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering people with disabilities to live independently, exercise self-determination, and fully engage in their communities. Guided by the philosophy of independent living, CIL works to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities as those without disabilities, promoting equal access, inclusion, and respect for the diverse needs of each person.
As a part of its mission to support the independent living of people with disabilities, CIL Gulf Coast offers a range of services that are tailored to meet individual needs. The five core services provided include:
1. Information and Referral – Offering individuals with disabilities, their families, and the community resources and information about disability-related services, such as housing, employment, transportation, and more.
2. Independent Living Skills Training – Teaching essential skills to enhance self-sufficiency, such as budgeting, time management, communication, and personal care. The goal is to equip individuals with the practical tools they need to manage their daily lives.
3. Peer Support – Connecting individuals with disabilities to peer mentors who share similar experiences, providing emotional support and encouragement through mutual understanding. This fosters a sense of community and empowerment.
4. Advocacy – Helping individuals with disabilities navigate systems to secure their rights, whether through self-advocacy training or advocating on their behalf with institutions, agencies, and legislative bodies.
5. Transition Services – Assisting individuals to move from institutional settings back into the community, as well as supporting youth with disabilities as they transition from school to adult life.
CIL Gulf Coast also serves as the FAAST (Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology) Southwest Regional Demonstration Center (RDC), expanding its services to include assistive technology (AT) support. The FAAST RDC is dedicated to increasing access to and utilization of assistive technology for people with disabilities across the lifespan, ensuring that individuals can live more independently and productively.
The FAAST Southwest RDC offers the following services:
• Device Demonstrations – Providing opportunities for individuals to explore and try out a variety of assistive technology devices before making a decision.
• Device Loans – Offering short-term loans of assistive devices for individuals to use at home, school, or work to determine if a particular piece of equipment meets their needs.
• Assistive Technology Training – Providing training on the proper use and care of assistive technology to ensure individuals know how to effectively integrate these tools into their daily lives.
• Device Reutilization – Offering previously owned assistive devices for free or at a low cost to individuals who need them.
CIL Gulf Coast, through its partnership with FAAST, is committed to providing innovative and practical solutions to help individuals with disabilities lead more independent and enriched lives. By blending independent living services with assistive technology expertise, CIL empowers people to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Website: https://www.cilgulfcoastflorida.org/
Phone: 239-260-4575
Representative: Kelli Fontaine
Representative Email: kfontaine@cilbroward.org
Representative Phone: 386-866-4575
Address: 7011 Cypress Terrace, Suite 103 Fort Myers, FL 33907
Service Area: CIL Gulf Coast serves residents of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. The FAAST Southwest Regional Demonstration Center provides services to people living in Charlotte, COllier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.