The Vermont Center for Independent Living has added three new members to its team. Two of them, Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie and Cara Sachs, will devote a significant amount of time to COVID-19 response and the third, Laura Siegel, will serve as VCIL’s Deaf Independence Program coordinator. Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie of Colchester began in early August as VCIL’s independent living coordinator.… Continue Reading VCIL Welcomes New Staff Members
Working with Disability
The “Working with Disability: Toward a Truly Inclusive Vermont Labor Force” report is complete! We are proud to have worked with many amazing project partners on this report, including: Diane Dalmasse and James Smith of the Vermont Division for Vocational Rehabilitation; Fred Jones of the Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Kirsten Murphy of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities… Continue Reading Working with Disability
Applicants Sought for Housing Preservation Grant
The Vermont Center for Independent Living, a statewide disability rights group, is seeking applicants in the state of Vermont who may be eligible for projects under a U.S. Department of Agriculture Housing Preservation Grant. Applicants should be homeowners with a permanent physical disability looking to improve the accessibility of their home with an exterior ramp and/or a bathroom modification, such… Continue Reading Applicants Sought for Housing Preservation Grant
Reimagine Policing in Vermont
To Vermont’s elected leaders, candidates for office, and other public officials, We the undersigned organizations, our members and supporters, and Vermonters across the state know the safest communities do not have more police—they have more resources. Vermonters want healthy, vibrant communities that support their needs—needs like health care, housing, childcare, education, and jobs. Instead, Vermont has prioritized investing in a… Continue Reading Reimagine Policing in Vermont
VCIL Statement on Police Violence
The Vermont Center for Independent Living condemns the police violence and systemic racism that pulses through our country. We are in solidarity with a Statement on Police Violence that the National Council on Independent Living released in May. Racism, police brutality, communal grief and trauma have been magnified in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, but these issues are not… Continue Reading VCIL Statement on Police Violence
VCIL Hires New Peer Advocate Counselor in Rutland
The Vermont Center for Independent Living has a new addition to its team. Ericka Jones joins VCIL as a Peer Advocate Counselor for the Rutland office. In this role, she will work with peers one-on-one and in group settings to improve options for independent living in the community. VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville said, “We are thrilled to have Ericka… Continue Reading VCIL Hires New Peer Advocate Counselor in Rutland
A Win for Many SSI Recipients: Automatic Economic Impact Payments
On April 16, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Treasury Department, and SSA announced that SSI recipients will automatically receive their payments. Payments will be received by the same method they usually receive their SSI benefits, and they should be received by early May. This is a big victory that will ensure millions of people can access much-needed payments to help… Continue Reading A Win for Many SSI Recipients: Automatic Economic Impact Payments
COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community
The following is a list of recent COVID resources: Vermont State Response and Resources The ADA and Face Mask Policies Video: Know Your Rights: People with Disabilities Can Have a Supporter in the Hospital During COVID-19 COVID-19 resources from Disability Rights Vermont Crisis hotlines COVID-19 and Social Insurance and Benefit Programs Facebook group, Amplifying Voices – National Disability COVID-19 The… Continue Reading COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community
What You Should Know About the Coronvirus
Coronavirus, also called COVID-19, is a respiratory illness; it affects your lungs and breathing. We can all do our part to stay healthy and avoid spreading sickness! Continue Reading What You Should Know About the Coronvirus
VCIL Celebrates 40 Years
The Vermont Center for Independent Living, a statewide nonprofit organization, is celebrating 40 years of people with disabilities working together for dignity, independence and civil rights. Like other independent living centers across the country, VCIL is committed to cross-disability services, the promotion of active citizenship and working with others to create services that support self-determination and full participation in community… Continue Reading VCIL Celebrates 40 Years