JACIL Connections for August 2017
Article 1:
JACIL celebrates 20 years with Open House
by Roger Deem
The Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living celebrated its 20th
anniversary on July 27 with a Chamber After Hours and Open House event at its
Permac Road headquarters.
From its simple beginnings in 1997 with the first employee (Executive
Director Becky McGinnis), JACIL has grown steadily and been able to affect the
lives of hundreds of central Illinois citizens with disabilities. It has also educated thousands of people
about the challenges we all face in regards to accessibility, particularly
through our annual awareness programs in the local schools.
The Open House provided an opportunity to share with our supporters and
the public information about our programs and our history. Displays were set up all over the building
and tours of our facility were provided.
Refreshments were served and the members of the JACIL staff and board
were on hand to greet and converse with those who attended.
JACIL offers its sincere thanks to everyone who has supported our
agency over the past two decades as we work together to improve the lives of
people with disabilities
Article 2:
Illinois Association for the Deaf
honors JACIL’s Deloris Summers
The Illinois Association for the Deaf recently honored JACIL’s own
Deloris Summers with its prestigious Spirit of the IAD Award. Following is a transcript of the
presentation:
Deloris is a witty individual being quick with funny comments or
remarks. She values knowledge and competence, and usually has little patience with inefficiency
or disorganization.
Deloris has continued to push for improvements in outcomes for the deaf
and hard of hearing community, never being
satisfied with the status quo. Deloris was instrumental in getting Text-to-911 implemented in the
Jacksonville area insuring improved communication access for individuals in the
area.
We salute Deloris on her extraordinary accomplishments. She is one of our strongest advocates and she
has our appreciation for the contributions she has made in Illinois.
Congratulations, Deloris Summers!
Article 3:
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
by Larry Whewell
JACIL's monthly KIP Café is scheduled for August 31 from 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m.
The guest speakers will be Lynette Strode and Robin Richard from the
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP).
This agency is located in Springfield and serves the entire state of
Illinois.
IATP has many different services; one of their main programs is loaning
assistive devices. Anyone can borrow an
assistive device and try it out for a few weeks to make sure it will work for
them. This “try before you buy”
opportunity helps people avoid purchasing an item that does not do what they
thought it was going to do.
Another program IATP offers is a
financial loan to purchase adaptive devices and equipment at a low-interest
rate. The speakers will tell about all
their programs and will bring several devices to look at and try out that day.
A light lunch will be available and an American Sign Language
interpreter will be present.
Call (217) 245-8371 by August 30 to make reservations.
Article 4:
Making Computers Fun
JACIL is sponsoring a computer class for people who are blind or have
low vision. These classes begin
September 7 and will take place every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
for 12 weeks.
Dan Thompson will be teaching
the classes. If you cannot attend one
class, you can make it up the next week.
The Making Computers Fun program has two levels. First is a series of 29 lessons divided into
five clusters. The second level covers
computer access games designed for individuals who are blind or have low
vision. There will be about 75 different
games that can be installed on your computer.
For more information call (217) 245-8371 and ask for Larry Whewell .
Article 5:
Did You Know?
Did you know that, according to the 2010 Census, on average, one out of
every five adult, USA, citizens has a disability? The ratio is actual closer to one in four in
JACIL’s service area due to the presence of the schools for the deaf and the
visually impaired.
Article 6:
People First is Aktion Club Holding a Fundraiser
by: Cyndy Benton
On August 12 from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m., the People First Aktion Club
will hold a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee's Restaurant, located at 1721 W.
Morton Ave.
Flapjack breakfast tickets are $5.00 each, with the Club receiving the
majority of the money.
The Flapjack breakfast comes with bacon and drinks.
While enjoying a great meal, you also be will helping the club meet its
goals in community service and education, advocacy and peer mentoring.
The People First Aktion Club has
a long history of helping its community through its numerous service projects,
volun-teerism and advocacy actions. Club
members have demonstrated through their actions that people with disabilities
can be contributing members of their communities.
The People First Aktion Club is co-sponsored by JACIL and the Kiwanis
Club of Jacksonville.
The $5.00 tickets are available from club members and at the JACIL
office.
Article 7:
APP-HAPPY Smart Phone Services
by Roger Deem
IDEAL Currency Identifier
Available from the Google Play Store at no cost, the IDEAL Currency
Identifier app is a great aid for people who have with vision disabilities.
It can be used to identify U.S. currency notes. You simply open the app and scan the front or
the back of any U.S. note and it will speak the denomination.
AArticle 8:
Ask kathy by Kathy Price
Each issue Kathy will answer your questions about anything--from
household hints to the price of tea in China.
Please e-mail your question to her at kathy@jacil.org.
This Month’s Question: My family
loves
smoothies but my blender doesn’t. The blades keep getting blocked up.
Can you help?
Kathy says: When whipping up
smoothies, pour the liquid ingredients into the blender first before adding the
chunky bits. Then the blades won't clog up.
August Calendar of Events
Tue 1 Knollwood
20/20 Support Group - 9:30
Wed 2 Friends
Helping Friends Action Club - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Thu 10 VisAbility Support Group - 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Tue 15 Cass County Vision Support Group - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Wed 16 Visions Support Group in Havana - 2:00 to
3:00 p.m.
Wed 16 People First Aktion Club - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Wed 23 Webinar at JACIL: Right to Accessible Healthcare: Focus on Deaf
& Hard of hearing. Time: 1:00. to
3:00 p.m. Webinar Presenter: Andrés
Gallegos, Attorney
Thu 31 KIP Café - 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Topic: Illinois Assistive
Technology Program. Speakers: Lynette Strode & Robin Richard
“JACIL Connections” is
published by the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living. JACIL is organized to serve people with
disabilities in Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties. JACIL is committed to serving persons with
disabilities to gain control and direction of their lives in the home,
workplace and community. JACIL’s goal is
to stimulate and promote a growing sense of personal dignity through
individualized services designed to provide the tools necessary for maximum
independence and community participation.
We invite your comments and suggestions.
JACIL is a Prairieland United Way Agency and a proud member of the
Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living
15 Permac Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
217-245-8371 Voice/TTY l 217-245-1872 Fax l
888-317-3287 Toll Free
217-408-0567 Deaf Advocate’s Toll Free Videophone Line
E-mail: info@jacil.org l
Website: www.jacil.org
JACIL - Mason County Office
220 West Main Street, Havana, IL 62644
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30 to
4:30 & Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to noon
309-543-6680 Voice/TTY, 309-543-6711 Fax, 877-759-2187 Toll Free
E-mail: jacil@casscomm.com