From the Coalition For Independence
KANSAS CITY (July 8, 2008) – The Coalition For Independence will celebrate 20 years of service and advocacy to the Kansas City region with three days of events and activities designed to raise public awareness for individuals with disabilities. All of the anniversary activities and events are open to the public and free of charge. The headlining event is a special lunch featuring actress and comedienne Geri Jewell at the Liberty Memorial Auditorium on Wed., July 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coalition For Independence (CFI), a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of services to children and adults with disabilities, empowers people to live as independently and productively as possible in mainstream communities.
Jewell, who has athetoid cerebral palsy and ataxia, will delight the audience with her humorous and enlightening performance called “Celebrating Abilities and Valuing Diversity.”
“Geri Jewell is a champion for individuals with disabilities and her humorous outlook on life teaches us all to respect others, value abilities and celebrate diversity,” said Clark Byron, CFI Executive Director.
A buffet pasta lunch free of charge will be served prior to Jewell’s Liberty Memorial performance. Seating is limited; reservations required. Call 913.321.5140, ext. 110 or email Kathy Cooper, kcooper@cfi-kc.org.
CFI is hosting additional educational and fun activities designed for all ages starting Tues., July 22 and running through Thurs., July 24. The series of events are:
The Coalition for Independence was founded in 1988 by local activist Paul Levy. CFI is a “cross-disability” organization, meaning that it serves people with every type of disability and of any age, physical or mental health, and cognitive disabilities to sensory impairment (e.g. blindness and deafness). Over the years, CFI has become a well-known advocate for individuals with disabilities, providing services, advocacy, and promoting acceptance and accessibility. The organization is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) as mandated by the 1978 reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act through the U.S. Department of Education.
“We are very much a civil rights group for people with disabilities. The goal is a fully accessible and inclusive society where individuals with disabilities have the resources necessary to live in the community rather than being unwillingly segregated into institutional living,” said Clark. “They should be afforded the same freedoms and choices as the rest of society.”
CFI offers five core services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support advocacy/self-advocacy/systems change, and community integration. It also offers case management, payroll services and the assistive technology department. One of CFI’s most tangible benefits is the Durable Medical Equipment recycling program for critical and often expensive items.
Today, CFI has offices in Missouri and Kansas and serves individuals with disabilities of all ages in the 10-county Greater Kansas City region.