[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1536-S1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING WESTSIDE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am very pleased to take a few 
moments to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the Westside 
Center for Independent Living, WCIL, based in Santa Monica and Los 
Angeles, as this unique organization celebrates its 30th year of 
service.

[[Page S1537]]

  WCIL has devoted innumerable hours and incredible effort toward 
giving senior citizens and members of our community with disabilities 
the gift of independence. The WCIL was founded in 1976 during the 
height of the ``independent living movement.'' Originating in Berkeley 
in 1970, the independent living movement has strived to provide 
disabled persons with the opportunity to manage their own lives. Today, 
centers such as the WCIL have become a vital staple of urban life 
across the Nation.
  Through an array of innovative methods, the center allows seniors and 
disabled persons to become more fully integrated into our community. 
One such technique is the peer training system, whereby veterans of the 
independence training program share their tested knowledge with people 
who are new to the program. Such pairing instills a sense of confidence 
in new participants, as it lets them know that they are not alone and 
that others like them have succeeded in leading a more independent 
life.
  WCIL's Advocacy Action Group works with the disabled community and 
elected officials to modernize existing disability legislation. The 
group collects the ideas and complaints of disabled people and 
transforms them into substantive legislation. Through true grassroots 
campaigning and issue advocacy, the group ensures that elected 
officials stay abreast of current accessibility issues in their 
community.
  Recognizing the necessity for information regarding accessibility 
throughout Los Angeles, the WCIL, in partnership with UCLA, has 
established Living Independently in Los Angeles, LILA. LILA provides a 
host of useful information regarding the accessibility of public and 
private places, community organizations working for the betterment of 
those with disabilities, and advocacy groups. Thanks to LILA, numerous 
disabled persons are better equipped to navigate Los Angeles.
  The center provides invaluable educational services, including public 
awareness about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Countless 
businesses, community organizations, and local community members credit 
WCIL for helping them to ensure that buildings and offices are 
accessible for Americans with disabilities.
  I am pleased to join the thousands of beneficiaries of this important 
organization in commending the Westside Center for Independent Living. 
The Center's work has bettered the lives of countless disabled and 
senior citizens and has enabled them to participate more fully in our 
community. The center's efforts have clearly shown that ``a disability 
need not be disabling.''

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