LIFE Center for Independent Living

09/02/2026

Are you a person with severe vision loss?

Severe vision loss means normal eyeglasses do not help and can include, but not limited to:
• Macular Degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts

WE OFFER LOW VISION SERVICES AT NO CHARGE

FREE assistive devices such as: Low vision & talking watches; talking clocks, timers, scales; large print calendars, address books & check registers; handheld and standing magnifiers

Contact Tiena at 309-663-5433 or by email [email protected] for more information or to make an appointment.

Image Description (thanks to Microsoft Copilot):
Image shows a magnifying glass positioned over a newspaper or printed financial page. The magnifying glass enlarges part of the text, making some words easier to read while the surrounding text remains blurred and difficult to distinguish.

09/01/2026

September is Self-Care Awareness Month!

What better way to kick off the month than by recognizing the importance of taking care of ourselves?

Self-care is more than an occasional treat or a day off. It's about creating healthy habits that support our overall well-being and help us thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Taking time for self-care can reduce stress, improve health, and increase resilience when life gets challenging.

According to the Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU), there are seven pillars of self-care:
1. Knowledge & Health Literacy
2. Mental Wellbeing
3. Physical Activity
4. Healthy Eating
5. Risk Avoidance
6. Good Hygiene
7. Rational Use of Products and Services

Learn more about these seven pillars and how you could take better care of yourself:

Discover Self-Care Pillars with International Self-Care Foundation. Empower your health journey today.

09/01/2026

Back-to-School Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

Most schools in our area are now back in session, and we hope everyone has had a great start to the new school year!

For students with disabilities, school can sometimes bring unique challenges. As a parent or caregiver, understanding your child's needs and knowing how to advocate for appropriate supports and services can make a significant difference in their educational experience.

While LIFE CIL does not provide direct educational advocacy services, we want to share several organizations and resources that may be helpful for families seeking guidance, support, or advocacy related to special education. These resources are listed in no particular order.

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC)

Family Matters provides statewide support, information, resources, and guidance to families navigating special education services and educational transitions. Their team can help families better understand their rights and available options within the educational system.

Phone: 1-866-436-7842
Website: https://fmptic.org/

Equip for Equality

Equip for Equality is Illinois' federally designated Protection and Advocacy organization. They offer legal assistance, training, information, and, in some cases, representation related to special education and disability rights, including support during the IEP process.

Phone: 1-866-543-7046
Website: https://www.equipforequality.org/solutions/special-education-accommodations/

Illinois CASA Educational Advocacy Resources

The Illinois CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) website includes a collection of educational advocacy and special education resources that families may find useful when seeking information and support for various types of disabilities (linked to this post).

Website: https://illinoiscasa.org/library/educational-advocacy/educutional-advocacy-special-education-resources.html

A Final Note

Although LIFE CIL does not provide educational advocacy services, we understand the importance of ensuring students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed in school. We hope these resources help connect families with organizations that specialize in educational advocacy and special education support.

We wish all students, families, and educators a successful and rewarding school year!

Advocacy Resources for Students with Different Abilities in the Special Education Environment In order to help students with disabilities emerge stronger from…

08/31/2026

We Are Back and Ready to Assist You!

We are back in the office today and ready to help. If you have left us a voicemail or sent an email while we were away, please know that our staff is working diligently to respond to everyone as quickly as possible.

Bloomington Office
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 309-663-5433

Pontiac Office
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 815-844-1132

We appreciate your patience during our recent staff planning and training event. Our team is refreshed, energized, and looking forward to assisting you. We are committed to returning all phone calls and emails as quickly as possible and helping each person who reaches out to us.

Thank you for your patience. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Image Description (thanks to Microsoft Copilot):
A black background resembling a chalkboard fills the image. On the left side, a hand is holding a white megaphone with a black rim and a red mouthpiece. White lines extend from the megaphone to suggest an announcement or sound being projected.

On the right side of the image, large, bold, distressed-style white lettering reads:
“WE ARE BACK!” The text appears in an all-caps font with a textured, chalk-like effect that contrasts sharply against the dark background.

08/28/2026

LIFE CIL Offices Are Closed for Staff Training

LIFE CIL offices will be closed for the remainder of this week as our staff participates in annual planning, professional development, and training activities.

If you need assistance, please feel free to send us a message here on Facebook, email us at [email protected], or leave a voicemail at one of our office locations:

Bloomington: 309-663-5433
Pontiac: 815-844-1132

Our team will return to the office on Monday, August 31, and we will respond to all phone messages and emails as quickly as possible upon our return.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take this time to continue improving our support for the individuals with disabilities and communities we serve.

Image Description: A black sign displaying the message "Sorry We're CLOSED for Staff Training," with the word CLOSED highlighted in red and all other text in white.

08/25/2026

Our office is available to assist consumers today; however, we will be closed for the remainder of the week as our staff attends our mandatory Annual Planning Meeting.

Our Annual Planning Meeting is an important opportunity for our team to review the past year, celebrate accomplishments, address challenges, and establish goals for the future. During this time, we will engage in strategic planning to strengthen services across DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, and McLean Counties, while also participating in staff training and professional development to enhance our knowledge, skills, and teamwork. These efforts help us continue providing the best possible support to the individuals and communities we serve.

Please note that no staff will be available on:
• Wednesday, August 26
• Thursday, August 27
• Friday, August 28

We will return to the office on Monday, August 31 and will respond to phone messages and emails as quickly as possible upon our return.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take this time to plan for an even better year ahead. We look forward to assisting you soon!

image is LIFE CIL's logo and under the logo it says "Our offices will be CLOSED Wednesday August 26, Thursday, August 27, Friday, August 28".

08/24/2026

Our offices will be open today and tomorrow but will be closed the remainder of the week for our Annual Planning Meeting that is mandatory for all staff.

Our staff will not be available Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

We will respond to all calls and messages as quickly as possible on Monday, August 31.

image is a yellow diamond-shaped road sign. Across the top is a black rectangular sign with yellow letters that says "IMPORTANT" and then in black letters on the yellow sign, it says "SCHEDULE CHANGE AHEAD".

08/21/2026

Planning Ahead for Next Week

If you anticipate needing to borrow equipment or require assistance from our team next week, please make arrangements by Monday or Tuesday, as those will be the only days we are available.

Our offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday. During that time, staff will not be available to provide support. We will return phone calls and respond to emails as quickly as possible when we return on Monday, August 31.

Thank you for your understanding.

Image Description (thanks to Microsoft Copilot): the image shows a close-up view of a monthly calendar in the background, with several dates visible in black and red text. Prominently placed in the center is a square yellow sticky note. Written on the sticky note in large, handwritten red capital letters is the message: "PLAN AHEAD"