top of page

#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal

CIL's 50th Anniversary Website Banner.
Close-up photo of Judy Heumann giving a speech at CIL's 50th anniversary gala. She is wearing a blue jacket, blue pants, and red-framed glasses. She is in a powered wheelchair and holding note cards.

At the #CIL50 anniversary gala, Judy Heumann delivered a keynote speech. She talked about the history of the Independent Living Movement, remembering key figures who have passed. She continued, “Advocacy is what this is all about and I think what we have to realize… [is] that our individual dreams become reality when we come together and work together. And so I want to thank all of you for all the work that you do everyday and the work I know you will continue to do.”

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL) and the Independent Living Movement from Berkeley, CA. In honor of this anniversary, CIL hosted #CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal - a series of celebrations and events in October 2022 meant to reflect on our history, reunite with advocates and leaders from our history and renew our commitment to Independent Living through education and organizing. 

 

CIL was founded in 1972 by Ed Roberts and his fellow disability advocates as a community hub run by and for disabled people to promote Independent Living (IL), and provide advocacy opportunities and community support for people with disabilities. The IL Movement sparked in Berkeley, CA has grown to over 400 similar centers across the United States and even more in 20 countries spanning the globe today.

​

Fruitvale Fiesta Photo Gallery

Independent Living Summit Photo Gallery

Berkeley Street Festival Photo Gallery

Anniversary Gala Photo Gallery

#CIL50 HONORARY
HOST COMMITTEE
 

Honorary Co-Chairs


Representative Barbara Lee


Zona Roberts


Judith E. Heumann


Honorary Host Committee


Speaker Nancy Pelosi


Senator Tammy Duckworth


Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson


Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan


Berkeley Vice Mayor Kate Harrison


Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett


Berkeley Councilmember Rigel Robinson


Honorable Tom Harkin


Honorable Tony Coelho


Honorable Loni Hancock


Honorable Tom Bates


Joan Leon


Kathy Martinez


Melissa Male


Janni Lehrer-Stein


Joyce Bender


Merrill Friedman


Katherine Perez

​

 

Fruitvale Fiesta: October 14, 2022

Aguachiles El Tamarindo

3053 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

CIL invited the Fruitvale community and our local partners to celebrate our 50th anniversary at a taco truck lot take over. Featuring civic and community speakers, kid friendly activities, local Spanish speaking cultural artists and performers including DJ Trice, Folklorico Dancers, Mariachi and more! This event was meant to introduce Oakland’s Spanish speaking community to our Fruitvale based services and Independent Living while also having fun.

 

#CIL50 Independent Living Summit: October 19-October 21, 2022

Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

This 3-day conference style summit engaged disability community members in tracks committed to community organizing advocacy, emergency preparedness, access to employment and more, while also serving to connect community members to Independent Living services. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

#CIL50 Street Festival October 22, 2022

Adeline Street between Ashby and MLK, Berkeley, CA

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Held in front of the Ed Roberts Campus, this street festival celebrated CIL’s 50th anniversary through art, music, performance, culture and history of the disability community. We were also joined by civic and community speakers. The festival was designed to give the whole Bay Area community an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Independent Living Movement. Specific attention was focused on multiply-marginalized, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled artists and influencers for this event. A live DJ and musical acts performed throughout the day with food and beverage vendors available. 

 

#CIL50 Anniversary Gala: October 23, 2022 

Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

Pre-Gala Reception 4:00 PM

Gala Awards Dinner 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

We celebrated the accomplishments of CIL and its founders and community at an awards dinner to recognize and highlight the work of grassroots leaders and benefactors from the Independent Living Movement that have helped keep this organization moving forward for the past 50 years. Tickets were sold in packages that also included sponsored tickets for disability community members. 

Multi-colored graphic with a flower and people depicted in various spots. Text reads " 10-14-22 | 10AM-3PM | AGUACHILES EL TAMARINDO | 3053 International Blvd Oakland, CA 94601 | FRUITVALE FIESTA | Center for Independent Living, inc. (CIL) invites you to celebrate 50 years of the Independent Living Movement starting at the CIL. Come and learn about resources available for people with disabilities & seniors in Fruitvale! | JOIN US FOR: Free Food, Community Partners, Community Speakers, Kid Friendly Activites, Mariachi, Folklorico Dance, DJ Trilce, And More! | Sponsored by CIL"
Gráfico multicolor con una flor y personas representadas en varios puntos. El texto dice: "10-14-22 | 10AM-3PM | AGUACHILES EL TAMARINDO | 3053 International Blvd Oakland, CA 94601 | FRUITVALE FIESTA | Centro para la Vida Independiente, Inc. (CIL) te invita a celebrar 50 años del Movimiento de Vida Independiente que empezó en el CIL. Ven y aprende sobre los recursos disponibles para personas con discapacidades y personas mayores en Fruitvale! | Acompáñanos Para: Comida Gratis, Organizaciones Comunitarias, Invitados Especiales, Actividades para niños, Mariachi, Baile Folklórico, DJ Trilce, Y Màs! | Patrocinado por CIL"
Graphic with text that reads "#CIL50: Reflection Reunion Renewal | Independent Living Summit." Below is a photo of protestors carrying a banner with text that reads "Center for Independent Living | 1972 - 2022." Text below the photo reads "Wednesday, October 19, 2022 to Friday, October 21, 2022 | Doors Open at 9:30 AM | Daily 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Ed Roberts Campus | 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 | Ashby Bart Station | CIL | Center for Independent Living." In each corner is a triangle made up of golden yellow polka dots. A golden yellow frame outlines the image.
Graphic with text that reads "#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal | Join us for a Street Festival celebrating 50 Years of the Independent Living Movement | October 22, 2022 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | In front of Ed Roberts Campus: Adeline from Ashby to MLK Jr. Way | Berkeley, California | Performers and DJ’s with disabilities, including: DJ Ray Reck, DJ Trilce & Cutitup Entertainment | Live Afro-Peruvian band, poets & other performers | Kids Zone - face painting, balloon arts & crafts | Local food and art vendors | Quiet booth available for sensory overload | Fully accessible including ASL | And more!" At the top right is a photo of protestors holding a "Center for Independent Living" banner. At the middle slightly to the left is a graphic of people in a line holding up their fists. Two of those people are holding up flags. At the bottom right is a graphic of a person with a guide cane, a person with crutches, and a person with one arm up and one off to the side.
Graphic with text that reads "#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal | Anniversary Gala." Below is a photo of protestors carrying a banner with text that reads "Center for Independent Living | 1972 - 2022." Text below reads "Sunday, October 23 | Pre-Gala Reception | 4:00 PM | Gala Awards Dinner | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. | Ed Roberts Campus | 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 | Ashby Bart Station." Gold stanchions and red velvet ropes are on the left and right sides of the text. Below is the CIL logo. In each corner is a triangle made up of golden yellow polka dots. A golden yellow frame outlines the image.

Powered by Elevance Health

Elevance Health Logo

Special thanks to CIL’s service and program funders:

DOR Logo
ACL Logo
SILC Logo
bottom of page