#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal

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

DOWNLOAD SUMMIT PROGRAM

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