Upcoming Events

Limited activities during May due to building renovations. We still keep regular office hours. Call 806-374-1400.

May 31 - 3:00pm

Special Message

Panhandle ILC is your "Key to Independence" a symbol of the assistance and encouragement we offer to people with disabilities. More than 40 years ago in California, a group of people living in nursing homes simply because they were disabled, refused to give up their rights. Working together, they formed the first Independent Living Center, left the nursing homes, and began advocating for themselves.

This spirit continues in Centers all across America and in Amarillo where we help fill in the gaps left by other agencies. We encourage people to become their own advocates, take risks, accept responsibility, and gain control over their own lives. It's about participating as full and equal members of the community.

The philosophy behind Independent Living is that: "Everyone, regardless of disability, should have equal access to the rights and responsibilities that each citizen has to be as active and productive a member of society as he chooses to be."

Patrol Volunteers Receive No Pay, But Earn Big Rewards

A small group of only nine community volunteers cruise hundreds of handicap parking spaces looking for violations, and they need more help.

Handicap Parking Patrol Officers Sharon Jones, Curtis Young and Ben Roberts enforce parking laws around area businesses.

Since the Amarillo Police Department’s Handicap Parking Enforcement Group began in 1995, about 19,000 citations have been issued. The patrol group has had as many as 22 members who travel in two-person teams in marked cars, writing tickets for violators parked in handicap zones. Most violations relate to illegal uses of handicap placards, and fines can be as much as $500.

Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Jones has volunteered for six years and encounters both angry and appreciative motorists while writing citations. “We hear a lot of excuses from upset people, but we have others that stop and thank us for the service we’re providing - that’s our reward.” She added that volunteers try to be “fair but firm” when recognizing violations of the parking laws.

Volunteers frequently find handicap placards that are out of date or being used illegally by a motorist. They especially watch for obvious abuses, such as a teenager using a grandparent’s placard at a convenience store or shopping center. Motorcycle drivers may also be caught illegally parked in striped areas around the handicap zones.

Volunteers receive training in recognizing and photographing violations, issuing citations, testifying in court and other enforcement issues. APD Sgt. Steve Davis said the program is a great way of giving back to the community and encouraged applicants to contact him at (806) 378-6143, or Sharon Jones at (806) 681-2670.