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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."
TxDOT Awards New Freedom Grant to PILC. Mary E. Bivins Foundation Gives Local Support
The project, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation, provides municipal transit training to people with disabilities. PILC staff members offer classroom and one-on-one field training that develops safe, confident, independent travel. The total three-year cost of the project is $296,886 primarily funded by the New Freedom Initiative. The Mary E. Bivins Foundation provided the project’s 20% local match fund amounting to $20,000 annually.
Foundation Grants Program Officer Susie Akers said, “We are delighted to support such a worthy project that improves the lives of Amarillo’s elderly and disabled citizens.” Mrs. Akers added that the Foundation is also honored to join the Center’s partnership with TxDOT and Amarillo City Transit (ACT). Since the travel training program began, ACT has worked closely with PILC to offer people skills in scheduling rides and negotiating bus routes.
The Center’s travel training program actually began in 2007 and, because of the project’s success, another three-year New Freedom Initiative grant was approved. PILC Board President Susan Stokes acknowledged TxDOT’s encouragement to the Center to submit another proposal. “We are pleased that TxDOT recognized the continuing need for travel training in Amarillo, and we are especially honored to have the support of the Mary E. Bivins Foundation.”
The new three-year project will especially address the needs of the elderly in light of the growing senior population. Project participants will also include special education students within the Amarillo Independent School District who will utilize municipal transit services after high school graduation. PILC’s travel training is coordinated by Christina White, assisted by Jessica Young and Krista Killough.
