Center for Independent Living - Berkeley

06/02/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE OF THE INDEPENDENT

What does inclusive leadership look like in the birthplace of the independent living movement?

In Episode 7, Dr. Victor Pineda sits down with Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii to discuss disability justice, housing, community engagement, and the future of accessibility in local government.

From addressing urgent community needs to strengthening civic participation, Mayor Ishii shares her vision for building a more inclusive and connected Berkeley.

🎥 YouTube Premiere: https://bit.ly/4dVX1U6
🎧 Spotify: https://bit.ly/434MMrQ
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RZcR9g

Join the conversation about leadership, accessibility, and community-driven change.

06/02/2026

The Center for Independent Living's Transportation Team is hosting our Wheelchair Marking Strapping and Tethering workshop on Friday, 6/12 from 9:30am - 11:30am. This is a free service where you can get your wheelchair or electric scooter strapped and tethered for easier and safer travel on Paratransit and the bus.

We will also be holding transportation drop in hours during this time! You can come and pick up free AC Transit and Paratransit tickets, get help with Paratransit and RTC card applications, receive transportation information and referrals, and more!

To register or receive more information email [email protected] or call Julia Newton at (510) 422-5087

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El Equipo de Transporte del Center for Independent Living está organizando nuestro taller de Marcado, Sujeción y Anclaje de Sillas de Ruedas el viernes 12 de junio, de 9:30 a. m. a 11:30 a. m. Este es un servicio gratuito donde podrás asegurar y anclar tu silla de ruedas o scooter eléctrico para viajar de forma más fácil y segura en Paratransit y en el autobús.

¡También estaremos ofreciendo horas de atención abierta sobre transporte durante este horario! Podrás recoger boletos gratuitos de AC Transit y Paratransit, recibir ayuda con las solicitudes de Paratransit y la tarjeta RTC, obtener información y referencias sobre transporte, ¡y mucho más!

Para registrarte u obtener más información, envía un correo electrónico a [email protected] o llama a Julia Newton al (510) 422-5087.

05/29/2026

🌈 Disability & Trans/Queer Pride 🌈

At a time when disabled, transgender, and q***r communities continue to fight for visibility, access, safety, and belonging, this event creates space to celebrate identity, culture, resistance, and community care together.

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) invites you to CIL’s Disability & Trans/Queer Pride, an accessible community celebration uplifting disability justice, q***r pride, creativity, and collective joy.

Join disabled LGBTQ+ community members, artists, performers, advocates, allies, local organizations, and community members for an afternoon centered on self-expression, storytelling, music, art, and connection.

✨ MC & performance by Obsidienne Obsurd
✨ Live performance by King Lotus Boy
✨ Music by DJ Fugwel
✨ Adaptive micromobility showcase with BORP
✨ Local vendors & community organizations
✨ Makeup station
✨ Quilt-making & storytelling station
✨ Food & drinks
✨ Quiet / low sensory space

📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

Accessibility is a core part of this gathering. The venue is fully accessible. Masks are required for all attendees and will be provided onsite. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safer space for disabled LGBTQ+ community members and allies.

🎟️ Scan the QR code, click the link in our bio, or visit https://bit.ly/4nSdNYQ to RSVP.

For accessibility questions or accommodation requests, please contact Shelby Bertolozzi at [email protected].

05/27/2026

Join us for a special hybrid screening of The Ride Ahead, the Emmy-nominated documentary exploring disability, identity, independence, and adulthood.

Hosted by the Center for Independent Living (CIL) and Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF), the event will feature a screening of the film followed by a youth-led panel discussion and community conversation with filmmakers Samuel Habib and Dan Habib, moderated by Jim LeBrecht (Crip Camp).

The Ride Ahead follows Samuel Habib, a young adult with a disability, as he explores questions about the future, relationships, employment, and what it means to live independently. The film offers a powerful and honest look at disability culture, access, and belonging.

📅 Tuesday, June 30, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
📍 Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley + Virtual Option

Accessibility includes ASL interpretation, live captioning, and audio description. Masks are required for in-person attendees and will be available onsite. This is also a fragrance-free event.

Free event. Registration required.

Scan the QR code for more info and to RSVP, or visit: https://bit.ly/4txDeAi

05/26/2026

05/18/2026

DIE-IN TO PROTECT OUR HEALTHCARE

Healthcare cuts cost lives. Join the Die-In protest to protect access to healthcare for millions of Californians.

📍 Eastmont Town Center – Alameda Health Systems Wellness Center

🗓 Thursday, May 21

⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Union members, seniors, people with disabilities, Medi-Cal recipients, healthcare workers, and community advocates will come together to demand action and defend healthcare access for all.

Scan the QR code for more information and RSVP or visit: http://bit.ly/4nyKWsq⁠

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DIE-IN PARA PROTEGER NUESTRA ATENCIÓN MÉDICA

Los recortes al sistema de salud cuestan vidas. Únete al Die-In para defender el acceso a la atención médica de millones de californianos.

📍 Eastmont Town Center – Alameda Health Systems Wellness Center

🗓 Jueves 21 de mayo

⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Miembros de sindicatos, personas mayores, personas con discapacidades, beneficiarios de Medi-Cal, trabajadores de la salud y organizaciones comunitarias se reunirán para exigir acción y defender el acceso a la salud para todos.

Escanea el código QR para más información y RSVP o visita: http://bit.ly/4nyKWsq

05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, we honor the mothers who fought for their children when the world said “no.”

Women like Zona Roberts, Celestine Tate Harrington, Isobel Walker, Aretha Robinson, and Isle Heumann challenged discrimination, defended dignity, and helped change history through love, resilience, and advocacy.

Their stories remind us that behind every movement for inclusion, there are mothers who never stopped believing in their children.

Learn more about preserving Zona Roberts’ legacy: https://thecil.org/zonaroberts/

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day 💛

Before accessibility, there were mothers who refused to accept “not possible.”

Before laws protected inclusion and disability rights, these women fought every day so their children could live with dignity, independence, and opportunity.

Zona Roberts

When her son Ed Roberts was paralyzed by polio, schools and universities doubted his future. Zona Roberts fought for his right to attend school, pursue higher education, and live independently. Her determination helped pave the way for the Independent Living Movement and changed disability rights forever.

Today, the Zona Roberts Story Project is preserving her story and honoring the role mothers and caregivers played in shaping the disability rights movement.

https://thecil.org/zonaroberts/

Celestine Tate Harrington

Born with a condition that left her unable to use her arms and legs, Celestine Tate Harrington fought a historic custody battle after authorities tried to take away her baby because they believed a disabled woman could not be a mother. In court, she proved she could care for her daughter using only her lips, teeth, and tongue, and won. Her fight became a powerful symbol of disability rights, parental rights, and resilience.

Isobel Walker

Isobel Walker encouraged curiosity and perseverance in her son Stephen Hawking long before the world recognized his brilliance. After his ALS diagnosis, she continued supporting his ambitions and independence, helping him pursue the work that would transform modern science.

Aretha Robinson

After her son Ray Charles lost his sight as a child, Aretha Robinson taught him to navigate the world with confidence and self-reliance. She refused to let blindness define his future, helping raise one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Isle Heumann

When schools tried to deny her daughter Judy Heumann an education because she used a wheelchair, Isle Heumann challenged discrimination head-on. Her fight for inclusion helped shape one of the most important leaders of the disability rights movement.

Today, we honor every mother who continues to fight for access, inclusion, and the right for their children to dream without limits.

05/07/2026

Muchas personas con discapacidad se ven obligadas a permanecer en la pobreza para no perder los apoyos que necesitan.

Únete a una conversación comunitaria con Disability Rights California sobre las trampas de pobreza, cómo los sistemas limitan las oportunidades y qué podemos hacer para cambiarlo.

🗓 20 de mayo | 12–2 PM
📍 1470 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland
🍽 Se servirán refrigerios

Comparte tu experiencia. Sé parte de la solución.

👉 Regístrate: https://bit.ly/4ubBk9T

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Many people with disabilities are forced to stay poor just to keep the support they need.

Join us for a community conversation with Disability Rights California on poverty traps—how systems limit opportunity, and what we can do to change it.

🗓 May 20 | 12–2 PM
📍 1470 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland
🍽 Food will be provided

Share your experience. Be part of the solution.

👉 RSVP: https://bit.ly/4wre6OW

05/07/2026

New episode of The Independent 🎙️

Host Dr. Victor Pineda speaks with Jonathan Kaufman, founder of J Kaufman Consulting, licensed psychotherapist, executive coach, and disability inclusion strategist.

Born with cerebral palsy, Jonathan shares how disability can be a source of leadership, innovation, belonging, and why organizations must move beyond compliance toward true culture change.

Together, they explore accessibility, workplace culture, psychological safety, and the future of inclusive leadership.

Listen now:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4tlk80a
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48GSMds
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4ev6Omb