Welcome to the 30th Annual APRIL CONFERENCE 

Engaging IL Partners in SPIL Implementation

Brooke Wilson, Mel Leviton, Edward Mitchell, Shelly Richardson, and Tyler Wilcox

 

Session Overview:

This session focuses on the collaborative development and implementation of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). It explains the roles of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other stakeholders in developing the SPIL, which serves as a blueprint for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities within the state.

This presentation emphasizes the importance of consumer control, the role of Independent Living Specialists (ILS), and the evaluation of SPIL's impact on communities through collaboration, communication, and participation at all levels.

Additional Materials for This Session:

 

About Your Presenter:

 

Brooke Wilson

Brooke Wilson is the Executive Director of the Oregon Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and has worked in the disability community for 18 years. She has served in many roles, representing the Independent Living Philosophy, fostering collaboration and advocating for disability inclusion and awareness. Brooke currently serves as the Chair of NASILC – National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils and as the SILC Rep on the APRIL – Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living board. Brooke and her husband Corey have 4 children and 3 grandchildren, though Brooke loves children and is a “mom” to many.

 

Mel Leviton

Mel Leviton is the Executive Director of the Idaho State Independent Living Council. She has been with the SILC since 2015 and has more than 30 years’ experience working with and for people with disabilities in the private, non-profit and public sectors. Mel currently serves as the Vice Chair of NASILC – National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils. In addition to her professional work, Mel shares the lived experience of being a person with visible and invisible disabilities. She has a strong belief in the ability of a person to know what they like, want and need no matter their disability. Access means we get what we need in a way that works best for us, not the person next to us.

 

Edward Mitchell

Edward Mitchell was a victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident in 2003 when he was hit by a truck, and thrown into a ditch, and found by his little brother. Edward has quadriplegia with an incomplete spinal cord injury at the C5 and C6 levels. Edward crossed into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. via the Beta Pi chapter on the Lane College campus in 2008. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Lane College, a private HBCU, and his MBA in 2011 from Union University.

That hasn’t slowed him down; he works as the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee while serving on numerous boards, such as United Spinal Association’s Tech Access initiative.

In 2018, Edward was selected as an inaugural ABLE Advisor for the Able National Resource Center. ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. In the summer of 2018, Edward was confirmed by the Republicans & Democrats of T.N. to testify. Before the Washington D.C. - Senate Special Committee on Aging. The hearing titled, “Supporting Economic Stability & Self Sufficiency as Americans with Disabilities & their Families Age.

Edward was inducted into the Lane College Hall of Distinction for the Young Alumni Achievement Award and was honored to accept the Jefferson - Multiplying Good Award from Leaders Credit Union for advocacy for individuals with disabilities locally and nationally.

Currently, Edward is appointed to a three-year term by T.N. Governor Bill Lee as a council member for the Statewide Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Last but not least, Money recently published its inaugural list of Changemakers, the 50 people impacting Americans’ wallets. Edward was featured as one of the 2023 Changemakers by Money Magazine for his advocacy work to increase the age of ABLE eligibility. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

 

Shelly Richardson

Shelly Richardson is the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) of Illinois. As Director, she works with the 22 Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and other agencies across the state, to provide the leadership, research, planning, and education required to support independent living services for people with disabilities across Illinois. She also serves as a member of the Statewide Rehabilitation Council of Illinois, Illinois Assistive Technology Program Advisory Council, and is a board member of Housing Action Illinois.

Shelly was previously employed by IMPACT, CIL, in Alton, Illinois where she served as one of the Community Reintegration Specialists. She was the CIL’s Housing Specialist.

She completed her Master of Public Administration and Policy Analysis degree at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville in 2012.

 

Tyler Wilcox

Tyler Wilcox is the Executive Director of ILCW, Wisconsin’s SILC. He has been working in IL world for about ten years but is a life-long advocate for persons with disabilities, including himself. Tyler is the NASILC Region V representative, and a member of both the NASILC and APRIL advocacy committees.

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