Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) is a non-residential, non-profit, community-based human service organization.  Its purpose is to assist people with disabilities to lead self-directed and productive lives within the community.  TRCIL is a Center for Independent Living (CIL), as defined from Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.  To learn more about our Center, watch Beyond Boundaries: An OnQ Series.

Our Mission is:

To empower people with disabilities to enjoy self-directed, personally meaningful lives by providing outstanding consumer-controlled services and by advocating for effective community change.

Our Vision is:

A world in which all physical, attitudinal, communication and systems barriers are eliminated and people with disabilities have equal opportunities and the right to full participation in society. 

Read more about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

TRCIL’s United Way Contribution Number is 1304. 

Escape the winter blues and join us for an exceptional wine tasting.  Socialize with friends and colleagues in the ambiance of the modern Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel while enjoying exclusive wine selections.  Your attendance will support Three Rivers Center for Independent Living’s  Annual Giving Campaign.

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 6 – 8 PM

Where: Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel  510 Market Street  Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Tickets : $15 Per Person and are limited.  Please RSVP @ 412-371-7700 x 181

We hope to see you there!

All TRCIL offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2012 in observence of President’s Day.  This includes the Living Well With A Disability Accessible Fitness Center.  For questions, please contact your service coordinator or fitness trainer.  Thank you.

A new project of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA called “Get REAL-Regional Education Assisting Life Long Learning” is bringing magnification technologies to select bookmobiles to locations across Pennsylvania.

Visitors to the bookmobiles will find a portable video magnifier, designed to make reading easier for people with visual impairment such as age-related macular degeneration.  Bookmobile staff members have been trained to help patrons use the equipment, and provide other resources as needed.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and with funds from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Independent Living Older Blind Program, and in partnership with the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the Get REAL project will help ensure the full inclusion of all people, especially those with disabilities.  According to 2009 statistics, 15% of Pennsylvania’s urban population, and 17% of its rural population, was aged 65 or older. Since it is this population that is most affected by vision loss, it is imperative that public spaces, such as libraries and bookmobiles, be fully accessible.

The Get REAL project collaborates with community resources throughout the Commonwealth, including the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and regional resource centers of Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology, to encourage ongoing support to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

For more information about the Get REAL project, including information about the equipment, go to the website of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University: www.disabilities.temple.edu/  or contact project coordinator Jamie A. Prioli, ATP at Jamie.Prioli@temple.edu or 215-204-5974 (voice), 866-268-0579 (TTY).

Bill Tatters, D.I.G. founder and participant in TRCIL’s Living Well With A Disability program, took the jump of his lifetime on Friday, September 16, 2011.  TRCIL’s “Dare to Dream” fund, a resource for Living Well With A Disability participants, developed through the proceeds from all of TRCIL’s fundraising events, provided the financial support but Bill provided the guts, courage and determination to fulfill his own dream!  Read more…

Keynote Speaker Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Honorary Chair Mary Anne Papale, Highmark

On August 25, 2011, TRCIL celebrated achievements in the local disability community during our annual Disability Pride Dinner and Independence Awards at the Omni William Penn Hotel.  Guests were entertained by jazz legend Etta Cox during the cocktail hour.  WQED OnQ Magazine host and journalist, Chris Moore, was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies along with Keynote Speaker Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Special guests included the recently crowned 2012 Ms. Wheelchair America Josie Badger, native of Western PA, and Quality of Life Technology Center, a collaboration between CMU and University of Pittsburgh.  Read more…    

Effective August 8, 2011, TRCIL no longer provides Housing Services.  For a list of HUD-approved (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) Housing Counseling Agencies in your area, visit:  http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=PA, visit:  http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=pa&topic=offices or contact: 

Pittsburgh Field Office
William Moorhead Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4004

Phone: (412) 644-6428
Email: PA_Webmanager@hud.gov
Fax: (412) 644-6499
TTY: (412) 644-5747

For up-to-date information on the Living Well With A Disability program, “like” the Facebook page to become a fan.  Share your secrets to “living well” and hear what others have to say!  Read current information from the Centers for Independent Living across Pennsylvania who offer Living Well With A Disability as a resource to their consumers and other people with disabilities in their communities.  Get the latest activities and announcements on ways to “live well”!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER PEER MENTOR!

• Are you a person with a disability who has successfully achieved independence and is willing to assist others to achieve their own goals?
• Are you a good listener?
• Can you act as a role model, sharing your experiences and resources?
• Can you provide emotional support to people who are struggling with disability-related issues?

If so, become a VOLUNTEER PEER MENTOR.  Training provided.  For more information, call Paula Mullen @ 412.371.7700 ext. 120 or 1.800.633.4588 or TTY 412.371.6230.