History

2024

North Coast ADRC receives designation

Tri-County Independent Living (TCIL) and Area 1 Agency on Aging (A1AA) formed a core partnership in July 2022, establishing an “emerging” ADRC designated by the California Department of Aging. The North Coast ADRC aims to enhance the community in Humboldt County by providing visible, reliable, no wrong-door access for information, referral assistance, options counseling, and transitions from long-term nursing home residence to community living, as well as short-term service coordination for older adults and people with disabilities.

2023

TCIL Celebrates it’s 45th Anniversary

TCIL celebrated its 45th anniversary since its establishment in 1978, serving the counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity with 16 staff members.

2022

TCIL opens Crescent City Office

TCIL opened a new branch office in the City of Crescent City to serve Del Norte and Trinity Counties.

2021

Eddie Morgan named Executive Director

TCIL’s Board of Directors named Eddie A. Morgan as the new Executive Director for Tri-County Independent Living starting January 2021.

2020

COVID-19 Outbreak and TCIL’s response

TCIL responded to the community needs during the pandemic by expanding its Chromebook loan program, offering remote service options for its staff, and providing education on mask accommodations.

2019

Disability Disaster Access & Resources Program Established

DDAR (Disability Disaster Access & Resources) program was established through a grant from Pacific Gas and Electric and overseen by the California Foundation for Independent Living Center to support TCIL’s increased resilience, preparedness, emergency response, and recovery from disasters for people with disabilities.

2018

New Youth Services Added

TCIL has introduced a Youth Service program to better support young people with disabilities as they transition into adulthood and independence.

2015

Donalyn Sjostrand named Executive Director

Donalyn Sjostrand was appointed as the new executive director of Tri-County Independent Living, starting her role on July 22.

2014

Transition & Diversion Program Established

Transition and Diversion are now core services that TCIL is mandated by the federal government to provide.

2008 – Early 2010s

TCIL organized a rally against state budget cuts.

With support from TCIL’s Systems Change Advocate, community members with disabilities organized a protest against proposed social service budget cuts.

Assistive Technology Loan Program Established
TCIL established an Assistive Technology Loan Program to assist individuals in trying out devices that could potentially enhance their ability to live independently.

2004

First Annual Lost Coast Assistive Technology EXPO

Tri-County Independent Living hosted its First Annual Lost Coast Assistive Technology Expo to bring service providers and community members together in Eureka, California.

2003

Humboldt Access Projects rebrands at Tri-County Independent Living

HAP changed its name to “Tri-County Independent Living Incorporated” committing to engaging individuals with disabilities in Del Norte and Trinity counties.

1990’s

Education & Outreach for the ADA

HAP took on a leading role in educating community members, businesses, schools, and governments about rights now protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act

1990

ADA Signed into Law

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was signed into law greatly expanding the Civil Rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.

1987

1st Disability Awareness Day

HAP hosted a highly successful Disability Awareness Day in Scotia to fight stigmas and myths associated with disabilities.

1983

Waterfront Fine Arts Festival

HAP hosted a yearly  “Waterfront Fine Arts Festival” on Woodley Island it acted as a fundraiser for the young project.

Summer 1983
HAP took on youth interns to assist in ramp building and braille projects such as creating a braille community emergency phone directory

1980

Retired Senior Volunteer Program

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program in partnership with HAP began building residential Wheelchair ramps for clients.

1978

Humboldt Access Project Established

Willow Dean who had worked at CIL in Berkeley came to the North Coast to helped found an independent living center called Humboldt Access Project (HAP).

Movement Orgins

1978 – Expanding on the success, the Rehabilitation act was amended to among other thing, fund the creation of more independent living centers through out the country.

1977– The Independent Living Movement had a huge victory when, a protest lead by Judy Heumann, sucessfully pressured the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to sign and publish regulation enacting a disability rights law known as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

1972 – In Berkeley a group of individuals with disabilities lead by Ed Roberts created the Center for Independent Living (CIL). It would functions as a resource center run by and for people living with disabilities.