As strong advocates of programs that support independent living for people with disabilities, the Board Members of the Freedom of Mobility Foundation Inc. (FMFI) developed a grant initiative to benefit Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and their Travel Training Programs.

The Center for Independent Living is a national organization with centers around the U.S. that supports people with disabilities in their efforts to lead independent lives. 

The FMFI grant initiative was designed to assist CILs with expanding or enhancing their travel training programs or to create a new one. Travel training programs are designed to help people with disabilities learn to navigate public transportation systems.

Many transit agencies across the country work with CILs and other agencies to offer free, personalized, one-on-one travel training instruction for people with physical or mental disabilities who want to learn to ride all modes of transportation, not just paratransit.

“Most organizations offering this training have limited budgets and can only serve a limited amount of clients,” said Nikki Frenney, FMFI board member. “With this specific grant initiative, our goal is to create more opportunities for more people to participate in travel training in hopes that they will become more independent in their travel.”

Since January 2011, FMFI has contributed nearly $20,000 to three CILs travel training programs: Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago; DC Center for Independent Living in Washington, D.C. and South Florida Center for Independent Living in Miami. 

Any CIL interested in submitting a grant application for funding to help expand their Travel Training programs should contact FMFI Program Director Quisa Foster via email at quisa@freedomofmobilityfoundation.com