TCIL Expo 2024 promotes community inclusion, access for all

On Friday, August 9th. Tri-County Independent Living is hosting the TCIL Expo 2024 at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.

TCIL has been around for 20 years providing programs for the community with a focus on technology and independent living.

“It’s been a great event is probably one of the largest expo for people with disabilities in Humboldt County,” Anisa Escobedo said.

Programs include a lending library with a Chromebook to provide needs.

“I help people explore things like screen magnifiers and voice control for their Chromebook and even, how to use the assistive tech. Also, through our assistive technology lending library. I help people look at adaptive, computing equipment. So things like large print keyboards, or adaptive specialized, mice, for folks who can’t use regular ones at this expo,” Julianna Harris said.

Guests of the expo will be able to see examples of this adaptive technology including a voice option program.

“Through a grant, we provide the voice option program, which helps individuals with speech difficulties get an iPad running a special app that can be their voice. And so we’ll have that for people to look at as well,” Harris said.

20 local organizations and agencies will be there including Red Coast Regional Center and Coalition for Transportation.

The theme of the TCIL Expo is community, inclusion, and access for all.

“We want to invite the entire community. people with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the United States,” Harris said on the choice for the theme. “Folks often know someone with a disability or have a disability themselves and even if they don’t have a disability, we encourage folks to come to learn about disability and also to learn about local services that are available.”

The TCIL Expo will be on August 9th from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“We’re asking everybody to come out and enjoy an afternoon learning about some amazing organizations and resources available in our community,” Tara Groswird said.