Welcome
To The Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast Website!
Empowering People with Disabilities for Over 20 Years!
Independent Living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities.
To The Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast Website!
Empowering People with Disabilities for Over 20 Years!
Independent Living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities.
Mobile App for People With Disabilities and Their Families
See flier below and click link for more details,
http://fndusa.org/mobile-app-people-disabilities-families-fnd/
See flier below and click link for more details,
http://fndusa.org/mobile-app-people-disabilities-families-fnd/
FREE Presentation!!!
Do you have MEDICARE? Are benefits confusing?
See flier below to learn more about Medicare.
Do you have MEDICARE? Are benefits confusing?
See flier below to learn more about Medicare.
FREE WORKSHOP!!
Learn how to manage your chronic health condition.
See flier below.
Learn how to manage your chronic health condition.
See flier below.
Come participate in a focus group
EEOC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule:
Affirmative Action for Individuals With Disabilities in the Federal Government.
Click here to read the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and submit comments,
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/02/24/2016-03530/affirmative-action-for-individuals-with-disabilities-in-the-federal-government
Affirmative Action for Individuals With Disabilities in the Federal Government.
Click here to read the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and submit comments,
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/02/24/2016-03530/affirmative-action-for-individuals-with-disabilities-in-the-federal-government
Florida Council of the Blind is holding a fundraiser event:
"Blind Bunny Ball Drop and Not Quite an Easter Egg Hunt"
Just go to www.blindbunnyballdrop.org to learn more and to participate.
"Blind Bunny Ball Drop and Not Quite an Easter Egg Hunt"
Just go to www.blindbunnyballdrop.org to learn more and to participate.
Inclusive Language Legislation: Special Olympics athletes advocate for all people with intellectual disabilities on a local and national level.
!!!!EXCITING NEWS!!!!
Are you are someone you know in need of a guide dog? If so, check out this wonderful organization. The school’s services are totally free to those with disabilities.
Day 5- ADA Celebration Grand Finale
ADA grand finale celebration at the Riverside Community Center, with New Beginnings Events. We had a wonderful day of recapping this weeks events and celebrating the ADA's 25th anniversary. A RESOLUTION was read by a Lee County Commissioner's representative proclaiming July 24th as ADA AWARENESS DAY in Lee County from here forth. For more picture see our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Independent-Living-Gulf-Coast/485966041447526.
ADA grand finale celebration at the Riverside Community Center, with New Beginnings Events. We had a wonderful day of recapping this weeks events and celebrating the ADA's 25th anniversary. A RESOLUTION was read by a Lee County Commissioner's representative proclaiming July 24th as ADA AWARENESS DAY in Lee County from here forth. For more picture see our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Independent-Living-Gulf-Coast/485966041447526.
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Day 4- Title IV: Accessible Communication
Today we celebrated Title IV, accessible communication (which is actually spread throughout the other Titles). We held a seminar to share how to make a business website reader friendly to the disabled community. It focuses on readers for people who are visually impaired. A big thank you to Mary Ann and Will for presenting and for LeeTran Passport for donating the facility.
Today we celebrated Title IV, accessible communication (which is actually spread throughout the other Titles). We held a seminar to share how to make a business website reader friendly to the disabled community. It focuses on readers for people who are visually impaired. A big thank you to Mary Ann and Will for presenting and for LeeTran Passport for donating the facility.
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Day 3- Title III: Accessible Businesses
Today we celebrated accessible business. These 5 businesses, Baywood Veterinary Hospital, WINK News, ,,, , , Shrimp Shack FL , The Bagel Factory of Ft. Myers, and Riverside Retreat, were nominated for making extra efforts in making their business accessible to people with disabilities. The winner will receive an award at our ADA celebration banquet on Friday the 24th.
Today we celebrated accessible business. These 5 businesses, Baywood Veterinary Hospital, WINK News, ,,, , , Shrimp Shack FL , The Bagel Factory of Ft. Myers, and Riverside Retreat, were nominated for making extra efforts in making their business accessible to people with disabilities. The winner will receive an award at our ADA celebration banquet on Friday the 24th.
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Day 2- Title II: Adaptive Sports
Today we celebrated adaptive sports. We had tennis equipment, sports chairs, and hand cycles for the community to try. We also had 3 teams, Lee County Sheriffs Dept., Parks and Recreation and LeeTran Passport, to take part in our Minute to Win It challenge. They learned how difficult some tasks can be when you face challenges because of a disability. They did amazing. Here are a few pictures highlighting our day. Visit our Facebook page to see more, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Independent-Living-Gulf-Coast/485966041447526?fref=ts .
Today we celebrated adaptive sports. We had tennis equipment, sports chairs, and hand cycles for the community to try. We also had 3 teams, Lee County Sheriffs Dept., Parks and Recreation and LeeTran Passport, to take part in our Minute to Win It challenge. They learned how difficult some tasks can be when you face challenges because of a disability. They did amazing. Here are a few pictures highlighting our day. Visit our Facebook page to see more, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Independent-Living-Gulf-Coast/485966041447526?fref=ts .
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ADA celebration has officially started
Day 1- Title I: Outstanding Employers
These employers have been nominated to receive an award by the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast for their outstanding work on employing people with disabilities. Below are the employers being presented with a certificate to represent being nominated. One employer will receive the Outstanding Employer Award on Friday at our grand finale banquet.
Day 1- Title I: Outstanding Employers
These employers have been nominated to receive an award by the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast for their outstanding work on employing people with disabilities. Below are the employers being presented with a certificate to represent being nominated. One employer will receive the Outstanding Employer Award on Friday at our grand finale banquet.
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We also recognized two outstanding employees for their great work ethic and commitment.
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Ronnie Eldridge Target |
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Frances Eldridge Barrington Terrace |
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Don't Miss Out on All the FUN!!!!!
The Center for Independent Living is having a weeklong ADA celebration next week, July 20th -24th. On Tuesday we are celebrating Title II. We are going to have many activities for people to come see and take part in. Below is some further information. Please spread the word as it is completely free and open to the public. If you have any questions please call our center at 239-260-4575, ask for Tera.
Title 2 Tuesday
There is going to be a wheelchair tennis demonstration at this event. After the demonstration YOU will be able to try out the special equipment yourself; there will also be many other activities you can participate in. Along with the activities there will be vendors there to show adaptive athletic equipment for people with disabilities to learn about. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what you've been missing out on with leading an active lifestyle. It's FREE and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.
Location
Gymnasium at 1st Assembly of God
4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, Fl 33919
Tuesday July 21st from 9:00-3:00"
The Center for Independent Living is having a weeklong ADA celebration next week, July 20th -24th. On Tuesday we are celebrating Title II. We are going to have many activities for people to come see and take part in. Below is some further information. Please spread the word as it is completely free and open to the public. If you have any questions please call our center at 239-260-4575, ask for Tera.
Title 2 Tuesday
There is going to be a wheelchair tennis demonstration at this event. After the demonstration YOU will be able to try out the special equipment yourself; there will also be many other activities you can participate in. Along with the activities there will be vendors there to show adaptive athletic equipment for people with disabilities to learn about. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what you've been missing out on with leading an active lifestyle. It's FREE and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.
Location
Gymnasium at 1st Assembly of God
4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, Fl 33919
Tuesday July 21st from 9:00-3:00"
Freedom House opening
As part of an ongoing partnership, the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast and Affordable Homeownership Foundation Inc. opened the first of what we hope are many new homes for Lee’s people with disabilities. Three of the four consumers have moved in to our Freedom House, and the fourth will soon follow with a ribbon cutting in about 10 days.
As part of an ongoing partnership, the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast and Affordable Homeownership Foundation Inc. opened the first of what we hope are many new homes for Lee’s people with disabilities. Three of the four consumers have moved in to our Freedom House, and the fourth will soon follow with a ribbon cutting in about 10 days.
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ADA CELEBRATION update:
Title II Tuesday will be held on July 21st at First Assembly of God 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL from 9:30-3. There is going to be a wheelchair tennis demonstration at this event. After the demonstration YOU will be able to try out the special equipment yourself; there will also be many other activities you can participate in. Along with the activities there will be vendors there to show adaptive athletic equipment for people with disabilities to learn about. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what you've been missing out on with leading an active lifestyle. It's FREE and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.
Title IV (assistive technology) will be held on Thursday July 23rd at Lee Tran Passport Service 3401 Metro Pkwy Fort Myers, FL 33901 from 8:30-11. We will have a speaker to inform businesses of the new law pertaining to web site accessibility that will go into effect this year and will demonstrate how to comply with this law. This is FREE to attend. Let all your business owners know about this great opportunity.
Title II Tuesday will be held on July 21st at First Assembly of God 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL from 9:30-3. There is going to be a wheelchair tennis demonstration at this event. After the demonstration YOU will be able to try out the special equipment yourself; there will also be many other activities you can participate in. Along with the activities there will be vendors there to show adaptive athletic equipment for people with disabilities to learn about. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what you've been missing out on with leading an active lifestyle. It's FREE and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.
Title IV (assistive technology) will be held on Thursday July 23rd at Lee Tran Passport Service 3401 Metro Pkwy Fort Myers, FL 33901 from 8:30-11. We will have a speaker to inform businesses of the new law pertaining to web site accessibility that will go into effect this year and will demonstrate how to comply with this law. This is FREE to attend. Let all your business owners know about this great opportunity.
Center
for Independent Living Gulf Coast
ADA 25th Anniversary
During the week of July 20th-24th the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans’ with Disabilities Act (ADA) There are five titles in the ADA, so each day during that week; we will be highlighting each title with various activities. Each of our events will be shared with the local newspaper and the news station.
Title I
Equal Employment Opportunity for individuals with disabilities This title is designed to remove barriers that would deny qualified individuals with disabilities access to the same employment opportunities and benefits available to others without disabilities. Employers must reasonably accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants or employees, unless an undue hardship would result.
On Monday July 20th we will be recognizing various employers in the community that have done an exceptional job of hiring or training individuals with disabilities. Watch for this on the news that day.
Title II
Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in State and Local Government Services
This title prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The public entity is required to provide access to programs, services and activities provided by the state or local government, when viewed in their entirety.
Title II Tuesday is one of our most action packed days. Our event will be located at the Assembly of God Church recreational hall. We will be hosting a informational sharing day, where state and local entities can share information about the various recreational opportunities in Lee County for persons with disabilities. Along with that, we will be playing “ADA Minute to Win it!” Teams will compete by completing a variety of different ADA related challenges. We have teams from Lee Tran and the Sheriffs’ Dept. so far, who else would like to join them? Sure would like to have the Firemen represented from somewhere?
Title III
Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
This title prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by private entities in places of public accommodation. Examples include hotels, restaurants, golf courses, private schools, day care centers, health clubs, etc.
CILGC will be announcing the various entities in the community that have been nominated to receive an award for being disability friendly. If you would like to nominate an entity please contact our agency.
Title IV
Telecommunications
This title requires telephone companies to have developed interstate and intrastate telephone relay services in every state.
CILGC will be sharing information about the Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. (FTRI) along with a presentation from Will and Maryann Grignon on how to design a website and make it accessible for people with all disabilities to be able to use it.
Title V
Miscellaneous Provisions
The final title contains a variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole, including its relationship to other laws and its impact on insurance providers and benefits.
Title V is going to be our “Grand Finale.” Since the title doesn’t’ cover a specific area, we will be celebrating the ADA in it’s entirety. The event will be at the Riverside Community Center, with our returning Emcee Jody Fuller, comic, speaker, writer and soldier. We will be enjoying music also with our returning DJ from New Beginnings Events Robert McDonald. During our Grand Finale, we will be announcing the winners of the various nominees’ for Title I and III, and a trophy will be presented to the winning team of the ADA Minute to Win Challenges.
ADA 25th Anniversary
During the week of July 20th-24th the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans’ with Disabilities Act (ADA) There are five titles in the ADA, so each day during that week; we will be highlighting each title with various activities. Each of our events will be shared with the local newspaper and the news station.
Title I
Equal Employment Opportunity for individuals with disabilities This title is designed to remove barriers that would deny qualified individuals with disabilities access to the same employment opportunities and benefits available to others without disabilities. Employers must reasonably accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants or employees, unless an undue hardship would result.
On Monday July 20th we will be recognizing various employers in the community that have done an exceptional job of hiring or training individuals with disabilities. Watch for this on the news that day.
Title II
Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in State and Local Government Services
This title prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The public entity is required to provide access to programs, services and activities provided by the state or local government, when viewed in their entirety.
Title II Tuesday is one of our most action packed days. Our event will be located at the Assembly of God Church recreational hall. We will be hosting a informational sharing day, where state and local entities can share information about the various recreational opportunities in Lee County for persons with disabilities. Along with that, we will be playing “ADA Minute to Win it!” Teams will compete by completing a variety of different ADA related challenges. We have teams from Lee Tran and the Sheriffs’ Dept. so far, who else would like to join them? Sure would like to have the Firemen represented from somewhere?
Title III
Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
This title prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by private entities in places of public accommodation. Examples include hotels, restaurants, golf courses, private schools, day care centers, health clubs, etc.
CILGC will be announcing the various entities in the community that have been nominated to receive an award for being disability friendly. If you would like to nominate an entity please contact our agency.
Title IV
Telecommunications
This title requires telephone companies to have developed interstate and intrastate telephone relay services in every state.
CILGC will be sharing information about the Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. (FTRI) along with a presentation from Will and Maryann Grignon on how to design a website and make it accessible for people with all disabilities to be able to use it.
Title V
Miscellaneous Provisions
The final title contains a variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole, including its relationship to other laws and its impact on insurance providers and benefits.
Title V is going to be our “Grand Finale.” Since the title doesn’t’ cover a specific area, we will be celebrating the ADA in it’s entirety. The event will be at the Riverside Community Center, with our returning Emcee Jody Fuller, comic, speaker, writer and soldier. We will be enjoying music also with our returning DJ from New Beginnings Events Robert McDonald. During our Grand Finale, we will be announcing the winners of the various nominees’ for Title I and III, and a trophy will be presented to the winning team of the ADA Minute to Win Challenges.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
Advisory Council of Southwest Florida
Lee, Collier, and Hendry Counties
“Working together to make our community truly diverse”
Subject: HB 71, Service animal act of Florida
Fantastic!! On this date, June 11, Governor Rick Scott signed HB 71 the service animal legislation. So, as of July 1, it will be illegal to pass pets off as fake service animals. Further, this newly act states that only dogs and minature hourses may be considered as service animals. Further, comfort and therapy animals are not necessarily service animals. If convicted, the person who attempts to pass off a fake service animal would be guilty of a second misdemeanor, punishable with a fine and/or requirement to provide 30 hours of community service. Thank you to all who called the Governor’s office to urge him to sign the legislation!
To summarize:
This year’s bill makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to misrepresent a dog as a service animal and also a second-degree misdemeanor to harass disabled persons with a service animals about their disability and need for the dog. During the bill’s final hearing in the House, a disabled veteran with PTSD and shrapnel in his back said because his wounds cannot be seen he is often challenged about his disabilities and need for his dog
Although much of the bill reiterates rights and rules included in the Americans with Disabilities Act, it also makes misrepresenting your pet as a service animal or harassing a disabled person with a service dog a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 30 hours of community service for an organization that assists the disabled or other group decided by a judge. The community service must be completed within six months.
“It’s so easy to basically defraud the system,” Smith said. “All you have to do is buy a vest or tags and when you’re challenged you say, “talk to my lawyer.””
To combat that defense, Smith’s bill also includes two questions that businesses can ask: Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability? What tasks has the animal been trained to perform? (These questions mimic the Federal ADA presently)
Advisory Council of Southwest Florida
Lee, Collier, and Hendry Counties
“Working together to make our community truly diverse”
Subject: HB 71, Service animal act of Florida
Fantastic!! On this date, June 11, Governor Rick Scott signed HB 71 the service animal legislation. So, as of July 1, it will be illegal to pass pets off as fake service animals. Further, this newly act states that only dogs and minature hourses may be considered as service animals. Further, comfort and therapy animals are not necessarily service animals. If convicted, the person who attempts to pass off a fake service animal would be guilty of a second misdemeanor, punishable with a fine and/or requirement to provide 30 hours of community service. Thank you to all who called the Governor’s office to urge him to sign the legislation!
To summarize:
This year’s bill makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to misrepresent a dog as a service animal and also a second-degree misdemeanor to harass disabled persons with a service animals about their disability and need for the dog. During the bill’s final hearing in the House, a disabled veteran with PTSD and shrapnel in his back said because his wounds cannot be seen he is often challenged about his disabilities and need for his dog
Although much of the bill reiterates rights and rules included in the Americans with Disabilities Act, it also makes misrepresenting your pet as a service animal or harassing a disabled person with a service dog a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 30 hours of community service for an organization that assists the disabled or other group decided by a judge. The community service must be completed within six months.
“It’s so easy to basically defraud the system,” Smith said. “All you have to do is buy a vest or tags and when you’re challenged you say, “talk to my lawyer.””
To combat that defense, Smith’s bill also includes two questions that businesses can ask: Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability? What tasks has the animal been trained to perform? (These questions mimic the Federal ADA presently)
We have the saving cards at our Center
Stop by and pick one up!
See their website for more information, WWW.FLORIDARXCARD.COM
Stop by and pick one up!
See their website for more information, WWW.FLORIDARXCARD.COM
Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast's ADA Advocate Michael Pierce and his guide dog Addy, with several students of North Fort Myers High School, after a workshop on Self Advocacy and Disability Etiquette. Several students will be graduating in two weeks.
FREE AMPLIFIED PHONES!!
We are happy to travel anywhere in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties for an FTRI presentation to a group of people. If you know of an assisted living facility, senior center, or any other business/organization with people with hearing loss let us know. This program offers FREE amplified phones to Florida residents, who have a working land line and who have some hearing loss. We also take walk-ins to our office during regular business hours. Contact us for more information.
We are happy to travel anywhere in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties for an FTRI presentation to a group of people. If you know of an assisted living facility, senior center, or any other business/organization with people with hearing loss let us know. This program offers FREE amplified phones to Florida residents, who have a working land line and who have some hearing loss. We also take walk-ins to our office during regular business hours. Contact us for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ramps for individuals with disabilities
Local contractors and volunteers provide donated work to complete the jobs
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (date) – Lehigh Acres homeowners, Kimberly and Mark Harp, have suffered with many different surprises over the past two years. It all started when Mark stepped on a nail. Now, Mark Harp, 44, will be losing at least part of his leg after complications from infection. He has endured a total of 5 surgeries and is in pain twenty four hours a day. Mark lives in a home with his wife and it is not equipped with handicap accessibility. There was no
way to get Mark in and out of the house. “This is just going to make things so much easier for us. I was beginning to get really scared about how we were going to manage,” said wife, Kimberly Harp.
In another Lee County neighborhood in N. Fort Myers, George Sandstedt, is a wheelchair user and lives with his brother. “Until this ramp, I hadn’t been out of my house in 14 months. I am so grateful for this new independence to just go around the block if I want,” said Sandstedt.
Requests like these come in almost every day at Lee BIA Builders Care office and the offices of Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast (CIL). “Requests come in sometimes about 10 every week for all kinds of emergency situations like this,” says Regional Director for CIL, Renee Sluzalis.
Each year, subcontractors and volunteers sponsored by Builders Care, the charitable agency of the Lee Building Industry Association, complete an estimated 12 large ramps for homeowners in need. Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast is now a partnering with Builders Care to provide a portion of the dollars for needed materials. “This partnership will allow us to help more people in need,” said Heidi Taulman, executive director for Lee BIA Builders Care.
About BIA Builders CareBuilders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $2.4 Million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Major supporters include Cape Coral Plumbing, Ferguson Enterprises, Harbor Springs Building Company, Nilles Design Group, Priority Marketing of Southwest Florida, Stock Development, Sunset Air and The Aubuchon Team of Companies. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 10501
Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Suite 104 in Fort Myers. The Building Industry Association (www.BIA.net ) is a 50-year-old association affiliated with National Home Builders Association and Florida Home Builders Association to serve the local building and related industries to strengthen our community by advancing a professional building industry through advocacy, education and services. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.
About The Center for Independent Living Gulf CoastThe center provides consumers with disabilities an accessible link to their goals, CILGC is a consumer driven organization focused on providing an array of services to assist consumers in achieving their goals. These core services include independent living skills, peer support, advocacy and information and referral.
In addition, we also offer programs and services with housing, transportation, employment, technology and accessibility leading to increased independence.
Media Contacts:
Heidi Taulman, Builders Care, htaulman@bia.net or 239-872-3779
Teri Hansen, Priority Marketing, teri@prioritymarketing.com, 239-267-2638 or 239-849-3300 (cell)
Stay tuned for updates for our 2015, 4th annual ADA celebration
Mission to promotes inclusion of people with disabilities by eliminating architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers. CIL provides education, resources and training to enhance self-determination through informed choice.
Vision to preserve the dignity and respect of people with disabilities through full access and inclusion into society.
See for yourself how our work is changing lives!
Vision to preserve the dignity and respect of people with disabilities through full access and inclusion into society.
See for yourself how our work is changing lives!
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