Ericka Reil, Advocate

Ericka Reil lives with multiple disabilities and works for the Vermont Center for Independent Living, a disability rights organization. She has worked for VCIL for 13 years. Ms. Reil is the Chair of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) council in Vermont. She travels around the state and country providing training on disability rights and culture. Currently, she lives in Barre, Vermont, with husband Joe and son Will.

She is a Peer Advocate Counselor Coordinator at the Vermont Center for Independent Living, where she has worked since 2004. Ericka provides trainings for staff of 211 Maine, Domestic Violence Network, and many others on disability related topics such as Disability Etiquette, Fair Housing Laws, ADA Law, and Community Organizing. She is a Fair Housing Advocate who troubleshoots problems that callers encounter; explains fair housing law and how to file a complaint; provides support and assistance to clients who are working though fair housing issues. Advocate who testifies to groups to move the Independent Living philosophy. Working with issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Training: • Two years of American Sign Language • Organizing Training by National Training and Information Center • Fair Housing Training by Fair Housing Accessibility First • National Certification from National Alliance of Information and Referral Specialists (AIRS)

Affiliations: • National ADAPT • National People’s Action • Barre City ADA Committee • PAIMI • Vermont Human Trafficking Task Force

Boards and Committees: Vermont AIRS Board 2004-2008 served as Chair 2004-2007 served as treasurer 2007-2008 Vermont PAMI Council 2013 to Present Served as Chair 2013 to Present Barre ADA Committee Served as Chair 2008 to Present DRVT Board member at large 2014 to Present NCIL ADRC Subcommittee 2014 to 2016 CoChair Barre Downtown Partnership Member at Large