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First Edition 2008 of the AIM Newsletter
July 11-12 2008 at the Greater Reading Expo Center
WCD Expo is very excited to announce a new Feature Attraction! Abilities in Motion (AIM) will be sponsoring the Accessible Living Showcase, a realistic home environment on the show floor that will feature products and services that make independent living easier. We are honored to be working with AIM to create this opportunity for attendees to see home accessibility products in a simulated house setting instead of the traditional exhibit space. Join us for two days of education, inspiration, and fun! WCD Expo is an event that has two main features. The Expo is where you can see all of the latest products and services that are improving the lives of people with disabilities. The Conference is where you can learn about issues facing the disability community from industry experts. There are also several Special Events planned throughout the two days. WCD Expo is dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental and physical disabilities, as well as their families and providers. For more information about exhibiting or attending this industry leading event please contact Mark Dineen with WCD Expo at 201-722-9233 or mark@wcdexpo.com or Abilities in Motion at 610-376-0010.
Do you need any medical equipment and do not have insurance?
The Cumru Lions Club may have gently used items that you can use. Please call Bob Naugle at610-777-6027 for more information.
Teens Taking Flight is selling candy bars for $1.00 each. Choose from Take 5, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat or Hershey’s with Almonds! Call Jackie if interested at 610-376-001
2000 Dodge Caravan with ramp and a lowered floor. $1,000 or best offer. For more information contact Bill @ 717-933-8605
Are you an adult with disability who wants to mentor a youth (14-25) with a disability learn how to be more independent in the community? Do you want to help others? Do you have at least 2 hours to spend each week with a youth? Do you want to make a difference? If the answer is YES!! Call Jackie at Abilities in Motion at 610-376-0010
World Congress on Disabilities I coming to the Reading Expo Center in July 2008. Stay Tuned for more information
We went to Congressman Gerlach’s Mobile Office in Exton Office, we did not get a chance to meet with him individually but we did get to address the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. Congressman Gerlach’s aid stated that he was not aware of this bill. Supreme Court rulings over the past 17 years have Changed the ADA from its original intent. Congressman Gerlach is now willing to meet with us individually to discuss this further, and to discuss the Community Choice Act. Congressman Gerlach supports the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 as well as overriding the President’s veto of the Transportation—HUD– Appropriations Bill (HR 3074)
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the 3 steps, STR Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S– Ask the individual to SMILE T—Ask the individual to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently(understandably) for example: Is it sunny outside? R– Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS If the person has trouble with anyone of these task call 999/911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. New Sign of a Stroke —- Stick out your tongue Ask a person to stick out their tongue, if the tongue is “crooked”, if it goes to one side or the other that is an indication of a stroke
AIM will be at the following counties.
Come visit our Booth:
1. Schuylkill, Senior Health Fair- 3/27/08 Schuylkill Mall, 670 Schuylkill Mall Frackville, PA 17931 2. Lehigh, Senior Fest – 4/16/08 – 4/17/08 Allentown Fairgrounds, Agricultural Hall 3. Chester County, 50 Plus EXPO. -4/28/08 United Sports Training Center. 1426 Marshallton- Thorndale Rd, Downingtown. 4. Lebanon County, Senior Fair - Date TBA
FOCUS GROUP 2008 April Session Forming Now Be a Consumer-Driven Representative! This group focuses on current employer concerns, assists in determining future training topics and speakers, and receives provider feedback on program and legislative related issues. All Consumers or Consumer Representatives are invited. Focus Group 2007 sessions discussed the 2008 budget on Home and Community Based Services and consumer involvement and determined training sessions on Assisted Technology and available Community Resources. This group was instrumental in developing a consumer friendly communication process; determining how to deliver the 2008 COLA increase to its employees and in structuring future meeting formats. Reserve your spot for Focus Group 2008 by calling Linda, Consumer Services @ 610-376-0010
VSA Arts of Washington DC is seeking visual artists with disabilities whose work is inspired by the performing arts. If you have a body of work that draws inspiration from music, theater, or dance, consider applying today. Derivative Composition: An International Juried Art Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities is open to artists aged 18 and older who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, sensory or mental disability. Work entered must be completed after the onset of your disability. VSA defines disability as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Applicants from a wide range of fine arts are encouraged to apply. VSA’s deadline for applications is Friday, March 21, 2008. Braille and large print formats of this open call for competition are available from VSA. For more information please contact: VSA Arts 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 600, Washington DC 20006 (800) 933-8721, TTY (202) 737-0645
AIM ACHIEVERS, OUR JUNOIR ACHIEVEMENT COMPANY, HELD THEIR ELECTION FOR OFFICERS THIS PAST NOVEMBER. THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE: President – Steven Yeager Vice- President – Sam Charowsky VP of Finance – Sarah Lantz VP of Human Resources – Clint Iredale VP of Marketing – Phil Hetman VP of Production – Dylan Smith CONGRATULATIONS! I AM SURE THIS TEAM WILL MAKE US PROUD. Jaclyn Kratzer
As 2008 begins there are a lot of laws on the table for Congress that effects people with disabilities. Below is a synopsis of 3 important laws that we want Congress to support. Write your legislators today and ask them for their full support!
HR 4202 – Inclusive Home Design Act of 2007 This bill requires that all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses meet the minimum standards of visitability for people with disabilities. This means that all new houses must be accessible for people with disabilities to visit. This would make each new house have one accessible entrance, make sure all interior doors be 32 inches wide with doors that open 90 degrees, have one interior room not smaller than 70 square feet and not narrower than 7 feet, have environmental controls no higher than 48 inches from the floor, and have one accessible bathroom. HR 3195 – ADA Restoration Act of 2007 This bill calls for the Americans with Disabilities Act to be restored to its original intent. Over the years the ADA has been challenged in the Supreme Court and as a result the protections that the original Act gave to people with disabilities have been weakened. Restoration of the Act will give us our civil rights back.
HR 1621 – Community Choice Act of 2007 This Act would reform the Medicaid program to provide services in the most integrated setting based on the person’s needs. Simply put, if the person wants to stay in their own home, Medicaid would pay for their services to take place in their home.
Housing Report
In 2007 our rolls for the Access Grant totaled 89 consumers for home modifications. Of those 89 cases; 51 were closed, 13 are under construction phase and 25 are in various stages of the process. In 2007 we had 36 PDA cases for home modifications. Of those 36 cases; 27 cases have been closed, 6 are under construction, and 3 are in various stages of the process. Since 2006 their has been an increase of 50% in consumers for the Access Grant. Our consumers continually grow and the Housing Department will strive to find ways to serve our consumers faster and more effectively. Housing News on Capital Hill The House of Representatives has passed the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund will be the largest expansion in federal housing programs in decades, with a goal of producing, rehabilitating and preserving 1.5 million housing units over the next 10 years. The bill will initially allocate between $800 and $1 billion annually directly to states and local communities, without increasing government spending or the federal deficit.
ON THE TECHNOLOGY FRONT A new lift called the Apex Alton Bathtub Lift is suitable for all types of bathtubs. It provides easy and safe transfer from wheelchair to bathtub and very easy to install. More affordable than floor or ceiling lift No permanent installation on the ceiling Can be folded and rolled to another location ALTON requires no storage space Ergonomic design and maneuverability FeaturesFoldable base frame with casters Rotating mast Boom with adjustable lengths Adjustable leg for different size rooms Apexlift universal sling with three lifting positions 400 lb safe working load. Visit their website for more information at : http://www.apexdynamics.com/products
NEWS REVIEW
# 1 ADVOCACY / AWARENESS
Groups Ask University To Stop "Ransom" Ad Campaign The "Ransom Notes" campaign by NYU's Child Study Center, which was launched last week, features a number of fake ransom letters warning parents that "your child will pay" if certain disabilities -- such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder -- are ignored. ASAN said in a Tuesday press release that the ads contain inaccurate information about the disabilities and portrayed children with disabilities and their families as victims. "These ads are deeply destructive to individuals with disabilities, our families and our supporters," said Ari Ne'eman, President of ASAN. "As a person on the autism spectrum myself, I am deeply offended by how NYU chose to mischaracterize my disability and those of others in the disability community." In a joint statement, the advocacy groups told NYU officials: ". . . you have inadvertently reinforced many of the worst stereotypes that have prevented children and adults with disabilities from gaining inclusion, equality and full access to the services and supports they require." Advocates can read the petition published online and join the call for the Child Study Center to end or change its campaign.
# 2 EDUCATION / SPORTS Athlete's Struggle For Inclusion Leads To State-wide Policy Change BALTIMORE, MARYLAND--One student athlete's determination and persistence to be included and counted as part of her high school track team has led her state to recommend that all schools allow students with disabilities to try out for sports. Maryland's Board of Education recommended Tuesday that districts develop new rules that would let students with disabilities to compete along with other students. The board also wants state law changed so that schools can form teams of students with disabilities when few turn out to participate. The board's announcement was welcomed news for Tatyana McFadden, a Paralympic wheelchair champion who has been pushing for her right to compete for her school a runners and to be recognized as equal member of the team. McFadden, who has spina bifida, sued the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association this past March, saying that their refusal to allow her to compete and earn points for her track team amounted to discrimination. The Atholton High School junior's attorneys claimed that the state had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination by organizations that receive federal funding. McFadden won a silver medal in the 100-meter and a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash at the 2004 Paralympic World Games in Athens, Greece. Since her return, she and the Maryland Disability Law Center have been pushing for her right to compete alongside runners and be recognized as an equal member of her team. Up until the most recent track and field season, the 18-year-old was only allowed to compete against other wheelchair athletes -- in entirely separate events -- which usually meant racing alone and racing against herself. The Baltimore Sun noted that any changes in state law would require public input during forums that are expected to take place early next year.
# 3 INSTITUTIONS / ABUSE Watchdog Group Says It's Time To End Indifference Over "Chaos And Violence" At Institution BEATRICE, NEBRASKA--The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week notified Nebraska officials that the federal government would withhold about $28 million from the state if conditions are not improved by the end of February for residents at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. That amounts to more than one-half of the institution's budget. The announcement came after federal inspectors, who visited the state-run institution last month, said they found the facility had failed to protect some the 329 people with developmental disabilities that are housed there. One reason for this, the inspectors determined, was that there was not enough staff available. One state official told the Associated Press that there are about 100 vacancies at the facility, which employs about 740 workers. Those vacancies have been there for some time. The state responded to the federal study by announcing that the facility would be downsized, and that is some of the residents would be moved to nursing homes and community-based settings. John Wyvill of the state Department of Health and Human Services declined to say exactly how many would leave. Last week, the state's protection and advocacy system released a 68-page report detailing scores of confirmed cases of abuse. Nebraska Advocacy Services found that the facility investigated 220 allegations of abuse, 86th of which were later substantiated, in the first nine months of this year. Those included twenty-two cases in which residents were found to have had broken bones, such as a broken finger, broken leg, fractured knee, broken hip and a broken arm. The investigations resulted in more than 100 staff suspensions. In October of 2006, advocates with the Arc of Nebraska called for the state to shut down the 120-year-old facility after federal inspectors at that time found that facility officials had failed to follow up on a claim by a female resident that a male resident -- who was supposed to be closely supervised because of a history of "inappropriate sexual behavior" -- raped her. Investigators also found that the facility failed to look into its restraint procedures after a resident was injured during an improper restraint. In May of this year, the state came to within two days of losing $25.6 million in federal funds after federal surveyors visited and found that the facility had again failed to properly investigate and respond to reports of abuse, neglect and mistreatment. In a press release last week, Timothy Shaw, chief executive officer of NAS, said: "It is time for the public to say, 'Enough! Enough of this relentless cycle of chaos and violence! Enough promises!'" "It's time to put an end to the indifference." Wyvill responded that Shaw's use of the word "indifference" was "totally inaccurate and inflammatory". He added that the number of suspensions "shows our zero tolerance for abuse and neglect." Alvin Scott
Client Assistance Program The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is the State-wide advocate for individuals with disabilities who are seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blindness and Visual Services and federally funded programs of the Centers for Independent Living. CAP can help you understand what vocational rehabilitation services are available to you and can advise you of your rights and responsibilities as they relate to these services for employment. For more information contact CAP at either their Philadelphia or Harrisburg Office you can also go online and visit their website at: Philadelphia Office: Harrisburg Office : 215-557-7112 (voice/TTY) 717-364-1733 (Voice/TTY) 1-888-745-2357 1-888-367-2954 www.equalemployment.org
Did you know?
Berks County has a special needs Survey Tool that is an effort by the county government to better identify those in our community who are most at risk during a disaster. Berks County Emergency Management defines the special needs population as: “ Individuals who are likely to require assistance in excess of that provided to general public in a time of disaster, particularly in the event that large scale evacuation is necessary.” This could include those who are deaf, blind, bedridden, mentally impaired, without radio or television, or lacking transportation necessary to evacuate. To fill out this survey you can go online to http://www.berksema.com Or you can call the office directly and request a paper survey be mailed to you. The contact information is: Berks County Emergency Management Agency 1238 County Welfare Road Telephone: 610-374-4800 ext.21 Fax: 610-374-8865 Email: BCEMA@Countyofberks.com
The Home Access Program is an initiative started by Handi-Ramp, a company that has been manufacturing handicap accessible ramps since 1958. Helping individuals and families find realtors who can assist in the search for a handicap accessible home is the premise of the program. By compiling a searchable database of realtors and consultants across the country who are willing and able to aid in this search, the Home Access Program along with Handi Ramp, have provided a one-stop shop for all your accessibility needs. Handi-Ramp also provides ADA experts free of charge who can assist in making an accessible home. For more information please call 1-800-876-RAMP (7267) or go online at www.homeaccessprogram.org
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Feb. 29, 2008 * Attendant Care Presentatio 1:00pm– 3:00pm Feb.-April 2008 Teens Taking Flight Meetings 5:00pm7:00pm Every Tuesday Location to be announced Mar.5, 2008 B.C.T.C.C. Meeting 8:30am—12:00pm March 9-11, 08 National rehabilitation Association 2008 Government Affairs Summit Hilton Hotel Alexandria, Va March 11, 2008 Youth Mentor Meeting 4:00pm—5:00pm * Location TBA Mar.12, 2008 * Abilities in Motion Board Meeting 4:00pm—6:00pm Mar. 28, 2008 * Grass Roots Advocacy 1:00pm—3:00pm Apr. 8, 2008 Youth Mentor Meeting 4:00pm—5:00pm Location TBA Community Living Advisory Committee Mtg. 9:00am—4:00pm Hilton Hotel Harrisburg, PA April 16, 2008 Transition Coordinator Meeting (BCTCC) Apr. 25, 2008 Arc Building Bridges Workshops 8:00am—3:00pm Sheraton Hotel County Commissioners Workshop every Tuesday 10:30am County Commissioners Meeting every Thursday 10:30am 13th Floor County Services Building Reading City Council Meeting– 7:00pm every other Monday Reading City Hall Reading Planning Commission– first Thursday of every month County Services Center 14th Floor *Meetings held at Abilities In Motion unless noted. If you have any questions regarding the above activities please contact Abilities in Motion.
Abilities In Motion
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