New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.On December 6, 2002 Ohio received approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand in-home services under the Medicaid Home and Community-based waiver program. Approved is the Level One Waiver, providing an additional 6,000 people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities with in-home care services. According to a December 6, 2002 press release, "the Home and Community-based waiver program allows states to use Medicaid funding to cover services for individuals living in the community that are not ordinarily covered by Medicaid. Ohio developed the Level One Waiver as part of a redesign of its Medicaid program to improve care options for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Many of the in-home supports covered under waivers are presently only available in an institutionalized setting." The waiver covers services such as homemaker/personal care, transportation, respite care, supported employment, specialized medical equipment and supplies, emergency response systems, environmental modifications, accessibility adaptations and emergency assistance. Enrollment in the program is expected to begin in mid-February 2003. Over the next three years 6,000 home based care slots will open: 3,000 in the year 2003, 2,000 in the year 2004 and 1,000 in the year 2005. For more information, contact your County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Center for Mental Retardation (CMR) and Share A Vision (SAV), both non-profit organizations, have joined together in offering a series of workshops designed to educate families of people with disabilities on residential options. The workshops are held over a period of five days in October and November / December 2002. The October Workshop, to be held at the Euclid Hospital, is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2002. The November / December Workshop, to be held at the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center, is scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 18, 25 and Monday, December 2, 9, 2002. Registration is just $25 per person. For more information, call CMR at (216) 621-4504.
Life Protection Arts and Sciences, LLC will be hosting self-protection classes this fall in the Milwaukee area. Classes, sponsored by Independence First, will teach the essentials of protecting oneself in the event of an attack. Specialized instruction will also be offered to those in wheelchairs. For more information, call Kathy Mohar with Independence First at (414) 291-7520.
Milwaukee County Transit System has a number of accessible buses on all of their routes. If you are presently only using Transit Plus for your transportation needs and have a bus stop near by, you may consider using the Milwaukee County Bus System. If you are unsure of how to use the bus system you may benefit from the Transit Plus training program, which offers instruction on route planning and actual travel training on how to use the bus. Contact Transit Plus for more information at (414) 343-1700.
The Ranch Community Services held an award ceremony for the many participants in their community employment program this month. With this program The Ranch has been able to place many cognitively disabled adults as employees of community companies. The program is centered on the concept of asking the disabled adult, "What would you like to do," "What are your hobbies," and taking this concept one step further, "What is your dream?" The program then matches these interests with a potential employer in the community. In addition, The Ranch offers skills training for certain jobs. The result is a great program for all participants. Employers include The Gap, Jewel Osco and Pizza Hut to name only a few. For additional information on this great employment progam, contact City Center at (414)645-1877 or call the Main location of The Ranch at (262)251-8670.
Independence First in partnership with Marshall and Ilsley Bank, has developed WisLoan, an "alternative loan program for Wisconsin citizens with disabilities who desire to purchase assistive devices / services or make accessible modifications to their homes." Low-interest loans are offered up to $30,000, however each qualifying individual will be offered a lending plan that fits their unique circumstances. While credit history need not be perfect, every borrower must have the ability to repay the loan. For additional information, contact Patti Kraemer at (414) 225-2910 or call Independence First at (414) 291-7520.
iCan! Directory of Accessible Gas Stations provides a listing of all gas stations in the state of Michigan that have identified themselves as accessible to people with disabilities. Such stations provide the following ADA compliant services: refueling assistance upon the request of an individual with a disability, notice to patrons that a customer with disabilities can obtain refueling assistance by honking or otherwise signaling an employee, refueling assistance without any charge beyond the self-serve price. Drivers are urged to call ahead if possible, as stations with one attendant on duty may not be able to provide such services as needed.
Ohio's Family Support Collaborative has recently developed a family support survey that is seeking input from families of children with disabilities that have received state disability support services. State officials will use the survey results to identify service areas in need of improvement. The survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. The Family Support Survey is available online. For a paper copy of the survey, call (800) 282-9181(Voice) or (800) 858-3542 (TTY).
Camp Ability, sponsored by the Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA), is an annual residential camp program designed to teach independent living skills to children and young adults with Spina Bifida over the age of 7. Activities include canoeing, fishing, pontoon boat rides, art and music therapy, an enhanced independence program, cookouts, talent shows, horseback riding, and much more. The swimming program has also recently been enhanced with the addition of a fully accessible in-ground pool and new accessible bathhouse. Camp Ability is held at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center at Lake Bloomington, 12 miles north of Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. The tentative dates and ages follow: July 2 -27, 2002 for ages 13-17; July 28 - August 3, 2002 for ages 7-12; and August 4-14, 2002 for ages 18 and over. If you are interested in receiving an application for camp this summer, call the ISBA office at (800) 969-4722.
On Friday, July 26, 2002, a one-day conference, Rights and Responsibilities under the ADA and More, will be held at the Sullivan School and Communications Center. You will learn more about your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will come to understand your responsibility to "maintain the integrity of the law." You will also learn ADA do's and don'ts, learn how recent changes and court rulings may affect you and have an opportunity to ask questions of ADA experts. Admission is free. Registration is due by July 12, 2002. For more information, or to receive registration materials call ADA MN at (888) 845-4595.
Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) has scheduled their third annual ADA Zoo Day for Friday, July 26, 2002 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Toledo Zoo. People with disabilities, their families and caregivers are encouraged to attend. Participants can not only enjoy the exhibits of the zoo but will also have an opportunity to learn more about local disability product and service providers by visiting the various vendor displays. For more information, call (419) 885-5733 or e-mail act@abilitycenter.org.
City of Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) as part of their employment initiative for people with disabilities is working to add businesses owned and/or operated by people with disabilities to the city of Chicago's Procurement program. MOPD is in the process of developing a database of such businesses and the types of services or products they provide. If you are a business owner/operator with a disability please contact the MOPD office at (312) 744-4495 (Voice), (312) 744-4964 (TTY) or e-mail ldittman@cityofchicago.org.
Council for Disability Rights has developed a new project to help people with low incomes understand the basics of personal finance so that they may work towards financial stability and economic independence. Three series of weekly classes will be offered, beginning in October, January, or April. The weekly classes will last between one and two hours. A monthly CTA pass will be given to anyone with perfect class attendance. Each participant will be provided with a printed class curriculum. For more information, call (312) 444-9484 (Voice) or (312) 444-1967 (TDD).
Price is Right Shoppe, has reopened at 629 North 36th Street in Milwaukee after closing more than one year ago after its aging building was razed. The shop serves people with mental illness in more ways than one. People with mental illness, referred by a social service agency or physician can obtain clothing, furniture, and personal and household items for free. The shop also invites people with mental illness to volunteer their time so that they may obtain work experience. Pat Geary, founder of Price is Right also hopes to use the shop as a means to educate the community on mental illness. For more information or to learn how you can volunteer your time, call (414) 933-7324.
City of Minneapolis has put 45 new taxi licenses on the road, all of which will be dedicated to wheelchair accessible taxis. Airport Taxi, Yellow Taxi, and Rainbow Taxi will be the providers of this new service. Taxi rides have a base cost of $2 and an additional $1.60 charge per mile. The entire taxi fare is the responsibility of the rider. Unlike other accessible transportation services, this service is available for same day ride requests. Riders will not be required to call days ahead to schedule a ride. Additionally, if an individual cannot obtain transportation from Metro Mobility, the St. Paul-Minneapolis door-through-door service, they will be eligible to receive a reimbursement of up to $16 for taxi fare. To schedule a ride, call Rainbow Taxi at (612) 332-1615, Yellow Taxi at (612) 824-4444 or Airport Taxi at (952) 928-0000.
Cincinnati Children's Division of Developmental Disabilities has developed a conference called Healthy Living: Promoting Positive Lifestyles for people with disabilities and those that support them. The conference will discuss topics and issues related to healthy living, including memory building, art and attitude, managing medical insurance, as well as recreation and sports. The conference will also share personal stories of triumph. The conference will take place Friday, June 21, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, call (513) 636-4639.
Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has been authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of slots available for the Medicaid Home and Community-based waiver program. An additional 2000 slots are now available for the purposes of serving people with developmental disabilities with such services as homemaking and personal care, supported employment, respite care, home-delivered meals, adaptive equipment, social work and counseling, environmental modifications and transportation. For more information, call Joe Andrews, Governor's Office, at (614) 644-0957 or Robert Jennings, MR/DD, at (614) 466-6896.
Chicago Disability Transit, founded and operated by people with disabilities, is now providing paratransit services throughout Chicago. This new paratransit service, offering both accessible van and service car transportation to people with disabilities, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Riders will be charged a fee-for-service rate. Same day service may be available for riders requesting transportation at least one hour is advance, a rarity for accessible transportation services. To learn more about this new service, call (312) 751-0130. If you would like to schedule a ride, call (312) 738-1000.
New Homes for Chicago, operated by the City of Chicago has partnered with Claretian Associates, a non-profit community development corporation, to build 25 new single and multi-family homes, of which 10% will be adaptable and another 10% visitable. The adaptable homes will include such features as a no-step entrance on an accessible route, widened doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, lever hardware on doors and faucets, reinforced bathroom walls for easy installation of grab bars, an accessible bathroom and showering area, and a ground floor area that is easily convertible to a bedroom. Visitable homes will require all of the above features on the ground level of a home and on first floor apartment units. The new homes will be made available to low-income families through the offering of subsidies that can bring the cost of the home to as low as $107,500. For more information, call Claretian Associates at (773) 734-9181 or visit their office at 9108 South Brandon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60617.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater endeavors to provide a fully enjoyable experience to all of their patrons. It is their intention that through the provision of the following accommodations, patrons with disabilities will have no hesitation in attending an event at The Rep's Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex.
For their patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing, The Rep offers an infrared listening system, ensuring clarity of sound, written and audio script synopses and designated performances offer interpretation in American Sign Language. Captioned Theater is also offered on the closing Sunday matinee performance of each Quadracci Powerhouse Theater production. For their patrons who are blind or have low vision, a descriptive audiotape is available for each Quadracci Powerhouse and Stiemke Theater production and large-print programs are available in the lobby. Additionally, each Quadracci Powerhouse Theater production features an audio-described performance, enabling them to hear live, real-time description of the action on stage. Service animals are welcome in all of their wheelchair accessible theaters. All of these programs are offered free of charge. If you have any questions, please call Annie Jurczyk at (414) 290-5366.
Disability Advocates - Wisconsin Network has organized a number of statewide meetings to help people with disabilities, their families and advocates learn more about the People Can't Wait campaign, an initiative to organize a "solid, sustainable cross-disability advocacy movement in which people with disabilities, family members, advocates and others who choose to work in support of people with disabilities become and remain a powerful voice for a system of public and community support." If you are concerned about issues affecting people with disabilities and are interested in working to build the disability advocacy network in Wisconsin, you are strongly encouraged to attend a training event. The events, scheduled throughout March, April and May of 2002 in various Wisconsin cities, will provide you with the support and training necessary to build a local People Can't Wait advocacy coalition. For complete information, visit DAWN People Can't Wait. You may also call ARC-Wisconsin at (877) 272-8400.
The Campaign for Better Health Care (CBHC), a non-profit health care advocacy agency, has opened two helplines to answer questions about health insurance issues and to refer callers to appropriate resources. For questions regarding adult and senior health insurance issues, call (888) 544-8271. For questions regarding children's health care concerns, call (888) 511-0290.
Indiana has recently launched a new aid program called the Medicaid Support Services Waiver, providing families of people with development disabilities with up to $13,500 a year for non-residential community based support services. This program is designed to provide financial relief to the over 8000 individuals currently on the waiting list for Medicaid. The Waiver will cover such services as respite care, community habilitation and participation, supported employment, prevocational services, educational services, health care coordination, enhanced dental, therapies, transportation, medical equipment and supplies, day habilitation, adult day care services, personal emergency response, as well as family and caregiver training. For more information, contact the ARC of Indiana by calling (800) 382-9100.
Welcome, H.O.M.E., House of Modification Examples, an accessible Bed and Breakfast and demonstration home located in Newburg, Wisconsin, will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, May 18, 2002 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Guests can tour the home, st"roll" through several acres of accessible hiking trails, roast marshmallows, enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade or paint t-shirts with wheelchair tires and crutch tips. Guests can also explore varied adaptive devices and speak with representatives from New Horizons Un-Limited, Adaptive Technology Resources and Bruno Independent Living Aids. Welcome H.O.M.E. is located at 4260 Hwy Y in Newburg, Wisconsin, 1/4 mile north of Hwy 33 on Hwy Y (between No No's and Riveredge Nature Center). For more information, call (262) 675-2525 or e-mail dmiller@hnet.net.
Wisconsin Governor, Scott McCallum announced that the State of Wisconsin has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the United States Department of Labor for the purposes of enhancing employment opportunities for residents with disabilities. The grant will be used to strengthen the services offered at Wisconsin's 78 employment centers for people with disabilities. According to a press release issued by the Governor's Office, "the funding will allow the Job Centers to take a three-stage approach that focuses on each component of the employment process. The first stage will provide intensive training for Job Center staff to help develop tools and strategies to provide services for job seekers with disabilities. The second stage will take an aggressive approach to educate employers on the value of hiring people with disabilities. The final stage will include a comprehensive outreach campaign to tell people with disabilities that Wisconsin Job Centers are accessible to job seekers with disabilities." Contact your local Job Center to find out how you can benefit from this increased funding.
MOBILE, a Center for Independent Living in Columbus, Ohio, is developing a Peer Support Network in which individuals can learn from each other's experiences. Participants can share and discuss any number of topics at the regular Network meetings. Participants will further be encouraged to mentor their peers in areas where growth is sought. Often times, the first step in finding a solution is seeking it from others with similar experiences. If you feel you can benefit from this network or if you can share experiences that will benefit others, please call (614) 443-5936 (Voice) or (614) 443-5957 (TTY).
Due to a recent budget proposal issued by Governor Ryan, the Illinois Department of Human Services announced plans to discontinue the Home-Based Support Services Program (HBSSP). HBSSP allows adults with disabilities or mental illness to live in their homes and in their own communities rather than be placed in group homes or institutional settings. The Family Support Network is calling for action from all those that may be affected by the discontinuation of this program. You are asked to contact the Governor's office or your district's legislator with your story. Let the governor know your thoughts on the discontinuation of this program. A sample letter is offered on the Family Support Network website. You may also view the entire action alert online. You may write to Governor Ryan at 207 State House, Springfield, IL 62706. To locate your legislator's contact information, visit the Illinois Government website.
CFS Medicaid Services LTD, based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, has developed a free booklet entitled "Medicaid: Facts vs. Myths." The 18-page booklet offers detailed information on the Medicaid program, explaining the application process, asset exemption, income limits, and much more. If you need your Medicaid questions answered, call (800) 388-2526 or e-mail cfsltd@nconnect.net to receive your free copy.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities is interested in hearing from people with disabilities who are paying for their prescription drugs out-of-pocket. With the recent passage of SeniorCare, a program providing drug coverage to people 65 or older, there has risen great demand for a similar program for younger people with disabilities. Unfortunately, legislators have not yet fully grasped the need for a prescription drug program for people with disabilities. If you could benefit from prescription coverage, it is important that you share you story. Let the legislators see the face behind the problem. To share your story, contact WCDD at (608) 266-7826 (Voice), (608) 266-6660 (TTY) or e-mail wiswcdd@dhfs.state.wi.us.
Illinois' Kane County Board has awarded the South Elgin Fire District a $74,600 grant to purchase an accessible mobile simulator that is used to offer hands-on emergency evacuation demonstrations. The simulator, modeled after a real house, specially equipped with a wheelchair ramp and strobe-light smoke detectors, recreates emergency situations by producing nontoxic smoke and heat. While there are similar simulators available throughout Illinois, it is the first to consider the special needs of senior citizens and people with disabilities, who according to the National Fire Protection Association International, are most in need of training given the increased risks associated with emergency evacuation. To learn more about how you can take part in a hands-on demonstration, call (847) 741-2141.
Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Judy K. v Dunn County on Thursday March 7, 2002 at 9:45 am. The case challenges the "county shield law," which, as counties claim, relieves them of their obligation to place people currently living in institutions in the community because it is too costly. This "shield," as disability advocates argue, is not constitutional, nor does it comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act or the more recent Olmstead Decision, which asserts that states must serve individuals with the disabilities in the community. Advocates, people with disabilities and their families are strongly encouraged to attend the hearing, which will be heard in the Supreme Court in the Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison. For more information on this hearing, e-mail lorip@w-c-a.org.
While Governor McCallum's Budget Repair Bill has exempted many disability programs from state budget cuts, several are also receiving supplementary county funding. If you count on such disability services as COP, CIP, Birth to Three, Family Support and Vocational Rehabilitation, it is important that you learn how your county's programs are receiving funding. The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is in the process of analyzing the state budget to learn how funding cuts will impact Wisconsin's disability services. Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network (DAWN) will share the findings of the analysis as they become available.
In the meantime however, it is important that you continue to let Governor McCallum and your county's elected officials know how important these disability services are. To contact the Governor's office, call (608) 266-1212, e-mail wisgov@gov.state.wi.us, or write to Office of the Governor, 115 East State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702. To learn more about the budget repair bill visit DAWN's Talking Points on the Governor's "Budget Reform Bill".
Independence First is developing a new program designed to familiarize participants with the "ins and outs" of banking, the importance of a good credit rating, the pros and cons of using a credit card, and the lending process. The free classes, based upon a Financial Education Curriculum developed by the FDIC, will be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday, February 11, 13, and 15, 2002 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. To register for this series of classes, please call (414) 291-7520.
Wisconsin Governor McCallum, with an expected budget deficit of $1.3 billion, reviewed the biennial 2001-2003 budget for budget cuts. While the budget earmarked funds for such programs as CIP, COP, Birth to Three, Family Support and Community Support, it was expected that the proposed budget cuts would significantly decrease the funds allocated to these programs. However, on Friday January 18, 2002, it was reported that McCallum, will in fact exempt $2.7 billion in health and social service programs for the poor and disabled from the budget cuts. Such programs that will be exempt include, Medicaid, COP and CIP, Birth to Three, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Family Care, Badger Care and Senior Care. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Governor said, "we will take care of the elderly, the disabled, and the needy. That is one of our priorities." To review the budget repair bill in its entirety, visit the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
Milwaukee Recreation Therapeutic Recreation has released its Winter 2002 schedule of therapeutic activities for the winter and early spring months. People with varying disabilities and ages are encouraged to participate in such activities as aerobics, clay creation, bowling, computer training, movie nights, dances and much more. Most activities, which are very inexpensive, span 6 weeks beginning in early February. To obtain a schedule or to learn more about the activities mentioned here, call (414) 647-6065.
Transit Plus Advisory Council, striving to ensure the highest quality transportation services for people with disabilities, is seeking applicants for advocacy positions with the council. Advocates work with Transit Plus providers in educating and advising each of the unique and changing needs of their clients. Both individuals eligible for paratransit services, as well as their caregivers are encouraged to apply. This position will offer an excellent opportunity to share important views and experiences while also building communication and advocacy skills. If you are interested in this volunteer position, please write to 901 N. 9th Street, Room 307B, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
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