New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
Jim Mullen Foundation, of Chicago, Illinois is now accepting applications for their Computer Give-a-way Program. The program offers free computers to people with disabilities. There is a non-refundable $35 application fee. To learn more about the program, visit the foundation's website or call (312) 440-4251.
The recently remodeled Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, boasts many features and services for people with disabilities. Accessible seating is available to people with disabilities and their companions in all seating areas, providing fans with disabilities an opportunity to select seating based on location and ticket price. Additional services and features include an ADA drop-off area, accessible parking, assistive listening devices, TTY telephones, elevators throughout, and wheelchair loans. To learn more about the accessible features and services offered at New Soldier Field, contact the Chicago Bears ADA Coordinator at (847) 615-2327.
Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago is sponsoring several Housing and Disability Rights seminars for persons with disabilities. The first seminar is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Chicago Lawn Public Library on 6120 South Kedzie Street. Topics will include the state of housing for people with disabilities, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, provisions and access requirements of the Fair Housing Amendments Act, as well as landlord tenant rights. The final seminar is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2003 from 10:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Field office on 2102 West Ogden Avenue. Topics will include the state of housing for people with disabilities, a summary of fair housing laws, available programs through the City of Chicago Departments of Housing and Human Services, home ownership opportunities, as well as landlord tenant rights. All seminars are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is recommended. For more information or to register, call (312) 253-7000 ext. 194 (Voice) or (312) 253-7016 (TTY).
Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) will host the 3rd Annual Mayor Daley's Employment Fair for People with Disabilities from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 in Navy Pier - Festival Hall A, 600 East Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. As stated on the MOPD website, "whether you're entering the job market for the first time or are a seasoned professional looking for a career change, this Employment Fair is designed specifically for you!" Leading Chicagoland employers will be on-hand to accept resumes from job seekers with disabilities and discuss new and exciting positions. You are also invited to attend free workshops on employment-related topics. Social Security Benefits Planners will also be available to assist Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients with individualized and comprehensive benefits and work entitlement screenings. Kick your career into full gear - don't miss the Employment Fair!
Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) will be hosting the 7th Annual Access Chicago from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 in Navy Pier - Festival Hall A, 600 East Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Access Chicago is a family-oriented celebration of all things disability-related. From the practical (advocacy, services and products) to the plain old fun (gardening, sports and recreation). Don't miss Access Chicago.
The "field of dreams" is now reality and Chicago can proudly boast it is home to the state-of-the-art, fully accessible California Park Wheelchair Softball Field, the first of its kind in the state of Illinois. The field is reality thanks to the efforts of the Chicago Parks District, Cubs Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Cubs, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Participation in the city's wheelchair softball program has increased dramatically over the last 9 years - and with the new field, is expected to grow bigger still. Though the field is asphalt with painted grass, base paths and foul lines, the field resembles a major league baseball diamond. It even features a high tech electronic scoreboard. The field is located at the McFetridge Sports Center, an ADA accessible facility, located at 3843 N. California Ave. in Chicago.
Chicago City Council approved two ordinances this May that will provide $700,000 in Empowerment Zone / Enterprise Communities Funds (EZ/EC) for the enhancement of a workforce development program and a home modification program. Up to $438,000 in EZ Funds have been designated for the AVANCE workforce development project of Jobs for Progress Inc. This project provides job skills training at two locations in the Pilsen/Little Village communities. To learn how you may be able to benefit from the services of Jobs for Progress, call (773) 227-3377.
An additional $250,000 has been approved for the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities' HomeMod program, which offers cash assistance to people with disabilities for home accessibility modifications. Modifications may include the remodeling of a kitchen or bathroom, the installation of a ramp or lift or the widening of doorways, among others. For more information, call MOPD at (312) 744-7050 (Voice) or (312) 744-4964 (TTY).
The Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) program is a federal program designed to empower people and communities across the United States by inspiring Americans to work together to develop a strategic plan to create jobs and opportunities in our nation's most impoverished areas. In 1994, Chicago was one of six urban areas awarded EZ designation.
Little City Foundation, a non-profit organization, will be hosting several FREE advocacy training workshops this May for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Advocating for Special Education Needs is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Advocating for State, Federal and Private Services is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Advocating to Affect Legislative Change is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Developing an Individual Advocacy Action Plan is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. All sessions are free and open to the public and will be held at the Little City Foundation Chicago Office, 700 N. Sacramento, Suite 220. For more information or to register, call (773) 265-1539 ext. 224.
Chicago Department of Public Health's Office of Managed Care is ready to take your calls on Medicare changes that may have affected you. If your HMO has recently withdrawn from the Medicare Choices program, the Office of Managed Care can help you locate alternate health care services. In addition, The Managed Care Helpline can help you understand your rights as a health care consumer. To contact this helpline, call (312) 745-2273.
Evanston Citizens Advisory Committee on ADA (CACADA), begun in 1998, addresses concerns about the City's compliance with the ADA. Committee members include people with disabilities, family members, and advocates for people with disabilities. The Committee's purposes are:
Meetings are held once a month at the Civic Center and are open to the public. This Committee is currently seeking new members. To learn how you can make a difference in your community, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (847) 448-8054 (Voice) or (847) 448-8052 (TTY).
Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (MOWD) has expanded Project Enable, an initiative to introduce those with development disabilities to the tools that can help them find and keep good-paying jobs. Project Enable has been in operation since 2001 at the Pilsen Workforce Center and has recently expanded to the Mid-South Workforce Center. A rehabilitation specialist will be available to work with Chicagoans with developmental disabilities at both locations. To learn more about how this project can help you or your loved one obtain employment, call (312) 746-7777 (Voice) or (312) 746-7769 (TTY).
Packets may be obtained from CDR at a nominal cost of $3 per copy. If you know of a good resource that has helped you in your search for better housing, you are encouraged to contact CDR so that they may include it in their packet. To obtain your packet, contact CDR at (312) 444-9484 (Voice) or (312) 444-1967 (TDD).
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has developed and expanded several initiatives aimed at removing barriers to economic prosperity from the lives of people with disabilities. One such initiative is the Mayoral Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities. This Task Force is a private and public sector partnership that plans to develop a citywide plan to bring more people with disabilities into the workforce. After analyzing the most common barriers to employment, the Task Force will make recommendations on how to improve work opportunities for people with disabilities and will advocate for the improvement of barriers to employment, education, transportation and housing. To learn more about this task force, contact the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities at (312) 744-7050 (Voice) or (312) 744-4964 (TTY).
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), in St. Paul, Minnesota, has introduced a new program that can assist local residents with disabilities in developing a personalized travel plan using fixed route public transportation. Their new program, called Travel Instruction will offer one-on-one training to those who wish to explore fixed route bus service as an alternative to Metro Mobility, the rather costly paratransit service in St, Paul. Program participants will learn how to use the bus service safely and independently. Those who successfully complete the program will receive a free 60-day bus pass to ride fixed route buses. There is a fee of $10 per person. For more information, call MCIL at (651) 646-8342 (Voice) or (651) 603-2001 (TTY).
The Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities is now accepting applications for the 2004 Youth Leadership Forum scheduled for June 21 - June 25, 2004 in the state capitol. 35 high school juniors and seniors with disabilities will be selected to attend the forum. The four-day educational forum and training program includes a meeting in the Governor's Office, a tour of the State Capitol, and exciting programs with community leaders and celebrities. Eligible students must have a disability, be an Ohio resident, be in the 11th or 12th grade as of December 31, 2003, and have demonstrated leadership in school and the community. Applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2004. To obtain an application, visit the Council's website.
The Ohio Department of Aging in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, has developed a curriculum designed to assist aging caregivers plan for the future of their family member with a developmental disability. The curriculum includes sections on four content areas, entitled, “Aging and Disabilities”, “Two Systems, Two Resources: Together Serving Families”, “Life Planning 101: Life Planning Basics”, and “Life Planning 102: Estate and Future Planning for Ohioans with Disabilities and Their Families.” The content is appropriate for family members, agency staff and other professionals. The curriculum can be ordered for a nominal charge from the Ohio Department of Aging. For more information, either visit the Department of Aging online or call (614) 466-5500.
Ohio Family Support Collaborative (FSC) is conducting an on-line poll on its website that asks what families of children with disabilities pay yearly for supports or services that are not reimbursed. The poll is available on their home page. An initial overview of survey results, including comments from families, is also available on their website. The FSC encourages all Ohio families who have a child with a disability to complete this poll.
The Fourth Annual ADA Zoo Day, sponsored by the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, is scheduled for Friday, July 25, 2003 from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Representatives from over 50 local disability vendors and organization will be present to display and discuss their products and services. This event is free to all patrons who purchase admission to the Toledo Zoo. For more information, call the Ability Center at (866) 885-5733 (Toll Free) or e-mail act@abilitycenter.org.
The two-day Micro Enterprise Workshop, hosted by Cuyahoga County MRDD Employment Services and S.A.W., Inc. is a must attend event for all those who have had the entrepreneurial bug. The workshop will:
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22-23, 2003 at the Visiting Nurse Association of Cleveland located at 2500 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Registration is just $35 per person and is due by July 15, 2003. For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact Robert Morgan, the Employment Outcome, Project Coordinator by e-mail at Morgan@mrdd.net or by phone at (740) 369-4911.
Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT), in partnership with the Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority, Neighborhood Housing Services and the Northwest Ohio Investment Company, has recently launched their home ownership program for people with disabilities. The program may provide up to $5,000 in down-payment assistance, primary and secondary mortgage financing, cash assistance for home repairs as well as credit counseling and debt recovery. Applications will be accepted by ACT beginning in June 2003. For more information and to learn of eligibility criteria, call (866) 885-5733 (Toll Free) or e-mail act@abilitycenter.org.
Neighborhoods in Partnership (NIP) is sponsoring a FREE prescription benefit card that offers savings of up to 65% on generic and most brand name medications. The card is accepted at Farmer Jack, The Pharm, Kroger, K-Mart, Rite-Aid and Walgreens. Discounts vary from store to store. To obtain your FREE prescription benefit card, call NIP at (419) 241-9682.
The Arc of Ohio, together with the Community Fund Management Foundation (CFMF), now offers trust accounts to individuals with developmental disabilities. Trusts allow individuals or family members to set aside funds, without jeopardizing government benefits, to cover supplemental services that can can enhance the quality of life of an individual with a disability. This may include a computer and Internet service, magazine subscriptions, vacations, experimental or elective surgery, advocacy, including attorney fees, and items such as special therapies or adaptive equipment denied by Medicaid or other government programs. For more information, call CFMF at (216) 736-4540.
Wednesday May 21, 2003 is the date for this year's "The Arc's Company Picnic" at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point is offering 2000 free admission tickets and lunches and unlimited half-price admissions and discounted lunches for individuals affiliated with The Arc of Ohio. To learn how you can participate, call The Arc offices at (800) 875-2723.
Disability Network of Ohio - Solidarity will be hosting their seventh annual Solidarity Conference. Solidarity 2003 will be held on May 8-10, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. The conference will feature several celebrity speakers, including John Hockenberry of Dateline NBC and will also offer workshops, group learning activities, displays, hands-on technology demonstrations, entertainment, and door prizes. This is Ohio’s largest conference by and for people with disabilities. The Registration Fee of $140 includes all conference sessions, lunches, materials and activities. To request a registration packet, contact the Solidarity Conference Manager at (800) 390-7396 or e-mail axiscenter@aol.com.
Ohio's Governor Bob Taft has declared that the month of March from this year forward will serve as Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Over 200 advocates filled the Ohio Statehouse on Friday, March 14, to celebrate MR/DD Awareness Month. This year's theme, "We Can Make Choices," was exemplified in the stories of determination, perseverance and individual achievement shared by individuals with disabilities from throughout Ohio. While March has passed, please continue to celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary accomplishments of all those with developmental disabilities.
Milwaukee Recreation offers a number of exciting recreation programs for people with disabilities living in the Greater Milwaukee area. Activities include photography, scrapbooking, cake and cookie decorating, jewelry making, aerobics, personal training, dance, beauty basics, and more. There are also very practical and informative classes being offered for FREE in partnership with ARC Milwaukee. These informational presentations include, Lights Action, Advocate, a presentation that can assist you in gaining self-advocacy skills; Guardianships and Disabilities: What Every Parent Needs to Know, a presentation that will discuss the different types of guardianships, alternatives and how to secure it; Forecast for a Sunny Future, a two-part presentation that will help families prepare for the future; and It's All About Me, a presentation that will assist individuals empower themselves. Minimal fees apply for all other programs. Applications for Winter 2004 programs must be returned no later than Friday, January 23, 2004. To learn of class times and dates, call (414) 647-6065 or e-mail therapeutic@milwaukeerecreation.net.
The HOME Program makes funding for home modifications available to homeowners with a disability (or to homeowners who have a family member with a disability residing in the house). Funds are available for persons living in Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties. (The cities of Racine and Kenosha are excluded.) For more information about application requirements and housing modifications, contact Barb Norstrom, Assistant Director of Independent Living Services at Society’s Assets, Racine office, (262) 637-9128.
The Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, is a heart warming tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his spiritual journey through Christmas past, present, and future. Discover how this unhappy miser is transformed into a compassionate employer and uncle. Bring the entire family and rejoice this holiday season with Mr. Scrooge, the Cratchits, and Tiny Tim as they reveal the true meaning of Christmas. The Milwaukee Repertory Theater has added a special performance of this classic tale that will be interpreted in American Sign Language on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this production can be purchased at The Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells Street or by telephone at (414) 224-9490.
A pre-show discussion will take place prior to the ASL performance from 6:45 until 7:15 p.m. in the Pabst Lobby. Deaf actress Lisa Perry-Burkhardt will lead this discussion, highlighting background information of this timeless Christmas tale and answering questions. This performance will feature interpreters Lisa Perry-Burkhardt, Sandi Smith, and Maria Merrill.
Society's Assets and other Racine / Kenosha area organizations offer a monthly caregiver training course to family members and friends caring for loved ones. The course is taught by trained professionals and provides hands-on learning. Topics include promoting safety, involving other family members, nutrition, avoiding infection, transferring from bed to chair, understanding behavior and care for the caregiver. Classes are held at the American Red Cross, 4521 Taylor Avenue in Racine. The $39 course fee includes all training materials and a caregiver manual. This fee is waived for Racine County residents. To learn of class times, call (262) 632-9828.
Milwaukee Public Library is pleased to announce the introduction of two new accessible computers at the Central Library, located at 8th and W. Wisconsin Avenue. These Hewlett Packard workstations are equipped with state-of-the-art adaptive technology. Conveniently located in the Schoenleber Reading Room on the first floor of the library, the accessible workstations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations can be made up to a week in advance by calling (414) 286-3017.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities, via Project T.E.E.N., is offering grants between $250 and $500 to student leaders who wish to create a project to improve their schools for students with disabilities. Before applying for a grant, a team needs to be formed including at least one student leader with a disability and one faculty support person. Applications for grants are due by October 24, 2003. For more information about this opportunity, visit the WCDD Project T.E.E.N. web section or call (608) 266-5395.
Milwaukee Recreation offers a number of exciting programs for people with disabilities living in the Greater Milwaukee area. Activities include aerobics, bowling, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, cooking, dancing, swimming, self defense and much more. There are also very practical and informative classes being offered, such as Life Skills for Independence, Guardianship and Disabilities: What Every Parent Needs to Know, and Lights Action, Advocate. Minimal fees apply. To learn of class times and dates, call (414) 647-6065 or e-mail therapeutic@milwaukeerecreation.net.
Department of Labor and Social Security Administration have created a new position, the Disability Program Navigator, within the nations' One-Stop Career Centers. Wisconsin is set to receive federal funding to establish this position at several the state's One Stop Job Centers. "The Navigator will work directly with customers with disabilities to access, facilitate and 'navigate' the complex provisions under various programs that impact their ability to gain, return to, or retain employment," said Governor Doyle. "Navigators will [also] train One Stop staff on available resources under One Stop programs, Social Security Administration employment support programs and other programs to individuals with disabilities who want to work." "The goal of this initiative is to increase employment and self sufficiency for people with disabilities by linking them to employers and by facilitating access to programs and services for successful entry or reentry into the workforce," said DWD Secretary Gassman. To learn how you can benefit from this new program, either visit Career One Stop on-line or call (877) 872-5627.
Summerfest has long been recognized for the unique blend of entertainment and cuisine offered throughout their early summer music festival. What may have gone widely unrecognized however, is their dedication to accessibility.
In 1996, Summerfest, in an effort to meet the accessibility provisions of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), formed the Summerfest ADA Task Force. The task force, headed by Summerfest's ADA coordinator, Larry Keller, is comprised of local disability advocates that are dedicated to making the home of Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park, more accessible every year. Larry Keller, formerly of Society's Assets of Racine, Wisconsin, offers years of professional experience as well as an unequaled perspective by virtue of his own disability.
In an effort to address the issue of accessibility head on, the Task Force has developed several subcommittees, each of which specializes in addressing disability specific barriers, including those related to mobility, visual, and hearing disabilities. The heads of each subcommittee, all of which have first hand experience with disability, carefully review potential obstacles and bring them to the attention of the task force.
Of course comments are also sought from Summerfest patrons with disabilities. Patrons may identify barriers via Complaint Forms, available at any information booth throughout the Summerfest grounds. Each complaint is carefully reviewed and considered in developing a plan of action.
Following are just a few of the accessible features that Summerfest has to offer their patrons with disabilities:
Located on Henry Maier Festival Park, on Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee, Summerfest (June 26th - July 6th) is continuously striving to make the grounds barrier-free and wheelchair accessible. They welcome your comments! You can reach them by calling (414) 273-2680 (voice), or by e-mailing information@summerfest.com.
Easter Seals Wisconsin is building a new hall for women and girls at Camp Wawbeek, 400 beautiful wooded acres located near the Wisconsin Dells. The new two-story hall will house 56 campers in eight rooms. The original building does not meet the needs of 80% of the campers who use wheelchairs and require assistance with extensive personal care such as bathing. RIVA Architects worked closely with Easter Seals to create a building to meet the more extensive personal care needs required by today's campers. Elevators, bathrooms with special modifications and more privacy, and air conditioning for campers who require conditions to regulate their body temperature are a few of the accessibility features that will be included to meet the physical care needs of the campers. The new resident hall is scheduled to be completed by summer 2003.
Every summer 400 campers, children, teens and adults with physical disabilities spend a week or two hiking, swimming, experiencing new adventures and learning about nature at Camp Wawbeek. Campers live in dorm-style housing and all of the camp's buildings are completely accessible. Sessions are scheduled throughout the summer, each geared for a specific age group, to ensure that all activities will be appropriate for the campers. For more information on the new building or camping at Camp Wawbeek, contact Easter Seals, Madison, Wisconsin (800) 422-2324, (608) 277-8288 or visit their website at http://www.wi-easterseals.org/camping/wawbeek.htm.
Milwaukee Art Museum has grown "wings." In 1994, Spanish-born architect Santiago Calatrava was chosen to design a new addition to the museum. His internationally acclaimed design has set an architectural standard for the new millennium. The main entrance features a 90 foot high glass-walled reception hall enclosed by the Burke Brise Soleil ("wings"), a sunscreen that can be raised or lowered, creating a unique moving sculpture. A visit you will not want to miss. And now there is no reason to stay home.
Visit the many new accessible exhibition galleries, shop at the larger museum store with accessible counters, enjoy a program in the new auditorium with locations for wheelchair users, use the accessible underground parking garage, cross the suspended pedestrian bridge with a 200-foot-tall angled mast and cables, and enjoy the convenience of an accessible family restroom. The architects of Kahler Slater intended to make the building as accessible as possible, with elevators to every part of the building and the adjacent Milwaukee War Memorial.
Milwaukee County residents may enter free on Monday and Saturday mornings between 10 a.m. and Noon. For more information, visit the Milwaukee Art Museum website or call (414) 224-3220.
In accordance with the October 2003 Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the State Elections Board in collaboration with a planning committee of 17 citizens from throughout Wisconsin, has developed a Preliminary State Plan outlining possible improvements for Wisconsin's voting system. To read the plan, visit the State Elections Board. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until Friday, June 20, 2003. Written comments can be submitted to the State Elections Board, 132 East Wilson Street, Suite 200, PO Box 2973, Madison, WI 53701-2973.
As we reported this past winter, IndependenceFirst is in the process of planning a new class to focus on crafting and home improvement. The classes are now scheduled to begin on June 19, 2003 and last through November 13, 2003. The classes will be held weekly on Thursday evenings from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m. You will learn a variety of fun crafting activities including candle and soap making, beading, woodcrafts, and much more. The classes will also include a variety of home improvement projects that will focus on such activities as the installation of drywall, grouting, and the use of tools. If this class sounds interesting, contact Fey at IndependenceFirst at (414) 291-7520.
If you are an SBC phone service customer and are in danger of losing or have lost your telephone service due to a past due balance, the Telephone Assistance Program (TELCAP) may be able to help. TELCAP works with the phone company to maintain and / or restore your phone service. To qualify, you must have had phone service with SBC for at least 6 months and your phone service must not have been disconnected for more than 12 days. For more information, call Community Advocates, Inc. at (414) 449-4777.
The 2003 People Can't Wait Rally was a tremendous success, with over 3000 people with disabilities and advocates gathering at the State Capitol. The rally drew much media attention throughout the state of Wisconsin. Though the rally has ended, it is up to you to keep the issues concerning people with disabilities in front of your legislators. Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network has developed a list of Action Steps After the Rally, which includes, among other suggestions, to keep in contact with your Legislators. Invite them to meet with you when they are in their home districts. Call, write, fax and e-mail them to let them know about your needs as an individual with a disability. Don't let the enthusiasm of the rally die - make your voice heard today!
Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin, Inc. (BIAW) will be hosting the 15th Annual Wisconsin Conference on Brain Injury on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the Radisson Hotel in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The conference is for individuals who have sustained brain injury, their families and professionals. Presentations cover numerous topics including, brain injury prevention, memory diagnosis and remediation, Social Security Disability benefits, grief and loss issues, occupational therapy and much, much more. The conference will also feature presentations by individuals affected by brain injury. There will also be ample opportunity to speak to the various exhibitors and learn about the resources available in your community. The two-day registration fee is $110.00 for current BIAW members and $135 for non-members. The registration deadline is April 13, 2003. For more information, visit the BIAW website, or contact BIAW at (414) 778-4144.
Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is planning a rally on state budget issues important to people with disabilities. The rally this year will be held at the State Capitol rotunda on April 23, 2003 from Noon to 1 p.m. This event will be your opportunity to join others in voicing your concerns with state legislators. It is time to have your voice heard! More will be announced about the rally in the comings weeks on the DAWN website.
Indpendent Living Resources, Inc.has announced two upcoming Assistive Technology Fairs scheduled to take place this Spring in La Crosse and Lancaster, Wisconsin. The La Crosse fair is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Lancaster fair is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Youth and Ag Building, 916 East Elm Street, Lancaster, Wisconsin. Participants will have an opportunity to speak to various technology vendors and will even have an opportunity to try various technologies before you buy. For more information on the La Crosse fair, call (608) 787-1111 (Voice) or (608) 787-1148 (TTY). For more information on the Lancaster fair, call (608) 647-8053 (Voice/TTY).
Wisconsin Lions Camp has released its 2003 Summer Camp schedule for adults and children with disabilities. Camp sessions begin in June and continue through mid-August. Separate sessions are offered to adults and children with visual and hearing disabilities as well as to children with mild cognitive disabilities and to children with Type One Diabetes. Situated on 440 acres in Rosholt, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Lions Camp is the ideal setting for a safe and enjoyable camping experience. Also a wildlife refuge, there's room aplenty for outdoor recreational and nature activities of all kinds. Activities include arts and crafts, sporting games, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, paddle-boating, rowing, kayaking and water sports of all kinds. To obtain a brochure or application, call (715) 677-4761 (Voice), (715) 677-6999 (TTY) or write to 3834 County Road A, Rosholt, Wisconsin 54473. Application by March 30, 2003 is encouraged.
Milwaukee County Home Repair Loan Program may be able to assist you in paying for your home repairs. Milwaukee County is making no or low interest home repair loans available to income-qualified homeowners who live in the county. Nearly all home repairs qualify. There are no application fees, pre-payment penalties or any hidden costs. Certain elderly and low-income households may also qualify for a deferred loan which allows them to make no payments until the home is sold. The maximum qualifying income based upon household size follows: 1-$37,650, 2-$43,000, 3-$48,400, 4-$53,750, 5-$58,050, 6-$62,350. If you are interested in applying for this program, call (414) 278-4917.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), along with the the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), is again offering free income tax assistance to people with disabilities and the elderly via the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Free assistance will first be offered January 27, 2003 and will continue through the tax filing deadline of April 15, 2003. Assistance is available throughout the state. To find the nearest VITA or TCE site, call Mark Laing, IRS Tax Specialist, at (414) 297-1322.
Milwaukee Recreation offers a number of exciting programs for people with disabilities living in the Greater Milwaukee area. The next group of classes are scheduled to begin in early February and last through March of 2003. Activities include aerobics, bowling, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, hair and skin care and beauty, cooking, dancing, self-defense, swimming, and much more. There are also very practical and informative classes being offered, such as Life Skills for Independence, Self-Defense and Computer Learning Club. Minimal fees apply. To learn of class times and dates, call (414) 647-6065 or e-mail therapeutic@milwaukeerecreation.net.
People Can't Wait, has a purpose 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." People Can't Wait is hoping for more to join in their effort. County Coalitions are scheduling advocacy trainings between February 18, 2003 and April 23, 2003. These events will offer basic legislative and media advocacy training and an opportunity to strategize with others. If you are interested in attending the meetings, please call (414) 774-6255.
Milwaukee County Executive Office for Persons with Disabilities is in the process of developing a resource book that will highlight local businesses that provide exemplary accessibility services to people with disabilities. If you know of a local restaurant, retail shop or other place of business that has taken strides in serving the needs of people with disabilities, you are encouraged to contact the office with your suggestions. Please e-mail your comments to, tochnikowski@milwcnty.com or write to: Milwaukee County Executive Office for Persons with Disabilities, 901 N. 9th Street, Courthouse, Room 307B, Milwaukee, WI 53233-1458.
Family Support advocates have developed the "No Place Like Home" Campaign. This campaign plans to raise awareness about the crisis in the Family Support Program in Wisconsin. Currently, there are more than 3300 families waiting for critical services in Wisconsin. In order to make this campaign compelling, advocates are asking for your help. Families who are involved or who have been involved in the Family Support Program are encouraged to send in their story and a family photo as part of the campaign. If you would like to be involved in the campaign, you may mail your photo and story to Barbara Katz, 4118 Cherokee Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. You may also e-mail bkatz74154@aol.com. Please send your photo and story as soon as possible, as they will be used for a press event in February 2003. If you have any questions, call Lisa Pugh at (608) 441-0762.
Assistive Technology Act, for over a decade, has provided federal funding for the development of an Assistive Technology (AT) Project in all 50 states and United States territories. As originally written, the Act implemented a 10-year grant program to establish systems within each state and territory for improving access to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. The Act did include a "sunset provision" however, indicating that after the 10-year grant period, states or each individual AT Program would be responsible for the funding of their AT projects. While the initial 10-year grant period was extended in 1998, the Act again calls for a cease of funding to all 50 states by 2004, and to 23 states, including Wisconsin, in the coming year.
A cut-off of federal funds could mean the demise of Wisconsin's WisTech Program and therefore the loss of essential AT programs and services such as the low-interest revolving loan program and AT training. It could also mean the loss of independence for the thousands of Wisconsinites that use assistive technology to overcome barriers on a daily basis.
Reauthorization of the Act is slated for next year. Program Funding will only be continued if legislators wave the sunset provision. Contact your elected official now, and let them know how the loss of WisTech will affect your life.
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) may be able to assist you in paying for your home heating. WHEAP offers a one-time benefit for each heating season (October 1 through May 15) to low and moderate income households. The benefit will cover a portion of your heating costs, making your bills more manageable. Income limits do apply. Additional benefits may be available for non-electric energy costs as well as crisis assistance and home weatherization. To apply, you must complete an Energy Services Program Application. Applications can be obtained from your local WHEAP agency. Contact your local department of Human or Social Services to learn of where to apply.
How would you like to enjoy the great outdoors in the comfort of a fully accessible cabin in the state parks of Wisconsin? If this is something that sounds appealing to you and your family, now is the time to submit your application. The Wisconsin State Park System, via the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the four fully accessible cabins and the two wheelchair accessible "rustic" cabins. The four fully accessible cabins feature an accessible bathroom, complete with roll-in shower, as well as an accessible kitchen, bedroom and living room. The two "rustic" cabins are one-room 13' x 13' units and can accommodate up to four. Cabins fill up quickly, so get your applications in as soon as possible!
Applications can be received by calling the state park you wish to visit. The four fully accessible cabins are located in the following state parks: Buckhorn State Park - (608) 565-2789; Kettle Moraine State Forest (262) 594-6200; Mirror Lake State Park - (608) 254-2333; and Potawatomi State Park - (920) 746-2890. The "rustic" cabins are located in the following state parks: Blue Mound State Park - (608) 427-5711 and Copper Falls State Park - (715) 274-5123.
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