Message from Executive Director
Mary Margaret Moore
Happy Winter!
It sure has been cold this winter. We can hope for an early spring. I was in New Orleans in Mid-January at a Congress of Statewide Independent Living Councils. The key topic was “Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities.” Although the weather in New Orleans was warm, mid-70’s, those who survived Katrina and Rita were still struggling to return to a home of their own, regain the services and supports they had before the floods, and return to the city they had to leave.
I was fortunate to meet some of those who had received their services from the New Orleans Center for Independent Living and who are either living in trailers from FEMA, or living in Mississippi, waiting for the rest of the ‘rebuilding’ to be finished. Although it is eighteen months since Katrina, much of the downtown area of New Orleans is still in ruins and not being rebuilt.
The Commonwealth is one of many states across our country that is still trying to develop plans for how to insure that those with disabilities and other ‘special needs’, as the federal government has labeled us, are evacuated, sheltered, and served during a declaration of emergency.
As we on the North Shore have recently seen during the explosion in Danvers, the options available to those in the New England Home for the Deaf were either family, friends or a nursing home. We are blessed that no one was seriously hurt during that emergency and that with the intervention of local and state officials, especially Rep. Ted Speliotis, there was much sensitivity to those with disabilities and their needs during the response and sheltering phase of that emergency.
Yet there is much work to be done to insure that during a larger emergency, the needs of us folks with disabilities can be addressed locally.
The Commonwealth is now beginning to hear our demand for inclusion in their planning. Governor Patrick has scheduled his key administrators to meet with the Statewide Independent Living Council, independent living centers, disability advocacy and service groups, seniors services and other groups on February 22. ILCNSCA will be present. The Disability Policy Consortium has been asking for this type of meeting for many months. We want to insure that our needs are addressed in all aspects of the Commonwealth’s Emergency Response Plan. This includes: All shelters meeting ADA and AAB regulations for accessibility so we can go there; that all first responders are trained in post traumatic stress and disability awareness before they are deployed to respond; that there is a mechanism so that folks who need medications to manage their disabilities can obtain them; that costs for individuals preparing their own ‘emergency go-kits’ are supported by other sources than their own SSI check; that our service animals are transported and sheltered with us; that we will be treated with courtesy and respect.
I have worked with disaster planning for many years prior to coming to ILCNSCA. I have seen the effect of emergencies, primarily weather emergencies, on the lives of families and communities. I also believe that only systems can solve system problems, it is people who solve people problems, so I urge you to develop you own plan for a weather emergency, or explosion, or whatever. In that light, ILCNSCA will hold a workshop on how you can prepare yourself and your family for an emergency on June 7. I hope to see you in attendance.
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate recently passed the Lifespan Respite Care Act to benefit the estimated 50 million families caring at home for people with disabilities. The bill authorizes $289 million over five years in the form of competitive grants to states to make quality respite available and accessible to family caregivers--regardless of age, disability or family situation. It is based on model Lifespan Respite Systems in Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.Respite care can come in many forms, from helping feed and dress a brother to transporting a neighbor to a doctor's appointment. If implemented properly, the measure will provide what has been missing in helping family caregivers get respite care: coordinating services and helping families find them.New Jersey Rep. Mike Ferguson championed the bill in the House while New York’s Sen. Hilary Clinton helped shepherd it through the Senate. According to Newsday, White House aides have said President Bush will sign it into law.
This four-day academy (July 30-August 4, 2007), called “Youth Slam,” will engage and inspire the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind and will bring a unified voice to the next generation of blind professionals. Two-hundred blind high school students will be selected to participate in this science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program. Applicants do not need to have an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math.
While staying at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the students will be mentored by blind role models during fun and challenging activities meant to build confidence and increase science literacy. There is no cost to apply for the academy. Students who apply and are accepted will need to pay a $200 registration fee by May 31, 2007. NTAC encourages AAPI youth with disabilities to apply and can partially pay registration fees of students who are accepted into the academy. Local members of the NFB will also be available to help students raise the registration fee.
For more information, please go to the following Web site: http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Youth_Slam.asp?SnID=31542471.
Marblehead Savings Bank helps The ILCNSCA raise funds and gain exposure in our local community.
The ILCNSCA has been added to the Marblehead Savings Bank (MSB) Community Account. The MSB Community Account contributes $25 to an organization in our local community whenever a new account is opened. The organization to receive the funds is chosen by the person opening the account and the ILCNSCA has been added to the list of participating organizations.
While the ILCNSCA is federally funded for its core services, those funds do not cover recreational activities. Many of our consumers are unable to return to employment after disability. They live on fixed incomes with limited resources and it can also be difficult to believe one can resume social activity after disability. We strongly support people with disabilities to be active in the community knowing that such activities help alleviate isolation and depression. The hosting of events such as bowling, restaurant outings, sporting events and concerts or picnics in the community give consumers the opportunity to meet peers and have fun at fully accessible socials. The ILCNSCA subsidizes approximately half of the cost for these activities. The funds received from the MSB Community Account will go towards the continuation of these events throughout the year.
The Marblehead Savings Bank has had a strong commitment to the community and clients for over 135 years. If you are interested in opening up a checking account, please see a Customer Care Specialist at either two locations: 21 Atlantic Avenue and One Humphrey Street, Marblehead. Or
call (781) 631-5500. Then you too can select ILCNSCA for receipt of $25 from MSB to use for our recreational activities. Thank you for supporting our sponsors!
Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patrick O’Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, issued a warning about an email scam that has surfaced recently.
The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated with the subject “Cost-of-Living for 2007 update” and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following “NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely.” The reader is then directed to a Web site designed to look like Social Security’s Internet website.
To report receipt of this email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security’s Office of Inspector General, please call the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the OIG TTY number at 1-866-501-2101). A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at OIG’s Web site www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.
Parking : There was handicapped parking available and it was close to the entrance.
Entrance : The entrance door was wide enough for a person using a wheelchair, the door was easy to open, the threshold was easy to walk/roll over and there was room to maneuver a wheelchair in the vestibule.
Seating : The seating and tables were fully accessible.
Restrooms : The restrooms were fully accessible, with no obstacles leading to or inside restroom.
Communication : Menus were not available in Braille, large print or on cassette. There were no ASL interpreters on staff.
Service : The restaurant personnel treated the surveyor with respect.
Rating : 5 (rating points were given for parking, entrances, seating, restrooms and service.)
Date of survey : July 2006
Parking : There was handicapped parking, though it was located a block away from the restaurant. There was no van accessible handicapped parking.
Entrance : The entrance door was wide enough for to accommodate a person using a wheelchair, the door was easy to open, and the threshold was easy to walk/roll over.
Seating : The seating was completely accessible to a person using a wheelchair.
Restroom : The restrooms were completely accessible.
Communication : Menus were not available in Braille, large print or on cassette. There were no ASL interpreters on staff.
Service : The restaurant personnel addressed the Surveyor directly and treated Surveyor respectfully.
Comments : The food was great and also different. The prices were great, especially for lunch, and it was a great atmosphere.
Rating : 4(rating points were given for entrance, seating, restrooms and service.)
Date of Survey : July, 2006
Parking: Parking was excellent. It had a van accessible space and the 8 ft. access aisle.
Entrance: The entrance to the restaurant was easy to get through.
Seating: There was an adequate amount of accessible seating and maneuverability between tables was good. Knee space under the tables would accommodate a wheelchair user.
Restrooms: The bathrooms were very accessible.
Communication: Menus were not available in Braille, large print or on cassette. There were no ASL interpreters on staff.
Service: The food was delicious and the service was wonderful.
Rating: 5(rating points given for parking, entrances, seating, restrooms and service)
Date of Survey : August, 2006
Parking : Parking was available, but there was no handicapped parking available. There was a strip mall across the street with available parking, but it was quite a distance away.
Entrance : The handicapped entrance was on the side of the building, but there were no signs posted to indicate this. The handicapped entrance did lead right into the restaurant and was fully accessible.
Seating : The seating was fully accessible to a person using a wheelchair, as there were tables with movable chairs.
Restroom : The restrooms were accessible to a person using a wheelchair.
Communication : Menus were not available in Braille, on large print or on cassette. There was no ASL interpreter on staff. The restaurant staff did offer to read the menu to the Surveyor.
Service : The restaurant personnel spoke directly to the Surveyor and were respectful.
Comments : The restaurant personnel treated the Surveyor respectfully and communicated with the Surveyor directly.
On November 10, 2006 Salem Five Charitable Foundation gave $1000 to the ILCNSCA for support of our Social/Recreation program and our Restaurant Accessibility Survey Project. Each year the staff of Salem Five coordinate a fundraiser golf tournament. The proceeds from the golf tournament are used to support the Salem Five Charitable Foundation. Salem Five staff select the organizations to receive the funding. This is the fourth year that Salem Five staff have selected ILCNSCA to receive funds. Thank you Salem Five staff for your support of ILCNSCA and independent living!
Executive Order establishes Governor’s Advisory Council to advise on best practices, clarifies decades of Affirmative Action directives
BOSTON – Tuesday, January 30, 2007 – Governor Deval Patrick today issued an executive order reaffirming the commitment of the Commonwealth to ensuring equal opportunity and promoting diversity in all aspects of state government – from hiring practices to providing services and drawing up contracts.
“This administration values and promotes diversity and equal opportunity for all individuals,” Governor Patrick said. “This executive order reaffirms the Commonwealth’s longstanding belief in equality and a fair chance for all individuals and our commitment to further those interests.”
The policies spelled out in Executive Order 478 apply to all state agencies in the Executive Branch, including all executive offices, boards, commissions, agencies, departments, divisions, councils, bureaus and offices. All state agencies are directed to develop and implement affirmative action and diversity plans to identify and eliminate discriminatory barriers in the workplace; remedy the effects of past discriminatory practices; identify, recruit, hire, develop, promote and retain employees who are members of under-represented groups; and ensure diversity and equal opportunity in all facets, terms, and conditions of state employment. The plans must include specific goals and timetables for achievement, comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and shall be updated at least every two years.
The order also states:
Equal opportunity and diversity must be protected and promoted in all state, state-assisted, and state-regulated programs, activities and services.
All contracts entered into by the Executive Branch and its agencies must include provisions prohibiting contractors and subcontractors from engaging in discriminatory employment practices, certifying that they are in compliance with applicable state and federal laws governing fair labor and employment practices, and committing to purchase supplies and services from certified minority-owned or woman-owned businesses, small businesses, or businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged persons, or persons with disabilities.
The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and the Massachusetts Office on Disability shall oversee and monitor compliance with the executive order and applicable laws, establish guidelines for affirmative action plans, provide technical assistance, implement a complaint resolution process, and retain the authority to refer matters to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Each secretariat and agency head shall appoint diversity directors and officers to coordinate compliance and submit periodic reports on the implementation and status of their efforts.
The order also establishes the Governor’s Non-discrimination, Diversity and Equal Opportunity Advisory Council, a 15-member panel to advise Governor Patrick on best practices. The members will serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the governor.
2/8/07 MM received verbal permission from the Governor’s Press office to allow the ILCNSCA to publish this public document in the newsletter.
Please refrain from wearing scents or scented clothing to all ILCNSCA events.
All events held at ILCNSCA’s main office, unless otherwise noted.
All special accomodations must be communicated to staff two weeks prior to event.
ILCNSCA Main Office: 27 Congress Street, Suite 107, Salem, MA 01970
Telephone numbers: Voice: (978) 741-0077, TTY: (978) 745-1735,
Toll Free: (888) 751-0077
Held the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM at ILCNSCA.
For more information, contact Executive Director, Mary Margaret Moore at
978-741-0077 x. 10 or email to mmmoore@ilcnsca.org.
Monday, March 26 from 2:00-3:30PM
Are you a person with a disability who might live more independently with the right devices available to you?
Stacie Selfridge from CLASS, Inc., an expert in AT devices, will be presenting.
RSVP to Marj Nagle @ ex.12 by March 19.
Thursday, April 12 from 2:00-4:00PM
At the Beverly Cooperative Bank Community Room
73 Lafayette Street , Salem
Affordable, Available, Accessible housing in Salem - Where To Find It and How To
Obtain It.
Carol MacGown from SHA & Nina Cohen Salem Harbor CDC to present.
RSVP to Jillian O’Brien @ ex.17 by April 12.
Tuesday, May 15 from 2:00-4:00PM
At the Beverly Cooperative Bank Community Room
73 Lafayette Street , Salem
Housing Rights in Salem
RSVP to Maria Solomos @ ex.25 by May 8.
On-going workshop held the 1st Wednesday of each month from 2:00-4:00PM.
ILCNSCA staff will be available to meet in small groups with persons with disabilities to
provide assistance with completion of the Universal Housing application.
Please RSVP Shawn McDuff @ ex.12 to reserve a spot either for the 2:00-3:00PM group
or the 3:00-4:00PM group.
On-going group held the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2:00-4:00PM.
Volunteers work to remove and/or mitigate cultural and attitudinal barriers and
increase access in the community. New members welcome!
For more information about CAAT, contact Shawn McDuff @ ex.14.
On-going group held 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2:00-4:00PM.
Volunteers work to promote awareness and improved access to selected North Shore
and Cape Ann restaurants. New members welcome!
For more information about RASP, contact Shawn McDuff @ ex.14.
Sponsored in part by donation from North Shore Self help Association and Salem Five
Charitable Foundation.
On-going group held the third Tuesday of each
Month from 2:00-3:30PM.
Share your successes and challenges to living independently with a disability. Join us!
RSVP to Marj Nagle @ ex.12.
Movie and Pizza — Don’t miss it!
Movie and Pizza Event
Friday, March 30, 1:00-4:00PM.
Museum Place Mall, Salem
Group will meet at Essex's N.Y. Deli & Pizza at 1:00PM. Then proceed to Cinema Salem
for Movie from 2:00-4:00PM.
RSVP to Shawn McDuff @ ex.14 by March 23.
Tuesday, March 6, 11:00-4:00PM
Grand Staircase, State House
Additional funding for Independent Living Centers benefits all of the citizens of the Commonwealth by:
Providing additional services to underserved populations throughout the Commonwealth.
Eliminating the list of consumers waiting for services at centers.
Providing for additional staff at each center to help divert people from costly institutions
and instead receive supports and services in the communities which they reside.
What should you do : Call your legislators today and set a time to visit with them in their offices between 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm while you are at the State House.
Tuesday, March 27, 10:30 AM
Room A2, State House
The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is a Governor appointed citizens with disability group that works with the MRC Commissioner on issues affecting employment rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The SRC advises MRC regarding its performance of the responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act, Titles I and 6C.
Come advocate for the needs of persons with disabilities and access to employment
options.
Meet in Room A2 at 10:30, pick up lunch at noon, visit your elected state
representative and senator until 3:30 PM
Friday, May 11, 8:30AM
Registration, 9:00-11:30AM
Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites
Pickering Wharf, Salem, MA 01970
Wednesday & Thursday, May 16 & 17, 9:00-4:00PM
Beverly Public Library
32 Essex Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Thursday, June 7, 2:00-3:30PM
Beverly Cooperative Bank Community Room
73 Lafayette Street , Salem, MA 01970
Congress is in the process of amending the Older American Act to support the struggle to permit persons to receive community-based services in their own homes, instead of in nursing facilities. Allocating $28 million for a "Choices for Independence" demonstration program and also a substantial beefing up the Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Congress threw down the challenge to older Americans and disability advocates.
Choices for Independence have two special features:
First, Choices for Independence "targets services for persons at risk for institutional placement, to permit such individuals to remain in home."
Second, Choices for Independence is based on the Consumer Model, and it requires the "development and implementation of systems of long-term care in home and community-based settings, in a manner responsive to the needs and preferences of older individuals...."
It seems that Congress is continuing to embrace that the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) will be the "single point of entry" into the entire long term care system for older Americans. The ADRC will provide "coordinated and streamlined access to all publicly supported long-term care options so that consumers can obtain the care they need through a single intake, assessment and eligibility determination process."
We who live on the North Shore and Cape Ann are very lucky. As has been reported in other Independent Times editions over the past two years, there is an ADRC in our geographic area. It is named the Aging and Disability Resource Consortium of the Greater North Shore. The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann has been working with North Shore Elder Services, SeniorCare, Greater Lynn Senior Services, Elder Services Plan of the North Shore and most recently Mystic Valley Elder Services. We, the independent living center for this region, and the Aging Services Access Points/Area Agencies on Aging have developed a virtually seamless, no wrong door model. One call to any site means linkage with the right provider. Now you, the public, can call either the ILCNSCA or one of our partners in the ADRC and receive the most up to date information and referral for your service needs. A senior calling ILCNSCA who does not have a disability will be served by the Age Information specialist. A non-senior who has a disability who calls one of the Senior Agencies will be served by the ILCNSCA Peer Guide/staff. For those who are in nursing homes or other Medicaid/Medicare funded long term care services, now ILCNSCA will be partnering with the Aging Agency staff who is providing transition services. This will expand the options available for many who want to leave nursing homes and to live more independently.
If you are speaking with your elected officials in Congress, please tell them about how we are doing great things in our state with the collaboration between independent living centers and aging services. If you agree with how we are proceeding, and want to be a part of this as a member of the Steering Committee, please contact ILCNSCA, attn: Jean Deschene, 978-741-0077 ex.15. If you already know how wonderful this is, please tell your elected officials in Boston and DC to send all us more funding by passage of this initiative in the Older Americans Act. You can also let our new Governor, Deval Patrick, know you want our state to apply for these new funds under Choices for Independence.
Some of the information in the above article was provided by Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues. Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100. Other information was written by Mary Margaret Moore, Executive Director, ILCNSCA.
ILCNSCA follows the federal standards as an independent living center (ILC). We are unique in the arena of human service agencies as all ILC’s are consumer controlled and community based. Persons with disabilities control agency decision-making and operations. Fifty percent or more of the Board of Directors must be persons with disabilities as must also be the Executive Director and any staff responsible for direct services. Directors and staff provide leadership and also serve as role models of successful Independent Living (IL) for others to follow. ILCNSCA provides direct services to empower individuals with the essential skills and self-confidence to achieve their IL goals. It also seeks positive change in the broader community to ensure rights and opportunities for participation in all areas of life and the freedom to pursue dreams.
Programs and Services
ILCNSCA serves the following cities and towns of the North Shore and Cape Ann: Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Middleton, Nahant, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield and Wenham. In keeping with federal standards for ILCs, the ILCNSCA offers the requisites of Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Information and Referral, and Advocacy.Peer Support Groups, Social/Recreation activities, topical Workshops, and Community Access Advocacy Groups are also offered.
Information and Referral (I&R)
The Center provides information continuously to individuals with disabilities, their families and friends and representatives of human service agencies and cities and towns regarding services throughout the North Shore and Cape Ann Service Area. I&R keeps people informed about IL possibilities, expands awareness about the mission and activities of the Center, and reinforces the fundamental IL principle of participation in already available services in the mainstream to the fullest extent.
Independent Living Skills Training
IL Skills teach a person with a disability all of the essential skills necessary to function in today's complex society. Topics covered include household maintenance, meal preparation, nutrition, health maintenance, emergency medical procedure, housing search, landlord/tenant relations, financial management, transportation, civil rights, individual advocacy, and Personal Assistance management for those who will need assistance to meet daily needs which the nature of their disabilities prohibits them from doing. Working with a Peer Guide, a Consumer will determine his/her own goals for independent living, which will in turn determine the skill areas for training. The Consumer will then master these skills through a combination of visits with the Peer Guide, written practice, homework and actual hands-on experience at the market, on the bus, in a social setting or at a relevant community setting.
Peer Counseling
For success in IL, it is necessary to have confidence, to understand how to cope with being "out there" in society and being constantly viewed as "different." Family issues, sexual identification, as a man or woman with a disability, and assertiveness in social and business situations are common areas of concern. The same Peer Guide providing IL Skills will also assist the consumer on these personal issues. Learning to cope with challenges is equally important for success in Independent Living as any practical skills training.
Advocacy and Education
The Center brings together its Members and acts in collaboration with other organizations such as the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council, Independent Living Centers, and social justice organizations to eliminate barriers to full social participation by individuals with disabilities in society. Advocacy may take any one of several forms including information in the Center's newsletter, technical assistance on laws and regulations to other organizations to assist them to take informed, appropriate individual or group action to improve access to their activities and services, or education of elected and appointed local and state officials on rights and benefits of participation by persons with disabilities.