INDEPENDENT TIMES
Volume IX Issue 4, Summer 2001
Our greatest need as human beings is the freedom to pursue our dreams.
|
ILCNSCA Board member Jeanne
Deschene and Board President Sheila Casey pictured at May 2001 Board meeting. |
From the Executive Director Happy Summer. ILCNSCA looks
forward to the end of the current fiscal year and the beginning of the
2002 fiscal year on July 1. Despite the efforts of Rep. Brad Hill and
Rep. Tony Verga the ILCNSCA and the other ten independent living centers
in MA will not be receiving any additional state funds in the new budget.
We thank Rep. Hill and Rep. Verga for their support and hope that during
the year if funds are found that we receive increased resources. |
ILCNSCA Announces
New Restaurant
Accessibility Survey Project (R.A.S.P.)
ILCNSCA is seeking persons with disabilities
who are interested in conducting restaurant accessibility surveys of North Shore
and Cape Ann restaurants. ILCNSCA will train interested people on basic accessibility
requirements according to accessibility regulations of the Massachusetts Architectural
Access Board (521 CMR). ILCNSCA will also train persons how to complete a Restaurant
Survey Form, developed by ILCNSCA. To become a Surveyor for the Restaurant Accessibility
Survey Project you must attend one training on either of the following dates:
July 17, 2001 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., and July 19, 2001 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m..
Trainings will be held at ILCNSCA main office on 27 Congress St., Suite 107
in Salem.
Persons who agree to conduct a Restaurant Survey Form will be presented with
a gift certificate for the restaurant to be surveyed prior to the survey date.
(Gift certificate amount to be determined by ILCNSCA, considering the dining
cost for surveyor, one guest, and one PCA if needed) Survey results will be
printed in the ILCNSCA's Independent Times newsletter, ILCNSCA's web page, and
local media if applicable.
Project will be partially funded by a grant from the North Shore Self Help Association
to ILCNSCA. The aim of the program is to promote interest in accessibility advocacy
and to provide an affordable social/recreation opportunity for persons with
disabilities in the community.
President Bush
signs Executive Order to Keep Persons with Disabilities
from being institutionalized
On June 18, 2001 President Bush put
forth a Presidential Executive Order which supports the development of community
based alternatives for individuals with disabilities. The Order is a response
to the Supreme Court decision in the Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 which construed
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to require States to place qualified
individuals with disabilities in community settings, rather than in institutions.
The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc. (ILCNSCA)
along with other state and national disability service and advocacy voices are
excited about this Executive Order.
"As we approach the 11th birthday of the ADA we still are seeing many persons
with disabilities having to lose their right to live in their own home. The
Olmstead decision along with the President's Executive Order should start a
process in Massachusetts to support more persons with disabilities to stay in
their community. Maybe Massachusetts will provide more support for Personal
Assistance Services so folks can stay in their home and not have to go to a
nursing home. The ILCNSCA will be closely watching how the Massachusetts plan
for this Executive Order unfolds." stated Mary Margaret Moore, Executive
Director of the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc.
We urge all persons with disabilities to watch how this Executive Order impacts
us in Massachusetts. ILCNSCA will keep you posted on what we hear and ask that
you let us know what you hear is happening on this. Contact us at ilcnsca@aol.com
or call us at (978) 741-0077 V/TTY and ask for Shawn McDuff, Director of Access
& Advocacy.
Supreme Court Rules
in Favor of Casey Martin, PGA Member
On May 29 the Supreme Court sided 7-2 in PGA Tour v. Martin with Casey Martin
request to use a golf cart to participate PGA events. This ruling stated that
his use of a cart would not fundamentally alter the nature of the competition.
Tour officials had argued that walking the course was an essential feature of
the game, and that the matter should apply to every golfer. Justice John Paul
Stevens, writing for the majority, noted a lower courts' use of expert opinion
that Martin's degenerative circulatory disorder required as much exertion, even
with a cart, as other golfers endured walking the links.
ILCNSCA Consumer
Satisfaction Survey
By Jamie Flavin
We would like to thank all of our
consumers who took the time to participate in our annual consumer satisfaction
survey. This survey is sent out each year by all the Independent Living Centers
(ILC's) in Massachusetts per federal and state requirements of ILC's. This is
your opportunity to formally let us know how we are doing in providing accessible,
respectful, helpful and relevant independent living services.
In February, 2001 we sent out to all of you who received our comprehensive services
during federal fiscal year October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000 the 4
sided 2 page survey. 11% were completed and returned to us. One of our volunteer's
compiled the return data for our submission of aggregate information to Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) in late March, 2001. All surveys were and are
confidential and available in alternate format.
The following is a sample of some of the responses we received.
To the question, "Were you satisfied (happy) with the services you received?"
54% responded "Very Good", 22% responded "Good", 11% responded
"Don't Know or Not Applicable", 8% responded "Fair", 5%
responded "Poor", and 0% did not respond.
For the question, "Were the services accessible (open) to you?" 56%
responded "Very Good", 19% responded "Good", 11% responded
"Don't Know or Not Applicable", 6% responded "Fair", 6%
responded "Poor", and 11% did not respond.
When asked the question, "Did the staff you worked with treat you with
respect?" 62% responded "Very Good", 13% responded "Good",
10% responded "Don't Know or Not Applicable", 3% responded "Fair",
8% responded "Poor", and 5% did not respond.
And to the question, "Did the services listed below help you to live better
or more independently? (The example being Information & Referral)"
51% responded "Very Good", 14% responded "Good", 14% responded
"Don't Know or Not Applicable", 3% responded "Fair", 6%
responded "Poor", and 11% did not respond.
Overall the Center received a majority of Very good and Good ratings on all
of the twenty five items in the MRC mandated survey. Numerous additional comments,
primarily extolling particular staff members, were also written by you on those
surveys. We will use your feedback to us to maintain and improve our independent
living services. Thank you for your participation in this important quality
assurance activity of the Center.
If you have any questions about the results of this survey or would like a copy
of the entire results please contact Jamie Flavin, Director of Services at (978)
741-0077 V/TTY.
Support Group for Women Regarding Substance Abuse, Mental Illness and Trauma
WELL Recovery gives women an opportunity
to get together and support one another in all aspects of their recovery from
substance abuse, mental illness and trauma. Vinfen and the Institute for Health
and Recovery (the co-creators of WELL Recovery) have come together to create
a peer-led mutual help format that has an integrated approach. That is, the
group is run on the principle that a person's addiction, mental illness, and
trauma need to be discussed together, for each plays off the other. Without
understanding their lives from each of these perspectives, women may not receive
the full benefits of being in recovery.
A WELL Recovery support group is held every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
at the Peabody Community Life Center, 79 Central Street, Peabody. For more information
call Suzanne Garverich (617) 661-3991 x131.
Access Art by Art Daignault
Voter Accessibility
All Americans who are registered
to vote have the civil right to vote in an election. Although this is true,
many voting locations are not accessible to people with disabilities. The National
Voter Independence Project conducted a voter accessibility survey in the both
the 1998 Congressional and the 2000 Presidential elections. The survey yielded
the following conclusion: "There has been little or no improvement in the
two years since the first of these surveys of voters with disabilities was conducted
in 1998."
Massachusetts conducted a voter accessibility survey in late 1999 and early
2000 with all cities/towns. Of the nineteen cities/towns that the ILCNSCA serves,
nine cities/towns responded to the survey from the Secretary of States Office.
From my review of these survey results, I noted that there were some access
barriers involving parking, building entrances, signage and alternative formats.
If you encountered any access issues at your polling facility and would like
information, advice or support to advocate for accessibility to your polling
place, contact Art Daignault at the ILCNSCA at (978) 741-0077 V/TTY. ILCNSCA
also has voter registration forms for persons not registered to vote. We encourage
all people with disabilities to vote
CVS Settlement
The Massachusetts Office on Disability
(MOD) notified the ILCNSCA that on April 5, 2001, the Attorney General's office
reached a settlement agreement with all CVS Pharmacies in Massachusetts, requiring
all stores to improve accessibility for shoppers with disabilities. One of the
main access violations included aisles that were less than three feet wide,
the required width for passage by those using wheelchairs.
To insure that this agreement is adhered to by CVS, MOD is seeking individuals
to help monitor the CVS stores for any access violations. Duties of a monitor
include visiting a CVS store, completing an accessibility checklist and returning
it to MOD. The checklist is available at the ILCNSCA.
Accessibility Issues
ILCNSCA is interested in hearing
from you regarding any access issue you are encountering. We are committed to
working with individuals, businesses and municipalities in the 19 cities/towns
in our service area to increase accessibility for everyone. If you or someone
you know has an accessibility issue, Access Art, alias Art Daignault, would
like to hear from you.
For further information about Access Art articles, contact Art Daignault by
phone at (978) 741-0077 V/TTY or by e-mail at
Adaignault@ilcnsca.org.
Vocational Readiness/ Independent Living News
By Jeanne Lyons
VR/IL Workshop Review
The ILCNSCA held a Vocational Readiness-Independent
Living Workshop on May 3, 2001 entitled "Ticket to Work". Greg Levis
and Laurel Crommett, from the Salem Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Office, came to the Center to share information and answer questions on the
topic. They brought some hand outs on the Ticket to Work to share with participants.
If there are any individuals who are currently receiving SSI/ SSDI and are looking
for information on the Ticket to Work Program, you can call a toll free number
at 1-866-968-7842 Voice or 1-866-833-2967 TTY or visit the Social Security Administration
website:
www.ssa.gov/work.
Spring Social Events
By Rebecca Hutchinson and Jeanne Lyons
Celtics Game
On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, Jeanne Lyons and six friends of the Independent
Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, inc. (ILCNSCA) attended the Boston
Celtics basketball game at the Fleet Center. The seats were located in the promenade
section, which is on the ninth floor of the Fleet Center. The Boston Celtics
hosted the New Jersey Nets and won the game. The final score was Boston Celtics,
95 and New Jersey Nets, 88. a great time was had by everyone. This event was
partially supported by a grant from the Clipper Ship Foundation to the ILCNSCA.
|
Photo of Nathaniel's Restaurant
at Salem's Hawthorne Hotel, site of recent Jazz Brunch. |
Jazz Brunch On Sunday morning, May 6, 2001
the ILCNSCA sponsored a Jazz Brunch Buffet at Nathaniel's Restaurant at
the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Twelve of ILCNSCA participants enjoyed live
entertainment provided by Mexie and a delicious assortment of brunch items.
The desserts at the end were what put the frosting on the cake! The staff
of Nathaniel's was courteous and helpful to all of the ILCNSCA group.
All that attended expressed that it was a pleasant and enjoyable brunch.
This event was partially funded by a grant from the Clippership Foundation
to the ILCNSCA. |
Job Opening at ILCNSCA
Full time Peer Advocate at North
Shore and Cape Ann branch office, $8.50 - $10.00/ hr.
Computer literacy required, and a dedication to the Independent Living philosophy.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Benefits offered.
Please send cover letter and resume to: ILCNSCA, Attn: MMM, 27 Congress Street,
Suite 107, Salem, MA 01970 . We are committed to hiring minorities, women, and
persons with disabilities. EOE/AA
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INDEPENDENT TIMES
Volume IX Issue 4, Summer 2001
Publisher: Mary Margaret Moore
Editor: Shawn J. McDuff
Contributors: Art Daignault, Jamie Flavin, Donna Garber, Rebecca Hutchinson,
Jeanne Lyons, Andrew H. Martensson, Diane McIntyre, Kathy O'Brien, Elaine O'Donnell.
The INDEPENDENT TIMES, is a Quarterly newsletter of the Independent Living Center
of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc. (ILCNSCA), 27 Congress St., Suite 107,
Salem, MA 01970. Tel: (978) 741-0077 V/TTY, Toll Free Tel: (888) 751-0077 V/TTY,
Fax: (978) 741-1133. Email: ILCNSCA@aol.com. We also have a Cape Ann Branch
at Addison-Gilbert Hospital, Room 4, 298 Washington Street in Gloucester, Monday
and Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM. Tel: (978) 283-4000 ext. 366 V/TTY.
INDEPENDENT TIMES is published quarterly and welcomes the submission of articles,
press releases, original cartoons, and advertisements. The editorial staff reserves
the right to edit or reject material submitted to accommodate space or other
concerns. Unsolicited material not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope
will not be returned.
ILCNSCA's philosophy is based on the belief that people with disabilities can
lead more independent lives when given the opportunity. We also believe that
such an opportunity is a human right.
This newsletter is partially funded by a grant from New England ADA Technical
Assistance Center.
