Arizona Bridge to Independent Living

Empowering People with Disabilities for Over 30 Years!

Independent living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities.

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) is Arizona’s largest center for Independent Living. ABIL offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. 
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Gov. Brewer Holds Rally for
Medicaid Expansion

By Linda Williams, FOX 10 News

PHOENIX - Governor Jan Brewer held another rally at the state capitol Wednesday, continuing to push for lawmakers to support Medicaid expansion in Arizona.

Today she moved one step closer to making that happen. The senate majority leader announced he's sponsoring a budget amendment that would expand Medicaid coverage to an additional 300,000 Arizonans.

View full story and video here: Medicaid Expansion Rally

R.I.P. Leah Ferrazzi

Leah passed away May 8th.  Leah was a physical therapist who was very involved with people who had spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.  She was passionate about challenging us to be the best we can be.  She fought a long hard battle with cancer and she never gave up until the good Lord told her it was time.  She said, "I need to fight this battle because I always told my patients to fight and I cannot be a hypocrite."   God Bless her for she will truly be missed.

A celebration of Leah's life will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 6:00 PM at Tempe Mortuary, 405 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ.  MAP:  Tempe Mortuary

R.I.P. William "Bill" Harper

William Harper passed away on April 15, 2013, at the age of 85. Originally from Boston, MA, Mr. Harper served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he received two Purple Hearts medals. In 1952, Mr. Harper contracted polio. He always believed this occurred because of his exposure to ionizing radiation while participating in atomic bomb tests.

As the result of the polio, Mr. Harper became paralyzed in one arm and one leg. However, his disabilities never limited his desire to be of service to others. Mr. Harper spent the next fifty years volunteering for many organizations including the March of Dimes; Arizona Bridge to Independent Living; the AZ Governor's Commission for Employment for the Handicapped; and Veterans. His most profound legacy and commitment was in service to all veterans. Mr. Harper started many Veterans' Chapters throughout the country. He became National Officer of the Veterans; served on the AZ State Veterans Service Commission; and helped to start the National Atomic Veterans Organization.

Mr. Harper is a Member of the Arizona Veteran's Hall of Fame. He has visited the White House on two occasions and has received over 60 plaques and 200 citations for his service to the disabled, children, and veterans.

A Memorial Service was held April 18, 2013 at the Sun Lakes Chapel, Sun Lakes, AZ. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016. 

Advocates Ask Senator Flake 
to Support the UN Treaty on the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD)

On Friday April 5th advocates met with Senator Flake’s Phoenix Office Manager, Mary Baumbach, to ask Senator Flake to support and vote “yes” when the UN Treaty on the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) comes up for a vote in the Senate this summer.  Community advocates participating in the meeting represented a broad base of the disability organizations: ABIL, Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council, Raising Special Kids, and advocates Corbin Beau and Chandler City Councilman Rick Heumann.  Advocates provided information to Ms. Baumbach for Senator Flake to help him understand the importance of the passage of CRPD for Arizonans and to let him know the disability community is counting on him to vote yes.  

We asked that Senator Flake, who is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, request a public hearing so that any misunderstandings about the treaty can be clarified. The treaty was opposed last session by people concerned about U.S. sovereignty and home school parents afraid that the treaty would give the UN power over the U.S. and parent's rights in some way.

These concerns are unfounded because the treaty does not do either of these things. It does provide a model based on our Americans with Disabilities Act for providing civil rights and accessibility standards for other countries.  The treaty would be beneficial for residents with disabilities in other countries and for Americans when they live and travel abroad.  It is important that Arizonans with disabilities contact Senator Flake’s office to let them know we expect him to support CRDP.  

For fact sheets about CRPD click here:  Word   PDF

Contact Senator Flake at his local office at 602-840-1891 or email Mary Baumbach at Mary_Baumbach@Flake.senate.gov or go to www.senate.gov for DC contact information.  

 Emergency Preparedness Workshop 

for People with Disabilities

You can take small steps every day to become better able to survive an emergency.

Be informed, Identify your resources, Make a plan, and Create a Ready Kit and a GoBag.

Start today to become better prepared, safer, and more secure.  

The ABIL Independent Living Team is hosting an educational class on:

WHEN:  Tuesday May 21, 2013    

Presenter:  Larry Serpa

Make an Emergency Preparedness  Plan - 10:00am to Noon 

Build an Emergency Preparedness  Kit - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
 

WHERE:  The Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona
Conference Room
5025 E. Washington St
Phoenix, AZ   85034

REGISTRATION:  Either go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2825480087#

OR

Contact Liticia Hawkins at 602-443-0715 to sign up for the class. 

TRANSPORTATION:  Transportation will be available for both classes however,  seating is limited, and is on a first come, first serve basis. 

Call Leonard Smith at (602) 386-4281 to sign up for transportation. 

No transportation reservations after May 14th, 4pm.

Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Visits the DEC

Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Kathleen Martinez, of the U.S. Department of Labor visits ABIL and the Disability Empowerment Center.

(L to R Standing) Amina Kruck, Asst. Secretary Martinez, Darrel Christenson, Sherri Collins (L to R Bottom) Jennifer Longdon, Phil Pangrazio, Peri Jude Radecic

Advocacy 2013 Priorities Survey Results

As we start off this new year with the new Arizona state legislators and U.S. Congressional delegation, it is important to hear from Arizonans with disabilities, family members and service providers to find out what issues are important to you. Thank you for taking time to complete our survey. Your feedback will help guide our advocacy efforts in 2013.

Survey Results: Word or PDF

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities and Caregivers

Preparing for an emergency such as a power outage, fire, flood, or other natural disaster is not something most of us like to think about.  Despite this, the fact remains that the more prepared we are the more likely we are to survive such an emergency.  Even if it is not a life or death matter and the emergency is short in duration, a little planning and having some basic things on hand will make us much more comfortable. 

To learn more click on this link to be directed to another page on ABIL's website >>  http://www.abil.org/emergency