Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, Image Map, shows ABIL Logo in the left corner, with various persons with disabilities through it, including hands reading Braille, a woman signing, a young man in a wheelchair smiling, a young woman in a wheelchair talking on the phone, and a couple of students with disabilities.At the bottom of this image map is the list of web site links starting from the top left: About ABIL, Newsletter, Survival Manual, Job Opportunities, Photo Gallery, Opinion Survey. Next line of links from left: Programs, Press Room, Events Calendar, Infomation & Referrals, Contact Us, and Links.

 

 

 

 




INDEPENDENT LIVING AND ADVOCACY BY, AND FOR, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIESpurple divder line

The Bridge

News from the Arizona Bridge to Independent Living

Volume XV, Number 7

JULY 2004

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. ABIL is a member of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). "Not just responding to change, but leading it!"

 

 

Thank You!

A big “THANK YOU!” To Governor Napolitano and the following Arizona legislators for supporting a 2004-2005 Arizona Budget that empowers individuals with disabilities and their families!

 

Arizona Representatives

­Amanda Aquirre (D- 24)     

Manual Alvarez (D-25)     

Bill Arnold (R-12)                 

David Bradley (D- 28)                 

Jennifer Burns (R-25)             

Meg Burton-Cahill (D-17) 

Ernest Bustamante (D-23)

Olivia Cajero-Bedford (D- 27)     

Jim Carruthers (R-24)

Cheryl Chase (D-23)

Ken Clark (D-15)                 

Ted Downing (D-28)

Steve Gallardo (D-13)     

Deb Gullett (R-11)

Pete Hershberger (R-26)

Carole Hubbs (R-4)  

Steve Huffman (D-26)     

Jack Jackson, Jr. (D-2)

Clancy Jayne (R-6)

Bill Konopnicki (R-5)

Leah Landrum-Taylor (D-16)

Phil Lopes (D-27)

Linda Lopez (D-29)

John Loredo (D-13)

Lucy Mason (R-1)

Marian McClure (R- 30)

Debbie McCune-Davis (D-14)

Robert Meza (D-14)

Ben Miranda (D- 16)

Tom O’Halleran (R- 1)

Tom Prezelski (D – 29)

Michele Reagan (R- 8)

Wally Straughn (D-15)

Mark Thompson (R-17)

Bill Wagner (R-3)                          

 

Arizona Senators

­Linda Aquirre (D-16)            

Karen Allen (R-8)              

Marsha Arzberger (D- 25)     

Tim Bee (R- 30)                 

Ken Bennett (R-1)

Linda Binder (R- 3)

Robert Blendu (R-12)

Bill Brotherton (D- 14)

Jack Brown (D- 5) 

Robert Burns (R- 9)

Robert Cannell (D- 24)

Ken Cheuvront (D-15)

Jorge Garcia (D- 27)

Gabrielle Giffords (D-28)     

Toni Hellon (R- 26)

Marilyn Jarrett (R- 19)

Slade Mead (R-20)

Richard Miranda (D-13)

Harry Mitchell (D-17)

Pete Rios (D-23)

Victor Soltero (D-29)

                       

                       

A special “Thank You!” to sponsors of AzDAC’s 2004 legislative agenda:

l Senator Harry Mitchell (D-17), sponsor of SB 1351 - Signed by the Governor. It will require all new Information Technology purchased by our state to be accessible for individuals with disabilities.

 

l Representative John Huppenthal (R-20), sponsor HB2352 - signed by the Governor that will require all textbooks purchased in Arizona schools to be available in alternate formats.

 

l Representative Gary Pierce (R-19), sponsor HB2456 - signed by the Governor that enables Prop. 400, the transportation sales tax extension, to be on the November 2004 ballot.

 

 

AzDAC

www.azdisabilityadvocacy.org

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Lane Case is Positive Step Toward ADA Restoration

Phil Pangrazio, ABIL Executive Director

 

On July 26th we will celebrate the fourteenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This year’s anniversary will probably be remembered most as the year the U.S. Supreme Court in Tennessee v. Lane finally upheld a key provision of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This provision prohibits government from discriminating against persons with disabilities in their access to “services, programs or activities.” 

 

The landmark decision was the most significant victory thus far for the disability community since the Supreme Court, led by its conservative majority, began imposing a doctrine of states’ rights that limits Congress’ ability to make laws that protect classes of people, such as those of us with disabilities.  In Lane, the Supreme Court ruled that states can be sued for monetary damages under the ADA for failing to provide a person with a disability access to a courthouse.

 

Charles Lane, a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair, was forced to crawl up the stairs of a courthouse in Tennessee to reach a hearing on the second floor.  He sued after he was arrested and jailed for failing to appear at a second hearing when he refused to crawl or be carried up the steps again.

 

Addressing these kinds of barriers was precisely what Congress had in mind when it passed the ADA in 1990.  But in recent years the high court, under the conservative leadership of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, has been limiting the protections of the ADA by declaring that states are protected from ADA lawsuits by the 11th Amendment, and are thus granted sovereign immunity from citizen lawsuits against states in federal court.

 

In time, the Lane victory may be viewed as a huge step toward restoring individual protections against unlawful discrimination that was the original intent of the ADA.  For now though, it is more likely that the nations’ high court will continue its trend of narrowing the scope of the ADA.  Who is protected?  Who is defined as being disabled? And, when does discrimination exist?   These will be the important questions.  The answers the Supreme Court gives us will define the future effectiveness of the ADA.

So far, the answers have been disappointing.  They represent an attitude that says, “haven’t we done enough for you people.”  They demonstrate a lack of comprehension of what it is like to be excluded and discriminated against due to having a disability.  In fact, in the Lane case, three of the dissenting Justices (i.e. Rehnquist, Clarence Thomas, and Anthony M. Kennedy) went so far as to deny that inaccessibility precludes access.  The three wrote, “We have never held that a person has a constitutional right to make his way into a courtroom without any external assistance.”

 

Statements like this makes it very clear that we have much educating left to do.  These types of attitudes are dominant among people who embrace modern conservative thought.  They represent the huge divide that still exists between the realities of living with a disability and others’ comprehension of what this life is really like.  It is because of these attitudes and misunderstandings that we must continue the fight to protect the ADA and restore it to its original intent.

 

As we celebrate the 14th anniversary of the ADA, we can take great solace in how far we have advanced the civil rights of people with disabilities in this country.  However, we must never take these achievements for granted.  We have fought too hard for these changes.  We must never take for granted our civil right to access such things as voting, public transportation, jury service, and public education.  If we do, we will never close the divide that separates us from others who think quite differently about what our civil rights should be.

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The Bridge newsletter is a free monthly publication of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL). To add or remove your name from our mailing list, or to place a disability related personal or business classified ad, call or write to us at:

 

The Bridge c/o ABIL

Attention: Editor

1229 E. Washington Street,  Phoenix, AZ  85034-1101

602-256-2245    1-800-280-2245*

(*outside the 602, 623, 480, calling areas)

FAX:  602-254-6407    

 

ABIL-Thomas office   (behind the flower shop)

2345 E. Thomas, Phoenix, AZ 85016 

 

ABIL Advocacy Unit, Suite 290

602-443- 0720    FAX 602-443-0721

 

ABIL Employment Services, Suite 310-A

602-667-0277     FAX 602-667-0318

 

ABIL - Metro Center office

10000 N. 31st Avenue, Suite D-405

Phoenix, AZ 85051 

602-424-4100     FAX 602-424-4118

 

LOCATION CHANGE!!!

ABIL-East office - New Address !!!

2150 S. Country Club, Ste. 10,  Mesa, AZ 85210

(Located in the Fiesta Tech Office Complex)

480-655-9750   FAX 480-655-9751  

Voice/TDD 602-256-2245

 

E-mail: azbridge@abil.org

Website: www.abil.org

Staff email: First name, initial of last name, @abil.org

 

To Receive “The Bridge” by e-mail automatically each month, send your request including phone number, to: pennyf@abil.org or Penny c/o ABIL, 1229 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ  85034-1101, or call 602-296-0518.  Please also indicate if you would like to discontinue receiving the hard copy by mail.

 

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ABIL Board of Directors

Joseph Mikitish ....................…….……….……........ President

Tom Ringhofer ...............................…………... Vice President

Edward L. Myers, III ...................................…..........Treasurer

Open ……….................................……….……..…... Secretary

Marjann Fletcher ...................…...............….... Past President

Pamela Allan ........................….......…............…...…. Member

Nola Jones-Baker ....................................….............. Member

William Harper ................................……..………….... Member

Lynn Houston ................................……………..……. Member

F. Lee Jacquette ..............................…………………. Member

Nikki Jeffords ..............................…………………….. Member

Nicholas L. Perry .....................................………..….. Member

Scott Turner ........................................……....…..….. Member

 

 

All Area Codes 602 unless noted otherwise

ABIL Administrative Staff

Phil Pangrazio, 296-0513 .......……............. Executive Director

Louise Downey, 296-0523....….…..... Full Charge Bookkeeper

Penny Fore, 296-0518 .........….….……... Executive Assistant

Sandy Guinn, 296-0514 .........………... Director of Operations

Jay Murrillo, 296-0517..........…..... Van Driver/Facilities Maint.

DeMarQues Thomas, 296-0538 .... Van Driver/Facilities Maint.

 

Advocacy - New Numbers!

Donna Kruck, 443-0722 ............…................Unit Director

Lynn Bejnar, 443-0729 ............. “This is My Life” Prg. Mgr.

David Carey, 443-0723 ............…….... Advocacy Specialist

Erik Jensen, 443-0727 ...........…. Work Incentives Specialist

Donna Lorti, 424-4105 ............... Work Incentives Specialist

Ann  Pasco, 443-0725 .................Volunteer Coordinator

Carolan Quenneville, 443-0724 ..Graphic Specialist/Newsletter

April Reed, 443-0720 …………………………... ASU Intern

Rhonda Webb, 443-0728 ......... Work Incentives Specialist

 

Employment Services

Marisa Colon, 443-0713 ....... Program Aide/Support Coord.

Lynda Connors, 443-0712 ......... Employment Coordinator

Joe Connors, 443-0709 ............... Employment Coordinator

Marilon Cox, 443-0701 ..... Program Support/ Billing Coord

Rosalie Perry, 443-0707 .... Independent Living Specialist

Dan Siegler, 443-0710 ...…..…..... Employment Technician

Maggie Zamora, 443-0714 .......... Employment Coordinator

 

Community Integration

Darrel Christenson, 296-0530 ................Unit Director

Judy Benshoof, 296-0532 ....... ILA/Home Mod. Coord (Mesa)

Peter Clute, 296-0527 .................... Information & Referral

Fernando Cruz 443-0708 ................... Reintegration Coord.

Jon DeWinter, 296-0537 .. Home Mod.Coord.(Glendale/Peoria)

Don Price, 443-0726 ................ Early Intervention Coord.

Paula Grodecki, 480-222-4212 .......... Reintegration Coord.

Tyrone Harrington, 424-4103 ......... Com. Liv. Options Coord.

Leanne Jones, 296-0535...….. Soc/Rec, Youth Outreach/ILA

Joanna Savidan, 296-0531....... Home Mod. Coord. (Phx)

Leonard Smith, 296-0533 ........... Reintegration Coord.

 

Personal Assistant Services

Gwen Dean, 296-0541.............……............Unit Director

Mary Avila, 296-0528 ............................... PAS Feild Rep.

Pam Burdette, 480-222-4204 .....…......... PAS Field Rep.

Jerry Chee, 424-4107 ..................... Program Manager

Maria Deleon, 480-222-4203 ................... PAS Field Rep.

Lyndora Hall, 296-0529............…............ PAS Field Rep.

Judy Ludlow, 296-0542 .......................... PAS Field Rep.

Teodoro Marquez, 424-4102 .................. PAS Field Rep.

Sheri Mecca, 296-0547..................... Program Manager

Diane Patton, 480-222-4206 .............… Program Manager

Colleen Podmore, 424-4108 ......…........ PAS Field Rep.

Christina Velasquez, 424-4104 ............. PAS Field Rep.

Grace Walstad,  296-0540 ....................... PAS Field Rep.

Roxanna Williams, 424-4106 .................. PAS Field Rep.

Melanie Woods, 480-222-4205 ................ PAS Field Rep.

Bonnie Zanardi, 480-222-4202 ................ PAS Feild Rep.

 

 

Legislative Update!  

By Donna Kruck

 

If you have read the papers, then you know that a miracle happened in Arizona’s legislature. Just when the budget had been deadlocked for months, the session was a month over schedule, and the Republican leadership in the AZ House of Representatives was, once again, recommending the elimination of many programs that benefit individuals with disabilities and their families – several courageous reasonable Republicans joined forces with the Democrat minority and out voted the House Leadership to pass a budget that retained most of our programs: funding for health care, child care, mental health services, general assistance, home and community based services, independent living, etc. This is a new day in Arizona!  On the cover of The Bridge is a list of legislators who voted to pass this reasonable budget and who supported Governor Napolitano’s vision for Arizona’s future.  Remember these legislators when you go to the polls for the primary and general election and vote your conscience!

 

Included here is a list of some of the bills of importance to the disability community.  For more information on these bills and others go to www.azleg.state.az.us or the website for the AZ Disability Advocacy Coalition – AzDAC at www.azdisabilityadvocacy.org

 

HB 1351 Signed by the Governor 6/1/04 - the Accessible Information Technology bill, sponsored by Senator Mitchell (District 17 –D), requires that the state of Arizona purchase accessible information technology following the guidelines of Section 508.

 

HB 2034 Signed by the Governor 5/27/04 - the White Cane bill, sponsored by Representative Mark Thompson (17-R) re-instates a civil penalty (2nd class misdemeanor - $750 fine and/or 4 months in jail) for drivers who fail to yield the right of way to blind/sight impaired pedestrians using a white cane, guide dog or sighted guide in a public crosswalk

 

HB 2352 Signed by the Governor 6/1/04 - the Accessible Textbook bill, sponsored by Representative Huppenthal (District 20 –R), requires that when public schools bid for textbooks, the publisher must have an accessible version of the textbook available (i.e., tape, disc, large print or Braille).

 

HB 2495 Signed by the Governor 5/27/04 – the Interpreter Training bill, sponsored by Representative Mark Thompson (District 17 -R), allows the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to develop training programs in conjunction with universities and colleges.  The funding comes from the Commission’s own Telecommunications Fund for the Deaf, which is collected from an excise tax on telephone exchange carriers. To read the draft plan prepared by ACDHH for interpreter development, visit www.acdhh.org.

 

 

Mark Your Calendar -

Important Electoral Dates:

 

August 5 ...................... Early Voting  (Primary)

 

August 9 ...............Last Day to register for Primary

 

September 7 ..……..... Primary Election

 

September 30 ................ Early Vote General Election

 

October 4 ....... Last day to register for General Election

 

November 2 .......... General Election

 

 

ADVOCATES!!!  

* Get timely updates on disability related legislation!

* Get more involved as an advocate!

* Find resources to help you!

www.azdisabilityadvocacy.org

 
Together we are stronger!   The power is in the present!

 

AzDAC  - Az Disability Advocacy Coalition

 

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Reactions to Last Month’s Psychiatric Myths and Realities

By Donna Kruck

 

Last month we published a Psychiatric Myths and Realities article by Judy Chamberlin, director of the National Training and Education National Empowerment Center, Inc.  Judy is a member of the Psychiatric Survivor Recovery consumer movement within the mental health community.  We printed the article to provide our readers with one view of mental illness and how it is treated in our country.  While ABIL supports the empowerment message expressed in Judy’s article, we do not endorse all of the views she expressed.  We also want to recognize that some felt offended by her comments on the use of mental health medications and the role of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. We consider ourselves partners with NAMI and the Mental Health Association of Arizona in seeking improved mental health options for individuals with disabilities.  We offer the following statement to put this article in a perspective that more clearly reflects ABIL’s Independent Living and self-determination viewpoint:

 

There is a wide spectrum of opinions on the validity and usefulness of diagnosis, traditional medical intervention, and the role of “professionals” and family members in the health and disability field.  The zenith of Independent Living (IL) philosophy is self-responsibility, choice and the power to carry those choices out. Many of us, regardless of our disability or illness, have experienced a lack of empowerment from the health systems that serve us and in some cases from our own family members – through attitudes, policies and actions.  We have fought as a community for our civil rights; they were not offered to us voluntarily. Many friends, family members and health professionals fought with us for these rights.  Disability oppression exists and is reflected through belittling attitudes, ignorance and inaccessibility that has led to and perpetuated segregation and alienation.  Disability oppression effects everyone: other’s expectations for us – and even more damaging, our own attitudes and expectations for ourselves. It keeps non-disabled individuals in fear of acquiring a disability – a fate worse than death in the eyes of some.  Individuals have the right to make choices based on their best judgment for what actions they want to take to benefit their illness or disability.  These choices might include taking medication, partnering with skilled professionals, participating in therapies and eliciting support and assistance from family members and friends.

 

 

The dilemma that family members, friends and professionals have is how to decide when to intervene on the behalf of an individual with a disability who is truly not capable of making “good” decisions for themselves. First, we must ask who is defining “good decisions”? Unfortunately, some of us have experienced “treatments” or “placements” for our own “good” that we experienced as damaging.  Second, what is the risk in giving the individual the right to make mistakes? A revolutionary tenant of IL philosophy is that people deserve the right to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them – even individuals with disabilities.  This idea has traditionally been frightening to non-disabled individuals, but applauded by individuals with disabilities themselves!

 

Below is a response we received to last month’s Judy Chamberlin article: 

 

The Mental Health Association of Arizona believes the doctor, patient, and other people the patient deems appropriate should make any decisions involving treatment. Treatment for a mental illness works best with a combination of medication, therapy and social support. Medications are meant to help regulate the symptoms of the disorders. For example, research indicates that some symptoms of depression are due to out of balance chemicals in the brain. Medications such as antidepressants affect the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain in order for patients to get relief from their symptoms. No matter what the medication, all patients need to talk with their doctors so they can understand what to expect when taking a medication. There are a variety of medications to treat patients with a mental illness, all have different side-effects, and all patients will respond differently. Research is ongoing to improve the efficacy of medications as well as decreasing the negative side-effects of the medications.

 

Mona Kilany

Community Education Coordinator

Mental Health Association of Arizona

480.994.4407 ext. 29

480.994.4744

mkilany@mhaarizona.org!     

 

Look for more information and articles on mental health issues in the August issue of The Bridge

 

 

A Memorial for a Friend

By Joe Mikitish, Past-President of the Board

 

We lost one of our dear friends and advocates in our disability community last month.  The Secretary of ABIL’s Board of Directors Jim Brahaney passed away on June 4 after battling a severe illness for several months.

 

Jim and I joined the ABIL Board of Directors together in 1998.  We spent countless evenings together in board meetings in the ABIL kitchen. We worked on numerous organization policies, new programs, annual budgets, legislative proposals, marketing plans.  Some of the work was exciting.  Much was mundane.  Either way, I could always count on Jim to be there to get the work done. 

 

Jim’s connections to ABIL ran much deeper than his work on the board of directors.  Even before Jim moved to Arizona in the early 1990s, he contacted ABIL to find out about disability resources here.  ABIL gave him the information he needed about AHCCCS, housing, and attendant care in order to make an informed choice that Arizona was a good place for him.

 

Jim was committed to ABIL because he believed in independent living.  When he moved to Arizona, Jim went to work at the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation department in the Adaptive Recreation Office.  He later worked for the Mayor’s Office handling a wide variety of issues and constituent services, including serving as the liaison to the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues.  In order to work, Jim carefully scheduled his attendant care, juggled transportation, and eventually learned to drive his own van.

 

Jim initially worked part-time out of fear for losing the government services he needed.  But he eventually worked full-time.  Most recently, he was hired by the City’s transit department to take the lead on accessibility issues.  On top of all that, he was admitted into ASU’s public administration program and took classes at night to obtain his masters degree.  In an article in the Bridge in 2001, Jim stated, “I have always been tenacious in my development as a person with a disability.”  Indeed he was.

 

Jim used his experiences to become a diligent and effective advocate for the disability community.  Jim was one of ABIL’s strongest voices advocating for the AHCCCS Freedom to Work Act, which was designed to allow people with disabilities to work full-time without immediately losing their medical care benefits.  Jim testified in the Legislature as to the importance of being able to work.  He wrote editorials about his experiences.  He met one-on-one with legislators, lobbyists, and agency officials and told them about his journey towards independence.  Through his efforts, the Legislature passed the Act and people with disabilities in Arizona will forever be able to use it to travel the same journey.

 

Jim was a trusted friend and great ally.  He cared deeply about others and in numerous ways touched their lives.   We will miss him greatly.

 

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Independence is priceless…

AZLAT  Makes it affordable!

 

Do you need assistive technology, but can’t afford the out-of-pocket expense? Arizona Loan$ for Assistive Technology (AzLAT) may be the answer for you!

 

$    Affordable loans to persons with disabilities for the purchase of assistive and adaptive technology

 

$      For information: www.azlat.org or call 602-776-4670, 800-477-9921 (toll-free), 602-728-9536 (TTY)

 

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Why Fragrance Free?  

By Donna Kruck

Some people wonder why we request that people not wear fragrances to ABIL events. Allergies and chemical or environmental disabilities are difficult to understand if you don’t experience them yourself. A written sign is useless to a person who is blind unless it is in Braille or textured letters. Yelling won’t help them see, nor help a deaf person hear. Most people know someone who has an allergy to pollen, pets or food. They may have noticed it affects their respiratory system, their ability to breathe, stuffy nose, runny itch eyes, sneezing. Some of us even know people who have anaphylactic shock symptoms after eating certain foods or taking certain medications that can be truly life threatening. Similarly, persons with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity can have a range of symptoms from headache and indigestion to tingling in the mouth to extreme anxiety as their adrenalin gets over stimulated, loss of motor function including slower speech and difficulty thinking, to seizures that can be life threatening. Just as a simple strawberry or Brazil nut can cause life threatening reactions, so too can chemicals used to make scented products. We continue to learn here at ABIL how to create a safer environment for individuals with chemical sensitivities so that they can participate in our programs, just as we provide for alternate formats and sign language interpreters for individuals with visual and hearing disabilities. You can help us by cooperating with our request to wear unscented products to our events and not smoking near our buildings.

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Advocacy Presentations/Workshops

All Advocacy presentations are free –

Participants must RSVP with David Carey, 602-443-0723.

 Presentations/Workshops without a minimum of 4 participants are subject to cancellation.

For accommodations or alternative format please call in advance. For ABIL van transportation please call as soon as possible. ABIL requests a $1+ donation (each way) for ABIL van transportation.  Consumers must be 18 years+ or their own legal guardian.

 

Social Security Work Incentives

Speakers:  Erik Jensen, Rhonda Webb, & Donna Lorti - Work Incentives Specialists.

 

Workshops for Service Providers

Learn how ABIL’s Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach program, granted through the Social Security Administration, can help people on SSI and/or SSDI understand how employment affects their cash and medical benefits. Over the last few years, several new work incentives have been created through Social Security and other public programs. Our trained and certified Work Incentive Specialists are also happy to provide presentations at your agency location.

 

Monday, July 5 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

ABIL East – 2150 S. Country Club, Ste. 10, Mesa

 

Workshops for SSI/SSDI Consumers

Consumers come and learn how employment will affect your cash and medical benefits.  Please sign up for the workshop that matches the kind of Social Security you receive. If you are unsure which kind you receive, David can help you figure that out when you call to RSVP.  We are holding separate workshops for each type of benefit: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because each program has different rules and different work incentives.  If you receive both, let David know and he will help you get an appointment with a Work Incentive Specialist. Family members and/or support person are welcome.

 

Work Incentives & SSDI  

Monday, July 12            10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

NEW LOCATION! - ABIL East, 2150 S. Country Club, Ste. 10, Mesa

 

Monday, July 19            1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

2345 E. Thomas Rd.  Ste. 290, Phx

 

Wednesday, July 28            1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ABIL Metro Ctr, 10000 N. 31st Ave, Ste. D405, Phx

 

Work Incentives & SSI

Friday, July 16        1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

2345 E. Thomas Rd.  Ste. 290, Phx

 

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Southwest Institute for Families and Children with Special Needs

Learn about the Institute’s Youth Transition Programs; Fast Track and Rapid Transit. The Fast Track program is a five-day training that covers the topics of Education, Vocation, Health, Social, Housing, Money Management, and Transportation. The materials are designed to help youth acquire the skills necessary to set systematic goals and make a successful transition to adulthood.  Rapid Transit is a one-day event held quarterly in conjunction with Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS). Local professionals and youth present on the following topics: Youth in Transition, Social Security, Disability Law, Financial Planning including Trusts and Wills, and Guardianship and Limited Guardianship. Local businesses and organizations display information relevant to youth and families with special needs.

Guest Speaker:  Nora Stiles

Wednesday, July 7 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

5111 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste. #105, Scottsdale

 

Benefits Assistance Program (BAP)

Assistance Understanding Medicare

The Benefits Assistance Program, part of a national network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP), is a program of the Area Agency on Aging, Region One that can provide direction through the Medicare maze. BAP provides objective information about insurance and benefits to seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Services include:

· Assistance with organizing claims information

· Assistance with appeals and problems

· Basic information on Social Security, Medicare, SSI

· Information on HMOs, Medicare Supplemental insurance (MEDIGAP), and Medicare options

· Information on income eligibility for SSI, AHCCCS, Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), and  Medicare Cost Sharing programs.

 

Guest Speaker:  Paulette Fraenkel

Thursday, July 29            1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

1229 E. Washington, Phoenix, AZ

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Questions about the ADA?

The Pacific Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (PDBTAC) can answer questions on all aspects of the ADA and/or provide you with literature in print or alternative formats. Call 1-800-949-4232 or log on to: http://www.pacdbtac.org

 

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Transit Summit a Success!    

By Donna Kruck

 

Over 100 advocates attended the TRIP Transit Summit to learn about Prop. 400 on May 24th at ASU downtown center. Wendy Feldman Kerr, MAG Chair and Mayor of Queen Creek kicked off the event.  Advocates learned from transit experts about the accessibility features being considered for the already planned light rail, how Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Plan will benefit individuals who need public transit like Dial-a-Ride and bus service, and how we can get involved to help Prop. 400 pass in November. In the afternoon we broke out into sessions on 1-1 advocacy skills led by TRIP members Mary Hartle Smith and Bob Payne and public speaking led by Abbie Fink of Hanson, Moser and Associates PR firm so we can get people to do presentations on the benefits to Prop. 400 and identify people willing to be interviewed by the media.  Other sessions were on writing letters to the editor led by Pam Allan, ABIL Board member and voter registration led by Tiffany Bock of the Mental Health Association of AZ.  Phoenix Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten, revved up the crowd reminding us that the disability community can be key to getting Prop. 400 passed, and offered the conference wrap up. If every one of us asks everyone we know (family, friends, service providers) to vote YES on Prop. 400 it will pass. ABIL supports the passage of Prop. 400 in November. 

 

Attend the next TRIP meeting 

TRIP – Transit Advocacy Coalition

Next meeting:  July 12, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: 1717 W. Jefferson, Suite 110

RSVP to David at 602-442-0722 or davidc@abil.org for alternative formats, accommodations or transportation assistance

 

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Help us support the passage of Prop. 400 this next November!

4 Prop. 400 will support an extension of a half-cent sales tax to support our regional county transportation plan for the next 20 years.

 

4 The last 20 years our half-cent sales tax has supported the development of most of the freeways you see and use around the Valley of the Sun.

 

4 Now, we need to continue that same half-cent sales tax so that we can create a truly regional transportation system that connects all cities and towns in Maricopa County.

4 The Regional plan includes bus routes, dial-a-ride, express bus routes, light rail extension, improved regional roads and other freeway improvements.

 

4 You CAN make a difference:

a Register to Vote and Vote on November 2nd

 

a Help others register to vote and understand the importance of Prop. 400

 

a Be an advocate, be a public speaker, write a letter to the editor, be willing to be interviewed by the media about the importance of improved public transit

 

a Join the TRIP Coalition today!

      Contact us at trip@abil.org

      or call 480-733-5266

        For more info on Prop 400 go to www.Maricopa2020.com

 

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www.azbar.org to Aid Public, Lawyers

The State Bar of Arizona has created two separate Web sites, one to serve the general public and the other aimed specifically at lawyers. “We are committed to giving the public easy access to information that helps them make informed choices about their legal matters and helps them work better with attorneys,” State Bar President Pam Treadwell-Rubin said. “The redesigned site for lawyers is part of-our ongoing effort to support attorneys so they can better serve clients.”

 

Some of the features of the public site include:

s Information on high-interest legal topics such as divorce, will and employment law.

s A dictionary of legal terms.

s Law-related Website links.

s Information on how to find and work with lawyers.

s Information about the Bar’s process of regulating lawyers.

Source: Arizona Capitol Times

 

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A Place for Mom

Tuesday, August 10          1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 

2345 E. Thomas Rd.  Ste. 290, Phx

This presentation will focus on independent and assisted living options in the Phoenix area - typical costs and services provided, assistance available, and financial assistance available.  In addition, home care assistance, day care, respite, and other short term options will also be discussed.  And finally, Jim Dillard of ADL Solutions will speak about modifying your home to make it accessible and safe.

David Carey, 602-443-0723

 

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Improbable Theatre Company

Actual Lives:  “Sex, Death & Wheelchairs”

Herberger Theater Center

Lunch Time Theater Series

222 E. Monroe, Phx  

(Enter on Van Buren, under canopy)

 

June 28th 7:00 PM (Premiere, tickets $3)

 

June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th   

Doors open at 11:40, shows begin at 12:10.  Show is $5.

 

There’s a party going on. Who are these people and what’s the big secret? A funny, passionate and inspiring theater piece which evolved from a workshop designed to use personal experiences of people with disabilities in the writing process.

 

Bring your own lunch or pre-order a box lunch catered by “El Museo”for $5. Call 602-696-6590 before 9:00 AM on show day (or the day before) to have your lunch and seat reserved. Reservations are held until 12:05, after which the Herberger reserves the right to release your lunch and seat to a waiting customer. For more information call 602-254-7399 x106.

 

The Actual Lives workshop is a component of VSA arts of Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing barriers between the cultural arts and people with disability. For more information contact:

Celia Hughes, VSA Arts of Texas.

Phone: 512-454-9912             Voice,  512-454-6298 TTY
Email: celia@vsatx.org        &