INDEPENDENT
LIVING
AND
ADVOCACY
BY,
AND
FOR,
PEOPLE
WITH
DISABILITIES
|
The Bridge News from the Arizona Bridge to Independent Living Volume
XV, Number 4 APRIL
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!" Advocates
CoppeRxSM Card Success By
Donna Kruck
We
did it again! Originally Governor Napolitano’s discount CoppeRxSM Card
was to be distributed to seniors over 65 automatically and persons on
Medicare who are disabled and under 65 on Medicare.
Cards are being distributed to individuals over 65 automatically
by identifying them by birth date through the Division of Motor
Vehicles. But how would they identify and send cards to individuals under
65 who are disabled and on Medicare? And what about those individuals
who are newly disabled and qualify for Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and are in the two-year waiting period before they can
qualify for Medicare? Those
are the questions ABIL asked the Governor’s office last month.
The Governor’s staff were very responsive and excited to
partner with ABIL because they really didn’t’ know how they would
reach the 70,000 Arizona residents on SSDI. They immediately agreed to partner with us to get the word
out about the CoppeRxSM Card program. They
also responded within a week to say that they could also include those
Arizonans under 65 who have been deemed qualified by DES Disability
Determination and the Social Security Administration to receive SSDI
cash benefits even before they qualify for Medicare! Fantastic!
Unlike seniors over 65, SSDI beneficiaries may need to call
RxAmerica to request a card or go to their web site. Please refer to the
Q&A article on page 4 for contact information.
Now we need your help to get the word out.
Feel free to reprint this article and distribute it, as well as
the fact sheet, or contact ABIL’s Information and Referral person,
Peter Clute at 602-296-0525 or peterc@abil.org ABIL
Employment Services is Awarded TANF Grant By
Phil Pangrazio, ABIL Executive Director I
am extremely pleased to announce the coming of ABIL’s newest program.
ABIL recently was awarded a contract to offer employment services
to TANF participants (i.e. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) with
disabilities. This award,
from the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Rehabilitation
Services Administration, is part of RSA’s Establishment Grant Program.
The
proposed project is a result of many years of advocacy and research into
the problems faced by TANF participants with disabilities.
Many of these individuals have for years lived with disabilities
that have gone undetected, undiagnosed, untreated, and unserved.
This new program will provide intensive services to participants
in the TANF Program who are referred to ABIL by TANF Case Managers, JOBS
Case Managers and/or VR Counselors.
These services will combine independent living services and
employment services, recognizing that life and work are interdependent.
Emphasis will be placed on managing the disability aspects of
each TANF family commingled with the life and employment challenges that
all TANF participants experience. The
project will rely heavily on the influence of staff who themselves are
people with disabilities and are managing life and careers successfully.
In addition, the project will partner extensively with employers,
the One-Stop Career Centers, and DES/RSA Case Managers. I
would especially like to recognize ABIL Employment Services Director,
Susan Webb, who for seven years served as a member of the Joint
Legislative Task Force on Welfare Reform at the Arizona State
Legislature. Ms. Webb was
instrumental in identifying the problems encountered by TANF
participants with disabilities. Her
work on the Task Force, its subsequent research, and a focus group study
sponsored by RSA and conducted by ABIL concluded that TANF participants
with disabilities were almost exclusively deferred from the welfare
reform work requirements. These deferrals resulted in TANF participants NOT being
offered employment support services including job training,
transportation or child-care that were being offered to non-disabled
TANF participants. In fact,
these participants were most often referred to the Supplemental Security
Income Program at the Federal level instead of being offered the
opportunity to become self-supporting through work.
The assumption I believe was, “if a person has a disability,
that must mean they cannot work.” We
at ABIL are excited about eliminating this false assumption.
We know that disability does not mean inability.
A recent New York Times obituary reminded me of how deep the
roots of the independent living philosophy really are.
The passing of Frank Riessman, 79, a little known social
psychologist and social change agent from Manhattan, N.Y. was remembered
for mobilizing government and political support for the self-help
movement and mutual support groups (i.e. peer mentorship).
Riessman, it said, “believed that self-help and mutual support
programs were essential because they encourage members to rely on
themselves and their experiences rather than on external help (i.e.
government assistance).” ABIL’s new employment services program for TANF
participants with disabilities will share this same philosophy.
Stay-tuned for more details as we roll-out this exciting new
program. 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 2345
E. Thomas, Phoenix,
AZ 85016 ABIL
Advocacy Unit, Suite 290 602-443-
0720 FAX
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
ABIL-East
office 225
E. First Street, Suite 206 Mesa,
AZ 85201 480-655-9750 FAX
480-655-9751 Voice/TDD
602-256-2245 1-800-280-ABIL
(outside 602, 623, 480
calling areas) FAX
602-254-6407 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. ABIL
Board of Directors
Joseph Mikitish
....................…….………......... President Tom Ringhofer
...............................…………... Vice President Edward L. Myers, III
...............................................Treasurer Jim Brahaney
...............................………………... Secretary Marjann Fletcher
...................…..................... Past President Pamela Allan
........................….......…............…...…. Member Sharon Atwood
.....................................……....…….. Member Nola Jones-Baker
................................................... Member William Harper
................................……....…….... Member Lynn Houston
................................………………. Member F. Lee Jacquette
..............................………………. Member Nikki Jeffords
..............................………………. Member Nicholas L. Perry
.....................................……....…….. Member Susan Scott
.....................................……....…….. Member Scott Turner
........................................……....…….. Member (All
Area Codes 602 unless noted otherwise) ABIL
Administrative Staff Phil
Pangrazio, 296-0513 .........…............. Executive Director Louise
Downey, 296-0519............ Accounting Assistant 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 Rhonda
Webb, 443-0728 ......... Work Incentives Specialist Employment
Services Susan
Webb, 443-0711.........…...................Unit Director Lynda
Connors, 443-0712 ......... Employment Coordinator Joe
Connors, 443-0709 ............... Employment Coordinator Marilon
Cox, 443-0701 ..... Program Support/ Billing Coord Dan
Siegler, 443-0710 ...……..... Employment Technician Community
Integration Darrel
Christenson, 296-0530 ................Unit Director Judy
Benshoof, 296-0532 ....... ILA/Home Mod. Coord (Mesa) Peter
Clute, 296-0525 .................... 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 Rosalie
Perry, 296-0536 .. Independent Living Skills Advocate 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 Field Rep. Answers
to Key Questions about
the CoppeRxSM Card Program What is the
Arizona CoppeRxSM Prescription Discount Card Program? The CoppeRxSM
Card is a program created by Governor Janet Napolitano to provide
discounts on all prescription drugs for seniors and Arizona residents
with disabilities who are eligible for Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and/or Medicare. By providing a free card for all Medicare/SSDI-eligible
residents, the State hopes to help seniors and individuals with
disabilities combat the high drug prices. Am I Eligible? To
be eligible a person must: ·
Be an Arizona resident, and
· Be at least age 65, or ·
Qualified for SSDI (SS Disability Insurance) How
much can I save? Your actual discount depends on the medication and the
pharmacy you use. Seniors
are averaging between 18% and 41% discounts on prescription drugs.
Some are getting discounts as high as 55% using mail order
services. Through January
1, 2004, the program has saved participating Arizona residents more than
$1.1 million over regular retail prescription drug prices. How
does the CoppeRxSM
Card work? Simply present your CoppeRxSM Card
at one of more than 500 participating pharmacies when you fill your next
prescription. Discounts are given at the time of purchase, so there are
no receipts to submit or claim forms to fill out. Will the CoppeRxSM
Card help me if I already have prescription drug coverage? The CoppeRxSM Card may help supplement your prescription coverage if you
have deductibles or limited dollar benefit.
It will also get you discounts on drugs that are not on your
preferred drug list. How do I enroll? Enrollment is free and automatic. Eligible Arizona residents are entitled to automatic
enrollment in the CoppeRxSM Card at absolutely no charge.
When will my
CoppeRxSM Card arrive? If
you are 65 or older on January 1, 2004 or had a CopperRxSMCard
last year, a temporary CoppeRxSM Card will automatically be sent to you.
For those turning 65 after January 1, 2004, your temporary
CoppeRxSM Card will be sent during the month you turn 65. If
you qualify for SSDI, you will need to contact RxAmerica to get your
card. What if I
don’t get an automatic card? If you don’t receive a card in the mail, then you may call
1-888-227-8315, or visit the RxAmerica website at www.rxamerica.com to
enroll. What additional
programs are available for low-income seniors/qualified disabled? Eli
Lilly & Company has agreed to allow Medicare-enrolled Arizonans who
are single and have an annual income below $18,000 (or who are married
with household income below $24,000 per year) to buy Lilly’s
medications for just $12 per prescription per month. ADVOCATES * Get timely
updates on disability related legislation! * Get more involved
as an advocate! * Find resources to
help you be an effective advocate! www.azdisabilityadvocacy.org Together
we are stronger! The
power is in the present! AzDAC Az Disability Advocacy Coalition On
Board! Nikki Jeffords An ABIL Board Member Profile Edited
by Carolan Quenneville
According
to Nikki Jeffords, she spent the first 10 years of her adult life
receiving SSI, Section 8, and Food Stamps. Today, she states, “My life
is better than I ever thought it could be... A house, a husband, and
hopefully a family.” Along
the way and in between,
Jeffords completed a Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in
Nonprofit Management and Family Studies at ASU, graduating with honors.
Currently she is enrolled in the U of A Master’s Degree program
seeking her degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. No stranger to ABIL,
Jeffords has worked in the disability field for nearly five years, two
of them in ABIL’s Advocacy Unit as a Social Security Work Incentives
Counselor. Today she works for the Arizona Rehabilitation Administration
as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor. Jeffords states that she has
learned a lot from both positions and looks forward using what she’s
learned. “I want to be a part of positive change.” When
she’s not working, furthering her education or sharing her relatively
new home with husband Chris, Jeffords is a member of the Governor’s
Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment and recently returned to ABIL
as a Board member. “I
took me a while to realize how much I have to contribute as a person
with a disability. I believe in ABIL’s mission and I joined the Board
because I truly believe in the Independent Living philosophy.” Jeffords
is glad to be back in support of ABIL and it’s programs, and we’re
glad to have her back! Welcome back Nikki! WE CAN DO THIS! – Now is the time to get involved in TRIP April 12th, 2004 1:00
- 3:00 P.M. -
Meeting location change - 1717 W.
Jefferson, Phoenix Governor’s
Council on Developmental Disabilities, Room 110 All
interested individuals and organizations are urged to attend the next
TRIP meeting. We will be planning the Let’s Keep Moving Summit to be
held on May 24th. We need partners and volunteers! The upcoming November
ballot will be the MOST important vote on transportation in the last 20
years! Our disability community needs to be informed. Please RSVP at
602-443-0722 or by email to davidc@abil.org by April 7th if you are
planning to attend or need transportation. Let’s
Keep Moving Summit
SAVE THIS DATE!!!
May 24th, 2004
10:00 A.M. to 2:00P.M. ASU Downtown, 502 E. Monroe St.,
Rooms C 340-350
Who should attend:
Individuals with Disabilities, Advocates, Family Members and Friends,
Disability Groups and groups representing Seniors.
Community Leaders and Transportation experts
will
help us understand the Maricopa Regional Transportation Plan that will
be on the Nov. 2nd ballot – including expected improvements in public
transit. Become
informed - so you can help get others to REGISTER and VOTE on
this important issue that will extend the half cent sales tax for the
next 20 years to improve regional transportation (Roads, Freeways,
Buses, Dial-A-Ride, Light Rail). With you we can pass this – without
you we won’t! Voter Registration Forms Available at the Summit and
all ABIL offices Co-sponsored by
TRIP (Transit Regional Improvement Project), the Governor’s Council on
Developmental Disabilities and ABIL. Peer Mentor Training Rescheduled - We
Want You!
May 4th - 10:00AM-4:30PM
May 6th - Noon- 4:30PM 2345 E. Thomas
Rd. Suite 290, Phoenix Give
the gift of yourself! Are
you someone who: · Has a disability, or are close to someone who does · Has successfully achieved independent living on your own · Is willing to assist others to achieve their own independent living
goals If
so, we have peer mentor opportunities for you! · One-to-one contact with people with disabilities · Outreach to people at rehab centers and nursing homes · Advocacy for individuals
and community issues · Participation in
disability awareness presentations Peer
Mentor Training includes: · Disability Awareness · Adjustment to Disability · The Independent Living Philosophy · Communication · Goal Planning · Crisis Intervention · Legislation · The Mentor/Mentee Relationship · and much more! If
you or someone you know is interested, call Ann Pasco at 602-443-0725.
Applications must be received in the ABIL office by April 26th. 2nd Annual Crisis
Intervention Roundtable for Law
Enforcement April 7, 2004 10AM-4PM
Presented by the Mental Health Advocates Coalition of
Arizona
El Zaribah Shriners Auditorium
552 N. 40th St., Phoenix
(South of 202 on 40th St.)
Registration: 9:30AM,
Lunch provided. $10 at the door.
$10 scholarship paid by AZPOST and five continuing education units
awarded for police officers. Space is limited. For information call Rae
Hopf 480-296-3556.
E-Mail: mentalhadvo@yahoo.com
Sponsored
by Mental Health Advocates Coalition of Arizona (MHACA), Arizona Peace
Officers Standards and Training Board (AZPOST), St. Luke’s Health
Initiative, Eli Lilly Foundation, AZ Department of Health Services, META
Services, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals - ”Virtual Hallucination CD” If
I Had A Hammer
By
Darrel Christenson As
Maricopa County’s population continues to expand and grow faster than
most all counties in the nation, housing is springing up everywhere one
looks. Safe, affordable housing is the cornerstone to any family’s
happiness and well being in the community. Persons with disabilities
have the same desire to establish a home for years to come as anyone
else. However, behind the scenes there is a culture in the housing
industry that isn’t actively seeking your dream with you. Most
homebuilders and developers have standard floor models and methods of
building new homes. Any change from this standard represents a “change
order” with an additional fee to the buyer. For instance, changing the
heights of the light switches or electrical outlets to be more
accessible does not require more materials or more labor, yet this
change order will cost a customer with a disability more money to have
it done. A zero step entrance through at least 1 door can be
accomplished either by going in the front door or from the garage or
carport to the house. Yet this change order from their standard 4”
step requires additional fees to the buyer. Profit margins are generally
higher for change orders than for other aspects of construction. Many
times individuals building homes are either not aware that accessible
features are available to them or if they are, they find out that
additional fees are attached. Inclusive home design is a concept that
provides for someone to live at home throughout the entire lifespan.
Zero step entrances, wider doors and hallways and an accessible bathroom
on the first floor are all minimums for such a home. Homebuilders
associations and developers need to learn that inclusive homes are not
just for those with disabilities, rather for the entire market. Too
often we have experienced such defiant resistance about this concept
because they have to think outside the box! They falsely claim that it
is too costly to make a fully accessible home or that there isn’t the
demand for it or they will do whatever the customer requests. In fact,
if they were to make accessible features such as lever hardware, raised
toilets, lowered countertops, adjusted heights on switches and outlets
the norm, then items like doorknobs, lower toilets, 4” steps would be
charged extra as a change order! We
need to DEMAND that homebuilder
associations and developers make inclusively designed homes the norm at
no extra charge. Persons with disabilities, young families, seniors, we
all benefit from inclusive designs for all. The American marketplace is
on the verge of growing considerably older as millions of Baby Boomers
demand better housing because they have the hammer.
GET
EMPOWERED! Join
one of ABIL’s advocacy e-groups and keep informed on what is going on
in AZ and around the nation regarding issues of importance to people
with disabilities. Advocacy e-groups include Empower (general alerts)
and topical alert lists: transit, healthcare/Rx drugs, Independent
Living, Employment. Anyone who subscribes can post events and alerts on
the list. It’s yours. Use it! Just send a note asking to subscribe at listserv@abil.org
Please
help us get the word out by including this notice in your
organization’s publication.
All
Advocacy presentations are free - Participants must RSVP with
David Carey, 602-296-0523. 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, April
26
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ABIL
East - 225 East 1st St. Ste. 206, 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,
April 12 10:00
a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ABIL
East - 225 East 1st Street. Ste. 206 Mesa, AZ Monday,
April 19, 1:00
p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 2345
E. Thomas Rd. Ste. 290,
Phoenix AZ Wednesday,
April 28, 1:00
p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Metro
Center Office, 10000 N. 31st Ave, D-405, Phx Work
Incentives & SSI
Thursday,
April 29 1:00
p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 2345
E. Thomas Rd. Ste. 310,
Phoenix AZ City of Phoenix Human
Services Department, Community Services Division Learn about: ·
The Community Services Section that manages five (5) Family Service
Centers across the city that assist low income households through a
variety of services. ·
The Community Initiatives Section who do work in such areas as: ·
The Homeless Programs Section that coordinate services for homeless
people through contract administration and management of the Winter
Overflow Shelter Program. Guest
speaker: Moises “Moe” Gallegos, Deputy Human Services Director Tuesday,
April 13
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location:
2345 E. Thomas Rd., Ste. 290, Phx America West Airlines - Vacation Time Coming!
Will
be discussing the travel process for people with disabilities.
They will be discussing the do’s and don’ts.
In addition, offering tips for before, during, and after the
travel process. There will
also be a question and answer session.
Guest
Speaker: Cheryle Eckhardt/Kellie
Simms, Customer Relations Friday,
April 30
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location:
2345 E. Thomas Rd., Ste. 290, Phx Transitioning
Together
By
Fernando Cruz, MSW, Reintegration Program Coordinator Joseph
D’Addario and Gloria Villa first met three years ago in Glendale Care
Center, where they were both residents. Gloria had been there three
years prior to Joe’s moving in. A few years earlier Gloria had to make
the difficult decision to move herself into Glendale Care Center. “I
was living at home with my parents who were taking care of me, but they
were living their lives around me. They couldn’t do what they wanted,
they always had to make sure someone stayed with me if they went out,
things were changing around there and it was all because of me. That’s
when I decided that it was time for me to move. I came here because I
wanted them to live their lives. I will be okay in here.” Three years
later she would meet someone who would make it okay for her. Joe
first became involved with ABIL’s
Reintegration Program in July of 2001 when he was a resident at
Desert Sky Health and Rehab Assisted Living. One day he decided to move
out on his own and moved in with some friends. While living with his
friends he developed blood clots in his lungs and had to be
hospitalized. Upon release from the hospital and because he had to be
monitored closely for possible development of more blood clots,
he was admitted into Glendale Care Center. There he met and fell
in love with Gloria, “I
was a little suspicious of this guy who kept coming around bothering me,
but I soon found out he was harmless.” Thereafter they became an item.
Where one went the other would follow.
“He did most of the following,” quips Gloria. They
became so inseparable that they soon became engaged to be married. Joe
could always be found hanging around Gloria’s room, so once they
became engaged they were allowed to share a room together. They had two
hospital beds put together, rails and all. Gloria said with a smile,
much to Joe’s embarrassment, “I just pull up a rail on my bed when I
don’t want to be bothered.” Once
Joe found out that his reintegration contact, Fernando Cruz, had
returned to work at ABIL, he called him asking for assistance in moving
out of the Glendale Care Center. Then on October 7, 2003, Joe introduced
Gloria to Mr. Cruz. Both Joe and Gloria were eager to start looking at
possibilities for their transition. After
receiving information of a possible vacancy at a nearby accessible
apartment complex, Joe wasted no time in visiting the Coppertree Villas
Apartment Complex in Glendale. He filled out an application and in no
time at all, with the help of Joe’s father, was able to secure an
apartment. A
few weeks later, October 24th., Joe moved into Coppertree Villas
Apartment Complex without Gloria. Due to a surgery that was scheduled
the same day as the move, Gloria was not able to move into their new
home right away. They both had been dreaming of this day for so long.
Nothing was going to keep them from losing their new apartment, so Joe
went it alone for a few days. Today,
Joe and Gloria are very happy in their own apartment. Joe enjoys cooking
and working on his hobbies, rock collecting as well as working in his
garden. Gloria enjoys her hobby as well, “keeping Joe in line.” They
both enjoy watching professional wrestling on television together.
According to Joe, Gloria can be pretty loud when they watch wrestling
together. “At first, it was a bumpy road, but soon after everything
fell into place, we could have not asked for anything more.” They are
grateful to have had the support of their families during their
transitioning period. For
more information on ABIL’s Reintegration program, contact Fernando
Cruz, 602-443-0708, Leonard Smith, 602-296-0533 or Paula Grodecki,
480-222-4212. 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 ABIL
Community Calendar – RSVP for All Events Funding
for Social and Recreational activities is provided (in part) by the Area
Agency on Aging, Region I, Inc. and the Arizona Department of Economic
Security. ABIL requests a $1+ donation (each way) for transportation
provided on the ABIL van. Consumers must be 18 years+ or own legal
guardian for ABIL van transportation.
Please do not wear scented products or smoke when attending
events. Reasonable Accommodations, including Sign Language Interpreters
and Personal Assistants, will be provided at ABIL events upon request. Apr
07
Healer Within,
1-3:30 PM. Thomas/Ste 310. Women’s wellness group: Body, mind and
spirit - Make an appointment with yourself. Donna Kruck, 602-443-0722 Apr 08
SR/Arts & Crafts Group,
10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Phx/Kitchen. Come be creative with Arts and Crafts
projects. Cost: $2.00. (Bring $3.00 for pizza or your own lunch.) Leanne
Jones, 602-296-0535 Apr 08
V.O.I.C.E., 11:00
AM- 2:00 PM. A monthly support and information group for individuals
with disabilities, their families & rehabilitation providers.
9th Annual V.O.I.C.E. picnic at the Encanto Park Clubhouse, 2605
N. 15th Ave. Phoenix. Clayton Guffey, 602-789-9129 Apr 12
TRIP Meeting, 1-3:30 PM. Please see details on page 5.
Transportation planning meeting. New location this month -
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, 1717 W. Jefferson,
Room 110, Phx. Call Mary Hartle-Smith, 480-733-5266 Apr
12
SSDI/Work Incentives, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Mesa/Classroom. Details page 7. David
Carey, 602-443-0723 Apr
13 City of Phoenix,
1-3:00 PM. Thomas/Ste 290. City of Phoenix Human Services Department,
Community Services Division. Details page 7. David Carey,
602-443-0723 Apr 14
SR/Deer Valley Rock Art Center, 10:00
AM- 2:00 PM. The Hedgpeth Hills petroglyph site has over 1500
petroglyphs on nearly 600 boulders in a 47 acre nature preserve. 3711 W.
Deer Valley Road, Phx. Cost: $2.50.
Group tour. Leanne Jones, 602-296-0535 Apr 16
COMPASS, 2-
4:30 PM. Providing direction and networking to persons with
disabilities. Scottsdale Senior Center, 7375 E. 2nd St., Bldg. 2, Rm. 5,
Scottsdale. Susan DeNova, 602-470-1802 x114 Apr
19
SSDI/Work Incentives,
1-3:00 PM. Thomas/Ste 290. Details page 7. David Carey, 602-443-0723 Apr
20
PDBTAC Teleconference, Noon
-1:30 PM. Phx/Kitchen. “Leave As an Accommodation: How Do You
Determine if it is Reasonable?” Darrel Christenson, 602-296-0530 Apr
21
Healer Within, 1-3:30
PM. Thomas/Ste 310. Women’s wellness group: Body, mind and spirit -
Make an appointment with yourself. Donna Kruck, 602-443-0722 Apr 26
Work Incentives/Providers,
10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Mesa/Classroom. Details page 7. David Carey,
602-443-07 Apr 26
SR/Newsletter Party, 9:00
AM - 3:00 PM. Phx Kitchen. Leanne Jones, 602-296-0535 Apr 28
SSDI/Work Incentives, 1-3:00 PM. Metro/Classroom. Details page 7. David Carey,
602-443-0723 Apr 29
SSI/Work Incentives, 1-3:00 PM. Thomas/Ste 310. Details page 7. David Carey,
602-443-0723 Apr 30
America West Airlines -Vacation Time Coming!, 1-3:00
PM. Thomas/Ste 290. Flying with a disability. Details page 7. David
Carey, 602-443-0723 ADA/PDBTAC
Teleconference April 20th Noon-1:30PM
ABIL/Phx Leave As An Accommodation: How Do You Determine if it is
“Reasonable”? Adele Rapport, Attorney, Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) RSVP to Darrel, 602-296-0530. Classified Ads
Deadline: April 14th
To place a disability related ad, call 602-443-0724 or send by
email marked “Want Ad” to carolanq@abil.org
ABIL provides space for individuals to place personal disability
related ads free of charge. The fee for a disability related business ad
is $25. ABIL is not responsible for the quality of advertised items or
services. Please call to
renew ads. FOR
SALE: ‘00
Chevy conv. van, 5.7 V-8, AT, 15Kmi, Braun lift, 6-way pwr seat, hand controls, $20,000.
Cindy 480-513-8044 or 716-969-9777 ‘90
Dodge Grand Caravan w/ramp and tie-downs, easily removed Captain’s chair passenger seat,
Center & passenger side tie-downs. Floor lowered 10", sliding
side door. Fits standard garage. 66,525 mi., Tires & transmission 8
mo. old. Rear bench seat. Exclnt cond, runs great! $6,000. Diane,
(h)480-820-9464 or (w) 480-752-0683 ‘93
fully loaded Grand Caravan, w/lower floor, ramp, removable driver passenger seat w/e-z
lock hook up & tie down (front & back), low mileage 65,000, good
condition, but needs some A/C work. $2500. Call 602-504-0450 Email:
tf9216@aol.com or call 602-487-8888 '88 Ford E-150
wheelchair van. 302 engine,
raised top & door. New AC, alternator, & tires. Fairly new
engine w/40k miles. Good for C5-C6 quad or para. Dual sun roof, security
alarm, limo tint, custom leather int. Runs great. Must Sell. $4,995 OBO.
John, 602-861-1139 ‘03
Pronto M6 electric wheelchair, used under 1 hr. Asking $2500. Mini Deluxe Walker w/basket
new $240. Asking $75. Call 623-582-5576 after 4pm ‘03
Pride Jet 7 power chair, new 7/03 Red, tan leather seat and back rest. Not used since
10/03. Original cost: $5775. American adjustable bed, w/lifetime
warranty, bought new 6/03 for $2200. Both bed & chair are new and in
excellent condition. Asking $1700 for the bed, $2700 for the chair or
$3900 for both. Call James 623-363-1525. Quickie
manual wheelchair, blue, seldom used. New pneumatic tires all around. exc. upholstery
w/slight 8º back
bend. Comfortable seating w/choice of swing away arm rests, (padded or
rubber coated.) Also, swing away foot rests. Nice fold-up w/c, incl. Roho
cushion and velcro cushion cover! Excellent cond.! Sell as is, only
$750. Firm! Must see. Interested? Will include 2 wall grab bars, FREE!
Serious calls only, please. 480-425-0902. Leave message if no answer. Pride
Jet III scooter for larger person and hydraulic lift for back of vehicle. $2500
for both. Call Sue 623-544-4199 Wheels
Electric Wheelchair, for smaller person. Good cond., seldom used. Worth $3500, asking Best
Offer. Call Charles, 623-846-4574 |