The Bridge
News from the
Volume XVIII, Number 7
JULY 2007
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!"
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(ABIL & Staff contact numbers can be found at the end of the document)
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- Employment -
Making the
You are invited to join us
to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
July 26, 2007
11:30am 1:00pm
Agenda:
11:30 - Noon - refreshments
Noon - Speakers
Ψ Michael Walker, Chief Council for litigation
, Office of the Attorney General
Ψ Bar
Association Sticht Award
Ψ and Much More!!!
Many strides have been made over the last 17 years in the
area of architectural, telecommunication and programmatic accessibility.
Employment discrimination remains a serious barrier for individuals with
disabilities and federal courts have actually weakened the impact of the
For accommodations or travel assistance contact
Yvonne at 602-443-0705 or yvonnec@abil.org.
Sign Language Interpreters will be provided - AzDAC is providing
travel scholarships.
Co-sponsors: ABIL, in conjunction with the
AzDAC Members: Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona
Bridge to Independent Living, Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of
Hearing, ARC of Arizona, Arizona Self-Advocacy Coalition, DIRECT Center for
Independent Living, Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities, Mental
Health Association of Arizona, People First of Arizona, SMILE Independent
Living Center, Statewide Independent Living Council.
Register NOW for the
Dont miss your chance to meet disability rights pioneers
Judy Heumann and John Kemp
See details below!
August
16-17, 2007
Plug into
Power!!! Expand the
Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel,
Scholarships available statewide
Early registration July 6th -
Registration deadline July 16th
For registration materials go to www.azsilc.org or call 602-262-2900
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to attend the
2007 Independent Living Summit. This year we will be presenting an exciting
program focusing on expanding the IL Network in
We hope to see you next month!
AZ IL
AUGUST 16
8:00 8:45 Registration/ Continental Breakfast
8:45 10:00 Welcome Phil Pangrazio, Tony DiRienzi
Keynote Address - Judy Heumann, co-founder
of Disabled in Action & the World
Institute on Disability.
(See
www.disabledinaction.org/photos_heumann.html and www.npr.org/programs/wesun/features/2002/504/index.html )
10:30 12:00
Independent Living
Resource
Development for Organizational and Program
Housing
Inclusive
Housing Design
Workshop -
Standardized Caregiver Training
Workshop -
Disability Awareness Panel
12:15 1:30 Lunch
Speaker,
John Kemp, co-founder of the American Association of People with
Disabilities ( See www.damonbrooks.com/john_kemp.htm
)
1:45 3:15
IL (cont.) A Network
Connection
Housing (cont.) A View of
AZ Inclusive Housing
Workshop - Vote
Early, Vote
. Heck, Just Vote!
Workshop - Rural Issues:
Innovative Ideas and Practices for Reaching Rural
3:30 5:00
IL (cont.) - Generating
the Power
Housing (cont.) - Where Do
We Go From Here?
Workshop -
Disability Studies: Why It Matters
Workshop - But My Doctor Says
I Cant Work!
5:15 Reception
and Screening of Right to Risk documentary
AUGUST 17
7:30 8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 10:00
Health Care Reform
An
Electrifying Agenda for Change - The
Status of the
Social Security Reform
Whats
Next with Social Security and Work?
Outlines
for Reform ~ The Disability Continuum,
Social
Security and other Income Support Programs
Workshop -
AHCCCS/ALTCS
Consumer Directed Care Model
Workshop - Native
American Issues
10:15 11:45
Health Care Reform (cont.) Healthcare
Industry Panel of Experts Plugging in the Solutions
Social Security Reform (cont.) Discussion
of Language and Terms with Questions from the first Session
Workshop - People
First of
Workshop - National
Issues Panel
12:00 1:30 Lunch
Improbable Theater Company performance
1:45 3:15
Health Care Reform (cont.) Advocacy
The Fuel of Systems Change
Social Security Reform (cont.) Social
Security Reform: Breakout Workgroup Sessions
Workshop - Living Well with a Disability
Workshop - Youth Panel: An IL Perspective
3:30 5:00 Report Out and Next Steps
July 17th
11:00am-12:30pm
ABIL Main/Phx
Representatives of the federal
agencies present an update of their
RSVP to
Andrew Moody, 602-296-0536.
Teleconference presented by Pacific Disability and
.
AZ Freedom to Work, Work Incentives Planning &
Assistance Q&A By Erik
Jensen
Q: Im on
SSDI and have recently began working. Im confused
because one friend says I can only make $640 per month, but another says I can
make $900. Can you explain this?
A: Sounds like you need an appointment with a
Community Work Incentives Coordinator! Both $640 and $900 are related to
working while on Social Security Disability. If you have not worked since the
date of your SSDI entitlement, gross monthly earnings of $640 or more (in 2007)
will trigger a Trial Work Period month.
Any month you earn $640 or more will be considered a Trial Work
month. Social Security allows you a Trial Work Period consisting of 9 months.
You can earn as much as you choose during your Trial Work Period.
Once you have finished your Trial
Work Period (9 months), then
Social Security looks to see if you have a gross earnings of $900 or
more (in 2007) and they look at what other work incentives you might be
eligible for which might reduce the earnings they count as earned income. If, after considering work incentives that
can be deducted, your income is over the
$900 amount and your disability is the same, your cash benefits may be
suspended, your Medicare will continue, and you will enter an Extended
Period of Eligibility for another 36 months. During that Extended period of Eligibility
your cash benefit is suspended for any month you earn more than the $900 amount
(after work incentive deductions).
Confused? Give us a call at 602-443-0720 (V), or
602-443-0737 (TTY) and let us help you understand Social Security incentives
and work. A Community Work Incentives
Coordinator can help you figure out what path to take for your financial
future.
MEDICARE 101
Workshop: Train the Trainer on Medicare related programs
coming the week of July 16th.
If you are interested in receiving this training
contact
Yvonne,
602-443-0720
Advocacy Presentation:
Monday, July 9
1:00pm - 3:00pm
ABIL -
Please join us as representatives from AHCCCS discuss the
three programs below!
l Health Care for
Working Individuals with Disabilities - The AHCCCS Freedom to Work
program provides Medicaid services to qualified individuals with disabilities
who are determined ineligible for regular Medicaid. This program is designed to
remove barriers faced by individuals with disabilities who would like to return
to work or increase their work hours without fear of losing their Medicaid benefits.
This program is for individuals who have been determined disabled by Social
Security Administrations or Disability Determination Services
Administration [DDSA] and are currently working.
l Health care for
individuals on SSDI waiting for their Medicare to start SSDI -Temporary
Medical Coverage is a program was established by the State of
l
Teleconference available: Interested individuals can attend
this presentation in person or via teleconference call. In order to attend via conference call,
please call David Carey at 602-443-0723 no later than Friday, July 6, 2007.
.
Access the
Fun!
Accessible
Places for People with Disabilities in the Valley of the Sun
ABIL wants
everyone to access the fun our great city has to offer. We would like your
feedback on this informal survey. In the categories below, please fill in the
most accessible, ADA-friendly establishments you have encountered in the
Phoenix-area:
1. Movie Theatre (please list location as
well i.e. Harkins at
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. Restaurant
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3. State or
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
4. Sports Arena
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
5. Concert Venue
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
6. Museum/Theatre
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
7. Night Club / Bar
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
8. Hotel
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
9. Library
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
10. Other
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Access the Fun! Continued
In the categories below please fill in
the most accessible, ADA-friendly establishments you have encountered outside
of
11. Airport
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
12. Airline
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
13. Hotel
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
14. Sports Arena
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
15. Concert Venue
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
16. Museum/Theatre
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
17. Night Club / Bar
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
18. Restaurant
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
19. Other
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
20. What are some of the most accessible
cities to visit in the
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
To submit your survey: Drop it off
in the lobby while at an ABIL office OR
Mail to:
OR
Fax to:
.
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.
No fragrances please. To
accommodate those with allergies, breathing conditions or multiple chemical
sensitivities please do not smoke or wear scented products when attending ABIL
events.
Work Incentives Planning &
Assistance (WIPA)
- On Social Security Benefits?
- Do you want to work?
- We can help you understand the Social Security rules, new work
incentives and how to work your way out of poverty.
Friday, July 13 10:00am
12:00pm
ABIL West Office,
Donna Lorti - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Workshops for Consumers
Learn how employment will affect your cash and medical
benefits. Sign up for the workshop that matches the kind of Social Security you
receive. If you receive both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), David will help you get an appointment with
a Work Incentive Specialist. If you are unsure which kind of Social Security
you receive, require alternate materials, and/or assistance with
transportation, and to RSVP, call David at
602-443-0723.
Family members and/or support persons are welcome.
Tuesday, July 3 10:30am
12:30pm
City of
Rhonda Webb - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Tuesday, July 24 10:00am
12:00pm
Erik Jensen - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Friday, July 27 1:00pm
3:00pm
ABIL West Office,
Donna Lorti - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Tuesday, July 17 10:30am
12:30pm
City of
Rhonda Webb - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Tuesday, July 24 1:30pm
3:30pm
Erik Jensen - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
Monday, July 30 1:00pm
3:00pm
ABIL West Office,
Donna Lorti - Community Work Incentives Coordinator
..
To participate in the presentations below via teleconference
please contact
David (Local Calls Free)
Please join us as representatives from AHCCCS discuss these
three programs!
l Health Care for Working Individuals with
Disabilities
l Health
care for individuals on SSDI waiting for their Medicare to start SSDI
l
Guest Speakers:
Tracy Carrier, AHCCCS/Freedom To
Work/SSDI-TMC
Angelica Quezada, AHCCCS/Long Term Care
Monday, July 9 1:00pm
- 3:00pm
ABIL -
Attend in person or via teleconference call. In order to attend via conference call,
please call David no later than Friday, July 6, 2007.
Rehabilitation Services & Employment
The mission of the AZ Rehabilitation Services Administration
(RSA) is to work with individuals with disabilities to achieve increased
independence and/or gainful employment. Come and learn about what RSA can do
for you. RSA Programs:
l Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
l Independent Living Rehabilitation (ILRS)
l Employment Support Services (ESS)
l
l Business
Bring your questions. This workshop will help you understand how RSA
can help you can become economically independent through work.