P R O G R E S S I V E C E N T E R F O R
I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G, I N C.
The Forward
Spring 2003
featurearticle
Got Employment?
PCIL hosted an informative workshop about NJ WINS. A representative from Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey informed people with disabilities (PwD) about the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. The goal of the presentation was to provide benefits counseling and promote employment to lower the staggering 70% unemployment rate within this segment of the population (less than one half of one percent of PwD return to work).
People who have a disability and receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive a "Ticket" in the mail to get employment support services and/or vocational rehabilitation services by January 2004. The Social Security Administration (SSA) have set up employment networks (EN) to assist with employment prospects and vocational rehabilitation. People looking to use the ticket for services would contact the SSA's administering agency, Maximus. They will get hooked up with an EN provider, talk over their situation, helping them come up with a plan to find and secure a job.
For information on NJ WorkAbility call the Division of Disability Services at 1 (888) 285-3036; information on NJ WINS call 1-877-NJWINS2 or 1(866) 946-7465 or visit on the web:
· NJ Workability
· NJ WINS
· Social Security Administration
comment
It's All About A Fit
Life is all about a fit; so is your job. Being employed, as in working, having a job has different meaning and value to different people.
Working to many people means having to do something they do not want to do, but do it because they need the money. Working to some people means self esteem, independence, confidence, friendships, and partnerships. It's about fitting in and being part of society.
Whether it is friends, family, relationships, living together, employment or our community, leading a fulfilling life is all about a fit.
There are barriers, limitations and disincentives that affect people with disabilities (PwD) in reaching gainful employment. Transportation is an issue in obtaining employment; is it the cart or the horse? PwD must be educated, especially with computer technology. I see too many people who could be employed but do not know how to use a computer.
I can not swing a hammer like my father and brother who are carpenters. So what should I do? Get educated in something that will link me to employment.
A couple things are clear: in order to work you need a positive attitude, education, training or experience and a way to get to work. Only one half of one percent of PwD on Social Security get off and go back to work. A big part of the reason is spelled d-i-s-i-n-c-e-n-t-i-v-e-s. Those PwD who usually find and hold gainful employment are people who are willing to work, are educated, trained, experienced, can get there and earn enough money to overcome the disincentives.
It all will still come down to a fit, no different than anyone or anything else. The only difference is that I can not swing a hammer.
Executive Director
Scott Elliott >
legislative/advocacy
Opposing Jeffrey Sutton
Jeffrey Sutton's nomination to the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has been approved by the Judiciary Committee, but has yet to be approved by the full Senate. More than 400 disability and civil rights organizations and thousands of individuals from across the Nation have been actively working together in opposing Sutton's confirmation. Hundreds of people with disabilities (PwD) showed up for Sutton's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. They wore buttons that read "Stop Sutton!" and "Don't Roll Back Our Rights." Having a large number of PwD show up to witness Sutton's testimony forced the hearing to be moved to a larger and more accessible room.
Sutton has been successful in dismantling federal disability rights and civil rights protections. He has actively worked to weaken Federal protections for PwD, minorities, seniors, female victims of violence, Medicaid recipients and others. Here are a few cases that he was involved in:
In Westside Mothers, Sutton successfully argued that Medicaid recipients can not sue to protect their rights under the law. States have been working on persuading courts to rule that PwD have no right to enforce their rights under Medicaid, Section 504, IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act.
In the Garrett case, Sutton argued that Congress had no authority to give state employees who have been discriminated against the right to sue employers for damages under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In Olmstead v. LC, Sutton argued that keeping PwD in institutions was not a form of discrimination.
In Alexander vs. Sandoval, Sutton argued that individuals with disabilities can not privately enforce regulations under Title VI, a race discrimination statute. States have used Sutton's arguments in persuading courts that PwD should not be allowed to enforce regulations under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA requiring reasonable accommodations and integration of individuals with disabilities.
This alone is more than enough reasons to stop Sutton from getting a lifetime seat of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Unfortunately Dianne Feinstein voted for Sutton! It is not too late to make a difference. We can do this! Keep up the hard work everybody and do not forget that we have come a long way over the past twelve years! Together, you and I and the rest of the community can celebrate!
Megan Timbie and Susan Yochim >
______________________________
Other Bills of Note:
· Families protest NJ State Assembly hearing on restraint, call substitute bill a mockery of Matthew Goodman's death. Assembly Committee Substitute number is A-2849 & 2855. For more information visit http://www.matthewlaws.bravepages.com
· Bill to increase fines for violators parking in spaces designated for PwD (S-2076) passed Senate, now needs passage by Assembly (A-3038).
· Legislation targets crimes against senior citizens and PwD. Bill A-1735 was approved by Assembly Judiciary Committee (Senate version S-1188).
mindbody
Stress
Stress is all around us these days. There's stress about war, stress about the economy, and those of you who have not yet filed, your taxes surely give you stress.
Stress is defined as a feeling of tension that is both emotional and physical. Here are some ways stress can effect you:
· migraine headaches
· emotional stress: depression
· poor diet: loss of appetite
· insomnia: sleeplessness
· hair loss: severe stress
There are some things a person can do to manage stress:
· physical activities: individualized exercise plan
· nutrition: eat healthy
· social support: plan some fun
· attitude: positive thinking
· relaxation: listen to music, nurture yourself
These things do not guarantee that you will never experience stress but it will help you handle it better.
Nicole Davis >
______________________________
You Are ...
unavoidable, unplanned, loud,
flamboyant, blunt, very necessary,
life, feared, planned, always coming,
forceful, everywhere, an eye opener,
avant garde, slow, now, overnight,
promised, hope for, deserving,
strong, courageous, wise, loved,
thought provoking, strange.
you are ...
change
thumbsupthumbsdown
thumbsup to Inn Of the Hawke, one of the few Lambertville restaurants that are easily accessible for PwD. The Inn has accessible bathrooms, parking, entrance and patio.
thumbsup to CBS TV and its hit reality show "Survivor" for including a female deaf participant. After all, actions speak louder than words.
thumbsup to Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for senior citizens, programs are designed to help limited or moderate income individuals, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking and senior taxpayers. For more information visit online at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/vita_tce/tax4free.htm
thumbsup to Ewing Township for installing an Accessible Pedestrian Signal at an intersection of Pennington, Ewingville and Upper Ferry Roads. The American Council of the Blind is involved in a project to determine what are the best types of crossings. It is very difficult to pick up the traffic light sequence since there is rarely any still traffic at this intersection.
______________________________
... my hope is that
i'm loved forever
and utilized fully
and positively to the
best of my abilities ...
didyouknow ... ???
The New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council (NJDDC) in conjunction with the Women with Disabilities Healthcare Steering Committee is sponsoring a seminar for Women of color with disabilities. The Health Mosaic will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Mary Roebling Building in Trenton, NJ. For more information contact Pat Krupka of the NJDDC at (609) 984-4513 or Nicole Davis of PCIL at (609) 530-0006 ext. 12.
Abilities EXPO 2003
The one show committed to educating and improving the lives of PwD and senior citizens. The show introduces products and services for independent and assisted living. Products on display for testing and comparison will vary from computers to athletic equipment and other unique solutions for life's daily living challenges.
· FREE Workshops & Seminars
· Equipment Demonstrations
· Hundreds of Products and Services
· Non-Profit & Community Organizations
NY Metro
NJ Convention & Expo Center
Edison, NJ
· Friday, April 11, 2003
10 am - 5 pm
· Saturday, April 12, 2003
10 am - 5 pm
· Sunday, April 13, 2003
11 am - 5 pm
Visit www.abilitiesexpo.com or call (800) 385-3085 for FREE tickets and more info. All events are wheelchair accessible.
PCILpicks
Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide
The "Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide on the Special Needs of People with Disabilities for Emergency Managers, Planners & Responders" highlights key concerns for emergency planning and assists in developing plans and needs of PwD before, during and after emergencies. This Guide offers steps emergency preparedness managers can take into account in all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) introduced Emergency Preparedness Initiative in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11. NOD encourages all government/management to develop and customize a plan for emergencies.
For more information about the National Organization on Disability feel free to call Phone: (202) 293-5960/TDD: (202) 293-5968/ Fax: (202) 293-7999 or write: 910 Sixteen Street, N.W./Washington, D.C. 20006.
feedback
The Ability
When we first pulled into the parking lot there were people coming from every whichway and direction heading towards the church - what made this such a humbling experience was that most of the people that were coming had a disability. They came in wheelchairs, on crutches, they walked with wobbly legs, with help from attendants, they used canes, hearing aids, seeing eye dogs, electric scooters, and they made their way the best that they could into the church. Yet, despite the effort it took to get there, all that came felt a deep need to say goodbye to a tiny woman that did so much for the disabilities community.
I had only met her one time before and I spent more time mourning her death than I actually spent knowing her. One by one people got up and unfolded the life of a strong, spirited woman, word-by-word, and story-by-story. We laughed, we cried, we sang, we clapped, we held hands, listened to the choir - made up mostly of people with cognitive disabilities which made it all the more meaningful especially as they sang Amazing Grace.
What impresses me most about the disabilities community is the strength in their ability to stick together - as a family, community, and as advocates for human rights. It occurred to me that they are used to dealing with despair, disappointments and hardships. Their freedoms are attacked everyday. I was told once by a good friend that he doesn't get upset when things go wrong in the day. "When you have a disability", he said “you expect it, things never go as planned, you get used to it, and you don't dwell."
At the end of the service a woman got up and said something to the effect that she would take people with disabilities (PwD) over normal people any day. This statement did not sit well with me, because PwD are normal people. One in five Americans has a disability of some kind, which makes having a disability the norm. I don't think of anyone with a disability as not normal. Some people have a big nose or big hips, and some people have a disability -- what's the difference. And, no one ever knows when they will be struck by a disability, the numbers grow every day. But, I couldn't just stand-up and yell that in the middle of the funeral.
The service concluded with a litany for wholeness:
"Let us pray for all God's people….”
For the people who are blind and can not see for those who can see but are blind to people around them.
For people who move slowly because of accidents, illness
or disability and for those who move too fast to be aware of
the world they live in.
For the people who are deaf and can not hear and for those who can hear but ignore the cries of others.
For people who are troubled in mind and spirit, and for those who are too proud to admit to having problems.
For people who learn slowly, for people who learn in different ways and for people who learn quickly and easily but often choose ignorance.
For people who have chronic illness for which there is no known cure or relief, and for people who live in unholy fear of developing a chronic illness.
For families, friends and caregivers who serve people with disabilities and for those who feel awkward in their presence.
For people who think they are worthless and beyond your love and for people who think they don't need your love.
For people who feel isolated by their disabilities and for people who contribute to that sense of isolation.
For all the people in your creation, that we may learn to respect each other and learn how to live together in peace.
Amen"
Avery English >
aboutPCIL
PCIL works with PwD and their families through education about supports and services to assist with leading independent lifestyles in the community.
Topics/Issues:
· transportation
· education/training
· medical coverage
· home skills
· housing
· employment
· social security
· civil rights
· accessibility
· finance
· transition
· assistive technology/devices
Sponsored/Hosted Programs Includes Workshops & Conferences:
· Emergency Planning That Includes People with Disabilities
· Understanding Your Health Insurance
· Cross-Disability Peer Support Group (monthly)
· Home Finance and Budgeting
· Disabilities and Addictions
· Disability Awareness & Sensitivity Training
· Social Security
· Cooking
· Deaf Awareness
· Advocacy Group (monthly)
· Deaf or Hard of Hearing/Substance Abuse Support Group,
· Americans with Disabilities Act.
Volunteer Program Activities:
· reading
· copying
· filing
· programs supports
· mailings
· database updates
· writings
· building maintenance
Emphasized Outreach Efforts:
· Urban
· Rural
· Deaf Services
intheknow
Accessibility Tour
PCIL will be conducting an accessibility tour of the Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville, NJ during the first or second week in April. We will be looking at a few things such as: how easy it is to enter the store with a scooter or wheelchair, space in the aisles, clutter in the aisles, and whether or not store employees provide helpful and courteous customer service.
We want to hear from you. If you or someone that you know has had a bad experience with a store we want to know about it.
Contact us at (609) 530-0006 (voice) TTY (609) 530-1234 and let us hear your story.
Nicole Davis>
_________________________
Useful Links
PCIL continues providing resources to make independent living an achievable and maintainable goal for PwD. Below are a list of useful links to assist with transportation, housing, employment, assistive equipment, support, education and civil rights and liberties.
· www.nod.org
· www.fema.gov
· www.access-board.gov
· www.njil.org
· www.ilusa.com
· www.njddc.org
· www.njleg.state.nj.us
· www.ncd.gov
· www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/daa/dbtac.html
· www.apse.org/APSElinks.html
· www.cpofnj.org/NJWINS.htm
· www.accesspointsolutions.com
· www.state.nj.us/njoem/index.html
· www.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/dvr.html
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