FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2008


Office of Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier and
Financial Planning Associations of Connecticut
Announce the FPA CT Pro Bono Network

Cromwell, CT- Speaking at the Seventh Annual Money Conference for Women, State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier announced Saturday the launch of a statewide initiative to help Connecticut families cope with personal financial management issues in the midst of a troubled economic environment.

The Office of the State Treasurer joined forces with the Financial Planning Associations (FPA) of Connecticut to develop the CT Pro Bono Network, which will provide a free half hour consultation with a certified financial planner to individuals who seek advice on issues such as how to juggle saving for retirement and college while paying off a mortgage or car loan.

In addressing the Money Conference for Women, Treasurer Nappier said, “The FPA CT Pro Bono Network could not come at a more important time. The unprecedented market turmoil, brought on by the credit crisis, threatens many Connecticut families with uncertainty about their jobs and enough money to pay their bills. People who live paycheck to paycheck are wondering how they will make ends meet. This Network is an important source of assistance to many Connecticut families struggling to find answers to the most important questions about how to make ends meet and plan for a secure financial future.”

The Financial Planning Associations of Connecticut serves the Connecticut Valley, Fairfield County and Greater New Haven with 50 members participating in the Network.
Individuals interested in speaking with one of the Association’s certified financial


planners can call 860-721-PLAN (7526) or toll free 1-800-490-4237. A planner will evaluate the callers’ specific financial concerns and assist them in identifying solutions to achieve financial growth and stability as their life circumstances change.

Christopher M. Lee, CFP and Director of the FPA CT Pro Bono Network said, “FPA chapter members have been searching for ways to reach out to those who would not be able to afford our services. We are excited about offering pro bono financial advice to the general public.”

Treasurer Nappier chose to announce this new initiative at the Seventh Annual Money Conference for Women in recognition of the conference’s unique attendance by women from all ages, economic backgrounds, and with varying degrees of financial knowledge. Over 400 women who attended the conference were introduced to the Pro Bono Network. Co-sponsored by the Treasurer’s Office and the YWCA of the Hartford Region, the Money Conference for Women has brought together more than 3,000 women since 2001 to learn about how to better manage their financial affairs.

Treasurer Nappier has made advancing financial education a hallmark of her administration, working collaboratively with community-based and faith-based organizations and the business community to promote financial education statewide, including programs aimed at young people, women and underserved communities. In February, 2008 the Nappier administration in partnership with the University of Connecticut convened the “Your Dollar, Your World,” a personal finance and economics conference attended by more than 500 high school students.

The Treasurer’s commitment to financial education also extends to ensuring that Connecticut citizens have an affordable and accessible college education. In her role as trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), the Treasurer helps families save for their children’s education. CHET is the official 529 college savings plan for Connecticut, created specifically to help Connecticut families save after-tax dollars for future college expenses. Anyone with a Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number can open an account with as little as $25 per Investment Option, or with as little as $15 per Investment Option via payroll deduction. CHET is the only 529 college savings program for which Connecticut taxpayers may claim a state income tax deduction on contributions made before December 31st.

Primary funding support for the Pro Bono Network counseling service has been provided by Bank of America with additional resource assistance from the National Foundation for Financial Planning, Chapter Grant program.

###

Contact: Lisa Monroe
Communications
(860) 702-3014
lisa.monroe@ct.gov

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! GET OUT AND VOTE

DNEC is not endorsing any candidate, however we offer the following information so that you can make an informed choice. In September, the Ohio Legal Rights Service prepared a side-by-side comparison of the Presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues.

http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

AN INVITATION FOR YOU TO APPLY FOR THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM (YLF) FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES - 2009

FROM: Karen Halliday, Director, Kathleen Kabara, President
Connecticut Youth Leadership Project, Inc.

2009 will be the eleventh year we are offering this innovative leadership program. The four-day forum will include many exciting educational and motivational activities to assist you in strengthening your leadership skills. The forum will take place July 27- July 30, 2009 at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus.

We are inviting you to apply, and are asking for your help in recruiting other students to apply for the forum. Completed application packets must be postmarked by January 16, 2009 and mailed to the address noted on the enclosed application. Through a competitive process, approximately 40 students will be selected to attend the forum. If you are accepted to YLF you will be required to attend follow-up sessions after the forum to implement your Community Action Plans.

It is the goal of the YLF planning committee to select students from all regions of Connecticut, who represent a wide range of disabilities and ethnic backgrounds.

The Youth Leadership Forum is sponsored through the cooperative effort of the public and private sector in Connecticut. There is no cost for you to attend the forum.

All information in your application is strictly confidential and will only be shared with members of the YLF selection committee. Applications may be downloaded by accessing the website at www.ctylp.org

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 16, 2009

DISABILITY LAW LOWDOWN PODCAST in ENGLISH, SPANISH, and AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

PRESS RELEASE
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jacquie Brennan
DBTAC Southwest ADA Center
713.520.0232
jbrennan@bcm.edu

October 23, 2008 - The Disability Law Lowdown is a podcast series devoted to disability law issues. It is available for free download on both iTunes and the Disability Law Lowdown website at http://www.disabilitylawlowdown.com/. Listeners can subscribe to the podcasts to have shows automatically delivered to them. The podcasts are also available on the DLL website, where transcripts of the shows are simultaneously available.

New episodes are available today, including The ADA Amendments Act (the English podcast), Employment Discrimination and the ADA (the Spanish podcast), and Law Enforcement and the ADA (the ASL podcast).

The Disability Law Lowdown brings listeners the latest information about disability rights, disability case law updates, obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability-related topics.

Disability Law Lowdown is brought to you by the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), which is a national network of ten ADA Centers, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws.

To subscribe or listen, look for the Disability Law Lowdown podcast on iTunes, or go to the website at http://www.disabilitylawlowdown.com/.

FLU SHOTS FOR VETERANS

For those of you who get your flu shots at the VA, they are starting to give them on October 9th in West Haven. 8:30 am till 4pm, in the lobby in Bld. 2. No appointment is necessary, but you must be enrolled in the VA Connecticut Healthcare system, and ID is required.

The same requirement applies If you receive care at the Newington VA, they will start on October 16th and be administered from 8am till 11am on the 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, Nov. 1st, 6th, and 13th.

If you go to the clinics in Danbury, New London, Stamford, Windham, Winsted, or Waterbury you may call for an appointment, or get it when you go for your regular visit.

DON'T FORGET TO GO AND GET YOURS!!!!!

Stay well,
Ron

Ron Rusko
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Connecticut

Mental Health Parity Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk for Signature

Mental Health Parity Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk for Signature: Congratulations, Advocates!

Today we are one step closer to ending discrimination based on mental illness. Advocates have worked countless years to achieve this victory, and we applaud you! Congratulations on this historic day.

Your phone calls, email, faxes to and meetings with Members of Congress paid off. Congress included Mental Health Parity in their economic bailout package that is on its way to the President’s desk for signature! NCIL worked in coalition with Mental Health America and the Mental Health Liaison Group to enact this critical legislation. Below is a summary by MHA:

Mental Health America Hails Approval of Federal Parity Legislation

Bill Broadly Outlaws Health Insurance Discrimination; Recognizes Importance of Mental Health to Overall Health

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588-Office or (202) 744-6341-Cell or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 3, 2008) — Mental Health America today hailed as “a great civil rights victory” the approval of mental health parity legislation that will broadly outlaw health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions in employer-sponsored health plans.

The legislation, which recognizes the importance of mental health to overall health, bans employers and insurers from imposing stricter limits on coverage for mental health and substance-use conditions than those set for other health problems. It will provide parity for 82 million Americans covered by self-insured plans and another 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.

It is estimated that roughly 67 percent of adults and 80 percent of children requiring mental health services do not receive help, in large part because of discriminatory insurance practices
Mental Health America, which has worked for years to pass mental health parity, applauded Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), as well as Senate and House leadership key committee chairmen for championing the legislation and their long-standing commitment to ending this civil rights inequity. This victory also owes much to tireless champions such as Rosalyn Carter, David Wellstone and tens of thousands of Americans who have pressed for this historic reform.

“This is a historic day and a great civil rights victory for millions of Americans who have been unable to access mental health treatment,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “With approval of this bill, we will tear down the walls of stigma and discrimination and the open the doors to the power and promise of treatment and recovery. It recognizes that mental health disorders are every bit as debilitating, and just as treatable, as cancer and diabetes.

“With economic problems making it even harder for Americans to afford treatment and driving up rates of depression and family difficulties, passage of this law is even more important.”
The legislation, called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, builds on the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the recent approval of Medicare legislation that reduces discriminatory co-payments for mental health services. Dr. Shern said the law’s approval should spur further action to improve mental healthcare.

“This law sends a powerful message that we as a nation must address mental health conditions with the same urgency as other health problems,” he said. “We must continue to enact policies that embrace that principle.”

The legislation applies to group health plans of 51 or more employees. The bill takes the following steps:

• There is no requirement as to what conditions must be covered. But when a mental health or substance-use condition is covered, it must be at parity with medical coverage (except to the extent that a state parity law requires broader coverage). Specifically, it prohibits group health plans that offer coverage for any mental health or substance-use conditions from imposing treatment limitations and financial requirements on those benefits that are stricter than for medical and surgical benefits.

• If a plan offers out-of-network benefits for medical or surgical care, it must also offer out-of-network coverage for mental health and addiction treatment and provide services at parity.

• Strong state parity and consumer protection laws are preserved while extending parity protection to 82 million more people who are not protected by state laws and 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.

State parity laws vary widely from state to state (for a map of state laws, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity/states).

The legislation also establishes an important oversight mechanism to determine if insurers are discriminating against certain conditions or failing to cover some treatments.

In 2007, Mental Health America helped mount a nationwide tour that galvanized support for mental health parity. Led by Reps. Kennedy and Ramstad, the series of town hall meetings heard testimony from Americans living with mental illnesses, business leaders who have benefited from workplace mental health programs, experts on mental health and addiction, and administrators of programs that bear the huge cost of untreated mental illness.

For fact sheets on the legislation and more information, go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity

CT Association of Centers for Independent Living
151 New Park Ave. Suite 106
Hartford, CT 06106-2191

860-656-0430 Voice
860-656-0486 Fax
860-656-2353 TDD

M. Jodi RellGovernor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2008

Governor Rell: Requests for Home Heating Aid Three Times Higher than 2007
Since Mid-August State has Received More than 18,000 Applications

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that more than 18,000Connecticut households have applied for winter heating assistance, more thantriple the amount the state handled the same period last year.

"There is no question that this winter will be one of the mostexpensive ever for Connecticut families," Governor Rell said. "Some ofthese families, who have never needed help before, are now reaching out. That iswhy I insisted that we expand our eligibility requirements so we can serve asmany as possible."

The Department of Social Services reports that intake agencies havereceived 18,816 since mid-August, compared to just over 6,400 on October 1,2007. Households can start receiving assistance on November 1. Assistance isavailable to low- and moderate-income residents and other vulnerable households.

"The chilly autumn days have arrived and we all know theConnecticut winter is not far behind," Governor Rell said. "Theconcerns over heating homes, coupled with the high cost of groceries and othergoods, deepen day by day."

The Connecticut Energy Assistance and Contingency Heating programsreceived a big boost this week when the federal government approved more than$104 million in heating assistance for Connecticut. The Governor also workedwith the legislature to ensure that state's entire $84 million surplus bededicated to various heating assistance programs.

For more information on energy assistance programs, includingeligibility and where to file and application:
Call 800-842-1132 or the state information line at 2-1-1

Visit www.ct.gov and click on CT Energy Resources link

Visit www.ct.gov/dss

Adaptive Clothing

Have you ever sought adaptations to clothes for special needs?

Many special clothing companies have ceased operation.

Now "Special Clothes" is closing, but you can still find reasonably priced items at www.adaptationsbyadrian.com.

We've made high quality capes, body suits, sitter pants and other products for 15 years, with thousands of happy customers.

This is our new 800 #: 888-214-8372.

A professional receives a 10% discount on an order faxed to 760-481-7068. A free brochure will be mailed to you upon request.

Email Adrians1@sbcglobal.net.

FIRST EVER ASL VIDEO PODCAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jacquie Brennan
DBTAC Southwest ADA Center
713.520.0232, jbrennan@bcm.edu
FIRST EVER ASL VIDEO PODCAST from the
DISABILITY LAW LOWDOWN

August 21, 2008 – The first ever video podcast series in American Sign Language announces new episodes on the Disability Law Lowdown website at ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com. The Disability Law Lowdown ASL podcasts bring a new level of service to the Deaf community by expanding traditional audio-only podcasts to include video that allows subscribers to see native Deaf speakers signing the show’s content. The podcasts deliver the latest in disability law information every other week via American Sign Language, captioning, voice-over, and transcripts to maximize accessibility. Free subscriptions to the ASL podcasts are available to have shows automatically delivered to MP3 players. The ASL podcasts are also available on the Disability Law Lowdown website, where transcripts of the shows are simultaneously available. And for the fastest viewing, the ASL podcasts are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/disabilitylawlowdown.

Topics currently available include: Your Legal Rights as a College Student, Legal Obligations of the Hospitality Industry, Requesting an Interpreter, and an Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The hosts for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown are native Deaf signers Danny Warthling and AJ Roupp. They will provide the latest information about disability rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability-related topics. Subscription is free and RSS feeds are available to automatically download the shows to video iPods, computers, phones, and other video-capable devices.

Disability Law Lowdown is provided by the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), a national network of ten ADA Centers across the country, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. DCRE Labs developed the Disability Law Lowdown website and brought together several new technologies as part of the Disability Law Lowdown project.

To subscribe, look for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown podcast on iTunes, or visit http://www.ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com .

Secretary of State's Office Wants to Hear From You

The Secretary of State's office is doing extensive voter outreach as they prepare for the November 4th Presidential election. As you probably know, they use a paper-ballot voting machine and have a special telephone in each polling place that can be used to cast a ballot for people who are blind, sight-impaired or for some other reason would prefer not to fill out a paper ballot.

If there is anything they can do to help you feel more familiar and confortable with voting in November, please feel free to contact their office.

Lesley D. Mara
Deputy Secretary of the State
(860) 509-6268

Presidential Candidates' Stands on Disability Policy Issues

The following is a letter from NCIL, the National Council on Independent Living, regarding the positions of our Presidential Candidates on Disability Policy Issues


Dear Fellow Advocates:

As many of you know, I announced at the NCIL annual conference that Senator McCain was changing his position on the Community Choice Act (CCA) and that he would be making a formal announcement of his support for the CCA at the Disabilities Issues Forum in Ohio. This information had been given to me by a staff person within the McCain campaign with direct responsibility for disability policy issues. Therefore, I felt confident in making this announcement to the NCIL membership during our time together at the conference.

However, as we all now know on July 26, the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at the Disabilities Issues Forum in Ohio, Senator McCain once again stated that he does not support the Community Choice Act.

The National Council on Independent Living supports two pieces of legislation in regards to people with disabilities receiving services in the community. They are the Community Choices Act and the Community Living Assistance, Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. There is a strong historical linkage between NCIL and the struggle for people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities - not in institutions. We believe it is important for the NCIL Membership to know that Senator Obama is signed on as a co-sponsor of both of those pieces of legislation and Senator McCain is a co-sponsor of neither. For more information on where the candidates stand on our issues, visit the candidates’ campaign websites: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues and http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities.

The Community Choice Act would give people with disabilities the right to live with dignity in homes of our choosing, rather than to be forced into nursing homes or other institutions. Senator McCain said that he opposes the Community Choice Act because of cost, placing the value of money over the value of people with disabilities’ dignity and choice. Also, evidence-based research by Dr. Mitch LaPlante from the University of California San Francisco, who is recognized as one of the foremost disability researchers in the country, proves that the Community Choices Act is affordable.

We must end the institutional bias now. We have to stop locking people away from home, friends, and family just because they have a disability. Ending this bias will make a better and richer society because history has shown that ending bias and segregation against people, any and all people, is good for us all.

We encourage you to continue and ramp up your advocacy efforts and to exercise your right to vote. In the words of Justin Dart – “Vote as if your life depends on it, because it does.”


Sincerely,

Kelly Buckland
President

YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED to pass ADA Amendments Act of 2008

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008, referred to earlier this year as the ADA Restoration Act, awaits action in the U.S. Senate. It passed the House of Representatives (HR 3195) by a 402-17 margin in June.

When the Senate reconvenes in September, we need to have them pass the new and improved ADA so we can get it signed into law before Congress breaks again for the November election. Senators Dodd and Lieberman need to hear from their CT constituents that the ADA Amendments Act has your support.

To contact Senator Lieberman:
Tel: (202) 224-4041
Fax: (202) 224-9750
For TTY Call 711

or for his CT office:
(860) 549-8463
(800) 225-5605
(860) 549-8478 Fax
For TTY Call 711

To e-mail a message, go to:
http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact

To contact Senator Dodd:
Tel: (202) 224-2823
Fax: (202) 224-1083

for his CT office:
(860) 258-6940
(800) 334-5341
Fax: (860) 258-6958

To e-mail a message, go to:
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128

ACT NOW TO SUPPORT DISABILITY RIGHTS

The regulations governing accessibility standards required by the ADA are being revised, and there are many items about which we need to be concerned.

The proposal includes many items that affect private businesses as well as the accessibility of state and municipal government activities.

We have until August 18 to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Justice.

To review the proposed regulations, go to the Department of Justice website:
www.ada.gov/NPRM2008/ADAnprm08.htm.

The Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF), perhaps the most respected disability rights organization in the country, has prepared draft comments for your review.

To review DREDF's draft visit www.dredf.org/DOJ_NPRM.

Act now to support disability rights!

Connect-ability Forums to be held in August

The Windham Region Connect-ability Strategic Planning Committee will host community meetings in the month of August to solicit information from consumers, employers, service providers, friends, family and concerned citizens to identify barriers to employment for people with disabilities and identifying, developing and testing solutions with a focus on transportation issues.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

August 6, 2008 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Windham Regional Community Council
872 Main Street, Willimantic, CT

August 11, 2008 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Mansfield Senior Center
303 Maple Road, Mansfield, CT

August 13, 2008 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Windham Regional Community Council
872 Main Street, Willimantic, CT

August 20, 2008 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Willimantic Town Hall
979 Main Street, Willimantic, CT

August 27, 2008 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Willimantic Town Hall
979 Main Street, Willimantic, CT

The planning partners for this grant:
Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living

(CACIL) (860-656-0430)

Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut (DNEC) ( 860-823-1898)
Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) (860-4456-1462)

Feedback Needed on Telephone Voting Technology

The Board of Education and Services for the Blind is pleased to announce that the Office of the Secretary of State is seeking to receive feedback from voters on their personal experiences in using telephone voting technology in the last election.

Based upon the feedback submitted, the Secretary will be acknowledging the efforts of polling locations that offered good customer service and smooth utilization of the accessible voting machines. In addition, for locations where the experience was not positive, the Secretary wishes to learn of the specific issues encountered, along with the polling location involved, so that corrective action can be implemented prior to the next election.

Your perspectives are very important, so please consider sharing your observations by sending an email to: lesley.mara@po.state.ct.us.

This announcement is also available on the BESB website by clicking on the link below.Accessible Voting <http://www.ct.gov/besb/cwp/view.asp?a=2850&q=331490>

Understanding money management/budgeting, Credit Reports, Credit Cards and Credit reports

Deaf Focus Group - Free Workshop

Presenter : Sheryle McMillan from Consumer Credit Counseling Services will be presenting on topics such as how to obtain a FREE copy of your credit report, understanding what your credit report says about you gaining financial control in your life by making a budget work for you why credit cards are neither friend nor foe and how to make your dollar worth more!

When: Thursday, October 9th 2008

Time : 6:00-8:00

Where: Otis Library -261 main street Norwich, CT 06360

All are Welcome!

Please pass the word on to family and friends.

For more information click on picture below, or feel free to contact Brynn Hickey or Linda Fafard at (860)823-1898 (v), Videophone IP Address 75.149.135.141. AOL IM screen name DNEC Deaf or email at bhickey@dnec.org, or lfafard@dnec.org.

Directions:

From Route 2 East:

Turn right onto Washington Street (Backus Hospital on right). Head south and take left fork onto Broadway. About a half a mile take right onto Union Street. At intersection, take a right back onto Broadway. At next light take a left onto Main. Library is 3 blocks down on right.

Identity Theft and Scams

Deaf Focus Group

Identity Theft and Scams

Mark Loundsbury, from crime prevention unit of the Norwich Police Department, is coming to our meeting. He will discuss identity theft and scams. We will learn how to protect ourselves. This is important to all people including the deaf community. We hope to see everyone there.

Presenter: Mark Loundsbury, Norwich police department

When: Wednesday, September 17th 2008

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Otis Library -261 main street Norwich, CT 06360

All are Welcome!
Please pass the word on to family and friends.

Please feel free to contact Brynn Hickey or Linda Fafard for more information at
(860)823-1898 (v), Videophone IP Address 75.149.135.141
AOL IM screen name DNEC Deaf or email at bhickey@dnec.org, lfafard@dnec.org.


Directions:

From Route 2 East:

Turn right onto Washington Street (Backus Hospital on right). Head south and take left fork onto Broadway. About a half a mile take right onto Union Street. At intersection, take a right back onto Broadway. At next light take a left onto Main. Library is 3 blocks down on right.

New Charter Oak Health Insurance Plan

The new Charter Oak Health Plan began taking applications on July 1st with coverage to begin in September.

Premiums per person vary between $75 and $279/month with an annual cap on services of $100,000, in addition to the lifetime $1 million cap. Annual deductibles range from $150 to $900 (and up to $1,750 for families) and above that amount, consumers will have to pay 10% of inpatient hospital bills and 20% of outpatient surgery and medical tests. There will also be co-pays on office visits and prescriptions drugs, and there is a $4,000 annual cap on durable medical equipment.

The three participating health plans are Community Health Network, Aetna Better Health and AmeriChoice (UnitedHealth Plan). Charter Oak covers hospital care, doctor or clinic visits, X rays and lab tests, prescriptions, and some mental health and substance abuse treatment. There is no pre-existing condition exclusion and subsidies in premiums and deductibles are based on income.

While Charter Oak is an important new option for CT's uninsured, it may not be right for everyone. As with all insurance, consumers need to do their homework.

Charter Oak may not be right for consumers who:

• Have insurance now - (with some exceptions, you may not be eligible if you've had insurance in the last six months)

• Don't have money in the bank available for health costs ($900 deductibles plus 10% of hospitals stays can get very expensive)

• Have high prescription needs (prescriptions are limited to $7,500/year)

• Need to see a specific doctor (the provider panel is likely to be very limited)

• Need dental or vision care (they are not covered)

• Need mental health or substance abuse treatment (coverage is limited and high cost sharing applies to certain services)

Consumers who want more information or to sign up can go to http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/ or call 1-877-77CTOAK

(1-877-772-8625).

This information is taken from the CT Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) June/July 2008 Newsletter and the CT Health Policy Project website http://www.cthealthpolicy.org/

Thank you,
Alicia Woodsby, MSW
Public Policy Director
NAMI-CT

Toll Free Hotline for Info about Charter Oak Health Plan

From the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
In Hartford (Phone 860-297-4369, TDD 860-566-2102, Fax 860-566-8714):

The Governor announced that a new toll free hotline, 1-877-77-CTOAK (1-877-772-8625), has been set up for the public to get more information about Charter Oak [health plan]. The line will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. More information and applications can be found at www.charteroakhealthplan.com

A copy of the complete text of the proposed regulations is available at no cost upon request from the Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings, Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street,
Hartford, CT, 06106, E-mail Patricial.Pion@ct.gov

A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 30 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford.

Written comments will be accepted until August 15, 2008. Please refer to Regulation Control Number
08-08/EA when submitting written comments.

Comments should be sent to:
Department of Social Services
Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings
25 Sigourney Street
Hartford, CT 06106
ATTENTION: BRENDA PARRELLA

Disability rights protestors force meeting with Bush Administration

PRESS RELEASE
For more information:
Kelly Buckland (208) 869-4135
Shannon Jones (913) 486-4565
Brad Williams (518) 424-8121

Disability rights protestors force meeting with Bush Administration

WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2008)

Over 200 disability rights advocates from across the country protested outside the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) located at Potomac Center Plaza.

The boisterous group chanted until the Assistant Secretary of OSERS, Tracy Justesen, came down and agreed to meet with a delegation from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The NCIL delegation presented the memberships demands to the Assistant Secretary.

Specifically at issue is RSA's recent interpretation of the Rehabilitation Act and the negative impact it will have on the operation of Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC's). Despite years of accepted operation, RSA has limited the scope of councils so that they function according to minimum statutory duties.

"In Kansas, by advocating for public policy issues, we have increased the employment rate for people with disabilities by 20%," stated Shannon Jones of Topeka, Kansas. "These types of advocacy efforts are being thwarted by RSA's narrow interpretation of SILC duties. Once again, people with disabilities will be marginalized because of bureaucratic nonsense."

After meeting for more than an hour, RSA agreed to respond in writing to NCIL's demands. While NCIL looks forward to their response, they are concerned about how these restrictions will continue to impede policy related to people with disabilities.

UPDATE: Support Groups will be running in the evening

Previously both the Women's Support and Skills Group and the Caregivers' Support Services were being held in the morning, but people have requested evening groups instead.

Therefore, beginning July 24th, The Caregivers Support Services will run the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6PM to 8PM. Click on picture to the left for flyer with more info.

The Women’s Support and Skills Group will run from 6PM to 8PM, beginning August 7th, on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Click on picture below for flyer with more info.

Parents of children with autism

Looking for parents to share experiences:

This summer a graduate level course is being taught at St. Joseph 's College in West Hartford on teaching children with autism. We are looking for parents who would be willing to come in and talk with the students about the experiences of parenting a child with autism. The date would be Wednesday July 30th; the time would be approximately 5:30-7:00. The students are teachers who are working on a certificate in teaching students with autism. A light supper will be served.

Please consider doing this if you can; it is a great way to help teachers get to know the family perspective. If you are able, please contact me at mailto:mkardos@sjc.%20edu

Thanks,
-Tanika

Tanika Simpson, LCSWPrimary Prevention Services Coordinator
Children's Trust Fund-Help Me Grow
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

Charter Oak Health Plan

Governor M. Jodi Rell today said that public interest in Connecticut’s new Charter Oak Health Plan continues to grow, telling a news conference at the Community Health Center in Middletown that the state has received more than 10,000 calls and 3,000 applications received since the plan opened to the public on July 1.

For more information, please visit http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3293&Q=419638

CT Spokebenders Demonstration

You are invited to join us on the New Haven Green Tuesday July 22nd. at 6:00 pm. for a demonstration by Connecticut' s own wheelchair basketball team, the Connecticut Spokebenders! This event is sponsored by the New Haven Commission on Disabilities and the American Institute of Architects' BP&R Committee to mark the 18th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For particulars on the team go to http://ctspokebenders.awardspace.com/. Rain location is Wilbur Cross High School.



Michelle M. Duprey, Esq.Director, Department of Services for Persons with DisabilitiesCity of New Haven165 Church StreetNew Haven, CT 06510(203)946-7651 Fax: 946-8587 TTY: 946-8582



To download the flyer click on the picture below.

Urge Senator Barack Obama to attend the Ohio Presidential Candidates Forum!

The following is from the Center for Disability Rights:

"Stop Telling People with Disabilities, "No, I can't."

"With just a few days left until the Presidential Candidates Forum on July 26th in Columbus, Ohio, we need advocates to increase the pressure on Senator Barack Obama to attend the forum.

Thanks to the hundreds of advocates that have used the Center for Disability Rights' website, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has received commitment from Senator John McCain to participate in the entire forum, via satelite. Senator Obama's campaign team has yet to commit and is offering a representative instead. This is not acceptable!"


Click the following link Take Action! if you would like to convey your message to Senator Obama.

State legislation recently enacted that affects people with disabilities

The Connecticut General Assembly has enacted several disability-related pieces of legislation, according to The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities: “the Autism Pilot Program within DDS was expanded, public school teacher education requirements were modified to include preparation for teaching students with autism spectrum disorders, and mandates were enacted requiring insurance coverage for autism-related services. The legislature also authorized a significant expansion in the Money Follows the Person program, including a component that applies to people who have not previously lived in a long-term care facility. It is clear that many legislators are “getting it”, and that the persistence of advocacy groups is paying off. Which is good, because disability advocates will need both legislative allies and an abundance of persistence to secure funding and translate these directions into solid program gains.”

For more info on any of the above programs or services you can click on the following link Legislation Update to get to that part of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities' website.

Or you can click on the following link for the General Assembly’s website, http://www.cga.ct.gov/. The CGA website also offers an excellent vehicle for tracking proposals when the Legislature is in session. If you want additional information about legislative processes feel free to contact the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities at (860)297-4369

Employment Planning Series

The Connecticut Department of Labor bus will be coming to DNEC to provide a series of workshops. All are welcome.

There will be sign language interpreters.

If you have any questions or want to sign up please contact Brynn Hickey at 860-823-1898 X21 or bhickey@dnec.org.

Dates:
August 14
September 18
October 16

Topics:
Basic Word program skills
Job search strategies and interviewing techniques
Resume development

Caregivers' pay at heart of lawsuit

Paralyzed man's independence at stake, it claims

By Alan Gustafson
Statesman Journal
Oregon

Paralyzed since he broke his neck in a 1996 diving accident, Clay Freeman depends on 11 machines and around-the-clock care to stay alive.

With assistance from in-home caregivers who took him to classes, Freeman graduated from Chemeketa Community College in 2006.

He also has relied on caregivers to take him to movies, on shopping trips and other outings, including school functions and sporting events for his five nieces and nephews.

Distressingly, the Salem quadriplegic has had a hard time retaining the caregivers who serve as his conduit to daily life. Some have burned out tending to his complex needs. Others have resigned to take less rigorous work that pays better.

When another caregiver called it quits early this month, Freeman, 34, was left with two of the five hands-on assistants he needs to monitor his machines and assist him with breathing, eating, toileting and more.

The caregiver crisis posed life-threatening complications for Freeman and crimped his federally mandated rights to live with as much independence as possible, according to a lawsuit brought against the state of Oregon on his behalf.

"Mr. Freeman is now at risk of being forced to live in a nursing facility 'an institutional setting' because he has been unable to hire and train three of the five personal attendants needed to meet his daily needs," states the lawsuit.

The federal civil-rights lawsuit asks that the state be required to provide enhanced caregiver compensation so that Freeman can hire the help he must have to deal with his daunting disabilities.

Under contract terms with the state, average pay for Oregon's 11,500 unionized home health care workers is slightly less than $10 per hour. To recruit and retain caregivers for Freeman, the state must pay at least $12.90 per hour, his lawyers say. The state also has to ensure that his caregivers get proper training, the lawsuit asserts.

A federal judge has issued a temporary ruling in Freeman's favor. A week ago, U.S. District Court Magistrate Thomas Coffin ordered the state to provide Freeman with five caregivers at the $12.90-per-hour rate. Coffin also directed the state to supply Freeman's caregivers with training provided by a licensed registered nurse.

Freeman's lawyers are asking for a permanent court order that would enforce the higher pay rate. Opposing lawyers are expected to make oral arguments before Coffin at a hearing this summer.

For Freeman, the temporary court order was a crucial victory, said one of his lawyers, Peter James of the Oregon Law Center in Salem.

"This is wonderful. I mean, this person's life was in danger, and I think the court recognized that and acted accordingly," he said.

Since the ruling, one additional caregiver has been enlisted to work with Freeman, pending completion of state hiring checks and other requirements. Efforts continue to land two more caregivers, bringing the total to five.

State officials declined comment on the suit Thursday.

"There's not a whole lot we can say except confirm that there is a suit," said Stephanie Soden, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Justice, which is defending the state against the suit.

Named in the suit are the state Department of Human Services; Bruce Goldberg, human services director; and James Toews, head of the Seniors and People with Disabilities section of DHS.

Freeman's case casts a spotlight on a much-touted state program that provides Medicaid-eligible disabled people with in-home care. It has been praised for promoting independence for people who otherwise might be housed in nursing homes or other facilities.

Oregon was one of the first states to establish home-care services for federally supported Medicaid clients in 1981. Home care is a popular option for elderly and disabled clients because it allows them to stay in familiar settings and remain as independent as possible. Many clients pick their own caregivers.

Currently, about 11,000 Oregonians are enrolled in the program, Toews said Thursday.

"It's a huge part of Oregon's system; probably one of the biggest in-home programs in the country," he said. "The number of people that actually get almost 24-hour (per day) in-home care is a much, much, smaller number."

In past years, the innovative home-care system was plagued by revolving-door turnover rates among its work force. In 2000, Oregon voters supported a reform-minded ballot measure intended to improve the quality of care and accountability in the system.

Measure 99, passed by 63 percent of Oregon voters, amended the state constitution to create a Home Care Commission to set standards for caregivers, provide training and publish a registry of qualified workers.

The measure also gave workers the same rights as public employees to bargain collectively, except for the right to strike.

Determined to shed their status as an invisible work force, home-care workers voted to unionize in December 2001.

Since then, collective bargaining has brought modest pay raises for caregivers, along with modest reductions in turnover rates.
"We've gone through two or three collective bargaining rounds and now they get wages, benefits, workers compensation, a few days off," Toews said. "So it certainly has improved the turnover rates ... but it still is a work force that turns over pretty rapidly."

Freeman did not respond to a Statesman Journal request for an interview about his case.

But he asserted in a court document, dated June 3, that his own caregiver turnover problem began more than three years ago. He linked it to state cutbacks in pay for his lead caregiver "who then was paid $12.50 per hour" and additional pay cuts for his other attendants, who also formerly had received wages above the standard rate.

"This practice ceased about 31/2 years ago when my last grandfathered attendant left," Freeman asserted. "Since that time, the rate of pay has dropped to $9.90 per hour and I have been unable to find people to provide the level of care I need."

Amid caregiver scarcity, Freeman said he was unable to continue his course work at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, where he had been majoring in social sciences.

Freeman said that he made exhaustive but futile efforts to recruit caregivers, including "calling all of the people listed on the Home Care Commission's Web site and placing and renewing weekly an ad on
Craigslist and by advertising at Chemeketa and in the newspaper and at the employment office."

Recently, he stated, his situation became dire when another caregiver departed: "My third attendant left because she found a higher-paying job doing less work at a nursing home."

Freeman said it was hard for him to stave off fear as his two remaining caregivers put in long hours to meet his around-the-clock needs and monitor his extensive medical equipment, including a ventilator and a tracheotomy tube.

"My present situation is very precarious. I am experiencing a lot of anxiety and I fear that I will not be able to find sufficient caregivers without further financial aid and support from the state."

Cherishing his independence, Freeman remained adamant about staying in his own apartment.

"I am absolutely unwilling to go to an adult foster home or nursing facility, as I would lose my freedom to come and go as I please, I would lose my ability to choose my caregivers, I would lose my pets, and I believe that with my skin problems, general condition and depression, my overall health would significantly decline."

--
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at
http://www.stevegoldada.com

Working with People with Downs Syndrome and Dementia

People with Downs Syndrome are experiencing increases in life expectancy however premature aging is not uncommon. According to the Department of Developmental Services, approximately 2,400 people in CT have Downs syndrome and dementia is a prominent concern as they age. In 2006 a reported 73% of people with Downs Syndrome who died had Alzheimer’s disease.

The REACH program is pleased to present a 2-hour training with Dr. Gerard Kerins on Downs Syndrome and Dementia.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 1:00 to 3:00

At the UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

The Exchange
263 Farmington Ave
Farmington, CT
Dr. Gerard Kerins M.D., F.A.C.P.

A member of the CT Commission on Aging, Dr. Kerins is Section Chief of Geriatrics at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven. He holds faculty positions at both the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine.

He is a member of the State of Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities Fatality Review Board and serves as a consultant to the Department of Developmental Services.

His clinical areas of interest and research include Alzheimer's disease care and the care of older adults with developmental disabilities.

Space is Limited

Please RSVP to Jennifer Gorman by 7/11/08 at:

Jennifer.Gorman@ct.gov

or (860) 424-5643

Presented by the REACH Program of the Aging Services Division

Affordable Health Coverage for People Age 19 - 64

Today, Governor Rell announced the opening of applications in this first-of-its-kind initiative to bring access to affordable health coverage to uninsured adults from age 19 through 64.

For those of you who already have health insurance on your own but have contacted the Governor’s Office or the Department of Social Services because you believe the cost is unaffordable, you will see on the application that [they] will consider requests for exceptions to the statutory six-month waiting period. After [their] customer service center receives your quick-start application, you’ll be provided with the list of exceptions. The exceptions will include such factors as loss of employment, loss of HUSKY coverage and economic hardship. In the meantime, you have the option of attaching a separate sheet when you return the application, stating your current health insurance situation and cost. This will help facilitate the review process.

[The] customer service center is at 1-877-77-CT-OAK. Information is also available at www.charteroakhealthplan.com.

Join the CT Tech Act Project's AT Advisory Council

If you are an Assistive Technology (AT) user

or a family member of

someone who uses AT

and

would like to volunteer and give input into the

programs that we offer to individuals with disabilities

throughout the state,

call to find out how you can join the Connecticut

Tech Act Project’s AT Advisory Council.


Call 860-424-4881

for more information

DNEC SUPPORT GROUPS

DNEC believes that change starts with the individual. To that end we are adding two support groups: one for women who have been or are in an abusive situation; and one for caregivers who are in danger of possibly becoming abusive.

Women’s Support and Skills Group
Abuse comes in many forms. It can happen to anyone, any time, anywhere. It is a widespread problem. Everyone knows someone who has been or is being abused, but you may not know it is happening. This group is designed to help women to learn to prevent it from continuing.

Caregivers Support Services
Being a caregiver for a parent, spouse or child is difficult. Many times the pressure of trying to work and take care of someone else builds up and the caregiver can feel frustrated and angry. Although this is normal, unless the caregiver has support, there is a potential for abuse.

Sometimes the abuse is unintentional, the result of the caregiver being overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn for help. This group will offer valuable resources for caregivers, teach coping skills, self advocacy, and stress / anger management, as well as providing group support.

The Women’s Support and Skills Group will run the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 10AM – Noon.

The Caregivers Support Services begins June 12th, from 10AM to Noon, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays.

Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel

VA Begins Next Phase of Combat Vet Outreach

Calls to Ill or Injured Veterans Completed

WASHINGTON (May 30, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has completed making calls to veterans potentially identified as being ill or injured from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF), and will immediately begin targeting over 500,000 OEF-OIF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for health care.

"We promised to reach out to every OEF and OIF veteran to let them know we are here for them -- and we are making real progress in doing so," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

A contractor-operated "Combat Veteran Call Center" is making the initial calls on behalf of VA. All potentially sick or injured veterans on VA's list received an offer to appoint a care manager to work with them if they do not have one already. VA care managers ensure veterans receive appropriate care and know about their VA benefits.

In the new phase, beginning today, veterans who have not accessed health care from VA will be called and informed of the benefits and services available to them. Additionally, military personnel received information about VA benefits when they left active duty, and the Department had sent every veteran a letter with this information after their discharge.

For five years after their discharge from the military, these combat veterans have special access to VA health care, including screening for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. VA personnel have been deployed to the military's major medical centers to assist wounded service members and their families during the transition to civilian lives.

"VA is focused on getting these veterans the help they need and deserve," said Secretary Peake. "I expect these calls to make a real difference in many veterans' lives."

KEEP THE PROMISE

Keep the Promise Coalition
Golden Pen Opportunities!
KTP Advocates…GET YOUR PENS OUT!!

Okay Coalition members, here is a perfect opportunity to educate and inform the community about critical mental health issues … and you can qualify for a Golden Pen Award at the Annual Keep the Promise Awards ceremony in the Fall!

We encourage members to write letters to the editor in response to a powerful editorial from the Hartford Courant.

Please see Monday's Editorial from the Hartford Courant copied below.

PLEASE ACT NOW! Newspapers are normally willing to print responses or other letters within a few days. Be sure to reference the article you are writing in support of. You can go to the KTP web site for a state list of newspapers and to find tips for writing your letter at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9FCRwJ9s3C0uuCaWLfVUWFZzygS3IR8n or contact Cheri or Maura directly at: (800) 215-3021. Be sure to send KTP a copy if your letter is published in order to get credit for a Golden Pen Award. Get your ideas into the media TODAY!

Cheri BraggKTP Coordinator(860) 882-0236; (800) 215-3021
keepthepromise@namict.org

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rauUld91602WMRSF2kfEJlZzygS3IR8n

Back To The Future
June 2, 2008

Connecticut officials had years ago promised to provide mentally ill patients with housing and community-based services to replace costly state psychiatric hospitals that were closing because they were draining the state's coffers.

Lawmakers largely broke their promise, forcing huge numbers of people with mental illness to languish in nursing homes and state prisons, sometimes under bad conditions. The state is now paying for its neglect.

Federal officials last year denied Connecticut $1 million in Medicaid reimbursements because mental health patients exceeded 50 percent of the population at several of the state's nursing homes. By law, nursing homes in which more than half the patients are mentally ill automatically lose their federal Medicaid funding and are reclassified as de facto psychiatric hospitals.

Connecticut expects to lose another $6.5 million in Medicaid reimbursements this year for the same reason. State officials also face a federal class-action lawsuit that accuses them of warehousing the mentally ill in nursing homes.

Had the state done what it promised long ago, it wouldn't be in this mess.

Advocates estimate that there are 3,700 mentally ill patients, most of them under 65, living in nursing homes. Many of them are capable of living in the community with some help. The best that Gov. M. Jodi Rell could do this year to alleviate the problem was offer $9.5 million in proposed budget adjustments over two years for additional community beds and improved screening for the mentally ill. She has dropped the proposal now that rapidly dwindling tax revenues have compelled her and the General Assembly to live with a "do-nothing" budget this year.

The irony is that it costs the state more to keep mental patients in nursing homes than it would to provide housing and community-based mental health programs.Without community housing, the state is resorting to the same expensive warehousing system it did away with over the last four decades.

Copyright © 2008, The Hartford Courant

Workshop offered at CTWorks

DIRECT Workshop

Where you can learn about Disability related Information and Resources, to Educate yourself in Customizing your Transition to employment.


ADA
Contact your local CTWorks Center to register for this Workshop.

Schedule for the DIRECT workshops for June is:

Norwich CTWorks on 6/18
Danielson CTWorks on 6/23
Willimantic CTWorks on 6/24
New London CTWorks on 6/25 (this was Rescheduled from 6/26)

All workshops start at 2:30.

Accessible
Alternate
Dispute
Resolution
(ADR)
Alternate
Formats
Alternate
Methods
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Assistive
Technology Auxiliary Aids and Services Disability
And Technical
Assistance Centers
(DBTAC) Electronic and Information Technology Essential Job Functions Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) Fundamental Alteration Individual
With a Disability Information Transaction Machines (ITM) Job
Coach Major Life Activity Natural Supports Qualified Individual with a Disability
Reasonable Accommodation Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
(RRTC) Section 508 Supported Employment
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Teletypewriter Technology (TTY) Ticket to Work Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973Undue Hardship Vocational Rehabilitation

New Rules Proposed to Implement the ADA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
www.USDOJ.GOVCRT
(202) 514-2007
TDD (202) 514-1888

The Department of Justice Proposes New Rules to Implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice announced today its intent to solicit comment on proposed amendments to its regulations implementing Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The proposed regulations will, for the first time, establish specific requirements for the design of accessible public facilities such as courtrooms and an array of recreation facilities including playgrounds, swimming pools, amusement parks, and golf courses, making it easier for individuals with disabilities to travel, enjoy sports and leisure activities, play, and otherwise participate in society.

The ADA is a landmark law that protects the civil rights of the more than 50 million persons, including 5 million children ages 3 to 14, with disabilities, and was intended to provide individuals "equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency." The ADA bans disability-based discrimination by state and local governments and by public accommodations. Public accommodations are defined as private businesses that are generally open to the public, such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores, theaters, and health care facilities. Additionally, the ADA aims to prevent discrimination as it applies to the design and construction of commercial facilities such as office buildings, factories and warehouses.

The proposed amendments are intended to implement revised guidelines published by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), and to adopt changes necessary to address issues that have arisen since the publication of the original regulations in 1991. The amendments, which represent more than 10 years of collaborative efforts with disability groups, the design and construction industry, state and local government entities, and building code organizations, also are intended to provide greater consistency between the ADA Standards and other federal and state accessibility requirements.

Among other provisions, the proposed amendments to the regulations provide:

* accessible swimming pools, miniature golf courses, boating facilities, amusement rides, and other recreational activities;

* accessible playgrounds;

* captioning of emergency announcements in large stadiums;

* identification of accessible hotel room features, and require guaranteed reservations of such rooms to the same extent as the entity guarantees reservations for others;

* the availability of accessible seating in public venues, such as theaters and sports stadiums, for purchase by people with disabilities; and

* the availability of auxiliary aids, such as video interpreting services, to ensure that people who are deaf or have limited hearing can receive and convey vital information in medical and other settings.

Moreover, the amendments reiterate the requirement for covered entities to permit the use of service animals by people with disabilities, and highlight the distinction that a service animal must be a dog or other common domestic animal that is trained to perform specific tasks to assist its owner. The amendments also provide a "safe harbor" for establishments that comply with the current ADA standards, such that retrofitting to meet new accessibility standards is not required unless the building element is being altered or replaced.

Advance text of the proposed amendments are now available on the Department of Justice's web site at www.ada.gov They will soon be published in the Federal Register, and the Department will seek public comment on the proposals and on related issues that have been identified in the preambles. In compliance with the time period established in the Federal Register, public comment will be accepted at www.regulations.gov. The Department anticipates holding a public hearing on the proposed regulations in Washington, D.C. in July 2008.
http://www.ada.gov/.

More information about the ADA, the proposed regulations, and a public hearing can be obtained on the Department of Justice's ADA home page at http://www.ada.gov/.
Information about the ADA is also available the Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

Know the Warning Signs of Teen Suicide

• A tendency toward isolation and social withdrawal
• Increasing substance abuse
• Expressions of negative attitudes toward self
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Giving away valued possessions
• Expression of a lack of future orientation: "it won't matter soon anyway"
• For someone who has been very depressed, when that depression begins to lift, the individual may be at INCREASED risk of suicide, as the individual will have the psychological energy to follow-through on suicidal ideation.
  

If you or someone you care about is showing any of these signs, don't hesitate to pick up the phone to speak with a trained counselor at The Trevor Helpline 866.4.U.TREVOR (866.488.7386)

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

STATEWIDE DISABILITY PUBLIC FORUM

The State of Connecticut
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
Invites you to a

STATEWIDE DISABILITY PUBLIC FORUM

You Speak ... We Listen

To be held in Groton

Groton Public Library
52 Newtown Road
Groton, CT 06340

Tuesday, June 17, 2008
4:00pm to 6:30pm

The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) is an independent state agency that promotes, protects and defends the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. Every year, P&A develops priorities in response to the needs of people with disabilities. These priorities determine the issues that receive special attention during the year. We determine these priorities partly in response to what people tell us at our annual forum.

If you are an individual with a disability or someone who cares about disability issues, we want to hear from you! Interested members of the public are invited to make brief statements about disability -related experiences and issues that are important to them.

A sign language interpreter will be present at this forum. Contact P&A at least 3 business days before the event at (860) 297-4310, if other accommodations (materials in large print, assistive listening systems, etc.) are needed.

Please refrain from wearing scented products to the forum.

- SAVE THE DATE -

SENIOR LIVING EXPO
Windham
Friday, June 27, 2008
9:30AM – 12:30 PM
East Brook Mall
95 Storrs Road
Willimantic, CT

Health Screenings
Art Show
Information
Raffles
-Seniors
-Caregivers
-Professionals
Plenty of FREE Parking
Handicap Access

Sponsored by Senior Resources

GIMME A BREAK

Excerpts From the article GIMME A BREAK, in the Senior Sentry, May 2008 issue

Caring for a person with dementia is a particularly emotional and tiring job. Even the most dedicated and loving caregiver can experience burnout and the desire to have a break. Respite care can help. It can last a few hours or a few days and can be restorative if it provides an opportunity for renewal.

Respite care is not just for caregivers. Individuals with dementia and other conditions may want the opportunity to meet other people, socialize and spend time in a safe and supportive environment.

WHAT KINDS OF CARE ARE AVAILABLE?
Care can be provided in the home, in an Adult Day Care Center, and by friends and family. Residential care is another option.

HOW DO I CHOOSE RESPITE CARE SERVICES?
In order for a caregiver to feel comfortable leaving a loved one in care, he or she needs to select the right service. Meet the person who will be providing the care. Make sure that person is experienced in Alzheimer care. Visit the facility if it is not your home. Ask for references and be sure to research terms and costs. You may want to make an unannounced visit to get a general sense of the facility.

PREPARING YOURSELF
Some caregivers are burdened with a sense of guilt and failure if they seek respite care. It is important to remember that respite care helps both the provider and the person receiving care.

PREPARING THE PROVIDER
You will want to share information about the individual with the care provider. Information about the individual's likes and dislikes, his/her level of communication, personal habits and favorite hobbies are helpful. Any routines or medication needs are vital to share.

PREPARING THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA
Some individuals will welcome a new face while others may balk. Some can understand while some may be hesitant. Even if the person in your care resists, it's important to get the respite and relief from the stress of caregiving. Some people may wish to stay the first few times someone visits. Don't give up! The first visits may be difficult, but the long-term rewards are worth it.

Additional resources: www.alz.org

_______________
THE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM offers an opportunity to purchase respite services from an approved community services provider for the individual with Alzheimer’s, or the option of receiving an assessment of services needed and the development of a short-term care plan. The program offers funding for respite services that include, but are not limited to: Adult Day Care, Home Health Aide, Homemaker, Companion, Skilled Nursing Care or short term nursing home care. Funds may be used for daytime or overnight respite. The individual with Alzheimer's or dementia must meet eligibility requirements and 20% co-payment is required.

For more information or forms to apply: www.seniorresourcesec.org/caregivers or call (860) 887-3561

Deaf Volunteer Firefighter in Florida

Deaf volunteer firefighter proud to serve

BY KATHERINE MANCIL
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNER


Published: Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 6:30 a.m.
John Buccieri is a deaf support-level volunteer with Marion County Fire Rescue.
BY THE NUMBERS 2,000: number of deaf people living in Marion County
22,000-plus: number of hearing-impaired people living in the county
2.8 million: number of deaf and hearing-impaired people living in Florida
Sources: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida; National Center for Health Statistics

BELLEVIEW - John Buccieri always wanted to serve the fire department. There was just one thing holding him back: He's deaf.

"I'm basically the same as everyone else. I just can't hear," Buccieri said Friday through his sign language interpreter, Deborah Flagg.

Buccieri, 39, is the father of two boys and is a full-time equipment operator at Georgia Pacific. He said his goal is to become a state-certified professional firefighter. For now, he said, he's excited to be a part of Marion County Fire Rescue as a support-level volunteer.

Michael McCracken, plant manager at Georgia Pacific, describes Buccieri as a "go-getter."

"John doesn't let his disability get in the way of anything he does," he said.

Bill Newman, Buccieri's supervisor at Georgia Pacific, added that Buccieri is a good communicator and works well with others.

"John is an individual you can count on to get the job done," said Newman.

Buccieri's attitude and determination are what convinced Division Chief Bart Walker to give him an opportunity to join the Marion County Fire Rescue team as a support-level volunteer just over a year ago. Now, Buccieri is proving himself to be a valuable asset to one of the county's busiest fire stations, Belleview Station 18.

Walker said Buccieri has completed 70 hours of training and is qualified to assist firefighters with duties at the periphery of fires. He stresses that the fire department would never allow Buccieri, crew members or citizens to be in danger because of a hearing impairment.

For instance, he said, Buccieri is not qualified to enter burning buildings. He can, however, serve in other vital capacities for the fire department, such as assisting with equipment at fires, providing support at vehicle crashes and completing tasks at the fire station.

During much of Buccieri's training, an interpreter was present to help overcome the communication obstacle, but on a day-to-day basis, he and the other crew members depend on real and made-up sign language to communicate with each other.

"Firefighting is a very visual skill, and we work as a team," Buccieri said.

Marion County Fire Rescue plans to utilize Buccieri's skills in reaching the county's hearing-impaired community. He will be helping to communicate important fire safety messages through sign language in the county's "Get Alarmed" smoke alarm program and will be on hand during installations of some alarms designed specifically for people who are deaf or hearing-impaired.

The alarms emit loud sounds and high frequency strobe lights during a fire emergency and are provided and installed free of charge for citizens who cannot afford them.

For more information on the program, call 291-8000 or visit marioncountyfl.org/firerescue.htm.

A DEAF PERSON IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD

A DEAF PERSON IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD
We have a few deaf students majoring in
Criminal Justice in college. Not every person
in the law enforcement field walks the beat
and carries a firearm.
DeafDigest knows of a deaf person in
Accounting Forensics field; his job is to
track down white collar criminals.
And the latest deaf person is Melissa
Potolsky of New Jersey. Her job is to sit
in front of a computer and to nab predators
that prey on young children. She just earned
her first "collar" - which in police lingo,
means arrest.

Program helps Deaf patients

Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the only health centers that has customized their services for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
The deaf access program at Mount Sinai Hospital started 10 years ago. It is one of the largest comprehensive health care networks in the country for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Terri Heading is the program manager.
"We have approximately 1,300 patients in our system right now, and we have an average of 20.
Being able to communicate with deaf patients is one thing, understanding deaf culture is another, especially for physicians like Dr. Gary Kaufman.
'To make the diagnosis when communication is barriered because it's not clear, the patient doesn't understand the doctor, the doctor doesn't understand the patients. Then what happens is the doctor gets misinformation or wrong information which can lead to the wrong diagnosis," said Kaufman.
Understanding your doctor is very important.
"When I'm dealing with a patient who, for the first time after going to doctors for many years says, 'Wow, I really get this, now I understand why the other doctor is giving me medicines, why they told me to take these medicines every day," said Kaufman.
The deaf access program also has sign language interpreters on staff.
"We keep growing yearly, our expectations are that we will have more patients and we will continue to grow," said Heading.
Last year, Mount Sinai became one of the first health centers to install the video phone booth.
"We decided to set up the VRS booth because I see the need for our patients to make calls, especially if their family or friends or maybe they're sick or many they're in a car accident, how can they call their friends and family," said Heading.
Patients like Kikamona couldn't be happier.
'I had a friend told me that there was a doctor who signed here and his name was Dr. Kaufman. And I'm like, 'I never heard about it, a doctor who knows sign language?' Doctors just write back and forth between with me, and I never understand them," she said. "So I came over to Mt. Sinai, and he signed. I was flabbergasted, I'm like, 'Oh my God, he signs? Can I get appointment?"
Deaf Access Program has three physicians who are fluent in sign language. To learn more about Mount Sinai's Deaf Access Program visit http://sinai.org/services/deaf-access/deaf-access.asp or call 773.257.6289 - TTY or 773.257.5125 - voice.

DNEC Fundraiser

DID YOU KNOW? Every year over 300 million inkjet cartridges are thrown away. In terms of weight,
that is equivalent to over 30, 500 African Elephants!


Dear Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut Supporter,

It is our pleasure to partner with B.C.S. Recycling Specialists to implement the “Recycle for DNEC” program, in which our organization can earn money for recycling Inkjet Cartridges, Cell Phones, PDAs, iPods and Laptops.

B.C.S. Recycling Specialists is a reputable landfill-free recycling company that has been working with many large businesses and non-profits since 1988 to recycle hazardous electronic waste. By collecting inkjet cartridges, cell phones, iPods and PDAs in a ‘Recycle for DNEC ‘collection box, you can offer a free and convenient recycling service to your community and earn money for your affiliate at the same time! Please review the enclosed brief information sheet and get ready to earn some very useful funds for your affiliate!

Please feel free to contact Brynn Hickey at 860-823-1898 X21 or contact B.C.S. directly with questions or to order boxes at larry@scrapdr.com or toll free 1-888-656-4104. PLEASE remember to tell them that you are with Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut and your area code & phone number.

Hackers Send Thousands of Fake Calls to Deaf People

The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which provides training and acts as a social hub, has several Sorenson video relay phones that people can use for free. For many deaf, these video relay devices are the main window to the outside world, which makes this prank even more upsetting.

A Utah company whose videoconferencing technology is used by tens of thousands of deaf people to communicate is trying to figure out who would be base enough to hack into their system and flood tens of thousands of deaf customers with fake conference calls.
Officials with Sorenson Communications say since October they have dealt with a plague of prank calls to its point-to-point video calling service. The company provides videoconferencing calls to the deaf free of charge to allow deaf people to communicate via sign language to others.

Sorenson public relations director Ann Bardsley said on one day, tens of thousands of false calls were sent to Sorenson videophones. On the user end, deaf customers think they have missed a call and that their unit is somehow malfunctioning.

The unknown hackers have affected some 30,000 videophones installed in the homes and workplaces of deaf customers across the United States, according to the company.

Ron Burdett, vice president of community relations for Sorenson Communications, said deaf customers who use sign language rely on his company's service for daily communications. Such interruptions he called "inconvenient and distressing."

Company officials say they do not know what is motivating the unknown group of hackers but they do figure it is a malicious reason.

Mitch Moyers is the technical program director for the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville. He said the center, which provides training and acts as a social hub, has several Sorenson video relay phones that people can use for free.

"I'm disappointed. I feel like this is a great use for technology and to have people like that make life difficult for other people, that's disappointing," Moyers said.

Moyers said the system allows the deaf to use their "natural language" of signing without having to use a slow and sometimes inaccurate text relay service in which an operator converts voice into text which appears on a text relay phone.

For many deaf, Moyers said these video relay devices are their main window to the outside world, which makes this prank even more upsetting.

The flood of fake calls has gotten to the point that Sorenson has filed a federal lawsuit against a list of unknown "John Does" in hopes of getting a judge to allow them to subpoena information from a computer server their people have tracked the attacks to. The company claims the unknown group has violated the Federal Computer Abuse and Fraud Act and wants an injunction to put a stop to the fake calls and is also seeking damages.

Bardsley said the use of current video technology has revolutionized the way the deaf can communicate and her company wants to protect that. "Just as hearing people use phones to call a doctor, order dinner, check in with a family member, or conduct daily business at work, so do our deaf users of our video relay service," she said.

Deaf CEO, superintendent talks about life without sound - Campus

Deaf CEO, superintendent talks about life without sound - Campus

CEO and superintendent of the Indiana School for the Deaf David Geeslin talked Thursday night about growing up during a time when American Sign Language was almost unheard of by most people. Nathan Boruff/ Indiana Statesman
Life hasn't always been easy for David Geeslin, deaf CEO and superintendent of the Indiana School for the Deaf.
Geeslin presented a program titled "A Perspective of Being Deaf" at Westminster Village in Terre Haute about growing up deaf.
His visit was sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education.
From the time Geeslin was young, Geeslin's mother, an audiologist, knew he couldn't hear normally.
She took him in for a hearing test, and sure enough, he was deaf.
Geeslin had to wear two hearing aids for a while and received speech therapy every day.
His mother was a huge influence on his success in overcoming his deafness, Geeslin said.
"She used to keep a journal recording my progress and all my successes," he said. "I was frustrated because I couldn't speak a word to thank her for all her hard work."
Geeslin said that his communication abilities used to make him feel like a Windows computer with a virus. He then attended the Indiana School for the Deaf.
"By the time I had finished my training there, I had become a Mac," he said.
He took sign language classes at the school, and everyone in his life started signing. At this time, sign language was almost unheard of, Geeslin said.
Geeslin then gave the audience a background of the physiological reason behind deafness.
He also showed the audience a video of his 10-month-old daughter signing "mommy" and "daddy," and he explained why he and his wife taught her to sign.
"The motor skills used in signing are easier to control than the fine motor skills used in speech," he said.
He encourages other parents with deaf or hard-of-hearing children to teach them to sign, especially in the first seven years of life, when the brain is most supple.
"The brain doesn't care whether you speak or sign," he said. "It looks at the message being conveyed."
Geeslin also presented a video called "Vital Signs," which was produced by a deaf filmmaker.
Although the video was completely in sign language, anyone could understand the message being conveyed, even if he or she does not know American Sign Language because of the signer's nonverbal communication and images in the background.
Geeslin said he thinks art is a powerful medium, and he displayed several pieces of art by deaf artists.
One work contained images of ears and mouths, and he said it had a profound message.
"This piece says to the viewer 'I have a life which does not only focus on being able to speak'," he said.
He explained how deaf people are often labeled as "disabled."
"We're very normal people-we can do everything you can do except hear," he said.
After receiving his master's degree, Geeslin taught in the public school system as a supervising teacher and doing diagnostic work.
As the CEO of the Indiana School for the Deaf and a former student there, he said he thinks the school is of utmost importance for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
"The Indiana School for the Deaf is the center of deaf communication-it allows children to socialize," he said. "Parents often thank us for giving their children the leadership skills they need."

Ms. Wheelchair Connecticut

Dear Ms. Bunn,

We would like your help in publicizing a new nonprofit organization that highlights the achievements of women who utilize wheelchairs in Connecticut . A committee formed during the summer of 2007, anticipating a contest that would be held in late winter 2008. In the meantime, the group had to start establishing a new nonprofit from the ground up. While a national competition honoring the achievements of wheelchair-bound women was founded in 1972, this year will be first that Connecticut women will have the official opportunity to take part. Recognizing the need for a well-spoken advocate, Ms. Wheelchair Connecticut strives to hold an annual contest, selecting an accomplished woman to represent the state at the U.S. level. This is, under no pretext, a beauty contest. Regardless of whether Ms. Wheelchair Connecticut wins the national title, her duties are numerous. Responsibilities include traveling extensively, networking with other wheelchair-bound individuals and various organizations, striving to end misconceptions about the disabled and promote awareness of architectural and attitudinal barriers within society. We are now seeking women across the state who are interested in becoming contestants, as well as volunteers and donors. If you could share the word about Ms. Wheelchair Connecticut with anyone who might be interested, we would be most appreciative! If you wish, we can email or mail a poster to hang in your office. For more information, go to www.mswheelchairct.org . Sincerely,Joanna MechlinskiSecretary/PR liaison

Wasabi Fire Alarm for deaf in Japan

TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - Wake up and smell the wasabi.
Japan has developed a smoke detector for deaf people that is based on the pungent smell of Japan's spicy green horseradish, an eye-watering condiment more typically found tucked under fish in a piece of sushi.
If it detects smoke, the alarm sprays out a synthesized wasabi smell that wakes up people who might have slept through a conventional fire alarm.
Assistant professor Makoto Imai from the Shiga University of Medical Science, who built the alarm in collaboration with Seems, a company that makes perfume, says the smoke detector may save lives among the hard of hearing.
"The proportion of the elderly among fire victims was nearly 50 percent. So, the staff at Seems ... thought that the decline of hearing ability may be one of the causes for delay in noticing and getting away when a fire breaks out," he told Reuters in an e-mail.
He said the Wasabi smoke detector was tested on 14 people, including four deaf people. Except for one person with a blocked nose, all woke up within two minutes of the smell reaching them.
Imai said trial production of the Wasabi smoke detector would be completed in a year and the product would be sold in shops within two years.
(Reporting by Sophie Hardach; Editing by Rodney Joyce)

DNEC listed in GoodSearch

The Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut is now a listed charity with GoodSearch. When you do an internet search through this search engine, they donate money to the charity of your choice. I have just downloaded the GoodSearch toolbar to my web browser, and have begun using it. The actual search engine is running Yahoo! SEARCH. If you would like to support the Disabilities Network of Eastern CT, please go to GoodSearch.com, put our name in the charity search box, and then download the toolbar. Everytime you do a search with this search engine, DNEC will get a penny. This doesn't sound like a lot, but the average person does 2 searches a day. Over the course of a year, and with only ten people, that equals about seventy-five dollars. Imagine what we can do if everyone who is affiliated with DNEC downloads it?!

Bob's House

"Bob's House" was a commercial made by Pepsico and EnAble. It aired during the pregame of the Superbowl 2008.

Drop in Center

DNEC has applied for a grant from General Mills, Hamburger Helper, to create a Drop in Center for Veterans with Disabilities. Please use the link below to go directly to the website and comment on it.

http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?tell=2&id=36177