The irony of working for an ILC in Connecticut is profound. Advocates spend all day helping people with disabilities to live independently, achieve their goals, get jobs, and remain in the community. This is a difficult, and specialized job which requires a great deal of specialized knowledge. While we provide many services (check out the website for more details on our services), and save the state of Connecticut a large sum of money each year through our Nursing Facilities Transition Project, and by keeping people OUT of Nursing Homes, the ILC's have not seen an increase in their funding in years, and have, in fact, lost some funding.
At the risk of sounding like a complainer, I will state, unequivocally, that most of the people working for an Independent Living Center are not paid a living wage. We have employees, WORKING in our centers who qualify for food stamps, and are having their electricity shut off because, with the increase in the cost of everything, and no COLA for the centers, they cannot afford to pay their bill.
The services we provide are incredibly important-- not just to the people who receive them. Businesses get good workers, tax payers save money by having our consumers in the community and paying sales tax, property tax, income tax etc, and the cost of state covered services are less when provided in the community, yet the people who are instrumental in helping people recieve these services cannot afford to live independently.
Please call your senator or Representative today, and ask them to include Independent Living Centers in the 3% COLA for non-profits.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Is "disability" dying?
In the January 28th issue of Time Magazine, Nancy Gibbs pens an essay which questions the idea of "disability". What is at the heart of the essay is a question that we are just beginning to be able to conceive of; forget answer! Is disability dying? As technology advances and we move toward a weird Sci-fi movie version of the 21st century, is "disability" something which is disappearing? Is it becoming a misnomer?
Nancy Gibbs briefly tells the story of a young man, Oscar Pistorius, who was born "without major bones in his legs and feet" and had both of his lower legs amputated as an infant. Oscar grew up using prostheses to pursue a passion for running, and now science has given him the ability to compete and win in the 200m at the Paralympics in Athens three years ago. Pistorius is now trying to make the Olympic team, but the International Association of Athletics Federation has disqualified him due to his super-ability (okay, I made that word up). Pistorius can run faster than the lesser-abled individual running on his own two feet. Apparently there is a physiological reason why the human ankle slows runners down, and, by not having one, Pistorius can run like the wind without using as much energy. This, the IAAF says, gives him an unfair advantage.
An unfair advantage? Why is it that when someone has a "disabling condition" that limits their ability, we are ever so amazed by them, and hold them up as heroes and paragons of American virtue, but when their "disabling condition" helps them to succeed, we say they can't play with the other kids? Does anyone, for a single moment, think that Oscar Pistorius is somehow "lucky" to have been born without leg bones? If we think about the conviction and determination it took for him to pursue this dream in the first place, we would put him on a pedestal. "That he won the Paralympics in Greece is, an incredible achievement" we say to each other, but when it comes to competing against, and possibly beating, Olympic quality athletes, suddenly it is no longer a "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" story, but rather, it is akin to the doping scandals overtaking professional sports-- it becomes cheating.
To be honest, I think that he does have an unfair advantage, but this post isn't really about whether or not he can compete. The point of this post is that as technology hurtles forward at an incredible rate of speed, these stories are going to become more and more common. Do we need to think of a new term to describe people who have disabilities, but are super-abled due to the aid of technology? How do we come to terms with this new idea of "disability"? As the Olympic committee inspires us to think outside the box by creating new rules that bar people like Pistorius from competing, can we honestly say that we know what disability means anymore?
Success is the one unpardonable sin against our fellows. --Ambrose Bierce
Nancy Gibbs briefly tells the story of a young man, Oscar Pistorius, who was born "without major bones in his legs and feet" and had both of his lower legs amputated as an infant. Oscar grew up using prostheses to pursue a passion for running, and now science has given him the ability to compete and win in the 200m at the Paralympics in Athens three years ago. Pistorius is now trying to make the Olympic team, but the International Association of Athletics Federation has disqualified him due to his super-ability (okay, I made that word up). Pistorius can run faster than the lesser-abled individual running on his own two feet. Apparently there is a physiological reason why the human ankle slows runners down, and, by not having one, Pistorius can run like the wind without using as much energy. This, the IAAF says, gives him an unfair advantage.
An unfair advantage? Why is it that when someone has a "disabling condition" that limits their ability, we are ever so amazed by them, and hold them up as heroes and paragons of American virtue, but when their "disabling condition" helps them to succeed, we say they can't play with the other kids? Does anyone, for a single moment, think that Oscar Pistorius is somehow "lucky" to have been born without leg bones? If we think about the conviction and determination it took for him to pursue this dream in the first place, we would put him on a pedestal. "That he won the Paralympics in Greece is, an incredible achievement" we say to each other, but when it comes to competing against, and possibly beating, Olympic quality athletes, suddenly it is no longer a "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" story, but rather, it is akin to the doping scandals overtaking professional sports-- it becomes cheating.
To be honest, I think that he does have an unfair advantage, but this post isn't really about whether or not he can compete. The point of this post is that as technology hurtles forward at an incredible rate of speed, these stories are going to become more and more common. Do we need to think of a new term to describe people who have disabilities, but are super-abled due to the aid of technology? How do we come to terms with this new idea of "disability"? As the Olympic committee inspires us to think outside the box by creating new rules that bar people like Pistorius from competing, can we honestly say that we know what disability means anymore?
Success is the one unpardonable sin against our fellows. --Ambrose Bierce
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Advocacy Training
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut is holding a grassroots advocacy training titled "What's in Your Pill Bottle?" The EFCT says that "[t]his conference will provide you with an update on EFCT's legislative priorities; encourage you to become involved in public policy; and teach you how to take action on issues of importance to people with epilepsy." Senator Mary Ann Handley will be one of the speakers, and lunch will be served.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut can be contacted at 800-899-3745, or by email at efct@sbcglobal.net
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut can be contacted at 800-899-3745, or by email at efct@sbcglobal.net
Updates and Upcoming Events
The office was closed yesterday due to the winter storm. It is fitting that this post follows the last one. If the weather is bad, please call the office before you come by. If the roads are getting dangerous, we will close the office early, and if the roads are dangerous before office hours, we will close for the day.
On January 22, 2008 from 10 am to 12 pm, CHOICES will be holding a Medicare information session at the Ledyard Senior Center. The senior center is located at 12 Van Tassell Dr. in Gales Ferry. If you need more information, please contact Marge Lathrop at (860)464-0471.
On January 22, 2008 from 10 am to 12 pm, CHOICES will be holding a Medicare information session at the Ledyard Senior Center. The senior center is located at 12 Van Tassell Dr. in Gales Ferry. If you need more information, please contact Marge Lathrop at (860)464-0471.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays from the Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut. Just a reminder: the office will close early on the 21st of December so that we may have our annual holiday lunch. The office will reopen on Monday the 24th for a half day, close for the 25th, and reopen for regular hours on the 26th.
This time of year, we ask you to please call before you come to make sure that the office is open, and that there is someone here to assist you. This is especially true on days when the weather is bad, or is expected to be bad. We will close the office for the safety of our staff and consumers in case of poor weather.
Our annual food drive has concluded, and though we are exhausted from the work, we are thrilled that we were able to hand out 53 food baskets which will provide holiday meals to families with disabilities who are in need this season. We thank everyone for their assistance in this project, especially the Wal-mart Super Center in Waterford, which was instrumental in helping us pull off our plan. The day we did our shopping, they provided us with people to assist us, they opened a register for us, and helped us load the groceries into the cars. We had five baskets, and could not have done it ourselves! They also supplied us with fifty dollars worth of free groceries! Thanks guys! We appreciate all of your hardwork, and your dedication to the community!
This time of year, we ask you to please call before you come to make sure that the office is open, and that there is someone here to assist you. This is especially true on days when the weather is bad, or is expected to be bad. We will close the office for the safety of our staff and consumers in case of poor weather.
Our annual food drive has concluded, and though we are exhausted from the work, we are thrilled that we were able to hand out 53 food baskets which will provide holiday meals to families with disabilities who are in need this season. We thank everyone for their assistance in this project, especially the Wal-mart Super Center in Waterford, which was instrumental in helping us pull off our plan. The day we did our shopping, they provided us with people to assist us, they opened a register for us, and helped us load the groceries into the cars. We had five baskets, and could not have done it ourselves! They also supplied us with fifty dollars worth of free groceries! Thanks guys! We appreciate all of your hardwork, and your dedication to the community!
Point in Time Count
On December 30th, Brynn Hickey and her husband, as well as many other volunteers and board members, will be taking part in the annual Point in Time Count of Homeless individuals in New London County. This is a very important fact finding event which will provide much needed data to organizations, state officials, and lawmakers about people who are homeless in our area. This is also a very important outreach activity which we take part in annually. If you would like to volunteer your time for this event, please call Brynn or Jodi at 860-823-1898!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Open House
The DNEC open house was very nice, and we are all very grateful to the legislators who dropped in to see us.Edith Prague, Kevin Ryan, and Tom Reynolds came by to wish us well. Their commitment to their community and their constituents is laudable. We were so glad to see them.
Coming up in the next couple of weeks: Holiday food baskets are going to be put together for pick up beginning next week (12/17). Also, the office will be closing early on December 21st for the holiday. We work half the day on the 24th and 31st, and are closed on the 25th and the 1st of January.
Coming up in the next couple of weeks: Holiday food baskets are going to be put together for pick up beginning next week (12/17). Also, the office will be closing early on December 21st for the holiday. We work half the day on the 24th and 31st, and are closed on the 25th and the 1st of January.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Upcoming Events
This Friday, come to our 4th annual open house held at our office from 12-3. This year is the first year we are partnering with American School for the Deaf and CRIS Radio to hold a joint event. ASD will be offering free hearing tests, and refreshments will be served. If you stop by, you may also want to bring a non-perishable food item for our food drive.
We are still taking applications for holiday food baskets! Call today-- 860-823-1898!
On January 7th, DNEC is hosting Norwich Nights at the Otis Library from 6-7:30. This month we will be discussing the powerful book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kessey. Call for more information!
We are still taking applications for holiday food baskets! Call today-- 860-823-1898!
On January 7th, DNEC is hosting Norwich Nights at the Otis Library from 6-7:30. This month we will be discussing the powerful book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kessey. Call for more information!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Money Follows the Person
This past year, 31 grants were awarded 31 states, including Connecticut, that submitted proposals for federal grant money for deinstitutionalization. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), of the Department of Health & Human Services, awarded $1,435,709,479 in Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration grants to states proposing to transition 37,731 individuals out of institutional settings over the five-year demonstration period.
The Centers for Independent Living, of which DNEC is one, will partner with the Area Agencies on Aging, including Senior Resources in Norwich, to move people from nursing homes and certain other institutions into community settings. This demonstration grant was enacted by the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, in recognition of the fact that, in addition to being a much better way of life for persons with disabilities, community services and supports are in fact a less expensive way to serve people than nursing homes and other institutions.
States must also guarantee "maintenance of effort", which means that after the five-year period is over, states must continue to spend at least as much as they spent in 2005. When the grant begins (delays on the federal level have made the starting date uncertain), much of the money will be used to create the necessary changes in the community so that maintenance of community services can continue beyond the grant period. Much of this change has already occurred as a result of the Nursing Facilities Transition Project, which will be rolled over into the MFP grant.
As you know, lack of availability of homes in the community is a huge barrier to getting people out of institutions. In October of 2006, Secretary Alphonso Jackson of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sent a letter to Public Housing Authorities and State Housing Finance Agencies informing them that the MFP initiative provides an opportunity for them to collaborate with CMS and local disability organizations to expand accessible, affordable, and integrated housing options (by the use of public housing and housing vouchers) for persons with disabilities and seniors. Jackson added, "Such promotion would allow both the Department and PHAs [Public Housing Authorities], as recipients of federal financial assistance, to meet, in part, our obligations under the Supreme Court Olmstead decision, to allow services to be provided in the most integrated settings".
DNEC eagerly awaits the commencement of this program. We'll keep you posted!
The Centers for Independent Living, of which DNEC is one, will partner with the Area Agencies on Aging, including Senior Resources in Norwich, to move people from nursing homes and certain other institutions into community settings. This demonstration grant was enacted by the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, in recognition of the fact that, in addition to being a much better way of life for persons with disabilities, community services and supports are in fact a less expensive way to serve people than nursing homes and other institutions.
States must also guarantee "maintenance of effort", which means that after the five-year period is over, states must continue to spend at least as much as they spent in 2005. When the grant begins (delays on the federal level have made the starting date uncertain), much of the money will be used to create the necessary changes in the community so that maintenance of community services can continue beyond the grant period. Much of this change has already occurred as a result of the Nursing Facilities Transition Project, which will be rolled over into the MFP grant.
As you know, lack of availability of homes in the community is a huge barrier to getting people out of institutions. In October of 2006, Secretary Alphonso Jackson of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sent a letter to Public Housing Authorities and State Housing Finance Agencies informing them that the MFP initiative provides an opportunity for them to collaborate with CMS and local disability organizations to expand accessible, affordable, and integrated housing options (by the use of public housing and housing vouchers) for persons with disabilities and seniors. Jackson added, "Such promotion would allow both the Department and PHAs [Public Housing Authorities], as recipients of federal financial assistance, to meet, in part, our obligations under the Supreme Court Olmstead decision, to allow services to be provided in the most integrated settings".
DNEC eagerly awaits the commencement of this program. We'll keep you posted!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Food Drive
DNEC is holding our annual food drive to create holiday baskets for individuals with disabilities and their families! You can help. We are accepting donations of gift cards, non-perishable food items, and cash to assist us in getting 50 holiday food baskets out to individuals and families who are in need this holiday season. If you want to know other ways you can help, please call us at 860-823-1898!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
