Disability Rights and Resources

The Power of Hope & Freedom

The offices of Disability Rights & Resources are open. Services are available in-person or virtually by phone or email.

December 2013 Newsletter

By

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM
DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

16As 2013 comes to a close, we want to wish you all a wonderful holiday and happy new year! We are so grateful for all those who have contributed to the success of our agency this past year! In this issue: the Jasper Office, CRPD, and winter weather planning!

 

 

 

RENOVATED JASPER OFFICE NOW OPEN!

17Last month marked the official re-opening of Disability Rights & Resources’ renovated, updated, and fully accessible office
building in Walker County! The Jasper office is currently headed by Peer Advocate Vickie Stovall, who has worked with individuals with disabilities for many years. The Jasper office offers a range of services to consumers in Walker county, including locating emergency funds (utilities and housing), providing information on local resources, distributing emergency preparedness kits, referring consumers to places like the Hope Clinic and Capstone for medical needs, and working with the Volunteer Home Modification Coordinator to build ramps, steps, and handrails for consumers in need of home modification. The Jasper office also works closely with the Walker County Community Action Agency, which provides residents with emergency assistance, computer lab training, and employment resources. So far, Vickie has been spreading the word about our Jasper location at places like  Cordova City Hall, Parish City Hall, the Carbon Hill Community Center, and the Sumiton Senior Center.

18In addition, the Jasper office has some great upcoming projects for the new year, including collaborations with VIP (Visually Impaired People, Inc.) and Vocational Rehab’s Vision Counselors to use the Jasper office facilities to provide kitchen training for those who are blind or visually impaired. Also, the Jasper office is looking forward to further collaboration with Disabilities Unlimited (DU) and future involvement in community events.

The Jasper office is open Monday-Friday from 7:30-4:00 and is located at 300 Birmingham Ave, Jasper, AL 35501. For questions about services, please contact Vickie Stovall, Peer Advocate, at (205) 387-0159.

CRPD UPDATE!

19The second hearing on the CRPD Treaty was held Thursday, November 21 and there was a fantastic turnout! The official petition, which you can find here, calling for ratification of the treaty currently has over 67,000 signatures. Furthermore, the newly re-launched disabilitytreaty.org website is equipped with a “citizen action portal” that makes it easy to reach your legislators with phone calls, letters, and emails. For continued updates on the CRPD treaty or for more information, please click here or here.

WINTER WEATHER PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES!

20Some tips from Judy Roy:
Hurricanes and tornados aren’t the only two severe weather events people with disabilities need to be prepared for.  Winter brings its own challenges for people with disabilities.  What’s your Winter Weather Plan?
•    Dress in layers. Wear loose, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air between the layers acts as an insulator and layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. (Remember, layers can always be taken off.)  Avoid cotton– when it gets wet, it stays wet.
•    Carry two pairs of gloves with you at all times in the likelihood that one pair gets wet. Make sure the gloves are lined for the best protection
•    Head, feet and hands lose heat the quickest. Always wear a hat or cap on your head since half of your body heat could be lost through an uncovered head.
•    Hydration is critical in winter weather. When the body gets dehydrated cold sets in more easily
•    Batteries lose 60% of their charge when the temperature reaches 0 degrees (Flash light, radio, and wheelchair batteries).  Keep batteries warm with covers.
•    If you only have a land line think about ice snapping limbs and lines.  Develop a buddy system – someone that will check on you in a severe weather event

We wish everyone a safe & warm winter!!

***DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES WILL BE CLOSED  TUESDAY 12/24 – MONDAY 1/1. WE WILL REOPEN FOR BUSINESS THURSDAY, 1/2/2014.***

November 2013 Newsletter

By

GREETINGS FROM DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

As the holiday season approaches, we are incredibly grateful for our wonderful staff and all they’ve accomplished this year! In the November issue, we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Mike Norris, celebrate Gwen Brown’s “Advocate of the Year” nomination, recap the 2013 White Cane Day, and recognize some recent achievements of our consumers. Also, be sure to check out our calendar for upcoming events and meetings!

FAREWELL, MIKE NORRIS!Mike Norris

It is with great fondness that we bid farewell to a longtime staff member at Disability Rights & Resources: the inimitable Mike Norris. Mike has been a vital part of our organization since 1982. November 27–over 30 years later–will be his last day at Disability Rights & Resources, after which he will enjoy the wonderful world of retirement! During his tenure, Mike has served as Regional ILRU Coordinator, Network Administrator of the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), coordinated the Peer Mentoring Program, and provided technical assistance and training to Independent Living Centers and State Independent Living Councils. Mike is currently an Independent Living Specialist, developing community resources for homeless consumers and providing computer instruction to low-vision and blind individuals. In preparation for his retirement, Mike has penned some thoughts he’d like to share with all of you:

“As I write down a few reflections about my time here as a staff member at Disability Rights & Resources, I am immediately reminded of how times and techniques have changed since I began working here over 30 years ago. The method I would have used to compose this draft for our existing newsletter back then would have been to put my thoughts onto a audio cassette tape, and ask some very helpful staff person to assist me in getting it all down in print. There has always been a very helpful group of staff members. But now I just use the computer with speech technology to process my own thoughts.

I thank you all for honoring me by letting me serve you for all these years. God has blessed me and shown me total enrichment by putting me in this place in my life. I have seen many successes and positive outcomes for people with disabilities because of the efforts of the caring people within this agency. I believe the best is yet to come.”

A reception will be held in Mike’s honor at Disability Rights & Resources next Friday, November 22, from 2-4pm. Food and refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to attend! Please RSVP to 205-251-2223. See you there!

GWEN BROWN OF ALABASTER OFFICE NOMINATED FOR “ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR”

Gwen Brown (top) at NDEAM Awards Luncheon with Carolyn Agee (left) and Dana Ullrich (right)
Gwen Brown (top) at NDEAM Awards Luncheon with Carolyn Agee (left) and Dana Ullrich (right)

Please join is in congratulating Gwen Brown on her recent “Advocate of the Year”nomination at the 34th National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards Luncheon, which is presented every year by the Birmingham Area Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The award recognizes “an educator who has demonstrated exceptional devotion to duty toward promoting self-advocacy, employment, and improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.” Gwen was nominated by ADRS staff member Nick Votava: “It has been her experiences with her own children that has inspired Gwen to go the extra mile: organizing parent education seminars, assisting parents at IEP meetings, and advocating on their behalf…Gwen adamantly defends and promotes the best interests of her clients.”

Gwen maintains that being an effective Peer Advocate requires collaboration,  communication, and respect: “In order to help empower others, it is important to remain humble and never stop learning.” She also stresses the importance of focusing on consumers first and educating parents very early on about vocational rehab services and the transition process. Independent Living philosophy is also at the core of Gwen’s approach–“promoting self-advocacy and equipping people with the tools they need to step out of their comfort zones” are essential. Congratulations on all your hard work and accomplishments, Gwen!

CONSUMERS MAKING HEADLINES:
Tyelyn Maddox of Montevallo Middle School Inducted into National Junior Honor Society

Tyelyn Maddox (left) and her mother Kimberly (right) pose for a picture at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony
Tyelyn Maddox (left) and her mother Kimberly (right) pose for a picture at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony

Tyelyn Maddox has been working with Disability Rights & Resources Peer Advocate Gwen Brown for some time now, seeking to transition out of one of her resource classes and enter the 8th grade general curriculum. Going against the grain, Tyelyn called her own IEP meeting and continuously advocated for herself and for her education. Recently, Tyelyn’s hard work paid off. On Friday, November 8, she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, an organization that recognizes outstanding middle school students and “honors those who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.” At her last IEP meeting in October, Tyelyn got the go-ahead to transition out of her resource class, and  since then she has even been asked to help lead a class following a teacher’s absence. Gwen speaks very highly of Tyelyn’s determination and ability to self-advocate, saying, “This is what our youth in school need to see the outcome of advocacy. Tyelyn has truly stepped up. I am just so proud of her hard work.” Congratulations on all your great achievements, Tyelyn!

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS KITS STILL AVAILABLE!

Disability Rights & Resources has distributed over 250 disaster preparedness kits since launching the initiative in July–and we still have plenty more to give away! The duffle bags contain first aid kits, pocket radios, potable water and vacuum-sealed foods, life rafts, flashlights, batteries, ponchos, a handbook on planning for emergencies, and other helpful items. If you or your agency are interested in picking up kits, please contact Judy Roy at (205) 815-6142.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

November 19: Peer Support Group Meeting, 10-11am, Disability Rights & Resources — (205) 251-2223 for more info!

November 20: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11am-1pm, Montgomery

November 22: Retirement Party for Mike Norris, 2-4pm, Disability Rights & Resources–(205) 251-2223 RSVP

November 28-29: CLOSED for Thanksgiving Holiday

*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

October 2013 Newsletter

By

GREETINGS FROM
DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

Check out our October newsletter for key information about the new Health Insurance Marketplace, a NCIL report on how the government shutdown is impacting people with disabilities, “save the dates” for important events (like White Cane Day on October 19!), and an introduction to our upcoming Disability History Exhibit.

5

HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE OPENS

On October 1, the new Health Insurance Exchange went live, with marketplaces opening for enrollment across the country. In Alabama, roughly 600,000 individuals are uninsured and could be eligible for coverage under Obamacare. Our state has adopted the federally-run marketplace, which serves as a kind of centralized coverage hub that allows purchasers to shop and compare insurance plans. There is a great deal of information available concerning the recent changes, so we’ve compiled some excellent resources and key takeaway points:

– Access to health insurance cannot be denied due to a pre-existing condition.
– The Insurance Exchange also serves as a screening service to determine if a person is eligible for Medicaid or a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
– There are several Qualified Health Plans to choose from, which are sorted into categories based on the percentage of health costs covered under that plan. The four main “levels” are Bronze (which pays on average 60% of costs and requires a lower monthly premium), Silver (70%), Gold (80%), and Platinum (pays on average 90% of costs and requires a higher monthly premium).
– There is also a Catastrophic Plan, which has some of the lowest premiums and would offer emergency coverage.
– Purchasers should see if they are eligible for an Advanced Premium Tax Credit, which provides financial assistance for monthly premiums. To see what kind of Tax Credit you might be eligible for, check out the subsidy calculator from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
– For Open Enrollment periods and important dates, please click here.
– To help Alabamians enroll in the Health Insurance Exchange, the state has set up “Navigator” sites with experts who can answer questions and walk you through the enrollment process. For more information on these sites and to contact a navigator near you, visit http://enrollala.com/.

Other great resources include www.healthcare.gov, www.cms.gov, http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/bystate/al.html, and the Health Insurance Call Centers (1-800-318-2596).

7

NCIL: HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS AFFECTING THE INDEPENENT LIVING COMMUNITY

The National Council on Independent Living recently issued a report on how the government shutdown is impacting the lives of people with disabilities. Ashton Rosin, NCIL’s Policy Intern, states that even though widely-used benefit programs like Social Security and Medicaid will continue to operate, services like replacing lost Social Security cards and obtaining proof of income are not currently available, and there could be delays in processing new disability applications. The good news is that Medicare and Medicaid will continue during the shutdown because those programs do not rely on funding dictated by congressional annual spending laws.

Furthermore, the shutdown will not affect implementation of federally-run (versus state-run) Health Insurance Exchanges, which opened in over 30 states October 1. However, a long-term shutdown could cause more complications: “It is clear that the longer the shutdown lasts, along with the looming debt crisis, the more precarious of a position we will all be in. NCIL encourages our members to be aware and speak up!” NCIL wants to hear directly from YOU how the government shutdown has affected YOUR life “to demonstrate the damaging effects of the shutdown on the disability community.” Please contact Ashton Rosin at [email protected] to share your story.

8

JOIN US FOR THE 2013 INAUGURUAL WHITE CANE WALK!

The first ever Alabama White Cane Walk is this Saturday, October 19! The white cane was introduced in 1931 by the Lions Club International as a way to promote safety and increased mobility for blind individuals. The original white cane concept has been modified over the years and remains to this day an important symbol of the achievements and developments made by those who are blind and visually impaired.

Registration will take place at Disability Rights & Resources from 8-9 AM. Participants will walk a historic trail through the Civil Rights District to Linn Park. The event will also include free vision screenings, presentations on assistive technology and low vision aids, and remarks from the mayor. For more information, click here. We hope to see you all this Saturday!

9

JOB OPENING FOR PEER ADVOCATE

Disability Rights & Resources currently has an opening for a full-time Peer Advocate to provide independent living services in Blount and St. Clair counties. The individual will assist people with disabilities in achieving their independent living goals, provide peer support, training, information and referrals, and outreach and advocate as needed. The right candidate must be able to work independently, have excellent communication skills and access to reliable transportation. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply! To submit application materials, please click here.

10

22-PANEL DISABILITY HISTORY EXHIBIT COMING SOON TO DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

Disability Rights & Resources will soon have the opportunity to host an exhibit on the history of disability! The display features a 22-panel collage that traces 5,000 years of what its creators call the “seldom-told history” of individuals with disabilities. Advocating Change Together (ACT), a disability rights non-profit in St. Paul, Minnesota, is the original home of the exhibit, which “brings viewers through an illustrated timeline that shows society’s attitudes and how they affect the lives of people with disabilities.” The panels are 25″ x 36″ and will be made fully accessible and open to the public. The display will be on loan from People First of Alabama. Stay tuned for dates and more information! You can also preview the exhibit online.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

October 16: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11am-1pm, Montgomery
October 18: ALHousingSearch.org Advisory Board Meeting, Disability Rights & Resources
October 19: Inaugural White Cane Walk, 8am-1pm, Disability Rights & Resources
October 23 & 24: 2013 Alabama Assistive Technology Expo & Conference (ALATEC), Auburn University

*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

September 2013 Newsletter

By

Judy Roy, Trisston and Brian Burrows, and Jeh Jeh Pruitt

Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!
Hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day holiday! Check out the September newsletter to meet our new staff members, get important updates on the WIPA program, learn how to participate in the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV), and see what events we’ve got coming up soon! You can also visit us at our website, Facebook and Twitter.

social security administration logoThe Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program at Disability Rights & Resources is Officially Up and Running!
Earlier this year, funding was reinstated for the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, a critical counseling resource that helps SSDI and SSI recipients attain self-sufficiency through employment while also providing them with a working knowledge of their benefits. Disability Rights & Resources is proud to announce that we are one of the select agencies nationwide that has been authorized to provide WIPA services again, effective immediately. For these organizations, the Social Security Administration is funding a cooperative agreement through July 31, 2014, with the possibility of an additional 1-year extension. According to the SSA website, the goal of the WIPA program is to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work and to support working beneficiaries to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Beneficiaries will work with Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs), who will provide in-depth counseling on SSA and federal benefits and the effect of work on those benefits. Disability Rights & Resources’ WIPA program is officially up and running again, with Community Work Incentive Coordinators available to take referrals and answer questions now! For more information or to contact a CWIC, pelase call 1-888-803-0118.

 

alabama coalition against domestic violence logoThe Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) Revises State Plan to Include Specific Recommendations for Persons with Disabilities
The Alabama Coalition Against Domenstic Violence (ACADV) is currently in the process of updating the 2010 Alabama State Plan Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence. Several systems statewide–including judicial, health care, education, mental health, and prison systems– have become increasingly involved in responding to violence against women. In order to effectively address violence against women, there must be an understanding of the special characteristics of these crimes; without a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, a victim’s life can inadvertently be placed in danger, and perpetrators are less likely to be held accountable for their actions. The 2010 State Plan included guidance for these statewide systems in regard to responding to domestic and sexual violence. In preparation for updating the State Plan, the ACADV is seeking to add specific recommendations for responding to intimate partner/interpersonal violence involving persons with disabilities.
In particular, the ACADV is looking for responses to the following questions:
1. How does domestic/sexual violence impact persons with disabilities?
2. What current responses are most effective for domestic/sexual violence victims from the disability community?
3. What new responses need to be implemented to better serve domestic/sexual violence victims with disabilities?
4. What do other professions need to know about the effects of domestic/sexual violence on persons with disabilities?
5. What accountability measures would be most effective for responding to batterers who victimize persons with disabilities?
6. What training programs need to be developed to address domestic/sexual violence issues specific to persons with disabilities?
If you would like to provide your input, please address your response to Kathy Wells at [email protected]. You can also contact Kathy at 205-475-5823.

 

photo of autumn patterson, sheila mccamy, andrea harrisDisability Rights & Resources Welcomes Three New Staff Members!
Disability Rights & Resources is pleased to introduce three new members of our Work Incentives Planning and Assitance (WIPA) and Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) programs! Pictured from left to right are Autumn Patterson, Sheila McCamy and Andrea Harris.
Sheila McCamy is a native and lifelong resident of Northeast Alabama and is the busy parent of three boys. She recently received her M.A. in Social Work from the University of Alabama and is currently eligible for licensure with the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners. Earlier this year, Sheila completed an internship with the Veteran’s Administration, where she worked with homeless veterans. She will be working with the WIPA program as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator. Welcome aboard, Sheila!
Andrea Harris was born in Mobile as the youngest of five children. She attended UAB, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. After graduating, she served two years as an Americorps member with Sight Savers America, where she worked to educate people across the state on the importance of vision health for children. In her spare time, Andrea loves to sew, work on craft projects and watch the History Channel. We are very excited to have her join the WIPA program as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator!
Rejoining the BOND program as a Work Incentives Counselor is Autumn Patterson, who returned to Disability Rights & Resources in August. Autumn first started working at Disability Rights & Resources in 2006 as part of the WIPA program. She was involved with the grant proposal and planning of the BOND project and served as supervisor until taking a brief departure earlier this year. Autumn currently lives in Cullman with her husband, Chad, and their two young sons, JC and Max. She enjoys crafting and refinishing furniture in her spare time. We are thrilled to have you back, Autumn!

 

photo of kathy lovell from regions bankAn Introduction from Disability Rights & Resources’ Newest Board Member, Kathy Lovell of Regions Bank
“I am very proud to join Disability Rights & Resources’ Board of Directors. I am most impressed with DRR’s outstanding programs and outreach efforts being offered to people with disabilities. It gives me great satisfaction to give back and to make life better for individuals with a disability by providing banking products and services that are accessible. This allows an individual to bank independently and with ease. I look forward to discovering all the ways I can support Disability Rights & Resources!”
Kathy is the Americans with Disabilities Manager at Regions Bank. She lives with her husband of 34 years, their dog and two cats.

 

Mark Your Calendars!
September 6: Birmingham VA Medical Center Mental Health Summit, University Blvd Double Tree, 10-2:30
September 11-15: Empowerment Week, visit http://50yearsforward.com/
September 17: AL DAN Annual Meeting, Lakeshore Foundation, 1:30-4 September 18: MCIL “Chat and Chew,” Montgomery, 11-1
October 6-7: National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Board Meeting to be held in Birmingham, AL
October 19: Alabama Inuagural White Cane Day Walk, Disability Rights & Resources, 9-1

August 2013 Newsletter

By

Newsletter, August 2013
Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources! Our August newsletter is full of exciting updates and information about upcoming events– check out photos from our latest ramp build, get the facts on S. 1356 and hear what staff had to say about attending the 2013 NCIL Conference in Washington, D.C.! You can also visit us on our  website, Facebook and Twitter.
NCIL executive director meeting President Obama
Disability Rights & Resources Attends 2013 NCIL Conference
For the week of July 22-27, several Disability Rights & Resources staff traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living. The theme of this year’s conference was “Re:Generation,” a celebration of “new leadership, new ideas, and fresh growth.” The week consisted of numerous panels and workshops, Capitol Hill visits, regional caucuses, exhibit fairs, and a march to the US Capitol, where passionate speeches from Independent Living leaders opened the official 2013 NCIL Rally at the Capitol.
Disability Rights & Resources staff who attended were Gwen Brown, Vickie Stovall, Josh Whitmire, Montgomery Center for Independent Living Director Kent Crenshaw, and veteran NCIL member and former NCIL president Dan Kessler. First-time conference goer Vickie Stovall was especially impressed with how much there was to learn. She cited the ongoing debate over the CRPD treaty as a “lightbulb moment,” where she observed firsthand the importance of staying informed and being actively engaged in legislative discussion. Returning attendee Josh Whitmire was equally impressed with the variety of topics and opportunities, but this year he chose to focus on youth and transition issues, specifically employment, peer support and mental health. The march to the Capitol was another highlight for Josh: “It’s always fun to see different advocates and consumers coming together to rally for the services they need.” Some of Gwen’s favorite workshops were “Systems Advocacy at Work,” “ADRCs: The No Wrong Door Network” and “Disability Disclosure & Inquiries: Can’t Ask, Afraid to Tell.” She also stressed that she felt it was crucial to take the motivation and energy from the conference and get right back to work here in Alabama, saying “We need to mentor consumers to prepare for legislative visits. It’s important for us to ask everyday ‘What am I bringing to this world?’”
Other highlights from the 2013 NCIL Conference included U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth’s speech, a powerful and candid account of living with a disability and what that has come to mean for her over the years. After she was shot down while piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan in 2003, Ms. Duckworth’s outlook on disability issues changed drastically, and she realized that leadership is not about a title—it’s about the willingness to step up. Tammy Duckworth is the first ever woman with a disability to be elected into Congress, and she recently pledged not to attend any event in D.C. unless it is fully accessible.
Finally, in keeping with the “Re:Generation” theme, the National Council on Independent Living elected a new President, Lou Anne Kibbee, and several new board members. It was also announced that proposed Senate Bill 1356 would establish an Independent Living Administration, which would have an official “ILA Director” and would dramatically elevate Independent Living in the federal system. Independent Living is currently authorized under the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Department of Education. However, S. 1356 would move Independent Living into the Department of Health and Human Services under the Administration for Community Living (ACL). For more information, click here or see below!
volunteers construct a wooden ramp
New Volunteer Home Modification Program Leads Ramp Build in Shelby County
Disability Rights & Resources recently partnered with students from UAB and the Jefferson State Community College Construction and Building Science Department to build a ramp for a consumer in Montevallo. On July 26th and 27th, Rudy Jones, Patrick Greenwood and Ryan McCoy used their classroom skills to design and build a ramp that would allow the homeowner to safely enter and exit her home. Construction Science Instructor Micah Kaufhold led the crew, and he plans to continue the partnership for future ramp projects in order to give students more hands-on experience and inspire them to engage in community outreach. The ramp build was part of Disability Rights & Resources’ new Volunteer Home Modification Program, which organizes groups of volunteers in the five-county area to build ramps for people with disabilities. If you would like to volunteer time or resources for a build project, please contact Kiersten Atkinson at [email protected].
independent living belongs to the people
 
Advocacy Blitz! Let’s Pass Senate Bill 1356!!
Have you ever looked at the accomplishments of Justin Dart, Fred Fay, Michael Winter, and many others who chained their wheelchairs to buses for accessible transportation and crawled up the stairs of the Capitol for the ADA and wished you had been a part of that movement? The Blitz to Pass S. 1356 is your chance to join the efforts of countless people who have rallied for systems change and fought to ensure that laws provide equal access for all! Congress is in recess from August 5-September 6, so make plans now to meet with your Senators during town hall meetings—let them know the passage of S. 1356 is important to you as a voter and that is should also be important to them. To read more about this bill, please visit  here and review the newly developed S. 1356 Talking Points. The Fix is 1356!
 
A Fond Farewell to Kay Phillips-Lacey
Disability Rights & Resources wishes Kay Phillips-Lacey all the best in her recent retirement! She was a beloved colleague and longtime Independent Living Specialist. Kay worked at Disability Rights & Resources for nearly 20 years. During that time, she established several close relationships with consumers, oversaw several reinventions of the DRR technology lab, and coordinated regular excursions to places like the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Now that she is officially retired, Kay is looking forward to continuing her volunteer efforts at Church of the Reconciler. Thanks for all you’ve done, Kay–you will be missed!
Mark Your Calendars!
August 9: AL DAN Regional Meeting, Disability Rights & Resources Community Room, 11-2
August 13: Distribution of Emergency Preparedness Kits, Disability Rights & Resources Community Room, 10 AM
August 21: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew,” Montgomery, 11-1
August 22: Emergency Preparedness Presentation, Oakmont United Methodist Church
*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

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