Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!

Please take a moment to check out our June newsletter and visit us on our website, Facebook, and Twitter. We’ve got some very exciting things in store, so stay tuned for information about upcoming events and projects!

Women-Owned Small Business Offers Cutting Edge, “Green” Sign Language Interpreting Services

It was after watching a news story about a middle school student who is deaf that Theresa Von Loh and Linda Deichsel decided to establish their company, Virtual VRI (Video Remote Interpreting). This particular student was in a mainstream classroom envrionment for several years without access to Sign Language interpreters because none were available in her small, rural town. Teresa and Linda are both nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and all of their contractors are as well. In addition, they have many years of interpreting experience in a wide variety of settings.

Needless to say, Teresa and Linda are incredibly passionate about the Video Remote Interpreting services they provide, and they offer the most cost effective hourly rates in the VRI industry. Since VRI is offered via the internet instead of the interpreter having to drive to the location, the service is also eco-friendly.

To access Virtual VRI services, all that is needed is a web-cam equipped computer, iPad, iPhone, or Android and a high-speed internet connection to download the web conferencing system they utilize. Facetime can also be used. VRI works in a variety of settings, such as college classes, doctor or counseling appointments, meetings at Vocational Rehab or Centers for Independent Living– just about anywhere high-speed internet is available.  For more information, please visit their website (virtualvri.com) and check out their newest YouTube video.

A Word on Accessibility and Apple Products, from Mike Norris

Much continues to be said about the accessibility features available on the iPhone and iPad. Indeed, there are several accessible features that prove very useful to people who are blind or visually impaired. These features include screen magnification and Voice Over, an interactive speech program. These began shipping with the iPhone 3, but they do work more efficiently on the iPhone 4. Furthermore, the local Apple Store provides training as a part of the iPhone package they sell, and you can purchase a Braille manual from the National Braille Press that addresses all of the aforementioned accessibility features. You can also contact Mike Norris at Disability Rights & Resources for additional information– (205) 251-2223 ext. 114.

The Magic City Chocolate Challenge is Upon Us!

The Disability Rights & Resources Junior Board has been very busy planning the inaugural Magic City Chocolate Challenge (you’ve probably seen the posters around town!), which will take place at Cantina Pepper Place from 5-9pm on Thursday, June 27. The event will feature an assortment of chocolate dishes (tasting portions) from local bakers and chefs, with happy hour drink prices all evening and an ongoing raffle! Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here. Proceeds from the event go towards Disability Rights & Resources’ new facility in the Civil Rights District. Cantina is located at 2901 2nd Avenue S #110, Birmingham, AL 35233. If you have questions or would like to be a participant in the event, there’s still time! Check out or website or contact the Disability Rights & Resources Junior Board at brianburrows@bellsouth.net.

Happy Anniversary! Looking Back at the Last Year

On May 25, 2013, Disability Rights & Resources celebrated the one-year anniversary of moving into its new home in the Civil Rights District. The building was a dream several years in the making, serving as a model of Universal Design and equal access. Along with the building came some other big changes–a new name, a new image, expansion of services, new staff, and new neighbors. The last year has been an incredibly exciting and challenging one, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds as we continue to settle into our new home!

Mark Your Calendars!

June 19: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11-1, Montgomery
June 27: Magic City Chocolate Challenge, 5-9 pm at Cantina Pepper Place
Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

* Please note that Disability Rights & Resources is a fragrance-free environment, and we ask that you refrain from wearing any scented products while visiting our facility. Thanks!

Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!

Please take a moment to check out the May newsletter, meet our new staff members, and get the latest news on the upcoming Magic City Chocolate Challenge! You can also visit us at our website, Facebook, and Twitter.

A Hard Look at Medicare Challenges, by Judy Roy

Medicare dual eligibles are individuals with Medicare Part A and/or B who also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) or qualify for Medicaid benefits. Dual eligibles generally qualify for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) benefits, in which Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments are covered by Medicaid–effectively providing full health coverage.

Section 231 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 created a new type of Medicare Advantage coordinated care plan focused on individuals with “special needs” called the Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) program. “Special needs individuals” were identified by Congress as: 1) institutionalized; 2) dually eligible; and/or 3) individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions.

Medicare is facing challenges. By 2030, Medicare eligible beneficiaries are expected to double. In a few years, Medicare won’t be able to pay the full amount of hospital costs. Congress has time to address the issues that are affecting higher health care costs; they should allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prcices. Improving technology could eliminate duplication and misuse of expensive testing, while improved information sharing would lead to better fradulent claims detection. Please reach out to your member of the House and Senators Shelby and Sessions to stop changes to Medicare that are harmful to senior citizens and people with disabilities. Contact information is available at http://www.house/gov and http://www.senate.gov.

Meet our new Volunteer Home Modification Coordinator, Kiersten Atkinson!

Kiersten came to Disability Rights & Resources from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, where she developed enrichment programs for volunteers as well as engaged the community in animal welfare causes. She was previosuly a Licensed Veterinary Nurse for many years but realized that her passion was in outreach and helping others improve their communities. Kiersten is active in a variety of organizations incudling the Humane Society of the United States and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Outside of her professional interests, Kiersten enjoys traveling, camping, reading, and living in Birmingham with her husband and rescue dogs.

Disability Rights & Resources welcomes back Vickie Stovall as our new Walker County Peer Advocate!

Vickie is a native of Fairfield, Alabama and previously worked with Disability Rights & Resources as the Homeless Outreach Specialist. She has worked with the disability community for several years and is very excited to return to Disability Rights & Resoures. Her goal as Peer Advocate is to maximize every aspect of her role by empowering and motivating those with disabilities to become proactive in their environments. As a result, she aims to minimize barriers that stand in the way of acheiving self-sufficiency. Vickie’s motto is “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” (Margaret Mead).

Also returning to the staff is Liz Johnson, Disability Rights & Resources’ new Work Incentives Counselor (WIC) with the Alabama BOND Program!

Liz grew up in Dothan and attended the University of Alabama. She began working for Social Security as a Service Representative in Dothan and was later promoted to Claims Representative after relocating to Tuscaloosa. As a Work Incentives Counselor, Liz will be using her extensive knowledge of Social Security to assist SSDI beneficiaries in managing their benefits and promoting self-sufficiency through employment. Aside from her professional interests, Liz has a strong passion for traveling, and New York is one of her most frequented and beloved destinations. She is also a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels and is a founding member of the Tuscaloosa Wine Club. Welcome back, Liz!

Save the Date! The Magic City Chocolate Challenge is just around the corner!

The first annual Magic City Chocolate Challenge will take place on Thursday, June 27 at Cantina Pepper Place, 2901 2nd Ave S #110. The fundraising event will last from 5-9pm, with proceeds going towards Disability Rights & Resources’ new facility, located in the heart of the Civil Rights District. Tickets are $25 and include samplings from chocolate competitors, happy hour drink prices, and two raffle tickets. Please visit our website and check out next month’s newsletter for more information!

Disability Rights & Resources Job Announcement

We are seeking a Work Incentives Counselor (WIC) to provide work incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries with disabilities under the Alabama Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) Project, which is funded by the Social Security Administration. Qualified applicants will possess a knowledge of SSDI, SSI, public benefits, and federal work incenvites in addition to having strong interviewing, counseling, and evaluation skills. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply; Bachelor’s degree in psychology, vocational guidance, counseling, or related fields is desireable. To apply, go to http://www.aansocial.org. Under, “Find a Job” enter “Work Incentives Counselor.”

Mark Your Calendars!

May 9: Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD, http://www.globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org/)
May 15: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11-1, Montgomery
May 29: Disability Rights & Resources Peer Support Meeting, 11 AM
Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4

* Please note that Disability Rights & Resources is a fragrance-free environment, and we ask that you refrain from wearing any scented products while visiting our facility. Thanks!

Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!

Please take a moment to check out our April newsletter and be sure to visit us at our website, Facebook, and Twitter!

$50,000 Settlement Reached in EEOC v. America’s Thrift, Inc. Disability Discrimination Suit

In 2011, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Alabaster chain of America’s Thrift Stores, Inc. The lawsuit alleged the store failed to provide one of its employees, Jenny Grimes, with reasonable accommodations and then terminated her because they considered her a “liability.” Grimes, who has a joint condition that affects the functioning of her musculoskeletal system, had requested an accommodation to assist her with the lifting and reaching requirements of her job. The company refused to provide her with the requested accommodations and fired her one week after receiving documentation of her disability, claiming Grimes was unable to perform the essential duties of her job. The U.S. District court recently ruled in favor of the EEOC, affirming Grimes’ employers were in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court ordered America’s Thrift to pay $50,000 in monetary damages. The settlement also included a provision that requires America’s Thrift to implement specific policies and procedures so that applicants and existing staff are not subject to unlawful discrimination based on disability. The company will be responsible for submitting semi-annual reports to the EEOC and holding annual ADA training sessions for its employees. In addition, the settlement states “all newly hired managers, human resources employees and recruiters shall be required to complete this training within fourteen days of their start date.”

Disability Rights & Resources Volunteer Spotlight

Please join us in welcoming our new volunteer, Jermaine Watkins. Jermaine is currently pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Applied Arts and Sciences at Lawson State, and his work at Disability Rights & Resources is part of a 150-hour internship required to complete his degrees. Jermaine is in the office Monday through Friday and helps maintain the computer lab. He’s especially interested in assistive technology and is excited to learn more about making computers accessible. Thanks for your hard work, Jermaine!

Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!

In the spirit of celebrating a new year, one of our resolutions is to circulate a monthly e-newsletter. March is our first 2013 issue, and we are very excited to share what we’ve been up to lately and also what we’ve got in store for the upcoming months! Be sure to check out our events calendar and visit us on our website, Facebook, and Twitter.
ALHousingSearch.org A free service to list and find rental housing in Alabama. List properties now.

ALHousingSearch.org is now LIVE

One of the most exciting projects Disability Rights & Resources has been involved with in 2013 has been the launch of ALHousingSearch.org, a free housing locator website that gives renters, landlords, housing professionals, and social service providers access to real time rental housing information. ALHousingSearch.org offers landlords– including those with critically needed affordable and accessible housing– a place to advertise properties at no cost, while also helping renters find units to fit their specific needs. Features for renters include quick links to housing resources, as well as affordability and moving-cost calculators.

On January 30, Alabama officially launched ALHousingSearch.org at an event in Montgomery. The ceremony was attended by state and local officials, representatives from housing agencies and nonprofits, and real estate professionals. The launch also featured speeches from ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. and Representative Patricia Todd. Rep. Todd spoke to the website’s usefulness during times of disaster, stating, “ALHousingSearch.org sets a stellar example for disaster preparedness with a proactive approach to identifying and listing emergency rental housing…this resource will be in place and ready to help quickly house displaced individuals.”

To create this website, Disability Rights & Resources partnered with Socialserve.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to serving affordable housing needs in local communities. Alabama is now a part of the national Socialserve.com network, which spans 34 states. The project was funded by the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities; other partners are the Montgomery Center for Independent Living, Collaborative Solutions, and the Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama. To search or list housing, visit www.ALHousingSearch.org, or call the toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844.

Alabama Disability Advocacy Network Legislative Day is March 19

AL DAN’s annual Legislative Day will be held Tuesday, March 19 at the Alabama State House in Montogomery (11 South Union St). Registration will begin at 9:30, with presentations on the State House steps starting at 10:30. This year’s panel of speakers includes Graham Sisson, Chris Tidwell, Beth Blalock, Ted Nail, Jay Croft, Brian Johnson, Danielle Elliot, as well as state representatives, senators, and other local dignitaries. Lunch will be held in The Tunnel at noon; interpreting services will be provided. See you on the 19th–and remember to wear GREEN!

Save the Date–Magic City Chocolate Challenge Update!

Join us for the first ever Magic City Chocolate Challenge on Thursday, June 27, hosted by Disability Rights & Resources’ Junior Board. The event will take place from 5-9 pm at Cantina Pepper Place. Tickets are $25 and include samplings from all the chocolate competitors and happy hour drink specials. All proceeds will benefit our new facility in the Civil Rights District.

Disability Rights & Resources Volunteer Spotlight

March’s Volunteer Spotlight recognizes Jerry Sherer, a longtime volunteer with Disabilities Unlimited of Walker County. For the past four years, Jerry has worked with Trecia Benefield and DU members to construct ramps for wheelchair users in the community. Jerry has built ramps all over the country and has worked on nearly 30 ramps in the last year alone. He coordinates the Carpenters for Christ program at First Baptist Church in Jasper and was the inaugural Walker County Hero. Thanks, Jerry, for all your hard work!

Mark Your Calendars!

March 9: Project Homeless Connect, Boutwell Auditorium
March 15: SILC Meeting, Montogmery
March 19: AL DAN Legislative Day, Montgomery
March 20: MCIL “Chat and Chew” 11:00-1:00, Montgomery
March 28: Peer Support Meeting at 10:00 AM, Disability Rights & Resources
Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

* Please note that Disability Rights & Resources is a fragrance-free environment, and we ask that you refrain from wearing any scented products while visiting our facility. Thanks!