Independence Empowerment Center

IEC provides a voice for its consumers with their Virginia legislators.  IEC staff attended a Virginia State Budget hearing in Fairfax on January 3 and went to Richmond on January 28 to meet with state delegates and senators prior to the vote on the proposed budget.  IEC’s Executive Director, Dr. Mary Lopez, made another trip to Richmond on February 5 to protest HB 1356, which would have diluted the Virginians with Disabilities Act.

At the budget hearing in Fairfax, members of the Virginia Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee listed as more than 100 citizens spoke, often quite eloquently, about why they believed state money should be spent to resolve their issues.  This hearing was one of a series of local hearings designed to prepare the state delegates and senators to approve a new two year state budget.

Amidst the competing priorities, representatives from several Centers for Independent Living stood up to present the perspective of consumers with disabilities.  Their speeches underscored the need for monies to fund supportive services for people with disabilities living in their home communities, including salaries for personal assistants and additional funding for Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation Waivers, among other items.  The overall point of the speeches was that it makes no sense to send people to nursing homes and other institutions when they want to live in their own homes and communities.

In Richmond, IEC members met with legislators and their aides to emphasize the need for additional monies for community based care and personal assistants.  More than 700 people in the IEC service area live in nursing homes.  It has been shown that it is much more expensive for the state to pay for people to live in institutions, such as nursing homes, than to provide them with the supportive services they need to live in their home communities.  The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that Virginia’s nursing homes cost an average of $154 a day or about $4620 a month in 2006, an expensive proposition.  Medicaid expenses for nursing home care are much less:  Average national monthly spending per Medicaid covered nursing home resident was $2,426 in 1995.  In comparison, providing personal assistance and other support services through “aged/disabled” home and community-based waivers averaged $485 per month across the nation in 1995.  It is less expensive to provide people with the services they need to stay in their own homes, and for people who want to do so, it provides a better quality of life.

Dr. Lopez’ trip to Richmond in February also contributed to the quality of life for people with disabilities in our area.  The trip was a successful effort to prevent the passage of HB 1356, which would have weakened the Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA).  In that Act, the Virginia State Government promises that it will not use businesses that discriminate against persons with disabilities.  It promises to assure access to all of its programs, whether it operates them directly or operates them through private businesses.  HB 1356 would have changed that by giving Virginia State agencies permission to do business with contractors and licensees that discriminate, starting by allowing lottery tickets to be sold at locations that are not accessible to persons with disabilities.  HB 1356 would have removed Virginia’s assurance to make all of its programs accessible to people with disabilities.  Thanks to Dr. Lopez and advocates like her, the bill was withdrawn “due to objections from the disability community.”

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

While IEC’s consumers are aware of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, many people don’t know a lot about some of the other legislation that has influenced their rights in more recent years.  Do you?  This article addresses an issue that is near and dear to the hearts of disability advocates - the Olmstead Decision.  Here is a quiz about the Olmstead Decision, a landmark Supreme Court decision that affected our rights.  Answers directly follow the questions.

1. When was the Olmstead decision made?
2. What people did it affect?
3. What right did it convey?
4. What did it require of each state, including Virginia?

Answers:

1. 1999, in Olmstead v. L.C.
2. persons with disabilities who live in, are “at risk” of living in, or are eligible for placement in facilities or institutions
3. the right to live in the community, if they and their treatment teams agree that they can live successfully in the community; if they choose to do so.  And if there are resources available to help them live in the community.  (As you know, IEC is one of those resources, very much dedicated to community living!)
4. like all states, Virginia must ensure that people with disabilities who meet these requirements can live in the community rather than in facilities or institutions.  Many states have developed “Olmstead Plans,” which are policies and procedures detailing how they will meet the requirements of the Olmstead decision.

Virginia’s Olmstead Plan was developed by a task force created in 2002.  The 70-member task force brought together individuals from all walks of life - consumers, family members, advocates, providers, and 15 state agencies having responsibility for providing services to individuals with disabilities in the Commonwealth.  While the task force was led by government departments, it was in many ways a grassroots effort that allowed all interested parties to participate - no attempt was made to control content or team organization.  The Task Force’s diverse composition allowed advocates to educate each other about their respective issues and challenges.

The task force submitted its final report to the governor in 2003.  It presents recommendations in 10 issue areas:  Consumer Choice; Consumer and Family Member Involvement; Consumer Rights; Health and Safety; Educating Consumers, Family Members and Providers; Educating the Public; Employment; Housing; Research and New Knowledge; Transportation; Workforce and Quality of Providers.

Implementation began in 2004 with several appointments by the governor that have since evolved into our Community Integration Advisory Commission.  By August 31 of each year, updates to the plan are due to the governor.  You can find the original Olmstead report online at http://olmsteadva.com/finalreport.htm.  For updates on implementation, see http://www.olmsteadva.com/ciac.asp?showyear=2007.

In the next issue of Your Power, we will provide information about a new program coming to Virginia, the Money Follows the Person project.  It’s designed to move people out of nursing homes and other institutions back into their home communities.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

Please allow me to introduce myself.  I am Jane Burnette, a new employee of IEC.  I will spend two days a week as Service Facilitator for IEC consumers and the other three days a week working as Housing and Transportation Policy Facilitator on a grant to promote accessible housing and transportation in local jurisdictions.

As a Service Facilitator, I will be assisting our consumers in Fauquier County in using Medicaid to obtain services and supplies and employ personal assistants.  I am also available to provide information and referrals for a broad array of other services available in our area.

For the Housing and Transportation grant, I will be working with community planners and housing development agencies in Fauquier and Prince William Counties, Manassas and Manassas Park.  The grant will help our local jurisdictions prepare for the Money Follows the Person demonstration grant.  In the future, the Money Follows the Person grant will help people who currently live in nursing homes and other institutions to “move back home” and live in their own communities.

I have worked in disability policy and special education for most of my career, most recently worked at the Council for Exceptional Children in the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.  In addition to loving animals, I love art and have served on the Professional Advisory Council of the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education for the past eight years.  I look forward to meeting you and working with you to promote the accessibility and livability of our community.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

We are sorry to have to say goodbye to Pat Scott.  Most of you have called our office and chances are you were treated to a kind welcome from her.  Some of you were lucky enough to meet her at our Holiday Open House or at one of our other social events.  We are having a going away party.  She has decided to return to her hometown in Tennessee to help care for aging family members.  Please come and join us to visit and say goodbye.  IEC will host a party in her honor on Thursday March 27th from 3:00 to 5:00.  Please RSVP to Stephanie George.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) advocates for the 30-plus million Americans with hearing loss.  The NAD Law and Advocacy Center represents deaf and hard of hearing people in hearing loss discrimination complaints.  Advocacy and legal services from the NAD Law and Advocacy Center are free.  When the NAD wins a lawsuit, the court can order the defendants to pay NAD legal fees.  Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against because of hearing loss can contact NAD for information, advocacy support, and legal advice.  Anyone who wants information about the legal rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the NAD.

On January 5, over 30 professionals, advocates and ordinary citizens from different areas of Virginia convened in Richmond to see a presentation by Rosaline H. Crawford, the Law and Advocacy Center’s Director.  Ms. Crawford is a lawyer by profession and the parent of a deaf daughter.  She graduated from Catholic University of America Law School.  Prior to becoming Director, she works with the United States Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on cases throughout the United States and its territories.

Ms. Crawford works to ensure that Americans with hearing impairment are not discriminated against.  People can file discrimination complaints with the United States Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  The NAD Law and Advocacy Center also works with lawyers anywhere in the United States.  The NAD depends upon the membership fees and private donations to keep operating expenses “afloat”.

The NAD Law and Advocacy Center is very glad to hear from anyone who seeks legal advice because of unfair treatment or a discriminatory experience.  NAD can be reached at (301) 587-7730 Voice/TDD.  Anyone who wants to speak directly with Ms. Crawford may do so through Videophone (VP) by appointment.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

On December 18, 2007 IEC hosted a holiday open house, having close to 50 attendees.  The staff and volunteers pulled together to make sure there was plenty of food, fun and festive decor for the event.  Our consumers, members from various disability organizations, friends and families gathered with us to celebrate the holidays.  If you would like to be notified of upcoming events, please make sure we have your contact information, including your email address, if you have one.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

Many people with disabilities are affected by depression.  It is an illness that has an impact on more than 17 million Americans each year.  Not everyone with a disability becomes depressed, and of those who do, depression may not result from their disability.  However, people with disabilities face unique challenges and stresses which place them at increased risk.  Studies have shown that symptoms of depression may be 2 to 10 times more common in individuals with disabilities.  Depression is also one of the most common “secondary conditions” associated with disability.

Mary Mannhardt, eating disorder therapist at Crossroad Counseling in Manassas, will be speaking on this very important topic on Thursday, March 20 at 1pm.  Her goal is to inform, educate, and inspire other who may struggle with depression.  Mary is a former world-class runner whose career was interrupted while on a track scholarship at Georgetown University.  Her depression was so severe that she attempted suicide by jumping from a bridge, which caused her paralysis.  Mary’s story has been featured in The New York Times, People and Seventeen magazines.  She has also related her story on ABC’s World News Tonight and The Today Show.  Come join us to be encouraged and learn how you can prevent, cope with, and overcome depression in your own life.  Please RSVP by Monday, March 17th.  We hope to see you then.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

The following piece on disability etiquette is an excerpt from the United Spinal Association’s “Tips On Interacting With People With Disabilities.”  These tips are designed to help you understand what to do and what not to do when in the company of a person with a disability.

People With Speech Disabilities

A person who has had a stroke, is severely hard of hearing, uses a voice prosthesis, or has a stammer or other type of speech disability may be difficult to understand.

Give the person your full attention.  Don’t interrupt or finish the person’s sentences.  If you have trouble understanding, don’t nod.  Just ask him to repeat.  In most cases the person won’t mind and will appreciate your effort to hear what he has to say.  If you are not sure whether you have understood, you can repeat for verification.

If, after trying, you still cannot understand the person, ask him to write it down or to suggest another way of facilitating communication.  A quiet environment makes communication easier.

Don’t tease or laugh at a person with a speech disability.  The ability to communicate effectively and to be taken seriously is important to all of us.

Persons of Short Stature

There are 200 diagnosed types of growth-related disorders that can cause dwarfism and that result in a person being 4 feet 10 inches or less in height.  Average sized people often underestimate the abilities of dwarfs.  For an adult, being treated as cute and childlike can be a tough obstacle.

Be aware of having necessary items within the person’s reach to the maximum extent possible.  Be aware that persons of short stature cont on being able to use equipment that is at their height.  Be sensitive about not using lower telephones, bank counters and urinals if they are in limited supply.  As with people who have other disabilities, never pet or kiss a person of short stature on the head.

Communication can be easier when people are at the same level.  Persons of short stature have different preferences.  You might kneel to be at the person’s level; stand back so you can make eye contact without the person straining her neck, or sit in a chair.  Act natural and follow the person’s cues.

From Winter 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1

Have you ever…

• Read IEC’s newsletter, YOUR POWER?
• Visited our website (www.ieccil.org)?
• Relied on staff to visit your legislators?
• Worked with an Independent Living Advocate?
• Worked with a Service Facilitator?
• Called our office for information?
• Relied on IEC staff to speak on your behalf about a personal or community issue?
• Come to an IEC sponsored event, such as a social hour, the ADA Fair or an annual meeting?
• Taken a class, such as Legislative Advocacy or Sign Language?
• Wanted to vote for IEC Board Members or for IEC bylaws or amendments?
• Made a donation to IEC or named us in your planned giving?

    

Providing services requires paying for time and technology, maintenance and tools.  Please support the disability community and IEC by making a contribution or becoming a member today.