Stavros
Advocates for Independent Living
New & Interesting!
2010 US Census Needs Your Assistance
The Census Bureau will be mailing a short Census questionnaire in March. The hope is that everyone immediately takes the time to respond to the questions and mails the form back as soon as possible after receiving it. People with disabilities have a major stake in a complete census count. An accurate count impacts several important programs and services, such as MassHealth, Medicare, SSI, programs funded by the Rehabilitation Act, housing, Vocational Rehabilitation, accessible transit, and special education for children ages 3 through 5. Census officials believe that people with disabilities have been under-reported in past Census counts and have taken steps to increase the count. The Disability Policy Consortium is prepared to help by providing information to people with disabilities. For more information please click here.
Televise the 2010 Paralympics!
The Paralympic Games are an international level sporting event that was created to parallel the Olympic Games and let people with physical disability showcase their athletic abilities. By not working out a deal to televise the Paralympics, NBC and the USOC are quite simply discriminating against those athletes. These athletes deserve to be seen on TV just as much as any Olympic athlete does. Not only are the Paralympics just as competitive as the Olympics but they would also be very educational for the general public because people would see just how much people with physical disabilities can achieve despite their disabilities. Please sign the petition asking that the 2010 Paralympics are televised!
2010 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS SCHOLARSHIP
Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2010. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass' National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families.
Citizens Energy Heat Assistance
The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program is now taking applications for the 2010 heating season at 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645). The last day to apply for the Oil Heat Program is February 26, 2010, unless supplies run out before then. The Citizens Energy / Distrigas Heat Assistance Program for people who heat with natural gas is taking applications at 1-866-GAS-9918 (1-866-427-9918).
♦ Online application: not available
Wireless Accessibility Survey
The purpose of the survey is to learn about how people with disabilities use wireless products like cell phones and text messengers. This information helps make wireless products easier to use for people of all ages and abilities. You can take the survey in English or in Spanish. If it's easier for you to complete this survey by phone or on paper, or if you have questions or problems with the survey, please contact us at: (404) 367-1348 or (800) 582-6360
Stavros Newsletter
SHINE at Stavros
Medicare 2010: The Open Enrollment Period for people on Medicare is from November 15th to December 31st. If you are unhappy with your Part D Prescription Plan or your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage (HMO, PPO, PFFS, or Medigap), please use this opportunity to change your plan.
Advantage Plans with dramatic increases in 2010 premiums or higher co-pays and deductibles could be changed to a plan that saves you money. Maybe your medication is no longer on your Part D Formulary or the premium will increased substantially. It benefits you to investigate and switch to another prescription plan that will better suit your medication needs. In addition, there is financial assistance for people who qualify because of low income.
Stavros, as a service to the community, now has a SHINE Representative who can help people over age 65 OR people who are disabled and on Medicare. Please call Linda Mason at 1-(800) 804-1899, extension 284 for questions or an appointment.
Social Security Expects No COLAs for 2 Years
From the Washington Post (Associated Press)Monday, August 24, 2009
Millions of people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, as officials project that benefits will stay flat for the first time in a generation. The trustees who oversee Social Security are forecasting that there will be no cost-of-living adjustment for the next two years. That has not happened since automatic increases were adopted in 1975.
By law, Social Security benefits cannot decrease. Nevertheless, monthly payments would drop for millions of people in the Medicare prescription drug program because the premiums, which often are deducted from Social Security payments, are scheduled to rise slightly. Click here for the rest of the story.
ACT Center Closed
The ACT Center closed as of July 1, 2009. The Center was founded in 1994 by a group of parents, individuals and providers who wished to raise the awareness and services related to assistive technology and augmentative communication in Western Massachusetts. Mary Leavy was the coordinator for the center since that time and will be continue to provide assistive technology services as a consultant (Her contact information is below) Listed below are some other resources that may be available to you:
AT Resources
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Easter Seals hold the state wide AT loan program Massmatch. Call 413 442-1562 or go to the MassMatch website. MassMatch's mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life's activities.
Alternative Access: Assistive Technology Services 413 323-4007
The Holyoke Medical Center Speech and Hearing Clinic provides Augmentative and Alternative Communication Assessments and consultation services. 413-534-2508
Communication Therapy Associates: Northampton 413 586-1945
Hampshire Educational Collaborative: Accepts referrals from school systems only 800-278-4244
New England Assistive Technology MarketPlace (NEAT): Offers trainings and items for sale or to donate 860-243-2869
Mary Leavy: Assistive Technology Services maryleavy@comcast.net 413 537-0188
Mark Hugo Nasjleti
Age 39: Founder and President, Go Voice for Choice
In one sense, Mark Hugo Nasjleti's story isn't exactly unique: tired of being overweight, he made a commitment to fitness and lost 133 pounds. Since then, he has forged a career in public speaking, sharing his story and encouraging others to follow his lead. "I thought, if I could do this for myself, I could do it for others, and help other people change," he said. Words spoken by many a fitness guru, right? Sure, but with one difference: Nasjleti has Down syndrome.
It's an important aspect of how he connects with his audience, particularly those with developmental disabilities, but in a way, he doesn't dwell on it. In fact, a brochure for Go Voice for Choice, his series of self-improvement programs, lists eight of his roles, from speaker and workshop leader to expert on self-advocacy and independent living. Listed at the very bottom is "a man who happens to have Down syndrome." That's because Nasjleti -- whose fitness workshops include lessons in exercise, making menus, smart shopping, and preparing healthy meals -- doesn't see his condition as a hindrance, and would rather focus on the things in life he can change.
He keeps a busy roster of engagements, even including one program for would-be entrepreneurs looking for guidance in starting their own business, as he did. And he's told his story before both small groups and large national gatherings, including a stint as keynote speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress last year. But his core passion remains the same: "I want to help people eat healthier and gain a whole new point of view."
Find PCAs or Find a Job at Rewarding Work.com
Rewarding Work is a website with the goal of giving people, who need support with daily activities, choice and control in finding personal assistants.The website gives older people and individuals with disabilities the choice of hiring staff directly and allows them control of the process of hiring personal assistants. The website is a work in progress and still building their database. but could be very useful if you need assistance finding a PCA. For more information or to get started visit the Rewarding Work website.