Three Links This Week

Links to three articles highlighted in this week’s NCCI social media. You can visit NCCI on Facebook and Twitter at the following links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncciplattsburgh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NCCIPlatts

This week - June 9-15, 2018:

1. Curb Cuts

Cynthia Gorney, 99% Invisible Podcast - May 22, 2018

2. Jesse Thorn Pays Tribute to Ed Roberts, A Pioneering Leader in the Disability Rights Movement

Jesse Thorn, Bullseye Podcast [YouTube Clip]- June 4, 2018

Episodes from two separate audio podcasts that describe some of the founding personalities and ideas of the Independent Living and Disability Rights movements.

3. Ban Inaccessibility, Not Plastic Straws

Karin Hitselberger, Rooted In Rights - June 7, 2018

What happens when two worthy social movements clash.

Upcoming Focus Group on ACCES-VR Services

You are invited to a meeting to talk about your experience with ACCES-VR services and how they could be better.

In Plattsburgh:

North Country Center for Independence (NCCI)

80 Sharron Avenue Plattsburgh, NY

Tuesday, June 26 12:00 Noon to 2:00 pm

There will be two other forums in the North Country:

In Massena:

Maximizing Independent Living Choices (MILC)

156 Center Street Massena, NY

Wednesday, June 27 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

In Watertown:

Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL)

210 Court Street, Suite 107

Watertown, NY

Thursday, June 28 12:00 Noon to 2:00 pm

Refreshments and light meal will be available.

To let us know you will be attending, call the Potsdam Institute (PIAR) at: 1-888-419-2698 (toll free) or by email at: PIAR@potsdam.edu at least two days before the meeting.

Let us know as soon as possible if an accommodation, such as sign lan- guage interpreter, will be needed.

Seating is limited.

This meeting will be hosted by Dr. J Patrick Turbett and his staff from the Potsdam Institute for Applied Research (PIAR) at SUNY Potsdam, on behalf of the NYS Education Department, ACCES-VR, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services, Vocational Rehabilitation.

Ombudsman Action Alert - 6/12/18

June 14, 2018 UPDATE: ON THE ACTION ALERT EXPLAINED BELOW. This was also received from the New York State Ombudsman Program.

===============

Good morning everyone. Last evening we were informed of the progress on our request for our bill being introduced in the Senate. The bill has now been introduced by Senator Dilan with a bill number of 9002. Due to this progress, we are now asking for you to change your request when you call your local senators. Instead we would like you to reach out to your senators and request that they support bill number 9002, regarding the long term care ombudsman program. If you have already contacted your senators offices please reach out again and inform them of the progress of the bill being introduced by Senator Dilan and request their support of the bill during this session. I apologize for the quick change in this request, however time is of the essence as session ends 06/20/18. If you have any questions, please contact your ASO for assistance. Thank you for your actions on this request.

Claudette Royal

New York State Ombudsman

NYS Office for the Aging

===============
===============

This call for advocacy was received from the New York State Ombudsman, who directs New York’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. NCCI runs the Ombudsman Program for Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties, New York. It’s important we act on this by Friday, June 15, 2018.

===============

I need your assistance in gaining passage of legislation that would conform NYS Elder law provisions governing LTCOP with the new regulations issued by the Feds governing the operations of LTCOP.

Enactment of the bill is important since failure to be in compliance with the new Federal program requirements could jeopardize overall Federal program funding for LTCOP and all NYSOFA programs. A letter was received from ACL in response to the question asked by the Senate regarding the impact of not passing this bill. Legislation has been introduced – at my request as well as by Assemblywoman Lupardo and Senator Serino - A.10161, Lupardo / S. 7975, Serino - that would accomplish this goal.

The Assembly and Senate both have made changes to their bills and the Assembly decided to  introduce a new bill (A. 11050, Lupardo)- which is in the 2nd attached file, for procedural reasons and for the purpose of helping the process advance; that reflected changes that both houses were seeking.  All of the changes are acceptable to the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

There now needs to be a companion bill in the Senate that matches Assembly bill (A.11050). 

THE ASK -

We are requesting that you contact your State Senator [Sen. Elizabeth Little: (518) 455-2811]. Tell them your name and that your organization provides a valuable service to their constituents who live in nursing homes, adult care facilities and family type homes.

This worthwhile program is helping address quality of life issues for these individuals, by advocating on their behalf.

The proper and lawful operations of this program by the Federal Administration on Community Living (ACL) by NYS is a top priority. Let them know that failure by the Senate to introduce and pass this bill potentially could jeopardize funding for LTCOP which ACL has put in writing;  share a copy of the letter which is the in the first attached file. 

NEXT -- SPECIFICALLY ask that your Senator reach out to their colleague Senator Serino, the Senate Chair of the Aging Committee, to request that she introduce  a companion bill to A.11050, Lupardo, and then work to have it passed by the Senate  immediately before the final day of session which is 06/20/18. 

We will let you know what actions Senator Serino has taken to introduce the bill later in the week. Please note that if a companion bill has not been introduced by Friday I will ask that you again reach out to your Senator to respectfully request an update on this matter.

I appreciate all of your efforts! 

Claudette Royal

New York State Ombudsman

NYS Office for the Aging

Three Links This Week

Links to three articles highlighted in this week’s NCCI social media. You can visit NCCI on Facebook and Twitter at the following links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncciplattsburgh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NCCIPlatts

This week - June 1-8, 2018:

1. Keynote Speech at the 2017 Autistic Self Advocacy Network Gala

Julia Bascomb, Executive Director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network

A hopeful but critical look at what the disability rights movement has done, and what it needs to do better.

2. People With Disabilities Are ‘Severely Underrepresented in Elected Office.’ These Candidates Hope to Change That.

Robyn Powell, Rewire News - May 31, 2018

This Midterm Election year, people with disabilities are starting to look not just at voting, but also running for elected office.

3. Laziness Does Not Exist: But Unseen Barriers Do

E. Price, Medium - March 23, 2018

A radical re-examination of what it means when people we are trying to help fail or disappoint us … very relevant to our approach to the disability community. (Note: This article contains some strong language).

Write For The NCCI Blog!

Paid opportunity for writers with disabilities in the North Country!

The North Country Center for Independence, (NCC) in Plattsburgh, New York, is looking for original writing by people with disabilities, on disability-related topics, for publication on  the NCCI Blog. http://ncciblog.blogspot.com

Each month NCCI will post up to two selected pieces written by people with disabilities. NCCI will pay writers $100 for each selected piece. Submissions should meet the following guidelines:

• 300-600 words long.

• Must relate in some way to the experiences and issues of living with physical, intellectual, or mental disabilities.

• We are generally looking for writing focused on the everyday practical, social, and / or emotional experiences of living with disabilities, not on medical research, treatments, or therapies.

Some editorial assistance and feedback will be provided, including comments and suggestions on how drafts can be improved before publication.

NCCI’s Executive Director will choose up to two pieces per month to be published. After each item is posted, the writer may submit a voucher for payment, which will be made within 30 days of receipt.

Submit drafts by email, to: apulrang@icloud.com. Or, paper drafts may be delivered to NCCI at 80 Sharron Avenue, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. For more information call us at 518-563-9058.

The deadline for final drafts is the 15th of each month.

Employment

Job fairs happen periodically around the North Country every year. If you are at all interested in a job search, go to this one on May 21st, and keep an eye out for future job fairs in the area.

Questions to ask yourself if you have a disability and want to explore employment:

• Are you looking for full time, part time, temporary, seasonal, or continuous employment?

• Are you looking for indoor or outdoor work? Physical work or work that’s mainly about thinking, planning, and creating? Do you like simple routines, or do you prefer work with variety and the unexpected? Do you want to work with the public or behind the scenes? Do you want coworkers, or do you prefer working by yourself?

• Do you have a specific career in mind, or are you open to a variety of fields?

• How do you plan to talk about your disability? Will you keep it to yourself or inform your employers … and at what point? Will you need some accommodations on the job? Are you concerned about discrimination or being screened out because of your disability? Can you explain your disability simply, briefly, in a way that makes people more comfortable?

These are just a few questions to get you started, and give your job search some focus. Meanwhile, if you haven’t already, reach out for some additional help with your job search and preparation:

OneWorkSource

A general regional resource for all job seekers.

New York State Adult Career & Continuing Education Services (ACCES-VR)

Provides help and, in some cases, funding assistance for job seekers with disabilities.

New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Provides employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

North Country Center for Independence

Peer support and information on employment, benefits management, workplace accommodations, and disability rights laws in the workplace.

A Disability / Mother's Day Reading List

There seems to be a lot of discussion this Mother’s Day about motherhood and disability ... especially about the experiences and barriers faced by mothers with disabilities. Here is just a sample, starting with a series of three articles from Rooted In Rights:

Disabled People Have the Right to Raise Children

Alaina Leary, Rooted In Rights - May 7, 2018

I’m a Mom with a Disability. Here’s How I “Run the Show” in My Family

Maggie Winston, Rooted In Rights - May 9, 2018

As a Chronically Ill Mom, Even Tater Tots Are a Way to Show My Kids Love

Kristin Wagner, Rooted In Rights - May 11, 2018

… And three more reflections on different aspects of motherhood and disability:

Tammy Duckworth is Unapologetically Paving the Way for Disabled Mothers of Color

Alice Wong, Bitch Media - May 11, 2018

Mother: Reflections from a Mother with a Disability

Jennifer Senda, Disabled Parenting Project - May 13, 2018

In My Mother’s Eyes, And Mine

Catherine Kudlick, New York Times - May 9, 2018

Let’s not forget Mothers who aren’t disabled themselves, but advocate for their disabled children, and other disabled people, in smart and innovative ways …

Mother’s loo-sit for disability campaign

BBC Hampshire & Isle Of Wight - May 11, 2018

Finally, this recap of a Twitter chat on disability and motherhood …

5/9/18 #DisabledMamas Twitter Chat for Mother’s Day

Hosted by Alice Wong and Rooted In Rights