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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas for All!

Once again, it's Christmas -
that delightful time of year
When hearts are filled with gratitude
and homes are bright with cheer.

When everyone's remembering
good friends and loved ones too -
So naturally, the warmest thoughts
and wishes go to you.

May your home be filled
with happiness,
your hearts with love,
your days with joy -
at Christmas and always.

Merry Christmas

Maddy

Friday, December 21, 2007

Were you, clients or members, impacted by the AAR strike ? Tell me

We are interested in collecting info on the impact of the AAR (Access-A-Ride) strike.

We believe AAR is an essential service that should be run directly by MTA/NYCT, to remove the City & MTA's ability to hide behind their statements that they "were not a party to the strike". We hope that seniors will join us.

The PWD (persons with disability) community was sorely hit by the strike. The 4 companies provided 50% of AAR's capacity approximately 9,000 rides a day. Given that the MTA/City non-contingency plan favored subscription users with a priority for medical trips, users who call for each trip should have been decimated.


I would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this e-mail, as we are trying to gather info from a wide base. AAR serves riders with disability regardless of age, we need to stand united!

Edith Prentiss
emprentiss@juno.com

Thursday, December 20, 2007

CUNY/IVE Leadership Program Kick-Off Event




CUNY/IVE Leadership Event.

Dear CUNY Student,

Let me thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to the 6th Annual CUNY/IVE Leadership Program. Over the past five years student leaders from all over CUNY have worked on community related projects as participants of our program. Maybe you, too, already have a project in mind that you want to work on and compete for prizes, awards, and even stipended summer internships. Every team that participates will receive a recognized certificate of completion.



Your participation is very flexible (there are no regularly scheduled face-to-face meetings) so that you can adjust the work on your project according to your schedule! IVE will be there to guide and help you to bring your ideas to life!



To learn more about our program and how you can bridge the gap between your college and career , I would like to take this opportunity and am happy to invite you to our Kick-off Event at Baruch College:



INVITATION



Kick-Off Event



CUNY/IVE Leadership Program



February 1, 2007

from

9:00 AM to 12:00 noon

at

Baruch College

Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship, Suite 2-140

55 Lexington Avenue , New York, NY 10010



IMPORTANT : Please confirm your attendance (RSVP) by sending an email to atorrentes@gmail.com or call 212.502.2945 by January 30, 2007.



At the Kick-Off Event you will get a detailed program overview, network with other CUNY students, and you will get a chance to sign up. Additionally we are having an introductory workshop about communication strategies and project management. Refreshments will be provided! In the meantime, check out our website for further information about the program, past projects, and much more: http://www.ive.cuny.edu/ (Just click on the leadership link!).



Please feel free to reach out to your friends and peers and get them on board as well. If you have any questions please let me know. I am looking forward to seeing you at Baruch.



Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Best Regards,



Christoph Winkler, Associate Director

Institute for Virtual Enterprise, The City University of New York

1114 Avenue of the Americas | New York, New York 10036 | 212.502.2945 (p) | 718.368.4880 (f)

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Prepareness for disaster

Having a plan for an emergency before any type of disaster occurs; it's very crucial! Here I want to share this link with videos to help persons with disabilities for disaster: http://www.ready.gov/america/about/instructional.html People with disabilities may need to make specific preparations for emergencies. A new Homeland Security video provides helpful information on how to do so.

For People with Disabilities:
 Create a support network to help in an emergency.
 Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies.
 Give one member of your support network a key to your house or apartment.
 Contact your city or county government's emergency information management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly in a sudden emergency.
 Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.
 If you are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
 Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
 Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
 Additional Supplies for People with Disabilities: Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies.
 Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
 Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen.
 Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices.
 Medical insurance and Medicare cards.
 List of doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Events

12/07 Fri 12-3 PM, CIDNY Town Hall Meeting Queens Meeting (Queensborough Public Library, LIC Branch, 37-44 21 St, 36-37 Ave.) A chance to look back at the work we’ve done and to make plans for the future. Come prepared for a lively discussion, and help to make NYC a better place for PWDs RSVP & accommodation request Noor Alam (212) 674-2300 x 141

*new 12/07 Fri 6-8 PM, Sistahs in Search of Truth, Alliance, and Harmony Presents: Handi Pride: Spotlight on GLBT with Disabilities (The Center, 208 W. 13 St, 7-8 Aves) forum addressing issues on coming out, relationships, sex, and discrimination, as well as the lack of resources available to PWDs within the GLBT community. Come hear our stories, become educated as well as enlighten. Come share ideas as well as hear our personal experiences. Info: 212-479-7886

12/09 Sun PM DIA Holiday Party (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org

*new 12/11 Tues 1-4 PM, Brooklyn Systems Change Network (BSCN)Meeting (BCID, 2044 Ocean Ave.(B-3) Light refreshments & exciting discussion. RSVP & request accommodations, Braille, ASL interpreters ect, by 12/10, 718-998-3000, TTY 718-998-7406

12/12 Wed 10:30 AM B’klyn BP Disabilities Advisory Committee (BP Conf Room, 209 Joralemon St) RSVP Ingrid Alexander 718-802-3868 Fax: 718-802-3920 ialexander@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

12/12 Wed 1-4 PM: Mayoral-City Council Broadband Advisory Committee Public Hearing (Manhattan School of Music, Greenfield Hall, 120 Claremont Ave, 122 St) An opputunity to speak out on the importance of good, inexpensive broadband service Register to testify: 212.788.6975 or Kunal.Malhotra@council.nyc.gov.www.nycbroadband.blogspot.com

*new 12/12 Wed 4-6 PM Hearing Education Services & Vision Services Focus Group (UFT 52 Broadway - 19 floor) Services for Deaf/HOH & visually impaired students in NYC are in jeopardy. NYC BOE revamp/reorganize these crucial centralized programs that provide support, resources, and education by putting EVS & HES personnel and students under the control of individual school principals This will be a disservice to the students as many of the principals and their administration lack the knowledge/expertise to adequately provide the services these atudents need to succeed. Also principals will not want to foot the bill for the many services / technological equipment required Questions: Milton Williams 718-432-4300 or MWillia2@schools.nyc.gov

*new 12/13 Thu 5-7 PM, NAMI Bronx Families & Advocates: When the Criminal Justice & Mental Illness Systems Collide (Bx Psychiatric Center, Parker Building, 1500 Water Pl, First Floor) Hon. Matthew D’Emic
Brooklyn Mental Health Court Refreshments will be served RSVP: namibxfamlyadvoc@aol.com Paulina Magnetti or June Rodriques 718-862-3347

12/14 Fri Application deadline extended The We Are All Brooklyn (WAAB) Fellowship invites young professionals, between the ages of 25-40 years old, working or volunteering for community or faith-based organizations in Brooklyn to submit applications! http://www.waab.org/

*new 12/15 Sat 8:30 AM, Women of Color Breakfast in Support of Hillary Clinton for President (DC 37, 125 Barclay St, entrance on Murray St. fully accessible) Tickets: $50 per person (some available @ $25 for those with limited means) All tickets must be purchased in advance--no sales@ door. Further info & RSVP Trudy L. Mason: TLMpr@aol.com or 917-443-3315

*new 12/15 Sat 2 PM, Helping Hands for the disabled of NYC Holiday Party (Bronx) Fee $10.00 per person; the party is being held at an accessible location in the Bronx.: Call Alice at 718-728-0868 between 6 PM - Midnight

12/18 Tues 1 Subcommittees, 2-3:30 PM Man Boro President’s Disability Taskforce (1 Centre Street, 19 Floor South) RSVP by calling (212) 669-4453 or CBrown@manhattanbp.org

12/18 Tues 8:30 PM, NYS Dems 2008 Holiday Party! (Taj Lounge, 48 W 21 St., 5-6 Ave) $7 suggested contribution. CASH BAR RSVP in advance to Marie Parker at mariep@nydems.org / 212-725-8825. Brought to you by..NYS Dem Party, Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, & NY Dem Lawyers Council, NYS Young Dems, Democracy for NYC & The Daily

12/21 Fri 10 AM NY Network for Action on Medicare & Social Security (NYNAMSS) (200 E 5 St at Third Ave) Molly 212-273-5260 mkrakowski@JASA.ORG

*new 01/07 Mon 7PM, An Evening of Music & Politics in support of Governor Bill Richardson for President of the United States.(Cutting Room, 19 W 24 St) Help celebrate his anticipated victory in Iowa, and cheer him on in the New Hampshire primary the next day. Light refreshments & cash bar. .Join us for an enlightening speaker, fantastic music and great conversation as we bring together Richardson supporters, undecideds and those interested in politics.

01/8-9, Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery - Disability & Special Needs Technical Assistance Conference (Capital Hilton, Washington, DC) Gov’Horizons & Nat’l Organization on Disability's http://www.governmenthorizons.org/emergency-preparedness-and-response08.htm

01/10 Thurs 2 PM ESPA Distant Learning: Paratransit Eligibility 101 http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_distance_learning_2008_para_elig_supplemental

*new 01/13 Sun PM DIA (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org

*new 01/15 NYFAHC (MS Society, 733 Third Avenue, 45-46 St)

*new 01/23 Voter registration deadline for 02/05/08 New York State Presidential Primary

01/23 ESPA Distant Learning Securing Funding for a New Travel Training Program info: http://projectaction.easterseals.com click on distant learning

01/24 2 PM ASL Tea Time Tour From New Yorker to Shrek: The Art of William Steig (The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave, 92 St) A light reception will follow the tour. This program is free. RSVP, by 1/18, required 212.423.3225, TTY 212.660.1515, or access@thejm.org.

01/25-28 Fri – Mon SILC Congress 2008: collaboration|innovation working together like never before (New Orleans, LA)

02/05 ESPA Distant Learning Selected Topics in Paratransit Eligibility: Conditional Eligibility info: http://projectaction.easterseals.com click on distant learning

04/21-24 Mon-Thurs, The 2008 Mobility Planning Services) Institute (Renaissance Wash Hotel, DC) teams of leaders from the disability world & transportation share information & strategies to improve access to transportation http://projectaction.easterseals.com

*new 02/10 Sun PM DIA (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org

*new 03/09 Sun PM DIA (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org

*new 04/13 Sun PM DIA (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org

*new 04/26-30, ADAPT Community: 25 Years of Activism and Counting. Grassroots Actions..(Washington DC) Info www.adapt25.org , 512-442-0252 or 303-733-9324

*new 05/01, ADAPT Community: 25th Anniversary BBQ, Exhibition and Show..(Washington DC) Food, music, exhibits, history, multi-media, faces and voices from the ADAPT past Info www.adapt25.org , 512-442-0252 or 303-733-9324

04/27-28 Families Together in New York State Annual Conference YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: (Marriott Hotel, Albany, NY)

05/12-14 Mon-Wed, National ADA Symposium & Expo: Conference on the ADA and Disability Law (St. Louis, MO) http://www.adasymposium.org/

*new 05/18 Sun PM DIA (Selis Manor, 135 W. 23 St, 6-7 Aves) Tel/Fax 718-261-3737 www.disabledinaction.org 06/22, 07/20 (if needed), 0817 (if needed), 09/07, 10/05, 11/02, 12/07 (Party

recurrent 3rd Wed of the month 2-3 PM, Men's Group (BCID, 2044 Ocean Ave, Suite B-3, Ave O & P) 718-998-3000

recurrent every Fri 6:30-8:30 PM Wheelchair Dancing (Chelsea Studios, 151 W. 26th St, 6th fl. (6th – 7th Ave) Rubin www.wheelchairdancesportusa.org wdsportusa@hotmail.com or 212 245 0004

recurrent last Sat of the month Free Legal Clinic:: 2-2:30 for appointments -5 PM, Free Legal Clinic (PSGDC, 1 Prospect Park W & President St, entry on President. go down ramp at the green awning) Riley MacLeod 718-499-7701 x137.AAR: drop off at 1 Prospect Park W.)

Duane Reade Accessibility Problems? Gavin Kearney 888-342-3428.or gkearney@nylpi.org

Empire State Voting Watch Dogs - NY Disabled Getting Equal Voting Access (NYDGEVA We are a coalition of consumers, advocates and a professional organization which seeks to resolve barriers impeding equal voting access for New Yorkers with disabilities of any kind. Our coalition name is NY Disabled Getting Equal Voting Access (NYDGEVA). NYDGEVA's goal is to bring all aspects of the disability community together to become eduated and mobilized to work on voting accessibility issues. It was further agreed that the best way to communicate would be by forming a Yahoo Group. If you are interested in insuring the voting rights of New Yorkers with disabilities, please join our group. Subscribe & join by emailing: jadler54-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

ADA Watch & Road to Freedom Bus Tour www.roadtofreedom.org http://adawatch.smugmug.com/gallery/2925333

http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1259 NYLPI’s Opportunity & Access Survey to find out what barriers to services and to physical settings are most important to members of our community. They want to hear from New Yorkers with disabilities who don't regularly contact them. NYLPI is a public interest law office that serves New York City residents with disabilities regarding disability-based discrimination and access issues.

VOLUNTEER -The Big Apple Greeters is seeking volunteers to welcome visitors to New York City and to show them around to places of interest with which the volunteer is familiar, suggest things to see and do, etc. Each visit lasts between 2-4 hours and volunteers are required to do 12 visits a year. People with foreign language skills are in particular demand. For more information and to apply, contact Patricia Ryan at (212) 669-7308.

http://onlineresources.wnylc.net/online_training.asp click on new -Medicare Part D - Part I - (2008) Basics About Part D & Medicare Part D - Part 2 (2008) -- Using the Online Plan-finder for 2008 Enrollment, Part D Plans in New York State, More on Medicaid and EPIC and Part D –Online Medicare Part D trainings Since we are in the midst of the short annual enrollment period (11/15/07 - 12/31/07) for the 2008 year, this is an opportunity to catch up on how the program works, the landscape for 2008 and quickly enroll your clients. The trainings are FREE, but if you want CLE credit, there is a charge. Registration is required even for the free trainings

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/SFFList.pdf CMS’ first ranking of the nation's poor-performing nursing homes. Release of the national list of facilities, identified as special focus facilities (SFFs), is expected to offer individuals seeking long-term health care services, and their families, powerful new information when choosing nursing homes.

http://www.handicapability.org/computers.html FREE Computers for Visually residents of the US & Canada) TCPI provides computers (monitor, keyboard, CD-ROM, modem, speakers, & necessary software) free of charge (a $100 charge to cover packing, shipping, and replacement parts) . Donated computers are refurbished by North Texas PC Users Group volunteers. They are an official Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR).

MTA NYCT Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) – applicants should have working familiarity with ADA transportation regulations, good analytical skills and be able to review or formulate policies / procedures and offer suggestions for improving service and be able to work cooperatively in a group. The PAC meets monthly, on the third Tuesday 5-7 PM at 33-00 Northern Blvd., LIC. Members communicate with each other between meetings via a listserv on the Internet. This is an active committee. Members are expected to attend all meetings. Submit your resume & a letter/e-mail stating why you wish to serve on the PAC and what skills or knowledge you would bring to the committee. Deadline: 12/31/07

http://capwiz.com/cidny/issues/alert/?alertid=10590951&type=SW&azip=10003&bzip=4704&show_alert=1 EPIC Expansion –the Medicare Rights Center, CIDNY, and other health and social service advocates from across the state, in a letter campaign launched yesterday to tell Governor Eliot Spitzer that New Yorkers with disabilities desperately need EPIC’s pharmaceutical coverage.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3m0ja_dream_politics a The PSA created by Women’s Voices – Women Vote, (an organization whose goal is to “turn unmarried, uninvolved women into active voters who are influencing debate”) .includes a wheelchair user quite visibly in the mix was Those interested should leyt them know what you think.: info@wvwv.org or Women's Voices. Women Vote, 1707 L Street NW, (750) Washington, DC 20036 : 202-659-9570 Fax: 202-833-4362

http://www.cidny.org/content/Voting_Documents/People_with_Disabilities_Dont_Vote_Here_Nov. _07.pdf CIDNY 2007 Poll Site Accessibility Survey report Consumers and volunteers evaluated 50 polling sites in Manhattan and Queens on Election Day and found that 42 of them had at least one barrier to access that make voting difficult or impossible for a person with a disability.

http://www.cidny.org/content/Voting_Documents/DOJ_Memo_in_Support_-_Nov_2007.pdf DOJ wants full HAVA compliance in NYS for 2008 On 11/05/07 DOJ;s Civil Rights Division submitted memorandum supporting enforcement of HAVA in NYS as part of the ongoing lawsuit against the state for failure to meet HAVA deadlines. They believe NYS has been slow to act on HAVA, and that its noncompliance with the law is unacceptable. The document suggests NYS should provide accessible voting machines on a greater scale for the 02/08 Presidential Primary, and at least one accessible machine per polling site by the 09/08 Primary. DOJ wants NYS to, at minimum, meet federal HAVA standards or face the possibility of compliance being taken out of the state’s hands by the court.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41710 FEMA and American Bar Association to Enhance Legal Services for Disaster Victims

http://www.nyhealth.gov/events/listening_forums/docs/report_2007-10-24.p o view the full report on the "People First Coordinated Care Listening Forums"

http://m1e.net/c?65930469-OkDUWo6XOJByw%402944798-9oivu.JOg/n4o The MTA is predicting a $300 million surplus next year. But they still want to raise fares on 86% of all trips. Working families already struggle to make it in New York, and now this?

Job Opening: Executive Director GRILC Graduation from an accredited college or University with an Bachelors Degree in Human Service or related field. Administers the affairs of the corporation including: Finances, programs, and personnel; Responsible for policy implementation, achievement of corporate goal and objectives, short and long-range planning, program development, staff training, public/community relations; & Serve as professional advisor to the board. Resumes to: GRILC, 61 Swan Street, Batavia, NY 14020 Deadline 12/10



EM Prentiss


Help build the Network in 2008, and increase civic participation of people with disabilities in NYC. Get your friends and associates involved. Visit www.dnnyc.net for more info, to join or renew membership, call 212-284-4160 (Lawrence Carter-Long).
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