Spring 2016

CILDRC CIL Disability Resource Center

(CILDRC)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President……………Chris Walker President Elect…….….David Ellis Secretary ....................Kathy Wilks Treasurer................ John Bouchard Past President…………....James Hicks

BOARD MEMBERS

Jerry Cloud Carrie Finale

Jay Fitch Judy Hicks

Debbie Horak Susan Pritchett

Arthur Nunamaker, Sr. Arnold Rosenbleeth

Beth Saier Bill Simmons

STAFF

Community Living Bill…….. Wheelchair Ramp………….…... Cherry’s Corner …..…….….. Handicapped Parking Survey…... New Curb Cuts at Park…………Ipad Apps…..……….....….... Making a Difference………....… Donor Hall of Fame…...……. Thanks to Volunteers….……. Accessible Housing Needed... Disability and Healthcare…Okaloosa/Walton Loan Locker... Volunteer Spotlight……..….. Fair Housing………...……...... Trouble Hearing?..…….……. Gift Opportunity ……..…….. CILDRC Info ………..……...

Inside this issue:

FAAST Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.

Regional Distribution Center

Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Page 8 Page 8

Executive Director Office /Fiscal Mgr Advocacy Outreach FAAST Prog Coord ILS/AT Specialist FTRI Program Coord IL Specialist IL Specialist Okaloosa/Walton Counties Coordinator FTRI Outreach

Frank Cherry Debbie Stanwood

Sherri Myers Cheri Hofmann

Susan Foster Diana Tift

Don Risavy Danny Broxson

Brett Robinson

Montressa Boulware

CILDRC HOLDS ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

The annual meeting of the CILDRC Board of Directors was held on Tuesday evening, January 26th, 2016. CILDRC staff attended the first part of the meeting to give a short presentation about their various positions and to share stories about this past year’s successful consumer outcomes. CILDRC staff served a total of 1006 consumers and consumers achieved 345 goals.

Executive Director Frank Cherry gave an overview of community activities over the past year. Staff spent many hours conducting outreach activities at 75 separate events. The Escambia County Disa-bility Awareness Committee (ECDAC) continues to make recommendations to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners regarding people with disabilities in our community and the meetings are open for public input. We continue to ad-vocate for access to transportation, housing and recreation; and stand ready to assist people with disabilities who have employment issues.

Outgoing President of the Board James Hicks gave his final annual report and the 2016 CILDRC budget was approved.

The slate of board officers and board members were installed for 2016.

2016 CILDRC BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: L to R: Chris Walker, President; Bill Simmons,

Personnel Committee Chair; John Bouchard, Treasurer; David Ellis, President-Elect; James

Hicks, Past President.

2016 CILDRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Front Row, L to R: Jerry Cloud, Carrie Finale, Kathy Wilks, Beth Saier, Judy Hicks. Back Row: Chris Walker, Bill Simmons, Arnold Rosenbleeth, John Bouchard, David Ellis, Susan Pritchett, Debbie Horak, James Hicks

Outgoing President of the Board James Hicks passes the gavel to incoming President Chris Walker

CIL Disability Resource Center Page 2 Spring 2016

Bill Would Expand Access To Community Living by Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop, January 12, 2016

At present, it’s often far easier for people with disabilities to receive institutional care than community-based supports, but proposed legislation would ensure equal access to both.

Under a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., all individuals with disabilities who are deemed eligible for institutional care would be guaranteed the option to receive the services they need at home or in the setting of their choice.

Known as the Disability Integration Act, the legislation would dramatically alter the status quo. Current law generally assures people with disabilities care in nursing homes and other institutional facilities if they need assistance with eating, bathing, housekeeping and other daily activities. But, the availability of community-based services is often more limited and subject to long waiting lists.

Schumer’s proposal would outlaw such waiting lists and prohibit caps on services as well as other measures like low pay that may restrict access to community living.

“Individuals with disabilities have the right to live independent, fulfilling lives amongst their families and friends – but right now, they are often denied the kind of at-home services and supports that then keep them in institutional settings, far from their loved ones and communities,” Schumer said. “We need to be doing everything in our power to make sure they have the resources needed to live and thrive in the comfort of their own homes.”

The bill would apply to services provided by Medicaid as well as private long-term services and supports insurers. Under the plan, states would be eligible for a bump in federal funding for their Medicaid programs if they comply within a specified time period.

Advocates with the disability rights group ADAPT said Schumer’s proposal would be a major step forward by establishing community living as a civil right.

“I fought for decades to get out of the institution,” said Shelly Perrin, a Rochester, N.Y. advocate with the group. “My family abandoned me. The staff at the institution refused to help me and punished me for trying to leave. There are thousands of people still trapped in institutions. This bill gives me hope, because the right that I had to fight so hard for will be written down in the law.”

WALTON COUNTY RESIDENT GETS WHEELCHAIR RAMP

Sharon Billips of DeFuniak Springs recently contacted The CIL Disability Resource Center (CILDRC) in Pensacola seeking assistance in obtaining a wheelchair ramp. She is a wheelchair user due to neuropathy throughout her lower extremities, challenging her mobility. CILDRC’s Walton County Service Coordinator referred Ms. Billips to the Community Development Corporation to inquire about the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program. She met the criteria for assistance and two wheelchair ramps were built, providing Ms. Billips two ways out of her mobile home in case of a fire or other catastrophic event.

For more information about SHIP in Okaloosa and Walton counties, contact the Community Development Corporation at 863-1969. They are located at 204 Cloverdale Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Cherry’s Corner

CIL Disability Resource Center Page 3 Spring 2016

APPLEBEE’S IMPROVES HANDICAPPED PARKING AT NINE MILE ROAD LOCATION

As part of our services here at CILDRC, we regularly survey parking lots to ensure businesses are providing handicapped parking spaces that are in compliance with the ADA and Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction. Sometimes we conduct surveys as a result of patron complaints; sometimes staff members with disabilities observe deficiencies while out in the community.

One such example was the Applebee’s Restaurant located on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. When it came to our attention that their handicapped parking was out of compliance, I contacted Donald Mayo, CBO, at the Building Inspection Department. Upon evaluation by his staff, it was agreed that some improvements needed to be made.

In the front of the building, the sidewalk was lowered so it was level with the parking surface, a sidewalk ramp was added, signs were updated and parking space striping was added. Two additional handicapped parking spaces were added to the west side of the building, both with proper signage and striping.

So the next time you visit Applebee’s on Nine Mile Road, be sure to thank the management for making it easier for people with mobility impairments to have a meal at their establishment. I am sure they will appreciate your patronage!

HANDICAPPED PARKING SURVEY

Have you seen VEHICLES parked in handicapped parking spaces without a handicap parking placard or license plate?

Have you seen VEHICLES parked on the white diagonal lines between cars? (These are access aisles, not parking spaces.)

Have you seen shopping carts or scooters left on the white diagonal lines be-tween cars?

Do you believe that Handicapped Parking Permits are being misused?

CILDRC wants to know! Please call 850-595-5566 and ask for extension 23. You will be connected to a recording where you can leave your answers to the above questions!

CIL Disability Resource Center Page 4 Spring 2016

CURB CUTS ADDED AT LA MANCHA PARK

Consumer Kelly Gordon contacted CIL Disability Resource Center several months ago after trying to have a play day at her neighborhood park with her grandchildren. Ms. Gordon uses a wheelchair and was extremely upset to find that she could not get into the La Mancha Park in Pensacola using her wheelchair because there were no curb cuts in the sidewalks surrounding the park.

CILDRC promptly contacted the City of Pensacola about the problem and two weeks later, the curb cuts were installed!

Ms. Gordon was ecstatic about the improve-ments to the park and the quick response by the City of Pensacola!

IPads and Smart Tablets Are Not Just for Games

IPads and Smart Tablets are not just for games anymore. There are apps that can be used daily in the classroom and as an accommodation in the workplace. The FAAST Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center (GCRDC) can help you find an App that can be used for hearing, vision, learning disability, developmental disabilities and much more! In addition, many of these Apps are free! What are the best apps for your classroom or place of employment? Let GCRDC help you find an Apps that can work for you.

There are far too many Apps to list, but the following are just a few examples:

Bridging Apps

http://bridgingapps.org/

Tech Finder

https://www.understood.org/en/tools/tech-finder

40 Amazing iPad Apps for the Learning Disabled

http://www.matchacollege.com/blog/2011/40-amazing-ipad-apps-for-the-learning-disabled/

Complete guide to educational and special needs apps

http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/library_special_needs_apps.html

Apps for Employment for Persons with Disabilities

http://otswithapps.com/2015/05/02/apps-for-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/

Purple VRS (Free) http://www.purple.us

Sorenson Video Phone http://www.sorenson.com

Dragon Dictation (Free)

https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id341446764?mt=8

ASL Dictionary by AppSavers.com ($3.99): https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id353574642?mt=8

DONOR HALL OF FAME

Big Top Bingo

D.W. McMillan Foundation

John and Natalie Prokk Neva Gray

Sam and Inez Beck Kenneth Gaillot

Gwendolyn Khalil Nancy Doss

Don and Jan Risavy Todd Moody

Mary Jo Hollinhead Maxine Marretta Kim Maddock Sarah Figureid

James R. Mizell Leanne Purcell

Antoinette Robinson Arnold Rosenbleeth

Arthur Nunamaker, Sr. Beth Saier

Bill Simmons Carrie Finale

Charlie Yagher David Ellis

Debbie Horak Eric Dupre’

Gail Gardner James Hicks

Jay Fitch Jennifer Perry-Breen

Judy Hicks Jerry Cloud

John Bouchard Kathy Wilks

Meghan Hoffman Susan Pritchett

Susan Rainwater

Thanks To Volunteers!

CILDRC LOVES VOLUNTEERS! If you have the time and a passion for helping, we can find something for you to do! We need help answering phones, greeting consumers and performing other basic office skills (folding brochures and stuffing envelopes). If you think you may be interested, contact Danny

Broxson, Volunteer Coordinator at CILDRC, 850-595-5566, ext. 33 to request an interview!

CIL Disability Resource Center Page 5 Spring 2016

Making a Difference…...and Paying It Forward Recently, Mr. Mark Bonc walked into CILDRC using a cane and inquiring about a power wheelchair. Although we no longer loan power wheelchairs, staff member Sherri Myers knew of a consumer who no longer needed a power wheelchair we loaned her several months ago. Ms. Myers referred Mr. Bonc to the consumer and now he has a power wheelchair, greatly improving his independence in mobility. After all was said and done, the consumer had this to say about her experience:

Good morning, Sherri! I completely forgot to send this to you last Thursday (January 28th) when Mark Bonc (I hope I spelled that correctly) picked up the power wheelchair you loaned me. He sure was happy to get it! He was right on time at 3:30, just like you and I discussed. I hope it helps him as much as it helped me. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to borrow it until I was able to get my own. It truly was such a blessing and made my days so much easier while also keeping my pain level down. YOU have been a tremendous bless-ing in my life as well. Having you there, knowing you understand my struggles, and knowing you're there for me, whether it's to assist me or just as a sweet friend to talk with about this new lifestyle, you've been a won-derful blessing to me and I cannot thank you enough.

Anyway, I took a picture of Mark in the power wheelchair to show you how happy he was! Look at that smile! I thought you would enjoy seeing how happy he is to have this assistance...seeing yet another person whose life you've touched. : )

Mr. Bonc is all smiles seated

in his new power wheelchair.

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING NEEDED!

At CILDRC, we frequently receive phone calls from people with disabilities and/or their family members who are looking for housing with accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps, widened doors and roll-in showers.

If you know of any housing that may be available in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa or Walton Counties, please call us 850-595-5566 to let us know. We can put the information on our Resource/Referral list or even advertise for free in our next quarterly newsletter.

DISABILITY AND HEALTHCARE DISCRIMINATION At the CIL Disability Resource Center, we often receive complaints from people with disabilities that they are unable to access health care providers. For instance, people who are deaf often complain that a doctor or health care provider will not provide them with a sign language interpreter. Some people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity cannot access health care facilities because of exposure to perfume or other chemicals in the environment. People who use wheelchairs and who may be unable to stand often are not provided with the equipment needed to access an examination table. The list of barriers to health care for people with disabilities is endless, including lack of public transportation.

The federal and state governments are aware of the barriers to access and have addressed many of the issues through the passage of laws. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, physicians and medical providers are required to provide effective communication for people who are deaf. Even though there are laws that provide some protection for people with disabilities, they are often not enforced.

The United States Centers for Disease Control published the American Journal of Public Health on the importance of addressing health disparities among people with disabilities in relation to access to health care. The data showed that adults with a disability were more likely to be affected by:

Certain social factors; adults with a disability were more likely to be Unemployed A victim of a violent crime Health and health risk behaviors; adults with a disability were more likely to Have cardiovascular (heart) disease Be obese Be a current smoker Engage in no leisure-time physical activity Lack of health care access; adults with a disability were less likely to Have a current mammogram Be receiving needed medical care (because of the cost of care)

If you feel that you or someone you know has been discriminated against by a health care provider you may contact the CILDRC advocacy coordinator at 850-595-5566. Ext. 22. CILDRC will assist you in self-advocacy to access health care.

CIL Disability Resource Center Page 6 Spring 2016

FREE EQUIPMENT LOANS FOR OKALOOSA/WALTON CONSUMERS

CILDRC maintains a loan locker for the benefit of Okaloosa and Walton County residents. Located in For t Walton Beach, a well-stocked loan locker consisting of durable medi-cal equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, canes, etc. prevents Okaloosa and Walton County consumers from having to travel to the CILDRC main office for their equipment needs. Consumers are permitted to use the items for as long as they are needed. Donations of durable medical equipment are always welcome and mone-tary donations are accepted as well. Contact Brett Robinson at 877-245-2457 or email at brettr@cil-drc.org, to make arrangements for pickup.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Gail, an extremely valued and longtime volunteer at CIL Disability Resource Center!

Gail is very lovely person; she is very motivated and she will go over and beyond to assist us here at the Center. No matter how tedious the task, Gail is willing and able to per-form the assigned duties with a smile. Her commitment to CILDRC earned her the coveted “Volunteer of the Year” award sev-eral years in a row. We don’t know what we would do without her!

CIL Disability Resource Center Spring 2016 Page 7

DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE HEARING OVER THE TELEPHONE?

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) provides specialized telephone equipment at no cost to Floridians with hearing loss or speech disabilities. To qualify, you must be a permanent Florida resident, at least three years of age and able to provide proof of hearing loss or speech disability.

Not sure if you have a hearing loss? Some people experience hearing loss gradually, often due to exposure to loud noise, medications, head trauma or genetics. If you are having trouble hearing on the telephone, have to strain to understand conversations and constantly ask people to repeat themselves, you may have a hearing loss and could qualify to receive a free amplified telephone.

To learn more about the free telephone program and/or to make an appointment contact:

CIL Disability Resource Center 3600 North Pace Boulevard,

Pensacola, FL 32505

877-245-2457 (toll free) - 850-595-5566 (V/TDD) www.cil-drc.org

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please note that since hearing loss can also be a sign of more serious health problems, you should make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss any problems you are experiencing.

FAIR HOUSING Escambia County is fortunate to have a Human Relations Commission that serves the advocacy needs of people with disabilities.

The Commission was formed over 40 years ago to address issues in human relations, including discrimination in housing and employment.

The Commission enforces the Fair Housing ordinances of the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. It has the power to investigate housing discrimination complaints, including the power to subpoena witnesses and make a determination of discrimination. The Commission through its powers has been very effective in mediating many housing complaints, many on behalf of people with disabilities.

The Commission also investigates complaints of employment discrimination and will assist people with filing formal complaints with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and US Department of Equal Employment Opportunity.

The Commission was established to provide the people of Escambia County the means to effectively address human relations conflicts and issues. In recent years the Commission’s efforts resulted in investigations by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) of discrimination in the award of federal contracts to minority contractors.

If you believe you have been discriminated against in housing or employment, or if you are aware of an issue of injustice that should be investigated by Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission, you may contact them at (850) 437-0510. The Commission is located at 2257 N. Baylen Street. To learn more about the Commission you can go to their website, www.ephrc.org.

The CILDRC Mission

To assist individuals with disabilities achieve their goals

for independence

CIL Disability Resource Center 3600 North Pace Boulevard Pensacola, Florida 32505

Voice/TDD: 850-595-5566 Fax: 850-595-5560

WEBSITE: http://www.cil-drc.org/ www.cil-drc@cil-drc.org

CILDRC

Services of the CIL Disability Resource Center are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; State of Florida Department of Education-Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; the Florida Alliance of Assistive Services and Technology; local businesses and individual contributions.

36 Years of Promoting Independence for

people with disabilities

Give the Gift of Caring Yes, I want to help the CIL Disability Resource Center continue to advocate for individuals with disabilities in our community. Enclosed is my tax deductible gift of:

______$100 ______ $50 ______$25 ______Other

Please make checks payable and mail to CIL Disability Resource Center, 3600 North Pace Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32505. Name: ________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________

City: _________________ State _____ ZIP_________

On behalf of our consumers, thanks for caring!

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Pensacola, FL Permit No. 920

CIL Disability Resource Center 3600 Pace Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32505