Disability Network Oakland & Macomb News and Eventsdnom.arrowis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Winter_2011... · 2015-05-17 · We had a fabulous Fiscal Year 2010. (October 1, 2009-September

We had a fabulous Fiscal Year 2010. (October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010)

• We provided Information & Referral and Independent Living Services to 3,791 consumers. • We added 4 full-time staff members during the year, bringing our total number of staff to 22. • Through a collaboration with MRS, we created programs that provide services to individuals who use American Sign Language as a means of communication. • We created new programming that will provide independent living services to students with disabilities. • We’ve updated our Assistive Technology

Room to meet the needs of our consumers. Through our partnerships and wonderful employees, we expect Fiscal Year 2011 to be just as dynamic as Fiscal Year 2010!!! Did you know that DNOM can provide ser-vices to local area businesses? We strive to make independent living a reality for people with disabilities in the community. We also like to work with employers and companies to provide education and consultation. We have talented staff that can facilitate True Colors personality assessments, Assistive Technology evaluations and Disability Awareness trainings. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE PAGE 3 OF OUR NEWSLETTER.

Did you know that non-profit organizations have a HUGE impact on the economy?

• Michigan has more than 47,000 nonprofit organizations. • 10% of Michigan residents are employed by the nonprofit sector. • One-third (1/3) of Michigan’s nonprofit organizations are based in the six-county Metro Detroit region. These agencies account for just over half of the state’s nonprofit assets, expenditures and revenue. • The service areas of Michigan’s nonprofit organizations include education, health and human services, arts, culture and religion. • Nonprofits are located in every county in Michigan and enhance the quality of life in virtually every community across the state. • Between 2006 and 2009, Michigan’s nonprofit sector added nearly 11,500 jobs Michigan’s nonprofit sector annual expen- ditures ($68 billion) generate 162,000 additional jobs outside the nonprofit sector each year.

Information provided by the Michigan Nonprofit Association

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Kellie Boyd Executive Director

Welcome to Disability Network

Oakland & Macomb!

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

From the

Director's Corner

1

Affordable Accessible Housing

2

DNOM Services 3

Go Direct 4

Third Thursday 5

DNOM Needs You 6

Mobile Outreach 7

Disability Network Oakland & Macomb

News and Events W I N T E R 2 0 1 1

From the Director’s Corner...

Your LINK to community resources!

“Extra Help” 10

Assistive Technology (AT)

9

Common Thread Support Group

8

Family Bowling Fundraiser

11

Other News & Events

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Imagine you are 19 years old. You are driving down the road to pick up your girlfriend. It’s Valentines Day and you have a date. Then, out of no where, a drunk driver runs a red light and T-bones the driver’s side of your car! The next thing you remember is waking up in the hospital with tubes everywhere. You are ter-rified when you discover you can’t move your legs. After months of physical therapy you begin the journey of accepting that the rest of your life will mostly be spent in a wheelchair. Your par-ents are great. They do everything you need them to do. You live with them, eat with them, they drive you everywhere and you begin to feel despondent, dependent and yearn for a life of your own; a life of independence. You bring it up with them. They totally understand, because they know they will not always be around to take care of you. Their biggest fear is what will happen to you if they die. You start saving up as much money as you can from your Social Security Disability Income. Your dream is to live on your own. You work very hard at learning how to drive a van with hand controls with an automatic lift for your wheelchair. Because your disability occurred before the age of 22, you can access in home Developmental Disability services through Community Mental Health. The services are focused on teaching independent living skills. A team of paid personnel drift in and out of your parent’s house to assist you in learning how to take care of yourself. Mom and dad finally get some respite. You work hard. You adapt. You are getting ready to spread your wings and take on the journey to adulthood you thought you had lost forever. You have been waiting for years for the local Housing Commission to open up their wait list. Finally, they do and you apply for a Section 8 Tenant Based Voucher, knowing in advance that

hundreds of others are doing the same exact thing; knowing that ultimately it boils down to a Lottery and all you can do is pray your name will be chosen out of some proverbial hat. You win! You actually win that impossible lot-tery! The notice arrives in your mail and you have 60 days to find a Section 8 landlord who has a vacancy. But you need an accessible place to live. You need doorways that are wide enough for a wheelchair to get through. You need a roll in shower. You need maneuverability space in front of the toilet for transferring. You need a sink you can reach and roll under. You need a ramp to the door. You search and search and search. But it’s just not out there. And you can’t afford to pay for the modifications yourself on Social Security Disability. Mom and dad are still paying for your hospital bills from the acci-dent because like many 19 year olds, you didn’t have health insurance when it happened. They can barely afford to pay their own mortgage payment. It’s the 60th day, and your search has left you empty handed. You tear up that voucher. Roll into your bedroom. Transfer to your bed. The tears begin to roll down your face as you try to begin another journey of acceptance. At the age of 28, you begin to realize, if things don’t change, you may never live any other place other than your parent’s house. And like your parents, you begin to fear, “What will happen to me when they die?” Thousands of families all across Oakland & Macomb Counties of Michigan are facing this same dilemma every day for far too numerous types of disabilities to mention. The lack of af-fordable and/or accessible housing is astronomi-cal! Please contact your Senators 517-373-2400 and Representatives 517-373-0135. It’s time to let them know Accessibility in Affordable housing is necessary for Independent Living!

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Affordable Accessible Housing

By: Dorie Bawks Advocacy Specialist

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D I S A B I L I T Y N E T W O R K

Who We Serve: *People with disabilities and their families *People of all ages *People with all disabilities *Schools *Businesses *Human Service Organizations *Health Agencies

We offer the following services: *Advocacy Services *Independent Living Skills Training *Information & Referral Services *Peer Support *Nursing Facility Transition Services *High School Transition Services *Vocational Readiness Trainings *Assistive Technology Services

What can DNOM do for your employees?

DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING *Did you know that 1 in 5 people in Michigan have disabilities? *Did you know that disabilities can be invisible to the eye? *Did you know that you may often be offending and violating rights of people with disabilities? DNOM can provide Disability Awareness training to your staff. We will educate your staff on disability etiquette and provide education for working with and interacting with people and customers with disabilities. TRUE COLORS TRAINING Can your employees benefit from learning how to work together more effectively and effi-ciently? *Do you need more teamwork and harmony in your workplace? *Do you wonder why some people work differ-ently than others? DNOM offers TRUE COLORS training. TRUE COLORS is a basic awareness seminar that increases communication and teamwork in the office.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (A.T) EVALUATIONS * Do you have employees that are valuable and need additional support to increase or maintain their produc-tivity in the workplace? *Did you know there are many low cost items and op-tions available that will allow your employees with dis-abilities to maintain their employment? *Did you know that computers can have adaptive equipment that will keep your employees productive in the workplace? *Did you know that many assistive technology devices are low cost? *DNOM can provide an Assistive Technology Evaluation (with recommendations) for your em-ployee to remain productive and efficient in the work-place.

51% of our staff members and board members are people with disabilities

Disability Network Oakland & Macomb (DNOM) provides services to all people with all disabilities.

Contact Kellie Boyd for information about fees and scheduling.

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Don’t Wait – Sign Up Today! Spread the Word that Signing up for Electronic Payments is Easy!

The U.S. Department of the Treasury now requires all federal benefit and nontax payments to be paid electronically. If you are applying for Social Security, Veterans benefits or other federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, you will receive your payments electronically starting with their first payment. If you are cur-rently receiving federal benefit checks, you will need to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. Have a bank or credit union account? Sign up for direct deposit. Your money goes straight into your checking or savings account each month, so you can count on it being there on time, every time. It’s easy. Visit your local financial institution, sign up online at www.GoDirect.org, or call the U.S. Treasury Process-ing Center at (800) 333-1795. Prefer a prepaid debit card? The Direct Express® card is a Treasury-recommended prepaid debit card that provides another safe, low-cost way to get your federal benefit payments. Your money will be posted to your FDIC-insured Direct Express® card account each month, so you can access your money immedi-ately on payment day. There are no sign-up fees, monthly fees or overdraft charges. Some fees for op-tional services may apply. No bank account or credit check is required.

For more information, visit www.GoDirect.org.

About the Go Direct® Campaign The Go Direct campaign is a national initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks to motivate people who get Social Security and other federal benefits by check to switch to direct deposit. Direct deposit is safer, easier and gives people more control over their money. The campaign reaches out to people through organizations and people they know and trust – such as financial institutions and community-based groups – to inform them about the benefits of direct deposit, and help them sign up for it. To date, Go Direct campaign partners have helped nearly five million Ameri-cans switch to direct deposit. The Go Direct campaign has a website (www.GoDirect.org ) and toll-free number (800-333-1795) to assist in helping people switch to direct deposit. About the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® The Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of locations na-tionwide. No bank account is required. There’s no sign-up fee, no credit check and no monthly fee. Some fees for optional services may apply. The Direct Express card, which has approximately 1 million enroll-ments to date, has a website (www.USDirectExpress.com) and toll-free number (877-212-9991) for peo-ple who want to learn more or sign up for the card.

Thursday Information Nights

♦ March 3, 2011, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. “Alternatives to Guardianship” presented by Lisa Lepine JD, Associate Director of ARC Services of Macomb Inc. This presentation will focus on alternatives to guardianship and guardian-ship as provided by the Michigan Mental Health Code for individuals with devel-opmental disabilities. Brief attention will focus on individuals who may other-wise be addressed through the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC). Much attention will be paid to the ideas of circles of support and alter-natives to guardianship

♦ April 21, 2011, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. “Housing Options” presented by Jennifer Williams. Jennifer will present on the various housing programs Community Housing Network has to offer focusing on the HPRP and LAP pro-grams along with the resources available to the community through CHN. She will also provide an overview on the various types of Section 8 housing and will allow plenty of time for questions and answers.

♦ June 16, 2011, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. “Your Link to Community Re-sources” presented by DNOM staff. Do you want to learn about more about Oakland & Macomb’s best kept secret? This presentation will provide informa-tion about the services provided at Disability Network Oakland & Macomb.

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D I S A B I L I T Y N E T W O R K

Check our website @ www.dnom.org for future updates & events.

Please RSVP to Disability Network Oakland & Macomb at 586-268-4160 or [email protected] to make sure there is a seat reserved for you! If you need special accommodations, please contact us

at least 10 days before the event.

2011

DNOM Needs Your Help Whether you are a person with a disability, a family member, a friend or a community partner, Disability Network Oakland & Macomb will be conducting a Community Needs Assessment.

Beginning in March, we will be contacting you to assist us in community needs planning. DNOM will be sending you a Community Needs Assessment Survey. You will be asked for feedback on issues that are relevant to you and your community. Your thoughts, comments and suggestions can help us make a positive impact on Oakland and Macomb counties. We will look at the needs of the community and partner with agencies and individuals in the community to develop pro-grams and/or services. The survey will take you approximately 20-30 minutes. DNOM appreciates your help in this effort.

Disability Network Oakland & Macomb announces new meeting day for our COMMON THREAD support group.

Please see our flyer in this issue for more information!

Are you on Facebook? Are you interested in information and resource sharing, social networking and building a closer community for people with disabilities? Then the Michigan Disability Sharing Network Facebook group is the place to go.“

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D I S A B I L I T Y N E T W O R K

Miriam On the Move!

Mobile Outreach

Wednesdays from June 6 — August 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hope Center, 33222 Groesbeck Highway, Fraser, MI

Upcoming Mobile Outreach Location:

Each month Miriam Green, DNOM staff member, will host “office hours” in local community offices and/or libraries in Oakland or Macomb County to provide in-formation & referral services to people who are unable to meet with us in our Clinton Township offices. Also, Miriam is our certified Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program Counselor.

For more information, contact Miriam Green at 586-268-4160 at Ext. 6620

Are you interested in providing leadership in your community?

Are you a compassionate person who cares about the lives of people with disabilities? Do you have one free afternoon a month to participate in a board meeting? Do you have experience in fundraising, human resources and services, or educating youth & adults? If this sounds like you, then join the Disability Network Oakland & Macomb Board of Trustees! Our Board of Trustees meet once a month to discuss issues and make integral deci-sions that benefit people with disabilities in Oakland and Macomb County communi-ties. If you are interested in joining this group of individuals, please contact us at 586-268-4160 or e-mail [email protected].

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D I S A B I L I T Y N E T W O R K

AT with Traci Comer

Assistive Technology (AT) is a tool used to accomplish tasks that would be difficult or impossible to complete without assistance. Assistive Technology can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist with communication, education, mobility, vision, memory, vocational or recreational activities making it possible to achieve greater independence while

improving quality of life. To learn more about what Assistive Technology can offer you, contact DNOM’s AT expert, Traci Comer at 586-268-4160, to make an appoint-ment for a demonstration. The following are some of the items featured in DNOM’s AT room:

Internet Accessible Computers Window-Eyes Professional

Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) Romeo Attaché

MAGic Dragon Naturally Speaking 9.0

OnScreen Boardmaker

WordQ Writing Aid Software Magic Touch

Intellikeys Magnifying Glare Filter

Tracker Pro Big Red Switch Specs Switch

Roller 2 Joystick The Equity

MDRC/UCP

Communication & Safety Demo. Kit

PowerMag 3x & 5x Pocket Magnifier

Visual Mate Ott Lamp

Braille Labe Maker GoTalk One Express One

GoTalk Button GoTalk 9+

Personal Talker Little Step-by-Step Communicator

Talking Photo Album Eye Gaze Board

Ameriphone Chattervox Amplifier

Franklin Master Plus MORE!!!

MDRC

Small Changes/Big Differences Kit

Arthwriter Hand Aid Bebe TV Headphones

Bottom Buddy Button Pull

Camelbak Better Bottle CarCaddie

Clarity Photo Phone Dress EZ Stick

EZ See Playing Cards Great Grips Door Grips

Handy-Cane Jar Wrench Leg Lifter

OneTouch Opener Roll-A-Lotion Applicator

Telemergency 2000 Wake Assure And MORE!

For more information contact:

Miriam Green Phone: (586) 268-4160, Ext 6620

[email protected] 16645 15 Mile Road

Clinton Township, MI 48035

Medicare Part B and Part D beneficiaries:

Are you in need of extra help in covering your prescription costs? Are you in need of help paying for your Part B premium?

If you meet certain income and assets limits, you may qualify for

Medicare Extra Help/Low-Income and/or Medicare Saving Program. Medicare Extra Help/Low-Income helps pays or reduces the co-pay for your prescription drugs ($2.50 generic/$6.30 brand-name), any

deductible, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Saving Program is through the Department of Human Services. The

Medicare Saving Program would pay your Part B premium.

If you are unable to attend one of the “Extra Help” days, you can contact Miriam to schedule an appointment.

There is no charge to apply for these services.

Medicare “Extra Help” days are held on Fridays: Excluding April 22, 2011 – Good Friday

9 a.m.—12 p.m.

http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/medical-and-drug-costs.aspx#LowIncomeSubsidy

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Other News:

Our office now has up-to date information on Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund. The AT Loan Fund helps people with disabilities and their family members get the equipment they need to be more independent and productive. If you would like more information about the AT Loan Fund or how to begin the process, contact Yolanda at 586-268-4160 ext. 6605.

DNOM has a loan closet! If you (or someone you know) need assistive equipment (crutches, walkers, seat

cushions, etc.) contact our office to arrange a loan.

‘IMAGINE’ Artwork of all mediums may be donated to DNOM to be displayed on the office walls. It is a great way for consumers of DNOM to give something back to the community, while also expressing themselves.

We encourage you to use our walls to portray the truth about your life, your journey, your recovery, your success. Most of all though, we encourage you to express your ABILITY!

Contact Dorie Bawks at ext. 6603 for more information.

Are YOU an Artist? Disability Network Oakland & Macomb invites you to participate in our donated art program:

Disability Network Oakland & Macomb 16645 15 Mile Road

Clinton Township, Michigan 48035

Your Link to Community Resources!

Phone: (586) 268-4160 (800) 284-2457 Fax: (586) 285-9942 E-mail: [email protected]

WE ARE ON THE WEB! www.dnom.org

Disability Network Oakland & Macomb Staff:

Executive Director Kellie Boyd

Director of Operations Kelly McConnell Program Manager Mark Bashaw

Veteran’s Service Supervisor Mary Ann Hewitt Independent Living Specialist Monisha Berkowski

Advocacy Specialist Dorothea Bawks Independent Living Specialist Michael Cadieux Transition Specialist Traci Comer

Independent Living Specialist Paula Florka Information & Assistance Miriam Green

Veteran’s Service Specialist Lindsay Kohler Independent Living Specialist Sarah Kowal

Administrative Assistant Roslyn Mace Receptionist Laurel May

Information & Referral Specialist Kelley Miller Independent Living Specialist (NFT) Stacey Molinaro

Independent Living Specialist Terry Moskwa Quality Assurance Specialist Yolanda Pinkston

Veteran’s Service Specialist Gina Schafer Independent Living Specialist Barbara Thompson Independent Living Specialist To’Bina Thornton

Independent Living Specialist Susan Varady Independent Living Specialist Jenell Williams

Our Mission: We are committed to advancing personal choice, independence, and positive social change for persons with disabilities through

advocacy, education, and outreach.

Your Link to Community Resources!

If you would like further information on the services we provide or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office!