OSWEGO COUNTY EDITION Director: Sabine Ingerson
February 2015 What’s Inside:
Join Us in Celebrating the ADA
ARISE Groups
2
Habilitation Dept.
3
MSC Blog
4
Diabetes Program
5
Fun Page
6
Calendar
7
When President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA on July 26, 1990 he stated:
Employment
8
Three weeks ago we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day. Today we’re here to rejoice in and celebrate another ‘independence day’, one that is long overdue. With today’s signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once closed doors into a bright new area of equality, independence, and freedom.
ARISE Center for Independent Living ARISE Oswego 9 Fourth Ave Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 342-4088
ARISE Pulaski 2 Broad St Pulaski, NY 13142 (315) 298-5726
ARISE Fulton 113 Schuyler St, Suite 2 Fulton, NY 13069 (315) 887-5156
ariseinc.org /ARISEcny
Our Mission To work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.
This year we are the celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). What is the ADA? It is a comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. This important piece of legislation bans discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, public accommodations, public services, transportation, and telecommunication. The ADA was created after a lengthy and truly collaborative effort between people with and without disabilities, Democrats and Republicans, people who worked in government and volunteer agencies, and, of course, Independent Living Centers.
When I reflect back on life in America during the 70s and 80s, people with disabilities were excluded from many activities within our communities. My first job was working for the ARC in Geneva teaching food preparation to individuals in their sheltered workshop. Four women were selected for this program and were scheduled to move into the first community residence. During that time, most individuals with significant medical issues lived in nursing homes because communitybased Medicaid waiver services, curb cuts, accessible buses, or access to public buildings or businesses were not available. The anniversary of the ADA is a time for all of us to reflect on a law that has made a great impact on the lives of people with disabilities as well as their families, friends, and the communities in which they live. It is a time to reaffirm that our country’s full vitality and strength is only realized through participation of all citizens. I invite all of you to share what the ADA and living in an accessible community means to you. Please contact me to share your story. You can visit me at the office, call (342-4088 x 210), or send me an email (singerson@ariseinc.org). I am looking forward to hearing from many of you and hope to include your experiences in our monthly newsletter during the year. ~ Sabine Page 1
ARISE Groups Oswego Social Club
Self-Advocacy Group
Friday, February 13th 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Friday, February 13th 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
We will be icing baked goods for Valentine’s Day! This group is open to anyone who is 18 years of age and older. Please contact Jeanne Czirr at 342-4088 ext. 209 if you have any questions.
Self-Advocacy is a group for people who want to advocate for change. For additional information, or if you have an issue you would like the group to advocate for, please contact Ken Skillen at 3424088 ext. 219.
Community Connections
Teen Group (ages 11—17) & Central Square Social Club
Saturday, February 7th 2:00 pm—3:30 pm
Tuesday, February 17th 10:30 am—3:00 pm
We will be watching the Movie “Snow Day” at the Pulaski Kallet Theater. Please contact Vicki Affinati at 342-4088 ext. 225 or vaffinati@ariseinc.org by February 4th at 5 pm to sign up.
We are going to The Strong National Museum of Play. Please call 342-4088 ext. 225 and leave Vicki Affinati a message if you are attending. You can also send an email to vaffinati@ariseinc.org. You must respond by February 9th at 5 pm.
ARISE NEWS
ARISE OSWEGO’S NEW OFFICE ADDITION
Page 2
Habilitation Department News
YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR VALENTINE’S PARTY & CRAFT NIGHT
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2015 9 FOURTH AVE. OSWEGO, NY 13126 4:00 PM TO 6:00 PM
PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH (315) 342-4088 x 224
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!! Page 3
MSC Blog
Be Prepared for Weather-Related Emergencies By: James Purdy, Medicaid Service Coordinator While the spring season shall be upon us soon, we’ve certainly had our share of winter storms in the month of January. You should always have enough supplies to survive without leaving your house for a few days (up to 72 hours), as well as tools to help you leave if necessary. Here listed below are some ideas I have for you to consider stocking up on.
A shovel. Even if you live in an apartment you should own a shovel as you may need to dig yourself out before your ground crew gets in, and they are unlikely to dig out your car.
Flashlights and batteries. Make sure you have good quality flashlights and lamps with fresh batteries. You can also purchase self-powered flashlights and self-powered radios. Some models will also charge your cell phone.
Candles. In case your flashlight suddenly gives out or you run out of batteries, you can light your home the old-fashioned way.
Non-perishable food. Stock up on canned soups and vegetables, powdered food, and grains like rice and pasta. Make sure you have enough to last your family at least three or four days. Make sure you have a manual can-opener, as well.
Bottled water. If you're worried about the pipes freezing, stock up on some water. You can buy it bottled, or simply purchase a few gallon jugs and fill them from the tap.
Blankets and warm clothing. You may already have these items, but remember you will need enough blankets to keep you warm without any heat and in adverse conditions. Consider purchasing mittens, thick woolen socks, and a hooded sweatshirt, if you don't already own these items.
A camping stove or grill. A gas-powered camping stove is a wise investment for any emergency situation. If you have an electric stove in the kitchen a camp stove is almost a necessity. Be sure you use it with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and have plenty of backup fuel.
Matches to light your gas range/camping stove/candles. Do not rely on lighters that can run out of fuel or break down all too easily.
A battery operated radio. This way you can get news without wall power. Make sure the batteries are good. It is also possible to buy a motion charging radio, as you can with a flashlight.
Prescription medications. Like food, it is always wise to have enough to last you a few days.
A first aid kit. You never know what kind of injuries or emergencies will happen, so make sure you have sterile bandages, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, and over-the-counter painkillers available.
A cellphone with a cord, or a portable cellphone charger. Cordless home phones will not work when the power is out. Many states require at least one wall plugged phone, which receives power from the telephone connection, in all households.
Anything else vital to your household. You should always have ample supplies of items like diapers, formula, pet food, and so on before the storm hits. Stay safe out there!
Page 4
Diabetes Self Management Program
Page 5
Fun Page
Page 6
Sun 1
Mon 2
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
3
4
5
6 7 National Wear Community Connections Red Day! 2:00p - 3:30p (raise awareness of Heart See page 2 Disease)
10 Valentine’s Day Party ARISE Oswego 4:00p - 6:00p
11 Fresh Food Giveaway Park United Methodist Church Pulaski 3:30p - 5:30p
12
13
Groundhog Day 8
15
9
16
President’s Day
14
Self Advocacy 11:30a -12:30p See page 2 Social Club 12:45p - 2:45p
19 18 17 Central Square Social Fresh Food Club Giveaway & North SyraTeen Group cuse Christian Church 10:30a - 3:00p 3:30p - 5:30p See page 2
20
21
24
27
28
Office Closed
22
23
25
26 Diabetes Workshop Week 1 ARISE Oswego Noon - 3:30p
**2nd** Fresh Food Giveaway United Methodist Church Sandy Creek 3:30p - 5:30p Page 7
**16th** Fresh Food Giveaway Believer’s Chapel Fulton 4:00p - 6:00p
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 25
ARISE 9 Fourth Avenue Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: Fax: TTY:
OSWEGO, NY 13126
(315)342-4088 (315)342-4107 (315)342-8696
ariseinc.org Address Service Requested Mailing Address Goes Here
Employment
ACCES-VR Works! ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) is an agency in the New York State Education Department that has helped many individuals with disabilities find and keep employment. You may know the agency from it’s previous acronym: VESID. Over the past year, ACCES-VR has helped over 900 people in Central New York (including 80 in Oswego County) succeed in careers ranging from customer service to information technology. Services to help eligible individuals reach their employment goals may include but are not limited to: job coaching, employment counseling, advocacy, and financial assistance with training, equipment, and work uniforms. If you or someone you know has a barrier to employment and is interested in applying, please contact (315) 428-4180 to register for an information session or to receive an application.