Passage of WIOA Brings Opportunities for Independent Living

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, established a network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs). CILs are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, nonprofit agencies that are operated in local communities by individuals with disabilities. CILs provide an array of IL services that are designed to enhance independence and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities, and to promote their full inclusion and integration into the mainstream of American society. IL has grown to 354 federally funded centers for independent living since its creation. CIL’s are located in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile.

In 1992 Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act brought a number of changes to insure the continued growth of independent living. Federal law requires that reauthorization occurs every 5 years, something that had not taken place since the late 90’s. Reauthorization had been long overdue. In the Spring of 2014 naysayers had pronounced reauthorization dead on arrival. They were wrong.

With the President’s signing of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act of 2014 (WIAO), Independent Living Programs will begin the transition to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) at The Department of Health and Human Services, creating the Independent Living Administration. Creation of the Independent Living Administration has been one of the National Council on Independent Living’s top priorities. Independent Living will join the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Administration on Aging at ACL. The move will complete a program of services designed to increase community supports focused on people with disabilities and older Americans throughout their life.

WIOA also brings other significant changes for CIL’s and State Independent Living Councils (SILC’s). CIL’s will now be required to provide a new fifth core service–Transition. Transition services include transition from institutions to community, prevention of institutional placement, and transition services for post-secondary youth. CIL’s are now the only entities specified in federal law to provide nursing home transition, a service that many CIL’s, including Disability Right and Resources, had already been providing.

Reauthorization clarifies the role of the SILC’s, and expands the role of CIL’s in the development and signing of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL’s). SILC’s are now permitted to conduct systems advocacy and resource development, activities that had been prohibited, due to interpretations by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The SPIL is a document describing activities to achieve independent living objectives in a state, and must be approved by the federal government every 3 years. It outlines the network of centers for independent living and the allocation of other resources. In the past, the chair of the SILC and the head of the Designated State Unit (VR) signed off on the SPIL. Now the SPIL must be jointly developed by the SILC and CILs, and signed off by the chair of the SILC, a majority of CILs, and the head of the Designated State Entity (formerly the Designated State Unit).

These changes have the potential of increasing collaboration among partners, increasing support for the network of centers for independent living, and increasing the autonomy of the State Independent Living Councils in Alabama and throughout the United States.

Calendar of Events

February 10 & 25   Peer Support Meeting: Budgeting/Money Management*

February 26            ADA Anniversary Planning Meeting 2:00 p.m., Birmingham

 March 10 & 25       Peer Support Meeting: Turning Problems into Opportunities*

 March 20                State Independent Living Council Meeting, Montgomery

April 3                     Closed in Observance of Good Friday

 *Peer Support Meetings at Birmingham Office 10:00 a.m.  For more information about peer support meetings, e-mail josh.whitmire@drradvocates.org  or call 205-815-6152

Many working people in Alabama don’t earn enough to keep up with the costs of having a home. In 2012, the Alabama legislature created the Alabama Housing Trust Fund to address the shortage of rental and homeownership opportunities affordable to working families.   The legislation creating the Trust Fund did not include funding. The legislation did set-up a way to provide funding later when the economy is healthier.

The Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LICHA), a statewide advocacy group promoting the development of housing for low income people, will be leading the fight to gain funding in the upcoming legislative session. Alabama needs of over 90,000 affordable homes for seniors on fixed incomes, persons with disabilities and low-wage workers.

All housing units must satisfy HUD’s minimum housing standards and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants for homeownership must fulfill requirements of Alabama Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. The 2015 Legislative Session offers the best opportunity to secure a dedicated revenue stream for the Alabama Housing Trust Fund. Supporters will have opportunities to express their support for the legislation as it moves through the House and Senate in the 2015 legislative session. For more information visit LICHA’s website.

Meet Chris Jones

My name’s Chris Jones, I’m a Homewood native who spent the last 13 years in Tennessee and Mississippi before moving back to town to become Disability Rights and Resources’ new Volunteer Home Modification Coordinator. I am a graduate of the University of Memphis and consider Memphis my ‘other’ hometown; so much so that I never thought I would leave that city. In the end, however, good scholarships and ridiculously low cost of living lured me 3 hours south to Jackson, Mississippi for graduate school. It was there that I met a pretty little songbird from West Palm Beach, Florida named Valerie Tate who became my wife this past May 31st. Professionally, I’ve spent the last ten years working for Presbyterian churches. Personally, I’m a fiercely proud Memphis Tiger (with some love thrown in for the Auburn Tigers as well), an obsessive Bruce Springsteen fan, a music teacher, and was voted by readers of the Jackson Free Press to be the 2nd Best Curmudgeon in Jackson, Mississippi for 2012 (that’s not a joke). Independent living has been important to me my whole life as I have watched my mother deal with the challenges caused by hip dysplasia that has limited her mobility her entire life. I am thrilled to be back home in Birmingham and part of the Disability Rights and Resources team!

ABLE Act Signed Into Law

GREETINGS FROM DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

June has been a whirlwind month at Disability Rights & Resources! We hosted our first Independence Day workshop series on June 5, and our very own Josh Whitmire was featured in the June 10 issue of Birmingham’s WELD magazine! Be sure to check out this month’s newsletter for recaps and updates on upcoming events!

July Calendar:

JULY MARKS THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA!

• July 1: “Independence Day” Workshop Series Continues! 1-3pm, 5th floor of ADRS office, 236 Goodwin Crest Drive, Homewood, AL 35209
• July 4: Office Closed for the Holiday!
• July 8: Peer Support Group Meeting (Topic: Bullying), Disability Rights & Resources, 10-11 am
• July 15: Deadline to Register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance for those who sustained damage from the storms during 4/28-5/05. See below for more details!
• July 22: Peer Support Group Meeting (Topic: TBD), Disability Rights & Resources, 10-11am
• July 26: 24th Anniversary of the ADA
• July 31: “Independence Day” Workshop Series, 1-3 pm, 5th floor of ADRS office, 236 Goodwin Crest Drive, Homewood, AL 35209

Independence Day Workshop Series in Full Swing!

On June 5, 2014, Disability Rights & Resources hosted the first of three workshops focused on consumer independence and independent living skills. The event took place from 1-3 and featured presentations from Gwen Brown and Josh Whitmire, Peer Advocates with Disability Rights & Resources. Gwen’s workshop was entitled “Fostering Self-Determination & Independent Living Skills” and was geared towards parents. Josh’s workshop, “Give Me Independence!” was for youth and young adults.

The workshop series is sponsored by the Children’s Rehab Services (CRS) Local Parent Advisory Committee and features guest speakers from organizations like UCP, ADAP, People First, the Jefferson County School System, and others. The workshops will continue on July 1 with a parent-focused workshop from Nancy Anderson and Denise Smith (“Preparing for Independence: IEP Transition Planning”) and Susan Ellis’ workshop for youth and young adults (“I Can Direct My Own Program!”).

July 31 will mark the third and final workshop with a parent-oriented presentation from Gary Edwards and Janis Braue (“We Don’t Grow Couch Potatoes”) and a youth-focused presentation from Mary Roth,  Pam Sturdivant, and Liz Faris entitled, “How Not To Be A Couch Potato.”

Both the July 1 and July 31 workshops will be held from 1-3 pm on the 5th floor of the Homewood ADRS office, located at 236 Goodwin Crest Drive, Homewood, AL 35209. Light refreshments will be served and mileage reimbursement is available for families with children with special healthcare needs. In addition, PAC members may be eligible for a $25 advisory fee and mileage reimbursement. Please contact Tammy Moore at Tammy.Moore@rehab.alabama.gov or call 205-290-4572 for more information or to register!

Josh Whitmire Featured in Birmingham’s WELD Magazine!

This month, WELD Magazine continued their long-running series entitled “Poverty in Birmingham” with their June 10th article by Mark Kelly, “A Place to Call Home.” The article focused on Birmingham’s lack of affordable housing, telling the stories of local families and individuals who have struggled to find a place to call their home. Kelly interviewed Josh as part of his research, and here is what he had to say:

“People who have different disabilities have different needs,” says Josh Whitmire. “People [who] use wheelchairs have certain needs, people who are blind have certain needs; some people have service animals that need to accompany them, and so on. And sometimes landlords have to be educated on ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] guidelines. It can complicate things.”

Himself a wheelchair user due to the congenital developmental disorder spina biffida, Whitmire is a peer advocate with Disability Rights and Resources. The agency assists individuals with disabilities in locating affordable housing or modifying their current homes to better accommodate their needs, and provides training in skills needed for independent living. He says his experience has shown that both the quantity and quality of housing for people with disabilities – and affordable housing in general – remains a daunting proposition.

“I’ve lived in both income-based and fair market rate housing,” says Whitmire, who currently lives in a market-rate apartment in Trussville. “I can tell you firsthand the trouble people have in finding accessible housing. Most of our clients are on extremely limited incomes. Most have to use public transportation. So it’s not as easy as saying, ‘Here’s an apartment,’ and handing them the keys.

“As far as affordable housing in general, there is absolutely not enough of it. There are not enough options, and it needs to be spread out more, to different areas of the community. As it is, people get grouped into certain areas, and I don’t think that’s a good thing. It’s a serious issue and a real challenge.”

You can read the entire article at weldbham.com

Deadline to Register with FEMA Extended to July 15

The deadline to register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance for those who stained damage from the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, straight line winds, tornadoes, and flooding has now been pushed back to Tuesday, July 15. Those who have already registered can track their claims and should notify FEMA of changes to mailing addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damages.

To register with FEMA:
1. Go online to disasterassistance.gov
2. Visit m.fema.gov from a Smartphone
3. Dial toll-free 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) from 7am-10pm
4. For those who use 711 relay or Video Relay Servies, please call 1-800-621-3362.