Disability Rights and Resources

The Power of Hope & Freedom

205-251-2223

November 2013 Newsletter

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GREETINGS FROM DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

As the holiday season approaches, we are incredibly grateful for our wonderful staff and all they’ve accomplished this year! In the November issue, we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Mike Norris, celebrate Gwen Brown’s “Advocate of the Year” nomination, recap the 2013 White Cane Day, and recognize some recent achievements of our consumers. Also, be sure to check out our calendar for upcoming events and meetings!

FAREWELL, MIKE NORRIS!Mike Norris

It is with great fondness that we bid farewell to a longtime staff member at Disability Rights & Resources: the inimitable Mike Norris. Mike has been a vital part of our organization since 1982. November 27–over 30 years later–will be his last day at Disability Rights & Resources, after which he will enjoy the wonderful world of retirement! During his tenure, Mike has served as Regional ILRU Coordinator, Network Administrator of the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), coordinated the Peer Mentoring Program, and provided technical assistance and training to Independent Living Centers and State Independent Living Councils. Mike is currently an Independent Living Specialist, developing community resources for homeless consumers and providing computer instruction to low-vision and blind individuals. In preparation for his retirement, Mike has penned some thoughts he’d like to share with all of you:

“As I write down a few reflections about my time here as a staff member at Disability Rights & Resources, I am immediately reminded of how times and techniques have changed since I began working here over 30 years ago. The method I would have used to compose this draft for our existing newsletter back then would have been to put my thoughts onto a audio cassette tape, and ask some very helpful staff person to assist me in getting it all down in print. There has always been a very helpful group of staff members. But now I just use the computer with speech technology to process my own thoughts.

I thank you all for honoring me by letting me serve you for all these years. God has blessed me and shown me total enrichment by putting me in this place in my life. I have seen many successes and positive outcomes for people with disabilities because of the efforts of the caring people within this agency. I believe the best is yet to come.”

A reception will be held in Mike’s honor at Disability Rights & Resources next Friday, November 22, from 2-4pm. Food and refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to attend! Please RSVP to 205-251-2223. See you there!

GWEN BROWN OF ALABASTER OFFICE NOMINATED FOR “ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR”

Gwen Brown (top) at NDEAM Awards Luncheon with Carolyn Agee (left) and Dana Ullrich (right)
Gwen Brown (top) at NDEAM Awards Luncheon with Carolyn Agee (left) and Dana Ullrich (right)

Please join is in congratulating Gwen Brown on her recent “Advocate of the Year”nomination at the 34th National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards Luncheon, which is presented every year by the Birmingham Area Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The award recognizes “an educator who has demonstrated exceptional devotion to duty toward promoting self-advocacy, employment, and improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.” Gwen was nominated by ADRS staff member Nick Votava: “It has been her experiences with her own children that has inspired Gwen to go the extra mile: organizing parent education seminars, assisting parents at IEP meetings, and advocating on their behalf…Gwen adamantly defends and promotes the best interests of her clients.”

Gwen maintains that being an effective Peer Advocate requires collaboration,  communication, and respect: “In order to help empower others, it is important to remain humble and never stop learning.” She also stresses the importance of focusing on consumers first and educating parents very early on about vocational rehab services and the transition process. Independent Living philosophy is also at the core of Gwen’s approach–“promoting self-advocacy and equipping people with the tools they need to step out of their comfort zones” are essential. Congratulations on all your hard work and accomplishments, Gwen!

CONSUMERS MAKING HEADLINES:
Tyelyn Maddox of Montevallo Middle School Inducted into National Junior Honor Society

Tyelyn Maddox (left) and her mother Kimberly (right) pose for a picture at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony
Tyelyn Maddox (left) and her mother Kimberly (right) pose for a picture at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony

Tyelyn Maddox has been working with Disability Rights & Resources Peer Advocate Gwen Brown for some time now, seeking to transition out of one of her resource classes and enter the 8th grade general curriculum. Going against the grain, Tyelyn called her own IEP meeting and continuously advocated for herself and for her education. Recently, Tyelyn’s hard work paid off. On Friday, November 8, she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, an organization that recognizes outstanding middle school students and “honors those who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.” At her last IEP meeting in October, Tyelyn got the go-ahead to transition out of her resource class, and  since then she has even been asked to help lead a class following a teacher’s absence. Gwen speaks very highly of Tyelyn’s determination and ability to self-advocate, saying, “This is what our youth in school need to see the outcome of advocacy. Tyelyn has truly stepped up. I am just so proud of her hard work.” Congratulations on all your great achievements, Tyelyn!

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS KITS STILL AVAILABLE!

Disability Rights & Resources has distributed over 250 disaster preparedness kits since launching the initiative in July–and we still have plenty more to give away! The duffle bags contain first aid kits, pocket radios, potable water and vacuum-sealed foods, life rafts, flashlights, batteries, ponchos, a handbook on planning for emergencies, and other helpful items. If you or your agency are interested in picking up kits, please contact Judy Roy at (205) 815-6142.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

November 19: Peer Support Group Meeting, 10-11am, Disability Rights & Resources — (205) 251-2223 for more info!

November 20: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11am-1pm, Montgomery

November 22: Retirement Party for Mike Norris, 2-4pm, Disability Rights & Resources–(205) 251-2223 RSVP

November 28-29: CLOSED for Thanksgiving Holiday

*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

October 2013 Newsletter

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GREETINGS FROM
DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

Check out our October newsletter for key information about the new Health Insurance Marketplace, a NCIL report on how the government shutdown is impacting people with disabilities, “save the dates” for important events (like White Cane Day on October 19!), and an introduction to our upcoming Disability History Exhibit.

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HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE OPENS

On October 1, the new Health Insurance Exchange went live, with marketplaces opening for enrollment across the country. In Alabama, roughly 600,000 individuals are uninsured and could be eligible for coverage under Obamacare. Our state has adopted the federally-run marketplace, which serves as a kind of centralized coverage hub that allows purchasers to shop and compare insurance plans. There is a great deal of information available concerning the recent changes, so we’ve compiled some excellent resources and key takeaway points:

– Access to health insurance cannot be denied due to a pre-existing condition.
– The Insurance Exchange also serves as a screening service to determine if a person is eligible for Medicaid or a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
– There are several Qualified Health Plans to choose from, which are sorted into categories based on the percentage of health costs covered under that plan. The four main “levels” are Bronze (which pays on average 60% of costs and requires a lower monthly premium), Silver (70%), Gold (80%), and Platinum (pays on average 90% of costs and requires a higher monthly premium).
– There is also a Catastrophic Plan, which has some of the lowest premiums and would offer emergency coverage.
– Purchasers should see if they are eligible for an Advanced Premium Tax Credit, which provides financial assistance for monthly premiums. To see what kind of Tax Credit you might be eligible for, check out the subsidy calculator from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
– For Open Enrollment periods and important dates, please click here.
– To help Alabamians enroll in the Health Insurance Exchange, the state has set up “Navigator” sites with experts who can answer questions and walk you through the enrollment process. For more information on these sites and to contact a navigator near you, visit http://enrollala.com/.

Other great resources include www.healthcare.gov, www.cms.gov, http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/bystate/al.html, and the Health Insurance Call Centers (1-800-318-2596).

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NCIL: HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS AFFECTING THE INDEPENENT LIVING COMMUNITY

The National Council on Independent Living recently issued a report on how the government shutdown is impacting the lives of people with disabilities. Ashton Rosin, NCIL’s Policy Intern, states that even though widely-used benefit programs like Social Security and Medicaid will continue to operate, services like replacing lost Social Security cards and obtaining proof of income are not currently available, and there could be delays in processing new disability applications. The good news is that Medicare and Medicaid will continue during the shutdown because those programs do not rely on funding dictated by congressional annual spending laws.

Furthermore, the shutdown will not affect implementation of federally-run (versus state-run) Health Insurance Exchanges, which opened in over 30 states October 1. However, a long-term shutdown could cause more complications: “It is clear that the longer the shutdown lasts, along with the looming debt crisis, the more precarious of a position we will all be in. NCIL encourages our members to be aware and speak up!” NCIL wants to hear directly from YOU how the government shutdown has affected YOUR life “to demonstrate the damaging effects of the shutdown on the disability community.” Please contact Ashton Rosin at ashton@ncil.org to share your story.

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JOIN US FOR THE 2013 INAUGURUAL WHITE CANE WALK!

The first ever Alabama White Cane Walk is this Saturday, October 19! The white cane was introduced in 1931 by the Lions Club International as a way to promote safety and increased mobility for blind individuals. The original white cane concept has been modified over the years and remains to this day an important symbol of the achievements and developments made by those who are blind and visually impaired.

Registration will take place at Disability Rights & Resources from 8-9 AM. Participants will walk a historic trail through the Civil Rights District to Linn Park. The event will also include free vision screenings, presentations on assistive technology and low vision aids, and remarks from the mayor. For more information, click here. We hope to see you all this Saturday!

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JOB OPENING FOR PEER ADVOCATE

Disability Rights & Resources currently has an opening for a full-time Peer Advocate to provide independent living services in Blount and St. Clair counties. The individual will assist people with disabilities in achieving their independent living goals, provide peer support, training, information and referrals, and outreach and advocate as needed. The right candidate must be able to work independently, have excellent communication skills and access to reliable transportation. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply! To submit application materials, please click here.

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22-PANEL DISABILITY HISTORY EXHIBIT COMING SOON TO DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!

Disability Rights & Resources will soon have the opportunity to host an exhibit on the history of disability! The display features a 22-panel collage that traces 5,000 years of what its creators call the “seldom-told history” of individuals with disabilities. Advocating Change Together (ACT), a disability rights non-profit in St. Paul, Minnesota, is the original home of the exhibit, which “brings viewers through an illustrated timeline that shows society’s attitudes and how they affect the lives of people with disabilities.” The panels are 25″ x 36″ and will be made fully accessible and open to the public. The display will be on loan from People First of Alabama. Stay tuned for dates and more information! You can also preview the exhibit online.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

October 16: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11am-1pm, Montgomery
October 18: ALHousingSearch.org Advisory Board Meeting, Disability Rights & Resources
October 19: Inaugural White Cane Walk, 8am-1pm, Disability Rights & Resources
October 23 & 24: 2013 Alabama Assistive Technology Expo & Conference (ALATEC), Auburn University

*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

August 2013 Newsletter

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Newsletter, August 2013
Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources! Our August newsletter is full of exciting updates and information about upcoming events– check out photos from our latest ramp build, get the facts on S. 1356 and hear what staff had to say about attending the 2013 NCIL Conference in Washington, D.C.! You can also visit us on our  website, Facebook and Twitter.
NCIL executive director meeting President Obama
Disability Rights & Resources Attends 2013 NCIL Conference
For the week of July 22-27, several Disability Rights & Resources staff traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living. The theme of this year’s conference was “Re:Generation,” a celebration of “new leadership, new ideas, and fresh growth.” The week consisted of numerous panels and workshops, Capitol Hill visits, regional caucuses, exhibit fairs, and a march to the US Capitol, where passionate speeches from Independent Living leaders opened the official 2013 NCIL Rally at the Capitol.
Disability Rights & Resources staff who attended were Gwen Brown, Vickie Stovall, Josh Whitmire, Montgomery Center for Independent Living Director Kent Crenshaw, and veteran NCIL member and former NCIL president Dan Kessler. First-time conference goer Vickie Stovall was especially impressed with how much there was to learn. She cited the ongoing debate over the CRPD treaty as a “lightbulb moment,” where she observed firsthand the importance of staying informed and being actively engaged in legislative discussion. Returning attendee Josh Whitmire was equally impressed with the variety of topics and opportunities, but this year he chose to focus on youth and transition issues, specifically employment, peer support and mental health. The march to the Capitol was another highlight for Josh: “It’s always fun to see different advocates and consumers coming together to rally for the services they need.” Some of Gwen’s favorite workshops were “Systems Advocacy at Work,” “ADRCs: The No Wrong Door Network” and “Disability Disclosure & Inquiries: Can’t Ask, Afraid to Tell.” She also stressed that she felt it was crucial to take the motivation and energy from the conference and get right back to work here in Alabama, saying “We need to mentor consumers to prepare for legislative visits. It’s important for us to ask everyday ‘What am I bringing to this world?’”
Other highlights from the 2013 NCIL Conference included U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth’s speech, a powerful and candid account of living with a disability and what that has come to mean for her over the years. After she was shot down while piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan in 2003, Ms. Duckworth’s outlook on disability issues changed drastically, and she realized that leadership is not about a title—it’s about the willingness to step up. Tammy Duckworth is the first ever woman with a disability to be elected into Congress, and she recently pledged not to attend any event in D.C. unless it is fully accessible.
Finally, in keeping with the “Re:Generation” theme, the National Council on Independent Living elected a new President, Lou Anne Kibbee, and several new board members. It was also announced that proposed Senate Bill 1356 would establish an Independent Living Administration, which would have an official “ILA Director” and would dramatically elevate Independent Living in the federal system. Independent Living is currently authorized under the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Department of Education. However, S. 1356 would move Independent Living into the Department of Health and Human Services under the Administration for Community Living (ACL). For more information, click here or see below!
volunteers construct a wooden ramp
New Volunteer Home Modification Program Leads Ramp Build in Shelby County
Disability Rights & Resources recently partnered with students from UAB and the Jefferson State Community College Construction and Building Science Department to build a ramp for a consumer in Montevallo. On July 26th and 27th, Rudy Jones, Patrick Greenwood and Ryan McCoy used their classroom skills to design and build a ramp that would allow the homeowner to safely enter and exit her home. Construction Science Instructor Micah Kaufhold led the crew, and he plans to continue the partnership for future ramp projects in order to give students more hands-on experience and inspire them to engage in community outreach. The ramp build was part of Disability Rights & Resources’ new Volunteer Home Modification Program, which organizes groups of volunteers in the five-county area to build ramps for people with disabilities. If you would like to volunteer time or resources for a build project, please contact Kiersten Atkinson at kiersten.atkinson@drradvocates.org.
independent living belongs to the people
 
Advocacy Blitz! Let’s Pass Senate Bill 1356!!
Have you ever looked at the accomplishments of Justin Dart, Fred Fay, Michael Winter, and many others who chained their wheelchairs to buses for accessible transportation and crawled up the stairs of the Capitol for the ADA and wished you had been a part of that movement? The Blitz to Pass S. 1356 is your chance to join the efforts of countless people who have rallied for systems change and fought to ensure that laws provide equal access for all! Congress is in recess from August 5-September 6, so make plans now to meet with your Senators during town hall meetings—let them know the passage of S. 1356 is important to you as a voter and that is should also be important to them. To read more about this bill, please visit  here and review the newly developed S. 1356 Talking Points. The Fix is 1356!
 
A Fond Farewell to Kay Phillips-Lacey
Disability Rights & Resources wishes Kay Phillips-Lacey all the best in her recent retirement! She was a beloved colleague and longtime Independent Living Specialist. Kay worked at Disability Rights & Resources for nearly 20 years. During that time, she established several close relationships with consumers, oversaw several reinventions of the DRR technology lab, and coordinated regular excursions to places like the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Now that she is officially retired, Kay is looking forward to continuing her volunteer efforts at Church of the Reconciler. Thanks for all you’ve done, Kay–you will be missed!
Mark Your Calendars!
August 9: AL DAN Regional Meeting, Disability Rights & Resources Community Room, 11-2
August 13: Distribution of Emergency Preparedness Kits, Disability Rights & Resources Community Room, 10 AM
August 21: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew,” Montgomery, 11-1
August 22: Emergency Preparedness Presentation, Oakmont United Methodist Church
*Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

July 2013 Newsletter

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Disability Rights & Resources Junior Board
Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!
 
We’ve had a very busy summer so far and are excited to share what we’ve been up to! Please take a moment to check out our July newsletter, events calendar, and be sure to visit our website, Facebook, and Twitter!
Johnny Rays staff
2013 Magic City Chocolate Challenge Recap!
Disability Rights & Resources’ inaugural Magic City Chocolate Challenge was a blast and a HUGE success! We had a wonderful turnout–over 325 people came out to enjoy the festivities and to support our fundraising efforts! Chocolate Competitors included The Bright Star, Johnny Ray’s, Annalyce’s Bake Shop, Cantina, MIX by Cafe Dupont, and Ms. Jessie Chism (representing Children’s Workshop Outreach Ministries, Inc.). While all the competitors created fabulous and delicious desserts, the chocolate pie from Johnny Ray’s received the People’s Choice Award. The live auction winner, who won a Regions Green Bicycle and helmet, was Disability Rights & Resources’ own Wanda Berry! The event also featured remarks from Dan Kessler, Phil Klebine, Joe Rada, and Graham Sisson.
 
We’d like to extend an extra special thanks to the Junior Board, our raffle donors, eCO Credit Union, everyone who volunteered at the event, and our sponsors– Cantina and Regions Bank. To see more photos from the 2013 Magic City Chocolate Challenge, scroll to the bottom of the page and check us out on Facebook. We’re already getting excited for next year’s event!
Emergency Preparedness Kit
Disaster Preparedness Kits Now Available!
Disability Rights & Resources currently has a stockpile of Disaster Preparedness Kits that need to be distributed! The duffle bags are thoroughly packed and include first aid kits, pocket radios, potable water and vacuum-sealed food, life rafts, flashlights, batteries, ponchos, a handbook guide on planning for emergencies, and other items. If you have questions about emergency preparedness or if you are are interested in a free kit, please contact Judy Roy at (205) 815-6142, or e-mail Judy at judy.roy@drradvocates.org.  Funding for the kits is provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

 

TapTapSee Logo
TapTapSee and Accessible Technology
In our June newsletter, Mike Norris touched on the various accessibility features available on the iPhone and iPad. This month, we’re highlighting an app called “TapTapSee”—Apple’s innovative camera app for persons who are blind or visually impaired. TapTapSee will locate and identify an object in your surrounding environment, first by photographing it and then speaking the identification back to you. To use TapTapSee, just focus your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch in the general direction of what you’d like to identify and then double-tap the screen to take a photo. Once the image is processed, the app will speak aloud what it’s identified. A particularly useful aspect of this technology is its ability to identify US paper currency. One user remarked that the app not only identified her guide dog, but specified “German Shepherd”; another described using TapTapSee to help color-coordinate daily wardrobe choices. TapTapSee was named “App of the Month” by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in March 2013 and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users. For more information on TapTapSee, please visit http://www.taptapseeapp.com/ or contact Mike Norris at (205) 251-2223 ext. 114, or e-mail Mike at mike.norris@drradvocates.org.
NCIL logo
The 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living is Almost Here!
This year’s annual NCIL conference will take place from July 24-27 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year’s conference is “Regeneration,” with a focus is on “new leadership, new ideas, and fresh growth.” The conference will host several workshops and events, including a forum on systems advocacy, addressing issues faced by young persons with disabilities, and using peer support to empower new advocates. Disability Rights & Resources staff will be in attendance, so be sure to check back next month for a recap! For more information about this year’s Conference on Independent Living, click here.

 

Mark Your Calendars!
July 20: Jasper Hand Rail Installation (contact kiersten.atkinson@drradvocates.org if interested in volunteering!)
 
July 24: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11-1, Montgomery
 
July 24-27: 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living, Washington D.C.
 
July 26: 23rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
 
August 2: Birmingham Consumer Advisory Council Meeting, 11:30-1, Homewood ADRS Office
 
August 9: AL DAN Regional Meeting, 10-3, Disability Rights & Resources Birmingham Office
Crowd shot at MCCC
Crowd shot at the inaugural Magic City Chocolate Challenge on June 27th–over 325 people came out to celebrate!
Jessie Chism
Ms. Jessie Chism showing off her fabulous cupcakes!
Wanda Berry and Dan Kessler
The proud winner of a Regions Bicycle! Wanda Berry poses for a picture with her new bike and Dan Kessler
Pastry chefs from MIX
Pastry chefs at the MIX booth with their chocolate cakes and milk shots!

June 2013 Newsletter

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Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!

Judy Roy with Miles College VisitorsPlease take a moment to check out our June newsletter and visit us on our website, Facebook, and Twitter. We’ve got some very exciting things in store, so stay tuned for information about upcoming events and projects!

 

Women-Owned Small Business Offers Cutting Edge, “Green” Sign Language Interpreting Services

Using VRI in a professional settingIt was after watching a news story about a middle school student who is deaf that Theresa Von Loh and Linda Deichsel decided to establish their company, Virtual VRI (Video Remote Interpreting). This particular student was in a mainstream classroom envrionment for several years without access to Sign Language interpreters because none were available in her small, rural town. Teresa and Linda are both nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and all of their contractors are as well. In addition, they have many years of interpreting experience in a wide variety of settings.

Needless to say, Teresa and Linda are incredibly passionate about the Video Remote Interpreting services they provide, and they offer the most cost effective hourly rates in the VRI industry. Since VRI is offered via the internet instead of the interpreter having to drive to the location, the service is also eco-friendly.

To access Virtual VRI services, all that is needed is a web-cam equipped computer, iPad, iPhone, or Android and a high-speed internet connection to download the web conferencing system they utilize. Facetime can also be used. VRI works in a variety of settings, such as college classes, doctor or counseling appointments, meetings at Vocational Rehab or Centers for Independent Living– just about anywhere high-speed internet is available.  For more information, please visit their website (virtualvri.com) and check out their newest YouTube video.

A Word on Accessibility and Apple Products, from Mike Norris

Keyboard with Much continues to be said about the accessibility features available on the iPhone and iPad. Indeed, there are several accessible features that prove very useful to people who are blind or visually impaired. These features include screen magnification and Voice Over, an interactive speech program. These began shipping with the iPhone 3, but they do work more efficiently on the iPhone 4. Furthermore, the local Apple Store provides training as a part of the iPhone package they sell, and you can purchase a Braille manual from the National Braille Press that addresses all of the aforementioned accessibility features. You can also contact Mike Norris at Disability Rights & Resources for additional information– (205) 251-2223 ext. 114.

The Magic City Chocolate Challenge is Upon Us!

Magic City Chocolate Challenge logoThe Disability Rights & Resources Junior Board has been very busy planning the inaugural Magic City Chocolate Challenge (you’ve probably seen the posters around town!), which will take place at Cantina Pepper Place from 5-9pm on Thursday, June 27. The event will feature an assortment of chocolate dishes (tasting portions) from local bakers and chefs, with happy hour drink prices all evening and an ongoing raffle! Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here. Proceeds from the event go towards Disability Rights & Resources’ new facility in the Civil Rights District. Cantina is located at 2901 2nd Avenue S #110, Birmingham, AL 35233. If you have questions or would like to be a participant in the event, there’s still time! Check out or website or contact the Disability Rights & Resources Junior Board at brianburrows@bellsouth.net.

Happy Anniversary! Looking Back at the Last Year

Dan Kessler, Graham Sisson, and Mayor William Bell at the Grand Opening CeremonyOn May 25, 2013, Disability Rights & Resources celebrated the one-year anniversary of moving into its new home in the Civil Rights District. The building was a dream several years in the making, serving as a model of Universal Design and equal access. Along with the building came some other big changes–a new name, a new image, expansion of services, new staff, and new neighbors. The last year has been an incredibly exciting and challenging one, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds as we continue to settle into our new home!

Mark Your Calendars!

June 19: Montgomery Center for Independent Living “Chat and Chew” 11-1, Montgomery
June 27: Magic City Chocolate Challenge, 5-9 pm at Cantina Pepper Place
Disability Rights & Resources Technology Lab Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00

* Please note that Disability Rights & Resources is a fragrance-free environment, and we ask that you refrain from wearing any scented products while visiting our facility. Thanks!

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1418 6th Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203