GREETINGS FROM DISABILITY RIGHTS & RESOURCES!
We are moving full steam ahead into the new year and are so excited about what we’ve got planned for the upcoming months! February is a critical time for legislative advocacy, so be sure to check out our information on the fast-approaching Alabama ARISE & AL DAN Advocacy Days! Also in this issue: AL Senate Bill 286, 2014 Poverty Guidelines, and our Events Calendar.
February Calendar:
Feb. 11: Peer Support Meeting, 10-11, Disability Rights & Resources
Feb. 13: Alabama ARISE 2014 Legislative Day, 9:30-1:30, Montgomery
Feb. 19: AL DAN 2014 Legislative Day, 10:30-3, Montgomery
Feb. 19: MCIL “Chat and Chew,” 11-1, Montgomery
Feb. 25: Peer Support Meeting, 10-11, Disability Rights & Resources
Feb. 25: Turning Point (please contact Lisa Borden for more information)
Feb. 27: 2014 Alabama Disability Summit & Expo, 9-2 at Lakeshore Foundation
March 6: Disability History Exhibit Opens at Disability Rights & Resources…stay tuned for more information!
Advocates Attend 2013 AL DAN Legislative Day
February Legislative Days for AL DAN and Alabama ARISE!
It’s that time of year again! The Alabama Disability Advocacy Network (AL DAN) and Alabama ARISE will soon be traveling to Montgomery to advocate for change on their annual legislative and lobby days.
AL DAN’s 2014 Legislative Day will take place Wednesday, February 19 on the steps of the State House in Montgomery from 10:30-3:00. This year’s Legislative Day theme is “Aim Your Arrow High.” AL DAN President Chris Tidwell explains, “As people with disabilities, we want to aim to reach our highest potential in life to live, work, and play in our communities. On Legislative Day 2014, we are asking our state legislators to join with us to make our goals reachable. As we reach for the sky, we aim our arrows toward our highest potential and ask our political leaders to give us the stepping stones we need to reach these goals.” For more information, please contact Chris Tidwell at 205-292-1480. An ASL interpreter will be provided and ALL are welcome to participate!
Alabama ARISE’s 2014 Legislative Day is Thursday, February 14 from 9:30-1:30. Alabama ARISE focuses on issues that impact low-income Alabamians, such as
health care, the death penalty, state budgets, predatory lending, tax reform, and education. ARISE will provide a brief training in preparation for speaking with your state representatives and senators. Fore more information, please call 1-800-832-9060 or click here. We hope to see you all there!
“Handicapped” Parking Abuse:
Alabama Senate Bill 286
From Judy Roy
In every parking lot there are blue lines and warning signs that the parking space is reserved for people with disabilities. Abusers of “handicapped parking” rationalize: I’m only going to be in the store a minute! Why shouldn’t I park there? Because punishment for parking abuse is nominal and seldom used, there is little incentive not to use the “handicapped parking” space.
Alabama Senate Bill 286, sponsored by Senator Jimmy Holley, would amend Section 32-6-231 Code of Alabama 1975 to require that identification information be submitted prior to the issuance of a hang tag or placard. A unique identification number will be assigned to each hang tag and license plate. While this bill won’t solve all of the abuse of “handicapped parking,” it is a start. Please contact your Alabama State Senator and ask them to support SB286!
Disability Rights & Resources Presents at COSEPTA Workshop
On Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Hoover Public Library, Gwendolyn Brown and Andrea Harris presented on behalf of Disability Rights and Resources. Gwendolyn Brown spoke about her experiences with Peer Advocacy, and Andrea-a Community Work Incentives Coordinator with the WIPA program- shared information targeted towards helping individuals understand the impact of employment on their SSA Disability benefits. The event was sponsored by COSEPTA (Community Outreach Special Education Parent Teacher Association).
2014 Poverty Guidelines Updated by U.S Department of Health and Human Services
On January 22, updated Poverty Guidelines were published. Periodically, the guidelines are updated in the Federal Register by the Dept. of Health and Human Services. To see the guidelines for Hawaii and Alaska, or for more information on the updated guidelines, visit http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfm.
2014 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
|---|---|
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,060 for each additional person. | |
| 1 | $11,670 |
| 2 | 15,730 |
| 3 | 19,790 |
| 4 | 23,850 |
| 5 | 27,910 |
| 6 | 31,970 |
| 7 | 36,030 |
| 8 | 40,090 |
