Greetings from Disability Rights & Resources!
In the spirit of celebrating a new year, one of our resolutions is to circulate a monthly e-newsletter. March is our first 2013 issue, and we are very excited to share what we’ve been up to lately and also what we’ve got in store for the upcoming months! Be sure to check out our events calendar and visit us on our website, Facebook, and Twitter.
ALHousingSearch.org A free service to list and find rental housing in Alabama. List properties now.
ALHousingSearch.org is now LIVE
One of the most exciting projects Disability Rights & Resources has been involved with in 2013 has been the launch of ALHousingSearch.org, a free housing locator website that gives renters, landlords, housing professionals, and social service providers access to real time rental housing information. ALHousingSearch.org offers landlords– including those with critically needed affordable and accessible housing– a place to advertise properties at no cost, while also helping renters find units to fit their specific needs. Features for renters include quick links to housing resources, as well as affordability and moving-cost calculators.
On January 30, Alabama officially launched ALHousingSearch.org at an event in Montgomery. The ceremony was attended by state and local officials, representatives from housing agencies and nonprofits, and real estate professionals. The launch also featured speeches from ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. and Representative Patricia Todd. Rep. Todd spoke to the website’s usefulness during times of disaster, stating, “ALHousingSearch.org sets a stellar example for disaster preparedness with a proactive approach to identifying and listing emergency rental housing…this resource will be in place and ready to help quickly house displaced individuals.”
To create this website, Disability Rights & Resources partnered with Socialserve.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to serving affordable housing needs in local communities. Alabama is now a part of the national Socialserve.com network, which spans 34 states. The project was funded by the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities; other partners are the Montgomery Center for Independent Living, Collaborative Solutions, and the Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama. To search or list housing, visit www.ALHousingSearch.org, or call the toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844.
Alabama Disability Advocacy Network Legislative Day is March 19
AL DAN’s annual Legislative Day will be held Tuesday, March 19 at the Alabama State House in Montogomery (11 South Union St). Registration will begin at 9:30, with presentations on the State House steps starting at 10:30. This year’s panel of speakers includes Graham Sisson, Chris Tidwell, Beth Blalock, Ted Nail, Jay Croft, Brian Johnson, Danielle Elliot, as well as state representatives, senators, and other local dignitaries. Lunch will be held in The Tunnel at noon; interpreting services will be provided. See you on the 19th–and remember to wear GREEN!
Save the Date–Magic City Chocolate Challenge Update!
Join us for the first ever Magic City Chocolate Challenge on Thursday, June 27, hosted by Disability Rights & Resources’ Junior Board. The event will take place from 5-9 pm at Cantina Pepper Place. Tickets are $25 and include samplings from all the chocolate competitors and happy hour drink specials. All proceeds will benefit our new facility in the Civil Rights District.
Disability Rights & Resources Volunteer Spotlight
March’s Volunteer Spotlight recognizes Jerry Sherer, a longtime volunteer with Disabilities Unlimited of Walker County. For the past four years, Jerry has worked with Trecia Benefield and DU members to construct ramps for wheelchair users in the community. Jerry has built ramps all over the country and has worked on nearly 30 ramps in the last year alone. He coordinates the Carpenters for Christ program at First Baptist Church in Jasper and was the inaugural Walker County Hero. Thanks, Jerry, for all your hard work!
Mark Your Calendars!
March 9: Project Homeless Connect, Boutwell Auditorium
March 15: SILC Meeting, Montogmery
March 19: AL DAN Legislative Day, Montgomery
March 20: MCIL “Chat and Chew” 11:00-1:00, Montgomery
March 28: Peer Support Meeting at 10:00 AM, Disability Rights & Resources
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!
