On Target is a monthly publication
of the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities.
We welcome your suggestions for newsletter content and
ideas concerning the actions of the Council. On Target is made available
in accessible formats upon request.
Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director
Christine Dahlberg
Associate Director
Paul Shankland
Grants Manager |
2002 legislative outlook
According to Cris Fulford, executive director of ATTAIN, Inc., the state's January legislative session will focus primarily on tax issues, but that doesn't mean disability advocates should stop lobbying for attention.
Funding for human services programs must be maintained despite sweeping budget cuts in other areas. In addition, tax changes might negatively affect people with disabilities who are living independently.
Tax changes must be monitored to ensure the funding distribution formula provides quality education for all children, including those enrolled in special education, said Amy Cook-Lurvey, COVOH state chair.
Transitioning people with disabilities from an institutional environment to a community environment is a significant issue facing the state legislature. A current bill (Preliminary Draft 3439) might postpone the closing date of the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center until Jan. 1, 2004, despite the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.
"Right now, there's a lack of infrastructure to support community-based services," Fulford said, "and it is important that Muscatatuck residents have a safe and supportive environment available to them when they leave."
Another bill (P.D. 3484) will address consumer-directed homecare options. Fulford said the bill would change the registration period for attendants from one to two years, repeal the expiration date of the existing law, and establish bookkeeping and payroll requirements for those who want to self-direct their care.
To combat the ballooning cost of the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Program, another bill (P.D. 3361) would require the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to seek a Ticket to Work demon-
stration grant. Fulford and others will work to ensure this grant is linked to the Medicaid Buy-in Program.
Medicaid is over budget by about $400 million, so it will be important to monitor how the state chooses to cut funding.
"It's really an important piece of what we'll be watching. My goal is to be an intimate part of that discussion," Fulford said. It is not yet clear whether these cuts will have a significant impact on people with disabilities.
Another bill to watch (P.D. 3440) deals with accreditation of disability service providers. The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities, which supervises group living environments and provides other services, would be required to contract only with governmental units, private organizations or individuals who are accredited by private organizations. This could be detrimental to service capacity.
Disability advocates also should assess the outcome of two special education studies
to be completed in 2002. The first study, due May 1, will examine whether the "joint services" model of special education cooperatives continues to be effective. Another study, due Nov. 1, will review services and funding sources available to children and young adults with disabilities and their families.
In the works: voting reform
The 2000 presidential election highlighted problems with outdated voting systems and the lack of accessible polling places for people with disabilities.
Current federal and state election-reform efforts strive to improve the voting process for everyone. The following is an update of three significant efforts - Indiana's Bipartisan Task Force on Election Integrity, the Council's Vote Us IN project and national reform efforts.
Indiana's Bipartisan Task Force on Election Integrity
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Secretary of State Sue Anne Gilroy formed the Indiana Bipartisan Task Force on Election Integrity in response to the voting problems Indiana encountered in the 2000 presidential election. The task force's final report, released Oct. 23, recommends replacing punch-card ballots, updating voter registration rolls, increasing education for voters and poll workers, using provisional ballots and expanding absentee voting.
"We traveled the state, listening to various advocacy groups, especially the people with disabilities community," said Stephanie Mannon, assistant to the secretary of state. "We looked at physical as well as
emotional barriers."
A subcommittee of the task force examined locations and accessibility of polling places
for people with disabilities and issued the
following recommendation:
"That standards for polling place accessibility and voting machines be updated and that such standards include not only technical specifications regarding the physical attributes of polling places, but also guidelines that incorporate sensitivity to the needs of people with disabilities."
The task force did not recommend changes to several current standards, including the
following:
- County executives must establish a special polling place for voters with disabilities if other polling places are not accessible.
- People with disabilities may vote by absentee ballot and by traveling absentee board.
- People with disabilities may be accompanied into polling stations by a designated assistant.
Count Us IN
The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities has formed a new "Count Us IN" voting initiative to increase the number of people with disabilities participating in the electoral process. Jim Dickson, of the American Association of People with Disabilities' (AAPD) Disability Vote Project, will work with the Council on this project. Objectives include:
- Increasing the number of people with disabilities who register to vote.
- Increasing the number of people with disabilities who vote.
- Ensuring polling place accessibility and ADA compliance.
- Increasing the number of people with disabilities who work at polling places.
- Increasing the number of people with disabilities who help register voters.
If you are interested in becoming part of this project to make Indiana's voting system more accessible and to increase the disability vote, please send your name, address, affiliation, telephone number and e-mail address to the Council office, 150 W. Market St., Suite 628, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or GPCPD@gpcpd.org (e-mail).
National Efforts
The U.S. General Accounting Office reported Oct. 15 that 57 percent of voting jurisdictions had problems - including widespread inaccessibility for people with disabilities - during the 2000 election.
In response, the House passed a $2.6 billion package in December that would give states millions of dollars to improve their voting systems. The bill would also offer states millions of dollars over the next three years to buy new voting equipment, better train poll workers and improve registration lists.
Jim Dickson, who works to increase political participation of people with disabilities, was not surprised by the widespread problems in 2000. Dickson estimates that 50 percent of polling places nationwide are inaccessible to wheelchairs.
"There are 10 million people with disabilities who can't cast a secret ballot," said Dickson at the Annual Conference for People with Disabilities in Indianapolis. "Add the number of people with lack of eye-hand coordination, and the numbers really go up."
The AAPD, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and several other groups joined forces in 2001 to file class-action lawsuits in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia asking city officials to implement accessible voting machines.
The AAPD is also supporting The Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001, S.565. Unlike the House bill that is not specific regarding access, this legislation mandates polling place and voting system access for voters with disabilities. The legislation requires that by the November 2004 election, all polling places must be physically accessible and each polling place must have at least one voting system that allows the blind and other voters with disabilities to cast a secret, independent and verifiable ballot.
Prepare for winter storms
Preparation is necessary to ensure your safety and comfort during the winter months.
Keep winter storm supplies on hand at all times, such as rock salt or kitty litter to create traction, and heating supplies such as a space heater or wood for a fireplace. Other supplies to have available include:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Canned food and bottled water (one-week supply)
- Manual can opener
- Prescription medication (one-week supply)
- Blankets and sleeping bags
- Fire extinguisher
- First-aid kit
Develop an emergency communication plan in case household members are separated. Choose an out-of-state relative or friend to be the contact person for everyone to call.
If you employ service providers, this communication plan is equally important. Your provider(s) might already have a storm plan in place, but discuss this to make sure you know what each of you will do to ensure continued service.
The final step is to consider your personal needs. What items or services are essential to you, and how will you obtain them if the electricity fails or you are unable to travel? Develop a personal plan to address these needs.
With an emergency plan and supplies in place, a winter storm can become an occasion for a cozy retreat instead of a catastrophe.
Fifth Freedom reports on accessibility
Members of Fifth Freedom gathered at the Hancock County Courthouse in Greenfield on Oct. 27 armed with measuring sticks, clipboards and experts on the Americans with Disabilities Act. They first assessed the city's parking for people with disabilities and then evaluated the accessibility of local buildings
and businesses.
The statewide disability advocacy organization launched the volunteer project on Oct. 27 to improve
accessibility for people with disabilities in Greenfield.
"Many buildings in my community are not accessible," said Rick Condra, coordinator of the Fifth Freedom Greenfield chapter. "I just want the same average opportunity as everyone else."
Working with the Greenfield Lions Club, Fifth Freedom scheduled the project to coincide with Make a Difference Day, a national day of volunteering sponsored by USA WEEKEND and the Points of Light Foundation.
Accessible buildings and businesses will be featured in an upcoming Preferred Business Directory for
the community.
The Fifth Freedom network is a project of the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities. The network's mission is to remove barriers that limit the full participation of people with disabilities in the community. For more information about Fifth Freedom, visit the Web site at www.fifthfreedom.org.
The Council has moved
The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities has moved to a bigger, more accessible office. The new location, just across the street from the Council's previous address, features more space and a more accessible conference room.
The new office is located in the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) building, where the Council already holds its full meetings every other month.
The new address is 150 W. Market St., Suite 628, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The Council's telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
Media award reminders
Each year, the Council, along with Ball State University and Indiana University, recognize excellence in reporting on people with disabilities and disability issues. And the Council wants your input.
Monitor your local news-papers, television and radio stations for stories that focus on a need for change in
public policy for people with disabilities or that increase awareness of disability issues. The stories should be published or broadcast in Indiana between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002. A panel of judges from Ball State University, Indiana University and the Council will evaluate the entries based on read-ability, effectiveness, accuracy and completeness, relevance to disability issues, and resourcefulness of the reporter. Entries can be submitted at any time.
To nominate an individual reporter or media organi-zation, submit an entry with the article/program title, date of publication/air date, reporter/news organization and reason for the nomi-nation. If you are nominating a column or a particular reporter, choose the three best examples. As the nominator, include your name and contact information.
Award entries can be mailed to Jamy Schuler, Borshoff Johnson Matthews, 47 S. Pennsylvania St., Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or (317) 631-6499 (fax). For more information, call Jamy at (317) 631-6400 (voice).
Of Note
Audio description to enhance cartoon viewing
The "Rugrats" cartoon on Nickelodeon now features an audio description for viewers who are blind or have visual impairments. While "Rugrats" marks the first ongoing cable series to be broadcast with description, Nickelodeon will also begin airing "Blue's Clues" with audio description in 2002.
Web site lets users write Braille online
The Web site www.hotbraille.com will transcribe a site user's text message into a printed Braille document and then send it to the designated recipient free of charge. Users can learn the Braille alphabet through
a series of quizzes, connect with other users and search related resources. The site requests donations, but all services are provided free of charge.
Fort Wayne youth appointed to DOL Youth Advisory Council
Ashley Caveda of Fort Wayne was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao as one of 15 members of the Youth Advisory Council to the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. The Council will advise Chao and her designees, including the Office of the 21st Century Workforce and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, on education, training, employment, health and rehabilitation, and independent living issues affecting youth with disabilities.
Participants sought for assistive technology survey
ATTAIN, Inc., is conducting a statewide survey to ensure that all Hoosiers with disabilities have access to assistive technology. To participate, visit the ATTAIN Web site at www.attaininc.org or call (800) 528-8246 (voice) for an alternative format.
Conference Review
2001 Indiana Conference for People with Disabilities
November 27 & 28 at the Westin Hotel, Indianapolis
Opening session is rallying call for advocates
Presentations by First Lady Judy O'Bannon, Duane Hazelbaker and Tia Nelis started off the annual Indiana Conference for People with Disabilities with a call to action.
First Lady Judy O'Bannon stirred the Tuesday morning crowd to a standing ovation during the opening session of the Conference. O'Bannon stressed how it takes the gifts and talents of each person to make a
difference. She also addressed the need to make the governor's residence accessible.
Duane Hazelbaker, director of corporate affairs for SBC Ameritech, and Suellen Jackson-Boner, Council executive director, proudly unveiled the Disability Awareness Month 2002 awareness campaign.
SBC Ameritech is once again sponsoring the posters and bookmarks, as well as a video public service announcement, for the new campaign. Posters, bookmarks and buttons were available to Conference attendees, and many gathered samples to take home to families and friends.
Making a difference was the theme of Tia Nelis' presentation, "Taking Charge." Nelis is a self-advocacy specialist at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Institute of Disability and Human Development, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She founded People First of Illinois and has served as president of that organization.
Talking about the group of five who started the Illinois People First chapter, Nelis said, "We learned how to speak out, and we practiced it. You can make a difference. You can make it happen here." Nelis covered many advocacy-related topics, from Disability Awareness Month to the voting muscle of people with disabilities.
To sum up her feelings about self-advocacy and the power that people with disabilities share, she recited for the audience her favorite acronym: TEAM (Together, Everybody Achieves More).
Experts offer overview of key legislation
Dis Bis workshop attendees heard from local and national experts about legislative advances for people with disabilities and how they can help.
High on both the state and national list of concerns were Olmstead implementation and Medicaid, specifically the Medicaid Transformation Act and Medicaid Buy-In. ARC of Indiana Executive Director John Dickerson and other panelists named Medicaid as a key target in state budget cuts. Panel members agreed that the disability community must be willing to pay additional taxes to ensure continuation of programs.
Bobby Silverstein, director of the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy at George Washington University, focused on goals of the ADA, IDEA, the Family Opportunity Act and HIFA. He also discussed the state of the nation and how it is impacting national disability policies and legislation.
Bob Kafka, the national organizer of ADAPT, looked at disability issues from a different angle. "The game is at the state level. It is necessary to use real names and faces to push public policy," he said. Kafka focused on the importance of finding informal supports in the community and relying on grassroots efforts to advance public policy.
Local advocates addressed local public policy issues. ADA-Indiana Chairman Frank Epperson discussed accessibility issues, such as curb cuts, voting access and parking. The panel suggested that people with disabilities respond to non-ADA compliance by filing a complaint with their local Human Rights Commission.
Cris Fulford, COVOH director of public policy and governmental affairs, discussed voting reform, the Homecare Task Force and PL 143, which would require equal access to public technology. In addition, COVOH Chairwoman Amy Cook-Lurvey focused on Indiana special education. "Indiana is in better
shape financially for special education than any other state," she said. System changes, however, will require teamwork.
Steve McCaffrey, executive director of the Indiana Mental Health Association, said, "We are at a turning point in the mental health world. They (people with mental disabilities) can live outstanding lives in the community with the aid of new medications." He stressed that people with disabilities are at a critical time because newly available services have limited resources for implementation.
Workshop teaches leadership skills
Franklin Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," famous for teaching leadership skills, is used by executives and corporations worldwide. And now, the program is adapted for people with developmental disabilities, giving them tools to be effective self-advocates.
The workshop was presented at the Conference by Franklin Covey trainers Essie Pederson and Tia Nelis. Limited to 30 participants, the workshop was filled to capacity, with six people remaining on the waiting list.
The "Seven Habits" include:
- Be proactive.
- Begin with the end in mind.
- Put first things first.
- Think win-win.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
- "Synergize" your team.
- "Sharpen the saw" against burnout and nonproductivity.
Council member Rick Daley moderated these sessions.
Media award winners
The 2001 media award winners were recognized at the Indiana Conference for People with Disabilities Awards Luncheon on Nov. 28.
Kevin Corcoran and Joe Fahy of The Indianapolis Star won in the print media category for their series, "Painful Lessons," which ran June 16-24, 2000. The series examined the "troubled move" in 1998 of people with mental disabilities from institutions to homes in the community. Many of the stories focused directly on the people affected by the move.
Don Pratt and Bill Flint of WGCL-AM 1370, Bloomington, were winners in the broadcast category for their 2000 Election Day coverage. They collaborated with PeoplePower to produce and air public service announcements promoting free bus rides to polling sites. They also conducted a public affairs show on transportation issues and worked with PeoplePower on other disability-related projects.
The winners were chosen from 41 nominations statewide. See the sidebar on page 3 to learn how you can nominate media for this award.
Audience learns to use skills, passions and connections
The key to successful leadership is mobilizing the skills and relationships you already possess. Phillip Stafford and Jennie Todd from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community directed attendees of the "Building a Portfolio/ Assets Building" workshop to assess their personal skills, passions and connections. In small groups, everyone completed a project using all of the assets present within that group. Attendees left the workshop with a personal portfolio of assets.
Legendary journalist offers comedy, insight
Helen Thomas wowed lunch guests with hilarious stories about world leaders and her inspiring personal story of breaking through the male-dominated field of journalism to become one of the most prominent reporters of our time.
Of her keynote address, Thomas said, "I hope this inspires you to use your talents and use them wisely." She also motivated guests by asking, "What is the contribution you want to make, and why haven't you made it so far?"
When asked the difference between the United States and Cuba, Fidel Castro once replied in jest, "I don't have to answer questions from Helen Thomas." Although her career has inspired many comments like this from world leaders, the road was not always easy.
Thomas' parents could not read or write, but realized the importance of education and urged all nine of their children to attend college and pursue fulfilling careers. Thomas knew she wanted to be a reporter at a very young age. "It never occurred to me that I couldn't do it," she said.
Thomas began her White House reporting career in 1961 and found herself in the minority. Women were not allowed in the National Press Club, so she became president of the Women's National Press Club and eventually broke down the barriers that led to a combined group. Thomas was the first woman officer of both the National Press Club and the White House Correspondents Association and the first woman member of the Gridiron Club.
Reception boasted Mardi Gras theme
Nov. 27 was truly Fat Tuesday at the Annual Conference's reception. Costumes, a comical magician, live
jazz and superb cuisine recreated Mardi Gras for guests at the Tuesday evening reception.
Jazz pianist George Middleton provided musical entertainment. Attendees were provided with masks and beads, and many won door prizes.
Plenary Session II
Bob Kafka, grassroots advocate and national organizer of ADAPT, and Bobby Silverstein, director of the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy at George Washington University, led the second plenary session of the Conference, "Closing the Deal - An insider's view of Washington and what it takes to get what you need."
"Too often we work in our own silos," said Kafka. He said disability work requires a "five-pronged pitchfork approach" that includes the media, legal resources, direct activism, politics and system administration. One component, or tine, cannot accomplish the job all five tines of the fork can do. Known for his non-conformity, including staging Capitol Hill protests, Kafka said anger is needed when advocating for people with disabilities. "I'm on a boil all the time. I'm totally (angered) that there are 2 million people warehoused in institutions in this country, and 75 percent of people with disabilities can't get work. Look at how we can focus that anger. We have so many laws on the books that aren't reinforced. The fulfillment of the laws must be complaint-driven," he said.
Meanwhile, Bobby Silverstein said his approach to affecting change for people with disabilities centers more on reaching the right policy-makers at the right time with the right message. "I do not use anger," he said. "I function at the wine and cheese table. You can be hard on the issues and soft and respectful on people. I become a partner and teammate."
* A majority of this article is courtesy of Jennifer Boen and the Fort Wayne News Sentinel.
Workshop focuses on available employment resources
Hoosiers with disabilities are rapidly making advances in employment opportunities, thanks to recent legislation and the efforts of many individuals. One of the workshops offered at the Conference, "Making a Sound Investment," gathered industry experts together to share insight about exciting new possibilities.
Speakers discussed the progress being made within the Conversion Task Force, Vocational Rehabilitation Services and WorkOne. Becky Banks, community coordinator of the Center for Community Living and Careers, explained Indiana Works, a benefits planning program for SSI and SSDI recipients who wish to explore employment opportunities.
Banks also discussed the latest on Medicaid Buy-In legislation and the upcoming implementation of the
Ticket to Work program. Watch future issues of On Target for articles about the progress of these and other
employment endeavors.
Hiding her "hidden" disability
"The secret was killing me quicker than the disease," said Rae Lewis-Thornton, 10-year AIDS survivor and advocate. She told the Tuesday luncheon crowd that for seven years after being diagnosed with HIV at age 23, she told fewer than five people. After learning the HIV had advanced to AIDS, she started sharing her secret. "It was like a ton of bricks was lifted right off my shoulders," she said. "I believe there are no mistakes in life." She concluded, "We might not always want it this way, but we have to ask, 'How can I use my life to help others?'"
Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities
150 West Market Street, Suite 628
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-7770 voice
(317) 232-7771 TT
E-mail: GPCPD@gpcpd.org
Web site: www.state.in.us/gpcpd
|