On Target

 Informing Indiana About Disability Issues

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.

General election: October 10, 2000

Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director

Christine Dahlberg
Associate Director

Paul Shankland
Grants Manager

New IL Centers to assist more Hoosiers

The residents of 12 counties in Indiana now have a valuable tool at their disposal. The Indiana Department of Administration announced the opening of two new Indepen-dent Living Centers in Indiana, thus increasing the number of centers by over a third.

The Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana (ILCEI) will be located in Richmond, while the Wabash Independent Living and Learning Center (WILL) will be in Terre Haute. "We are excited about these two Independent Living Centers in areas that will definitely benefit from the services that will be offered," said Suellen Jackson-Boner, executive director of the Governor's Planning Council. "The Council would like to congratulate four Partners in Policymaking participants, Chris Delnat and Tom Baily (Terre Haute) and Dick Crandel and Dave Gerwig (Richmond), for being integral in the establishment of these centers."

Independent Living (IL) Services maximize the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in community leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity. The Centers will offer information and referral services, peer support, skills development, and individual and system advocacy.

The WILL Center's coverage includes residents in Vigo, Vermillion, Parke, Putnam and Clay counties in Southwest Indiana. Chris Delnat, executive director of the WILL center, hopes to increase accessibility for all communities and have phone services available the first week in August.

"I want to offer Wabash Valley residents rural and after-hours transportation, while serving all disabilities, using a family focus," said Delnat. "I hope to be able to respond to community concerns as they arise, as well as build student coalition groups at Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman and St. Mary's of the Woods, promoting advocacy and accessibility on all campuses."

The ILCEI will serve seven counties in the Richmond area. ILCEI will open their office Sept. 1, with services beginning later this year. Currently, the Center is looking for an executive director and location, according to Dave Gerwig, vice president of ILCEI's board.

Coverage areas of Independent Living Centers

• Assistive Technology Training & Information Center (ATTIC)
• Everybody Counts
• Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living (IRCIL)
• Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana (ILCEI)
• League for Blind & Disabled
• Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL)
• Wabash Independent Living and Learning Center (WILL)

Penny Harvest' fund-raiser wins national award

Matt Harris, an eighth grader with Down's syndrome, led the award-winning project, "Penny Harvest." The fund-raiser challenged classes to collect more pennies than other classes, with a prize for the class with the most. The $700 raised benefited the local Bona Vista Rehabilitation Center, which helps adults and pre-school children with disabilities. For Harris, the project was especially meaningful because he participated in the Bona Vista pre-school program. "I feel I am giving back to Bona Vista for all they gave to me," he said.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Organization on Disabilities sponsor the award. A $500 prize is funded by Aetna, Inc.

Preparing for a natural disaster

Natural disasters are frightening for everyone, but for those with disabilities, a disaster such as a tornado can be especially devastating. In 1999, more than 1,300 tornadoes wreaked havoc in the United States, many of them during the summer. As this year's tornado season begins, remember that planning ahead can help save lives in an emergency. The American Red Cross has put together some tips and a kit that may help you through a natural disaster.

One of the most important things to have on hand in any natural disaster is a "disaster kit" containing survival basics such as water, flashlights and blankets.

Next, determine the safest place in your home during a tornado (a basement or interior room without windows). Have a plan for how to get to that location, and store your kit there. At least once a year, have a drill to practice getting there quickly.

Other suggestions for disaster preparedness include:

• Establishing a "buddy system" with several family members, friends, neighbors or co-workers. Agree how you will contact each other if a natural disaster occurs. Discuss and write out any special needs related to your disability. Be sure the people you choose know how to reach your doctor and administer medications.
• If you use a home health care provider, check with the agency to see what natural disaster and emergency services they offer.
• If you live in a mobile home, find an alternate place for shelter, whether in a low-lying area or a nearby building, and determine how you can carry your disaster kit with you. Arrange with a neighbor or friend ahead of time if you will need assistance, and tell them how best to help you.
• Be aware of the current weather conditions in your area. Knowing about a possible tornado or other disaster before it occurs makes it easier for you to get to a safe place. Disaster kit

Items to include in a "disaster kit" are:

• Bottled water (three gallons per person) in easy-to-open bottles
• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid kit
• A health card with written information on your disability, medications, equipment, doctors and any other information rescuers might need to provide proper medical care
• Extra equipment, such as hearing aids, mobility aids or glasses
• At least one week's supply of all medications and directions for taking them. Be sure to rotate the medication regularly so it does not expire
• Extra food and water for any service animals
• Written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity and water if authorities ask residents to do so
• Fire extinguisher
• Battery-operated TV or radio, to get weather updates during a power outage
• Whistle or bell to attract attention if you are injured
• Canned food and other non-perishable items, and a manual can opener
• Extra blankets
• Personal hygiene items

New council member profile

Name: Richard J. Daley

Council membership: Since 2000

Current Council projects: Hopes to get involved with Employment and Community Living Committees

Recent accomplishments: Started Rick's Card Company, a home business where he makes business cards,greeting cards, etc.

Vision for Council: "I hope the Council focuses on getting funding for 24-hour care for those who are too severely disabled to stay alone at night but don't need professional nursing care."

Jump start your job search

Other strategies to find employment include:

• Use personal contacts to find out about possible job opportunities.
• Take a direct approach by going to or contacting one employer after another. It may take many visits or calls to places of employment to find out about possible job openings, so be patient.
• Contact the placement office of your college, university or vocational-technical school if you are a college graduate.
• Visit the public library to see if it has any employment information available.
• Query Independent Living Centers, which may be able to provide employment leads and job club services to people with disabilities.
• Look in the classified ads of the newspaper or check bulletin boards and professional magazines.

For more information or to review the JAN Employment Resource List, visit JAN's Web site at www.jan.wvu.edu/english/emptips.htm.

Quicker response, better results

The wait is over. Gone is the three-year wait to get a resolution after filing a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Often people waited 18 months to be assigned an investigator and another 18 months for the investigation to be completed. This delay meant that many claims went unresolved.

"The trail was so cold by the time we got around to it that witnesses were nowhere to be found, and everything had turned stale," said Dan Harter, director of the EEOC's Indianapolis District Office in a May 29, 2000, Indianapolis Star article. "It was very frustrating."

In 1995, the agency began to change its procedures in order to eliminate questionable claims and fast-track the strongest claims. Congress gave the EEOC an additional $37 million in 1999, which it used to develop a mediation program to help workers and employers resolve their conflicts. With the additional money, the Indianapolis office staff increased, while individual caseloads have significantly decreased. The staff has almost doubled in size to include 36 investigators and five mediators who each handle 30 cases instead of 140. Most claims in Indianapolis are resolved within six months.

According to Harter, people with disabilities are covered under four federal laws. As of May 31, total charges filed with the EEOC were 1,596, with approximately 400 cases related to people with disabilities. Of that number, 261 cases were filed under the ADA; 97 charges fell under the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and 40 cases were based on the Age Discrimina- tion and Employment Act and the ADA.

"People with disabilities will be impacted because shortly after their complaint is filed, it is investigated or mediated," said Steve Tilden, director of alternative dispute resolution and compliance for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. "Successful mediation resolves a significant number of cases which may or may not have been found meritorious after investigation."

For more information about the EEOC, visit www.eeoc.gov/enforce.html or call the Indianapolis District Office at (317) 226-7212 (voice) or (317) 226-5162 (TT).

Resumes online

People with disabilities who hold at least a two-year college degree can post their resumes online for viewing by companies with a commitment to hiring and training qualified workers with disabilities.

The database is sponsored by the National Business & Disability Council (NBDC). Only authorized NBDC recruiters can access the information.

Visit this service at www.business-disability.com. Once online, click "Job Seekers" and then "Post Resume." At the prompt, enter your full e-mail address and chosen password. If you need further assistance, please contact: (800) 299-7494 ext. 339 (voice), (614) 923-0611 (fax) or nbdc@resume-link.com (e-mail).

Work resource

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of Employment Support Programs has developed a Web site, called "The Work Site," containing important information and support for disability beneficiaries, employers, service providers and advocates involved in the workforce. For more information, visit the site at www.ssa.gov/work.

Travel tips for people with disabilities

Summer is one of the most popular times for travel. Planning ahead and getting as much information as possible before you leave are key to a successful trip and can help you avoid unexpected difficulties.

The Governor's Planning Council has a book full of travel tips, called "Tips and Hints for the Novice Traveler." To obtain a free copy, contact the Council at (317) 232-7770 (voice).

Of Note

TRS guide online
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Rights Office has put together an information guide for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Titled "A Consumers' Guide to Telecommunications Relay Service," it explains the different types of TRS calls, as well as the telephones and equipment that are required to make calls. For more information or the complete guide, visit the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/trs/con_trs.html.

Register online
Hoosiers, along with residents of 45 other states, can now register to vote online at the ABC News Web site. United States citizens who live or have an address within the U.S. can use the online form to:

• Register to vote in Indiana
• Report a change of name or address to your voter registration office
• Register with a political party

To register, visit www.abcnews.go.com/sections/politics and click on the Online Democracy icon on the right side of the screen.

New Medicaid waiver guide available

Special education workshop

The Governor's Planning Council, Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) and the Indiana Parent Information Network, Inc. (IPIN) are co-sponsoring a workshop by Reed Martin, J.D., called "Special Education Laws and Indiana Children." Martin will discuss with parents and attorneys how to use changes and amendments in special education law to get better services for children. The workshop is Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The deadline to register is July 31. For more information, contact Louann Davis, IPIN, at (317) 257-8683 (voice), (317) 251-7488 (fax) or FamilyNetw@aol.com (e-mail).