OSCIL's Signs of Independence
June 2010
Highlights from OSCIL’s 22nd Annual Meeting
OSCIL’s 22nd annual meeting was held on April 28 at the Warwick Public Library. Board President Henry Tarlian reported on OSCIL’s programs and accomplishments during the past fiscal year covering the period from
October 1, 2008, to September 30, 2009.
During this 08-09 time period, OSCIL was fortunate that our services were not affected by any significant loss of funding. In addition to continued state and federal funding, additional support came from the generosity of Ocean State Charities Trust Foundation, the RI Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Funding continued from the Department of Elderly Affairs to enable OSCIL to operate as a walk-in site to provide information and referral services to seniors and persons with disabilities.
Some noteworthy statistics include:
Dan Pieroni, a former RI Youth Leadership Forum delegate, gave a heartfelt presentation on Overcoming Adversity based on his personal experiences and insight. His message was to believe in yourself. With drive and motivation, you will find success and happiness.
Susan Shapiro, Coordinator of the Youth Leadership Forum, spoke about the ten-year history of this forum and the opportunities it offers to students with disabilities.
Happy Anniversary
July 26, 1990 is the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of our country’s most important civil rights achievements.
OSCIL Scholarship Winners
OSCIL congratulates the following three 2010 winners of the $1,000 Catherine T. Murray Memorial Scholarship awards.
Steven Rego, Jr. of Tiverton plans to study culinary arts. He became interested in cooking at a young age, studied culinary arts at a trade school, and will continue his studies in college. He is employed part-time at a local restaurant and ultimately would like to open his own restaurant. Steven enjoys karate and golf and is a former RI Youth Leadership Forum participant.
Courtney Peladeau, an honor student at Warwick’s Pilgrim High School, will pursue a career in music education. She has been involved in numerous musical activities, including her school concert band and community orchestras. As a music teacher, she will be able to share her knowledge and love of music with others.
Michael Peno, Jr. of Providence is currently enrolled at CCRI. After earning his Associates degree, he plans to continue his education at Rhode Island College and earn a BA degree in social work. Steven hopes to become a counselor for troubled youth and ultimately establish his own organization similar to the Ekard Youth Alternatives Camp in Exeter, which has had a most positive impact on his life.
This year the scholarship committee had a difficult task selecting the winners from a record number of deserving applicants. OSCIL thanks the selection committee for their efforts: Caldy Shire, Jack Welch, Pat McCrone, John and Carol Howell, Dr. Raymond Mis, Anne McDonald, and Lorna Ricci.
OSCIL Elects Board Members
Pat McCrone presented the 2010-2011 slate of board members. Stephanie Clang, Kristen Connors, Jose Lobaton, Pat McCrone, and Susan Shapiro were re-elected to the board of directors, joining Henry Tarlian, James Bateman, Laurie Johnson, Anne McDonald, Dr. Raymond Mis, John Nakowicz, Rep. Eileen Naughton, Don Perna and Marie Perna.
OSCIL Volunteers Recognized
On behalf of the entire staff, Carol McKenna thanked the following volunteers for their dedicated service to OSCIL: Ruth Clark, Pat McCrone, Alisa Ricci, Tony Ricci, Tina Silvestro and Dylan Turner.
Mention of any product, service or event
in this newsletter does not constitute any endorsement
or recommendation by OSCIL.
Community Health Centers
Rhode Island’s community health centers provide preventive and primary care services, including some dental services, to thousands of Rhode Islanders. Fees for patients without insurance coverage are determined from a sliding fee scale based on income and family size. For detailed information, visit the web site www.rihca.org. Below is an updated list of health centers and contact information.
Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland and surrounding areas
729-0080
Block Island Health Services
466-2974
Providence and surrounding areas
274-6339
Cranston 943-1981
Warwick (called Wilcox) 732-9090
Coventry 828-5335
East Bay Health Center
East Providence, Barrington, Bristol, and Warren 437-1008
East Bay Health Center Lower Bay
Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown, and Little Compton
848-2160
Providence Community Health Centers
Allen Berry at 202 Prairie Ave 444-0570
Capitol Hill at 40 Candace St. 444-0550
Central at 239 Cranston St. 444-0580
Chafee at One Warren Way 444-0530
Olneyville at 100 Curtis St. 444-0540
Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, and North Smithfield 519-1940
Woonsocket 767-4100
West Warwick 615-2800
South County 783-0523
WellOne
Foster 647-3702
Burrillville 568-7661
North Kingstown (Bayside) 295-9706
Hope Valley/South County 539-2461
Staff Recognition
OSCIL’s Independent Living Specialist Bonnie Abols was recognized for twenty years of work assisting consumers to realize personal goals for independence and for advocacy services for the Deaf community, as well as for some significant services that she helped establish.
Some of Bonnie’s accomplishments include her work with the Public Utilities Commission to implement the RI Relay Service (711) and the creation of two training manuals for citizenship and driver education to assist with the written tests. Bonnie started a Deaf mother’s support group, which led to the development of parent training classes. We congratulate Bonnie on her twenty years of excellent services to the community!
Emergency Preparedness
Were You Prepared?
In the aftermath of the historic March flooding in Rhode Island, OSCIL encourages everyone, especially those with disabilities and special health care needs, to assess how well prepared you were for this latest emergency. Some of us experienced the loss of water, electricity and telephone service or had to evacuate our homes on short notice. With the closing of some streets and major highways, travel and work were disrupted or impossible for several days.
Will you be prepared for the next emergency? There are three basic steps you need to take to prepare for emergencies. Assemble an emergency supply kit, make your emergency plans to meet your needs in advance, and stay informed.
The Department of Homeland Security recommends that households have a basic kit of emergency supplies on hand to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Basic items in the kit should include:
In making personal safety plans, one important consideration is whether you rely on the assistance of a personal care attendant, CNA, or home health aide. If so, you need to make a contingency plan in the event your aide may be unable to assist you.
Would you need assistance to evacuate in an emergency? Consider registering for the RI Special Needs Emergency Registry. If you have registered and your address or situation has changed, remember to update your information.
The RI Dept. of Health and Emergency Management Agency have developed a system to identify persons who require special assistance during emergencies. Information is shared with local and state emergency first responders such as police and fire personnel. Rhode Island adults and children with disabilities, chronic conditions and special health care needs are encouraged to register, especially if you use life support systems such as oxygen, a ventilator, dialysis or are insulin dependent. You may register online at www.health.ri.gov/emregistry or call 946-9996. Copies of the registration form are available at the OSCIL office.
Be informed about disasters that may occur in your area and stay up to date with local resources. If you have questions or need assistance developing your emergency plan, please call the OSCIL office.
Scam Alert
The information below is excerpted from the March 5th RI Senior Beat.
A difficult economy often serves as a backdrop for increased activity by scam artists. The National Consumer Protection Agency offers some advice about how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and scams.
If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, contact the RI Senior Medicare Patrol at 462-3000. If you believe you are a victim of a scam, call the RI Attorney General Consumer Affairs Unit at 274-4400 and file a report with your local police.
Attention Digital Book Lovers
If you want to expand your access to digital books and are registered with Talking Books Plus, downloading books will give you many more titles to choose from. Currently, there are about 1,300 digital books available through the mail, but over 16,000 titles are available for download from the National Library Services BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) site.
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If you have the new digital recorder from Talking Books Plus and would like to learn how to download books, INSIGHT is offering training sessions to consumers and a family member or a friend. To take advantage of this opportunity, you must have access to a computer with high speed internet and be registered with a BARD account. Call Rick Andrade at INSIGHT at 941-3322 for details on the training sessions.
Additionally, you may contact Melissa Rosenberg at OSCIL to file the application from Talking Books Plus for the digital recorder and for training in its use.
Medicare Rebate
Under the new health care reform law, the Department of Health and Human Services will begin sending out $250 rebate checks in June to consumers with Medicare who have entered the Part D prescription drug coverage gap this year. People who qualify for the rebate will receive the check automatically and will not need to fill out any forms.
FYI
Homes for Sale: Olneyville Housing Corporation in Providence has two affordable condominiums for sale. Each unit is two bedrooms and is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Applicants must be first-time home buyers (defined as not having owned a home within the past three years) and meet income guidelines. For details, call Veronica Martinez at 351-8719 ext. 111.
Vendor Relocates: Custom Adaptive Systems has moved to 11 Grandview Street, Unit 9, in Coventry. The phone number is 821-2099.
The company specializes in vehicle modifications, exterior lifts, automatic door systems, stair lifts, ramps, and new or used scooters.
Diabetes Education Group: Managing diabetes while living with vision loss may be challenging. INSIGHT is forming a six-week diabetes education group for diabetics who are blind and visually impaired. The monthly education/support group will feature presentations and speakers. If you are interested in attending, please call Rick Andrade at 941-3322.
Disability Web Site: The U.S. Department of Labor has redesigned its federal Web site: www.disability.gov. The site is a clearinghouse for information about disability-related resources and services. The site also has a blog and a Twitter feed to encourage interaction among visitors.
Accessible Overlook: A new handicapped accessible overlook has been completed at the end of Beach Avenue in Conimicut, built with funding from Warwick’s community development block grant.
E-Newsletter: Dear Marci is a free weekly e-newsletter published by the Medicare Rights Center that helps consumers understand their Medicare benefits and options. Each issue features coverage information, health tips, and links to health care resources. To sign up to receive this publication, go to www.medicarerights.org and click on the link for newsletter.
Disability Beach Passes: Detailed information about obtaining a Rhode Island disability beach pass picture ID card is on the web site www.riparks.com. To verify the specific documentation required, call 222-2632. Please note that a handicapped placard does not qualify someone for a fee exemption at Rhode Island state beaches.
The MS Dream Center
OSCIL board members Don and Marie Perna, along with Joe O’Reilly, have formed a non-profit agency, The MS Dream Center – RI, Inc.
The center will be a day facility for people with MS and their care partners, serving as a meeting place where all types of therapies and educational opportunities will be available, medical and insurance questions addressed, and social experiences realized. It will also provide respite for caregivers. The hope is that the Dream Center will open next fall. For more information, call Marie Perna at 944-3949.
OSCIL’s Community Living Option Program
Over the last twenty years, OSCIL has worked with individuals with disabilities in transitioning from nursing facilities into their own apartments, homes, relatives’ homes or assisted living. The Community Living Option Program offers persons who are medically stable and no longer need skilled nursing care the opportunity to realize their goals to live more independent, self-directed lives in the community setting of their choice. OSCIL’s experienced staff has the expertise to facilitate a safe transition from the nursing home into the community.
Some of the services OSCIL provides include individual assessments to identify strengths, challenges, and personal preferences; developing goals to achieve independence; service coordination to locate community resources, transportation, and supports to be independent in the community; housing information and assistance with applications for subsidized apartments; basic life skills training such as budgeting, understanding benefits and securing necessary documentation; setting up a household, including obtaining security deposits or the first month’s rent, furniture, and basic necessities; assessments and recommendations for assistive technology and home modifications; and short-term follow-up. OSCIL’s Community Living Specialist, Bridget Hjerpe, is looking to identify persons with severe disabilities (especially younger individuals) who are capable of living more independently and wish to transition from nursing homes back into the community. To learn more about the Community Living Option or to refer someone for services, please call the OSCIL office at 738-1013 ext. 13.
LOOKING AHEAD
PUBLIC FORUMS SCHEDULED THE WEEK OF JULY 26-30
The RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities and other community organizations are sponsoring a series of public forums during the week of July 26-30. These forums serve to identify the concerns of people with disabilities and their families. It is important for state policy makers to hear concerns about current services, suggestions for improvements, and needs that are not being addressed. Your voice can make a difference. Testimony from the forums serves to guide legislators and the RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities in developing new legislation. OSCIL is hosting the July 26 forum in Warwick.
Scheduled forums dates are as follows:
July 28 4 to 6 p.m. Warwick Public Library Community Room, 600 Sandy Lane
Additional forum dates will be announced in local papers, on www.gcd.ri.gov and on the OSCIL web site www.oscil.org. Comments may be made in person at one of the forums or faxed to 462-0106, e-mailed to disabilities@gcd.ri.gov, or mailed to the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, 41 Cherry Dale Court, Cranston, RI 02920 by August 2.
FLAME BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MAHER CENTER AND CRANSTON ARC
June 25 6-8 p.m. Fort Adams State Park in Newport (Rain date is June 26.)
Flame is an international touring rock band from upstate NY consisting of people with developmental and physical disabilities who want to change the way the general public view people with disabilities. Tickets are $15 for an adult and $30 for a family. They may be purchased at the event or in advance by calling Isabel at 846-0340 or on line at www.mahercenter.org. To learn more about FLAME, go to www.flametheband.com.
SUMMER RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council’s 2010 Summer Guide describes hundreds of recreational programs, activities, events, and fun ideas. To request a paper guide, call 737-1238. The on-line guide gives more detailed information about accessibility and links to other web sites such as www.visitrhodeisland.com.
NEXT RI INDEPENDENT LIVING CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 2011
Due to time and budget constraints, the next RI Independent Living Conference is scheduled for September, 2011. There will be no conference in 2010.
NOW IS THE TIME TO RENEW OR BEGIN YOUR OSCIL MEMBERSHIP
OSCIL sincerely thanks everyone who has sent in membership donations. If you would like an OSCIL membership form mailed to you, call Carol McKenna at 738-1013 ext. 10 or e-mail cmckenna@oscil.org. Membership is not necessary to participate in OSCIL’s services.
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