Signs of Independence 

SEPTEMBER 2008
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Mention of any product, service, or event in this newsletter does not
constitute any endorsement or recommendation by OSCIL.

OSCIL would like to thank Phoenix Property Management, Inc. for sponsoring this edition of Signs of Independence.

 New OSCIL E-Mail: Please note our new e-mail address: info@oscil.org.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Noteworthy Legislation of 2008
OSCIL Staff Updates
Digital Television Transition
Infantile Paralysis Foundation
New OSCIL E-Mail List
Celebrating Twenty Years
Heating Assistance Program
Brown Research Study
LOOKING AHEAD
Arthritis Foundation Offers Many Programs and Services

Noteworthy Legislation of 2008

Bob Cooper, Executive Secretary of the RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, updated OSCIL on noteworthy legislation that passed during the 2008 General Assembly session that may have an impact on Rhode Islanders with disabilities. Below are highlights of some of these new laws and budget articles:

Medicaid Reform Act of 2008: This Act authorizes the Dept. of Human Services to replace all Medicaid Waivers (with the exception of the Katie Beckett program for children with special health care needs) by reforming RI’s Medicaid program to:

• Provide Medicaid assistance to eligible individuals

• Provide community alternatives and least restrictive options for person centered choice and independence, as opposed to institutionalization

• Create a person-centered and opportunity-driven program

• Create a results-oriented system of coordinated care that focuses on independence and choice

• Maximize the available service options and promote accountabilityEncourage and reward healthy outcomes and responsible choices

It is OSCIL’s understanding that it will become mandatory that Medicaid beneficiaries enroll in a managed care plan. Every Medicaid recipient will have a “medical home”, a primary care physician and care management team. As part of this Medicaid Reform Act, Rhode Island is pursuing a global waiver, which would replace existing waivers. OSCIL will give further information as details become available. If you wish to learn more, go to the DHS web page at www.dhs.ri.gov and link to Medicaid Reform 2009.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
This budget article reduces the state supplement to the federal supplemental security income benefit in an amount equal to the federal adjustment to the benefit beginning January 1, 2009.

Ground ambulance service: A new law caps co-payments for ground ambulance service at $50 per trip. This takes effect as health insurance policies are renewed or new policies are issued on or after January 1, 2009.

Health Information: The Rhode Island Health Information Exchange Act of 2008 would establish safeguards and confidentiality protection for health information exchange.

Utility Shut-Offs: Current law states that “no public utility which distributes electricity or supplies natural or manufactured gas, electricity, or water service shall terminate service to any household in which all adult residents are 65 years of age or older, or where any resident is disabled or seriously ill, for failure to pay an outstanding indebtedness for service, without first complying with all rules and regulations for such terminations issued by the commission.” Last year a section was added to cover households with infants, and this year that provision was expanded to cover children up to age two.

Elderly Violence Protection Act: The law gives victims 65 or older a right to a speedy trial and creates the offense of exploitation of an elder. Persons who committed such an offense would be guilty of a felony and subject to imprisonment and fines based on the amount exploited.

RI Housing Resources Act: This legislation gives the RI Housing Resources Commission the power to administer the supportive services program which aids in the prevention of homelessness.

Accessory Family Dwellings: This act would authorize an accessory family dwelling unit in a single-family residence as a reasonable accommodation for family members with disabilities. It eliminates the need for a zoning variance before modifying a home so an adult member of the family can live in an “apartment” and be independent, but have other members of the family just on the other side of an interconnecting door to provide assistance when needed.

OSCIL wishes to thank the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities for their legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of Rhode Islanders with disabilities and to Bob Cooper for his technical assistance to OSCIL staff by providing information and insight into new and existing legislation.

OSCIL Staff Updates

Lorna Ricci was recognized for twenty years of dedicated service to OSCIL at our recent anniversary celebration in June. Lorna was hired as OSCIL’s first Executive Director in April 1988 when OSCIL began in a one-room office with a staff of two. Mireille Sayaf and Susan Eleoff were recognized for fifteen years of service.

Deborah Carroll is our new Independent Living/Community Living Specialist. She has a B.A. in psychology from Rhode Island College and has a background in human services case management.

Digital Television Transition

Consumers who use rooftop or rabbit ears antennas with older television sets to receive over-the-air programming need to take action to continue to receive television broadcast signals after February 17, 2009.

After this date, broadcasters are switching from analog to digital broadcasting. Television households using antennas have three options:

1.     Connect to cable or satellite television service.

2.     Purchase a digital television.

3.      Buy a converter box that plugs into existing television to keep it working. It is estimated that over 14 million television sets will need converter boxes.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering redeemable discount coupons for persons who need to purchase converter boxes. A maximum of two coupons (each worth $40) may be requested by each household.

Coupons can be used toward the cost of purchasing certified TV converter boxers.

Coupons, which look like plastic gift cards, expire 90 days after mailed and cannot be reissued or replaced. The national average cost of converter boxes ranges from $50 to $70.

If you use a computer, you can apply for coupons by logging on to www.dtv2009.gov. To request coupon applications by phone, call 1-888-388-2009 Voice or 1-877-530-2634 TTY. 

Infantile Paralysis Foundation

Founded in 1936, the Rhode Island Infantile Paralysis Foundation provides financial assistance to former polio patients who experience post-polio syndrome.

Post-polio syndrome is a progressive condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. It is characterized by new weakening in muscles that were previously affected and in muscles that were seemingly unaffected. Symptoms include progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, and sometimes muscle atrophy. The cause is unknown.

The Foundation helps individuals acquire equipment that is not covered under existing medical insurance, such as crutches, braces, shoes manual and electric wheelchairs, beds, scooters, ramps, grab bars, and hand controls. There is also assistance with insurance co-payments

Requests are individually reviewed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and medical certification is required. Please contact Mark McGovern at 463-8867 or contact through the Web site at www.riipf.org.

New OSCIL E-Mail List

If you would like to add your e-mail address to OSCIL’s new FYI e-mail list for upcoming events and timely information, please send an e-mail to e-mail.list@oscil.org. Please be sure to include your first and last name

Celebrating Twenty Years

OSCIL wishes to thank everyone who participated in our 20^th anniversary celebration, Reaching New Heights. We had a wonderful turnout, a fantastic sponsorship response, a great emcee, delicious food, pleasant background music, a thought-provoking guest speaker, profitable silent and live auctions, and raised $23,000 for our agency! OSCIL would like to recognize the following people, businesses, and organizations that made this event such a success:

Bronze Sponsors

KCMH Medical Staff
Lifespan
Neighborhood Health Plan of RI
Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Mis

Table Sponsors

Accessible Rhode Island
By The Bay Smoke Shop
Coastway Credit Union
Inclusion By Design
In-Sight
Kent County Memorial Hospital
Malcolm McGuire
MetLife Auto and Home
PARI Independent Living Center
Rhodes To Independence
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ricci
RI Statewide Independent Living Council
Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Corp.
Southeastern Mass Development, LLC
Subway Sandwich Shops
TechAccess of Rhode Island
Webster Bank
Youth Leadership Forum

Contributors

Changes to RIPAE Program

Effective July 10, 2008, several changes were implemented to the RIPAE Program.

• It is now mandatory for RIPAE members to use generic drugs when a generic equivalent is available.

• All new members must join a Medicare Part D program to be eligible for RIPAE. All new RIPAE applications must have a Part D membership before applying for RIPAE.

• Current RIPAE members who are not enrolled in a Part D program will be receiving notification that they must enroll in a Part D program during open enrollment in November and December 2008. If persons choose not to enroll in Part D, they will be terminated from the RIPAE program effective December 31, 2008.

For specific information on income guidelines or medications covered, call the Point at 462-4444 or DEA at 462-4000 Voice or 462-0740 TTY.

Heating Assistance Program

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to income eligible consumers in meeting the costs of heating their homes. The program opens around September 15. Persons who received energy assistance last year will receive an application for this year’s program.

The amount of heating assistance is based on household size and income level. Approximate income guidelines are:

1-person household                $24,428

2-person household                $31,945

3-person household                $39,461

Income guidelines may be adjusted slightly each heating season. At the time of this newsletter, OSCIL did not know the amount of the maximum grant for this season.

Area agencies processing LIHEAP applications are as follows:

Blackstone Valley CAP: 723-0227

Cranston: Comprehensive CAP: 467-7013

East Bay: East Bay CAP: 437-5102

Northwest: Tri-Town CAP: 529-1900

Providence: ProCAP

          Over 60: 273-2000

          Under 60: 273-0882

South County CAP: 789-3016

Kent County: Westbay CAP: 732-4660

Additional information about energy assistance is available from the Salvation Army at 421-0956 or the Governor’s Office of Energy Resources at 574-9003 for emergency fuel. You may also call United Way 2-1-1 or The Point at 462-4444.

Brown Research Study

The Auditory Perception Lab at Brown University seeks participants with hearing impairments to enroll in a research study to improve sound intelligibility for hearing aids of the future. Participants need to be diagnosed with either mild-moderate or moderate-severe hearing loss and will be asked to provide a copy of their most recent audiogram.

Participants may currently wear hearing aids but may not have cochlear implants. The study involves about eight one-hour sessions in the lab, and pays $15 an hour.

Volunteers must be reliable and have good concentration. Call Emily at 863-1109 or e-mail auditory.lab@gmail.com.

LOOKING AHEAD

DEADLINE TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTIONS IS OCTOBER 4

OSCIL is a designated voter registration agency. To register to vote in Rhode Island, you must be a resident of Rhode Island, a citizen of the United States, and at least 18 years of age on or before the election date. If you are not registered to vote or need to change your name or address before the election date, or choose to change political parties, you may contact the OSCIL office to obtain a voter registration form. You may also contact your local Board of Canvassers at your town or city hall.

SUMMIT ASSOCIATION RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

Monday Bowling East Providence 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.   plus dine-out and evening activity

New members are invited to join Summit Association’s free bowling league with adaptations for disability followed by dine-out and activities such as music, bingo, or guest speakers. Transportation may be provided depending on location. Bowling site is ADA Paratransit accessible. For information, call 737-5100.

 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 38^th ANNUAL CONVENTION

Saturday, October 25
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Radisson Airport Hotel

For registration information, call Richard Gaffney at 433-2606 or email info@nfbri.org

NAMI CONFERENCE:BRIDGING THE GAPS

Friday, November 7
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza in Warwick

For further details and registration information, call the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) office at 331-3060 or visit www.namirhodeisland.org.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE: IMPROVING LIVES DAILY

Thursday, November 20
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza in Warwick

For registration information, call 463-0202 or visit www.techaccess-ri.org.

INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS ON SOCIAL SECURITY WORK INCENTIVES

If you are receiving SSI or SSDI benefits and want to work, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program offers informational sessions at least twice a month. You are welcome to come and learn about Social Security’s work incentives that may help you in your attempt to work and become self-sufficient.

Sept. 24 and Oct. 29
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
NetWork RI
1 Reservoir Ave Providence

Sept. 8 and Oct. 6
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
NetWork RI   
175 Main St   Pawtucket

SUPPORT OSCIL THROUGH THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN

You can support OSCIL’s programs and services through your company’s United Way Workplace campaign by designating the Ocean State Center for Independent Living.

Arthritis Foundation Offers Many Programs and Services

The Northern & Southern New England Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation seeks to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. The Chapter offers a wide variety of programs and services to Rhode Island residents with arthritis to improve quality of life and disseminate information on the disease and the latest research findings. There are on-going advocacy efforts for federal policy changes, public seminars, an arthritis specialists list, and opportunities to interact with others with arthritis. Volunteers are needed to serve on working committees and for fundraising activities.

Examples of Arthritis Foundation programs held throughout Rhode Island include aquatics (participants do not need to know how to swim), exercise, and Tai Chi programs, a self-help program to manage arthritis, and free local support and education groups. Financial assistance may be available for some program fees. Juvenile arthritis programs provide opportunities for parents and children to network. There are a limited number of scholarships for college and summer arthritis camp, as well as a childhood arthritis financial assistance program offering financial aid up to $500 per year per child to families of children with arthritis who reside in Rhode Island. The office is located at 2348 Post Road, Suite 104 in Warwick. To contact the Chapter, call 739-3773 or send an e-mail to info.sne@arthritis.org. Additional national and local information is on www.arthritis.org.