Nancy Murray and Daughter Marisa Niwa Received Recognition
 

Information Sessions Scheduled for Beaver County

In Cities like Philly, Wheelchair Users can Easily Hail an Uber or Lyft, But Not in Pittsburgh
From Public Source, Article by Tina Calabro

Photo: Michael Haider, 34, describes the lack of wheelchair-accessible Uber and Lyft vehicles in the Pittsburgh market as "active discrimination." (Photo by Ryan Loew/PublicSource)

“It was a good experience,” said Constantin, 35, who lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh. “Something you can’t do here in Pittsburgh.” In the Pittsburgh region, neither Uber nor Lyft, its competitor in the ride-share industry, accommodate passengers who use non-folding or motorized wheelchairs. Although Uber said its drivers are expected to accommodate riders with folding wheelchairs, walkers or canes, the company does not offer WAVs for passengers who remain in their wheelchairs for the ride. So while Pittsburgh is a proving ground for autonomous cars - the next leap ahead in the ride-sharing industry - wheelchair-using customers who try to call a driver with their smartphone apps are left waiting on the curb.

On March 4, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced what the city calls transformative policies for the testing of autonomous vehicles. The policies focus on transparency, reducing environmental impacts and promoting lower cost and equitable transportation options. They do not specifically address wheelchair accessibility, though Uber did discuss the issue with Pittsburgh officials last year. So far, its operations haven't changed.


 

Report Highlighting Improvements in Residential Services for Pennsylvanians with ID/A

From Department of Human Services

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today announced a report highlighting the department’s commitment to maintaining high-quality services to assure the health and well-being of nearly 12,000 individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in community-based homes across the commonwealth. The report includes planned and on-going initiatives to improve the quality of care people receive in their communities. “Thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities reside in community homes. While residential services are broad, encompassing all aspects of life, the department is dedicated to making continued improvements to these programs and services,” said Secretary Miller. “It is important for us to continue to evaluate our programs and services so that we can provide the best level of care to the individuals we serve. This report outlines approaches that will lead to improved accountability, risk management and stronger collaboration with service providers so they can help individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism live full, rewarding lives.”

Residential services began in 1974 through an appropriation from the General Assembly. DHS’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) defines residential services with three principles:

• Providing care in safe, comfortable homes;
• Engaging individuals in life-long learning and skills development to live more independently and participate in their community;
• Providing person-centered services.

The report is the result of an on-going strategic thinking group comprised of stakeholders, advocates, providers, an individual living in a residential home, and family members of individuals in residential services. The group identified six main areas for improvement: licensing, policy, provider onboarding, technical assistance and training, tools for direct support professionals, and establishing a learning collaborative. Recommendations in each domain include opportunities for improvement by both ODP and providers.

Providers of residential services are expected to assist individuals with various tasks, including positive interactions and relationships, management of medical care, mental health and emotional wellness, decision-making, financial stability, communication, activities of a community life, and more. Governor Tom Wolf continues to expand access to community-based services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. In partnership with the General Assembly, more than $381 million has been invested since 2015, allowing 7,500 more people to access services among their families and peers in their community.

The 2019-2020 budget proposal continues this progress by investing $15 million to serve an additional 765 people in the Community Living Waiver and 100 people in the Consolidated Waiver who may experience unanticipated emergencies. Currently in Pennsylvania, there are more than 300 residential services providers in Pennsylvania who provide services in more than 6,200 locations across the commonwealth.

“We are committed to ensuring all individuals have access to opportunities to support their goals and dreams, however there is still more work to be done,” said Secretary Miller. “The recommendations outlined in this report are the beginning of an on-going effort by the state, residential services providers, and stakeholders to help the people we serve live the everyday life we all want.”

To view the Improving the Quality of Residential Services report, click here.

LOCAL BEACON

A Guide to Funding Your Assistive Technology

From Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) helps Pennsylvanians obtain the assistive technology they need to go to work, be active participants in their communities, and live in their own homes. PATF just released a guide to understanding and funding your assistive technology.


 

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ODP Releases Annual Data Report 2017–2018

 
ODP Announcement 19-033 serves to distribute the 2017–2018 Annual Data Report, detailing enrollment, self-directed services, employment, residential, targeted services management, and financial trends so that individuals, families, advocates, providers, government officials, and taxpayers can see and measure how many individuals ODP serves, what services are provided, where the individuals live, and what costs are associated with services. The 2017–2018 Annual Data Report is also available on the MyODP Everyday Lives Publications web page.
 
The 2017–2018 Annual Data Report is a good companion to the annual report published on the performance measures developed by ODP’s Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC), entitled Everyday Lives: Values in Action Information, Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations, Strategies, and Performance Measures. This publication is available on the MyODP Everyday Lives Publications web page.

 

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Keeping Kids Safe Online

From Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

The internet comes with benefits, as well as risks. For parents who have children who are online, managing these risks can be challenging. It is our responsibility as parents to take necessary steps to help kids follow safe and responsible computer practices. When your children begin accessing information online, it is important to talk with them about best practices. Internet use can feel anonymous, and kids sometimes forget that they are still accountable for their actions.

Kids also may not be aware that some people online have bad intentions including bullies, predators, hackers, scammers, and people sharing inappropriate content. The best way to keep kids safe online is to start initiating conversations about being online early, and continue to monitor their internet use and discuss how to use it responsibly.


 

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Online Workshop

Trauma Informed Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 2 - 3 p.m. EST

 

We know the rates of sexual assault among people with developmental disabilities is staggering high. We also know that sexuality education is so important for all people whether they have a history of abuse or not. This tells us there is a very high chance you will have people in your class, or that you work with, with a history of abuse. How do you create a sexuality education class that is trauma informed and provides a safe place to learn and reduces the risk of triggers?

 

Cost: $20. This online workshop will explore this topic and give you tips and tools for making it safe for all participants. 

 

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Community HealthChoices, Phase III

Save the dates for Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association's (RCPA) upcoming provider summits in the Northeast, Northwest, and Lehigh/Capital zones. These summits are educational conferences specifically for providers to learn more about Community HealthChoices, a Medicaid managed care program. More information on the times will be coming soon.
 

Lehigh/Capital Zone

• Monday, May 13: Harrisburg Area Community College
• Tuesday, May 14: Shippensburg University
• Wednesday, May 15: Kutztown University
• Thursday, May 16 (Transportation Session Only): Kutztown University

Northwest Zone

• Monday, May 20: Edinboro University
• Tuesday, May 21: Lock Haven University
• Wednesday, May 22: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
• Thursday, May 23 (Transportation Session Only): University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Northeast Zone

• Tuesday, June 4: East Stroudsburg University
• Wednesday, June 5: University of Scranton
• Thursday, June 6: Bloomsburg University
• Friday, June 7 (Transportation Session Only): Bloomsburg University

 

NATIONAL BEACON

 

Tom Ridge Receives Award for Leading the Way toward Inclusion and Opportunity for Americans with Disabilities

From the National Organization on Disability (NOD)
 

Photo: Former Pennsylvania Governor and first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge receives award from AUCD. “The search for justice for people with disabilities is not over.” – AUCD honoree + NOD Chair Gov. Tom Ridge

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) last night honored National Organization on Disability (NOD) Chairman Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania, with the AUCD Leadership for All Award. Governor Ridge was honored for his many years of leadership in civil rights and honorable service on behalf of the disability community – most notably his work with NOD to raise the issue of disability employment and to find opportunities for the 20 million Americans with disabilities who are ready to work.

Claudia Gordon, a former colleague at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and herself a noted advocate for people with disabilities, presented Governor Ridge with the leadership award at AUCD’s annual celebration, which brings together leaders from all sectors who are tireless advocates for disability rights and social justice for all. “Governor Ridge has been a champion for disability rights for decades, going back to when he began his career in public service,” said Andrew Imparato, executive director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. “Our network of centers and programs and the communities we serve are deeply grateful for his principled leadership, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate his contributions to our movement.”


 

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Bill Would Protect SSI Benefits For Couples Who Marry

From the Citizen/TNS, Article by Robert Harding

U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., unveiled a proposal this month he says will eliminate barriers to marriage for people with disabilities. He sponsored a bill that would protect Supplemental Security Income benefits for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Currently, when two people who rely on SSI marry, their benefits can be at risk because they must jointly report their income.

SSI is provided to people with disabilities who lack income. The assistance helps cover basic expenses, such as clothing, food and housing. An issue paper published by the Social Security Administration in 2003 details how SSI benefits are affected by marriage. If two people who receive SSI benefits marry, they would receive 25 percent less than they would if they lived together but didn’t marry. “People with intellectual and developmental disabilities should not have to choose between marriage and their disability benefits,” Katko said.


 

March is Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), partners with Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities (DD) in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live. DD Awareness Month covers three main areas: education, employment and community living. 



This year’s imagery features art by Gary Murrel. Gary’s artwork is simultaneously complex and simple; his minimalist style of detailing people and faces evoke a depth of expression and emotion that is immediate and powerful. To read more about Gary, visit Art Enables.

Events

The Truth About Abuse

From ACHIEVA's Advocacy Department

April 4, 2019 in Greensburg PA

People with disabilities are two times more likely to experience abuse. Learn how you can make a difference during this free program for people with disabilities, families, professionals and community members on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports Inc. (WCSI), 770 East Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg PA 15601. 

Building is accessible and parking is free.

For more information, or to register visit WCSI.org.

 

ACHIEVA's Annual Million Dollar Golf Outing
Monday, August 19, 2019

Please join us in August for ACHIEVA's 21st Million Dollar Golf Outing at Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray for a chance to win $1,000,000.

For more information, please contact Jodie Tabano at 412.995.5000 x526 or jtabano@achieva.info.

 

Annual Lifesharing Conference

Monday and Tuesday, October 21 - 22, 2019 at Mt. Pocono, PA

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