Livin’ Official newsletter of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living Winter 2011 In this issue: The Advocate’s Corner, pg. 1 New Face at LVCIL, pg. 2 Accessible Theater, pg. 3 New Board Members, pg. 4 S2L the 411, pg. 4 LV Dining Discount Cards, pg. 5 Upcoming LVCIL Events, pg. 5 Quick Tips for Power Outages, pg. 6 Landlords for All Corner, pg. 7 El Rincon de Landlords for All, pg. 7 The Advocate’s Corner By: Robbie Graves, Assistant Director If you have spent any time with me at all, you’ve probably heard me say at least once “The best advocate is a well educated and informed consumer.” That is, after all, the basis of this column. For this issue, I want to take a few minutes to discuss the holidays. For many people with disabilities, the holidays are a time of great despair as they see other people enjoying festivities they cannot take part in for some reason or another, be it because of a lack of accommodations or simply due to being alone. It’s difficult to see others enjoying themselves during joyful times of year when we ourselves are so alone or excluded by lack of access. In some cases, the holidays reminds us of years gone by and happier times, and often we find ourselves longing for the past, perhaps a past before we acquired a disability. I must admit, the holidays are traditionally a difficult time for me, for many reasons. However, it can be different and the choice is ours. It’s up to us to make things different. You are your own best advocate, and this includes looking after your own well-being during the holidays. I am not suggesting that you can “will” yourself to happiness and “peace and joy” during the holidays, but there are things you can do to make the holidays much more tolerable. • Many local communities publish free event guides. Pick one up and plan some activities that you can attend. Do some research on access and, if the event has access issues, use the opportunity to educate the event organizers. You will be helping yourself, and so many others, by making a lasting contribution to the community. This is a great activity to do not only during the holidays, but year round as well. • Many local organizations and events are in critical need for volunteers during the holidays. This is a great opportunity to get out, help others, meet new people, and experience new activities. There may even be special perks involved with volunteering. • If you have a neighbor who lives alone, stop by unannounced for a brief visit just to say “hello.” Maybe bring them a homemade basket of non-perishable grocery items like soup and hot chocolate. It does not have to be much, just something to let them know that you are thinking about them during the holiday season. • Go for a walk. Sometimes the cold winter air can be invigorating. • Make a list of the things for which you are thankful. If you have a roof over your head and clothes on your back, those are two things right there! • I always use this time of year to reflect on the changes during the past year. Take an inventory of the changes in your life during the past twelve months. Focus on the positive changes that have occurred. • Don’t forget about your personal health needs. If you take any medication, don’t miss any doses and be sure to keep your doctor appointments. Don’t let the holidays be an excuse to neglect your health. If you have to, keep a journal with your medication times and doses. I do this and I find it’s very helpful. • Be kind to yourself. The holidays are a difficult time for many, and that’s okay. Just remember, January is right around the corner and the next thing you know Spring will be here. Advocating for yourself is a full-time job, and it’s just not about advocating for access on buses and in grocery stores, or accommodations in the workplace and in hospitals. It’s also advocating for your own well being. This involves taking responsibility and taking action. I wish everyone a peaceful and happy Holiday Season! New Face at LVCIL Kadie Trauger joined LVCIL as the Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service (SLIRS) Program Coordinator in October. Kadie has an Associate’s Degree in Business from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where she served on the Vision Committee for Usher Syndrome. “Working at LVCIL has widened my eyes for the deaf/hard of hearing community,” Kadie said. “My motivation is all about helping others.” Since starting in October, Kadie has helped to coordinate activities for the monthly ASL club, which meets at LVCIL. “This event is open to anyone who wants to learn sign language, interpreters, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. It’s a great way to meet new people and be part of the deaf community!” For ASL club information, feel free to call Kadie at 610-770-9781 ext. 121 or email kadietrauger@lvcil.org. When not at work, Kadie enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, playing tennis, good laughs with friends, and being addicted to chocolate. Accessibility... Coming to a Theater Near You! By: Debbie Rozear Wouldn’t it be nice to be on an equal playing field for all people no matter the disability? Several years ago, Philadelphia started making theaters accessible in the “City of Brotherly Love,” an effort which has started to gain some traction in other areas. Currently, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lancaster/York have adopted a simliar accessible theater programs, and now Allentown, along with the entire Lehigh Valley and parts of Monroe County, is slated as the next targeted area. Accessible theaters will make performances more enjoyable for people who are blind or have visual diabilities, as well as for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The live entertainment will be accompanied by audio and video captioning for those who are in need of the service. Headsets will be available for people who are blind or have a visual disability, and the very same headsets will also have the capability to change to another frequency to enhance the volume for people who are hard of hearing. Sign language interpreters will also be utilized for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing that use ASL. Another service includes open captioning, in which a screen is placed on the left or right of the stage with the written script running across the screen at the time of the performance, at eye level with the actors. There will also be touch tours or sensory seminars held before the show begins. This gives persons with disabilities the opportunity to be “up close and personal” with the props and professionals; you will be able to touch the props on the stage and also the costumes that the actors are wearing. You will also have the opportunity to hear the voices of each character so that you can pick them out during the performance. The cost to make the theater fully accessible is approximately $6,000, but there are also many low cost accommodations that can be made to make the performances accessible for all. The committee leading the effort to make all theaters accessible in the Lehigh Valley has started to raise the funds needed to purchase the equipment. Once the equipment is purchased, both a storage location and a person to distribute the equipment when they are needed for performances will be sought. Although there is a lot of work that has yet to be done, many groups are coming together to make theaters accessible for all. Live descriptioning and captioning is a tough job, but, once everything gets started, there will be training for those who are interested in providing these services in our community. If you know of any theaters, dance/arts centers, museums, playhouses, college groups, etc. that you may think would like to participate in this endeavour, please contact Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. Debbie will make sure that you get hooked up with the committee so that you can start attending meetings and learn more about this project. The next committee meeting is slated for January 2011. If you or someone you know would like to be involved but are unable to attend in person, please let Debbie know as you may be able to attend the meeting via conference call. New Board Members By: Greg Bott In October, LVCIL welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors: Rev. Joy Lynn Wyler and Wilhelmina (Billie) Wright. A minister, attorney, teacher, and author, Joy led the Dept. of Legal Affairs for Children’s Mercy Hospital for 11 years. She most recently served as adjunct faculty for Ottawa University and Unity Institute before moving to the Lehigh Valley. Joy is now the Senior Minister at Unity of Lehigh Valley. She has been active in the Little People of America group and holds degrees from both the University of Missouri School of Law and Kansas State University. Joy has 2 children and resides in Allentown. Wilhelmina (Billie) is an active member of LVCIL. As an ordained Lutheran pastor, Billie served congregations both in New York and Pennsylvania. She holds degrees from both Moravian College and the Lutheran Theology Seminary in Philadelphia. She conducted graduate work at area colleges and also worked for the Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Billie currently resides in Fountain Hill. S2L the 411—The New Year Ahead! By: Seth Hoderewski It’s an S2L world! We have been extremely busy the past few months with S2L and things are going great! The program has exceeded our wildest expectations and continues to run at capacity with a growing waiting list. We get calls regularly about the program, and about the transition to adult life in general, and we have plans to do further programming focused on transition. These plans include a transition conference here in the Lehigh Valley to reach out to young adults, parents, and professionals about the transition process, best practices, and services available. Look for the transition conference in late 2011! The group enjoyed the S2L-O-Ween party. It was spooky fun with lots of disgustingly delicious food and some really fun games. We hope to make this Halloween celebration a tradition for the S2L program! Our S2Lers are also looking forward to the Real World: Lehigh Valley WinterFest, a 2-day program at the end of December, where there will be many team based activities and fun games as we gear up for the new year! 2011 is going to be an eventful year for the S2L program, and already on the schedule is the “Flapjack Fundraiser.” Held on March 19th at the Applebee’s on Cedar Crest Boulevard, the “Flackjack Fundraiser” will help us get some supplemental funds so we can take all of the S2Lers to the transition conference at State College in summer 2011. Tickets for the fundraiser are $7.00 for a great breakfast of sausage and pancakes. The S2Lers will be doing all of the serving, greeting, and bussing of tables! We can’t wait! In addition to the Applebee’s fundraiser, we are also planning a “Spring Formal” where all of the S2Lers can dress their best and put on their dancing shoes. There’s always something fun happening with S2L! If you are interested in the S2L program, or would like a ticket for the “Flapjack Fundraiser,” please don’t hesitate to call Seth Hoderewski @ 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org. See the Upcoming LVCIL events section for S2L events! Lehigh Valley Dining Discount Cards! 10% off any regular food purchase at many area restaurants: Applebee’s, Jack Creek Steakhouse, Taste of Italy, Hamilton Family Restaurant, Friendly’s, Subway, Perkin’s, Pizza Hut, Saladworks, Cali Burrito, Parkland Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts... AND MORE! Just $10! Good until 12/31/2011. For info, call 610-770-9781 ext. 120 Upcoming LVCIL Events! In case of inclement weather, be sure to call LVCIL’s general number at 610-770-9781 January 10th & 24th—@ LVCIL from 12:00 noon-1:30. Why Weight? Join us on the second and fourth Monday of each month as we talk about health and nutrition. Bring your own lunch and join us as we support each other’s weight loss journey! For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. January 12th—@ LVCIL from 10:30-1:30. Craft class/Lehigh Valley Action Team meeting. Crafting will begin at 10:30. No experience necessary and assistance is provided. Lehigh Valley Action Team will meet from 11:00-1:30. You’re welcome to attend this free, casual gathering where people come together for peer support, activities, and guest speakers. You may bring a lunch. For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. January 15th—@ LVCIL from 9:00-12:00 noon. S2L meeting (topic to be determined). For more information on the S2L program, call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org January 20th—@ LVCIL from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Landlords for All Workshop and Meet and Greet. For more information call Francisco Sainz de la Peña at 610-770-9781 ext. 122 or email fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org February 9th—@ LVCIL from 10:30-1:30. Craft class/Lehigh Valley Action Team meeting. Crafting will begin at 10:30. No experience necessary and assistance is provided. Lehigh Valley Action Team will meet from 11:00-1:30. You’re welcome to attend this free, casual gathering where people come together for peer support, activities, and guest speakers. You may bring a lunch. For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. February 14th & 28th—@ LVCIL from 12:00 noon-1:30. Why Weight? Join us on the second and fourth Monday of each month as we talk about health and nutrition. Bring your own lunch and join us as we support each other’s weight loss journey! For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. February 19th—@ LVCIL from 9:00-12:00 noon. S2L meeting (topic to be determined). For more information on the S2L program, call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org March 9th—@ LVCIL from 10:30-1:30. Craft class/Lehigh Valley Action Team meeting. Crafting will begin at 10:30. No experience necessary and assistance is provided. Lehigh Valley Action Team will meet from 11:00-1:30. You’re welcome to attend this free, casual gathering where people come together for peer support, activities, and guest speakers. You may bring a lunch. For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124 March 14th & 28th—@ LVCIL from 12:00 noon-1:30. Why Weight? Join us on the second and fourth Monday of each month as we talk about health and nutrition. Bring your own lunch and join us as we support each other’s weight loss journey! For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. March 19th—@ Applebee’s on Cedar Crest Boulevard in Allentown from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Applebee’s “Flapjack Fundraiser.” Come support S2L and fill up on pancakes and sausage. Tickets are $7.00. For more information, call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org. March 26th—@ LVCIL from 9:00-12:00 noon. S2L parents meeting (topic to be determined). For more information on the S2L program, call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org April 11th & 23rd—@ LVCIL from 12:00 noon-1:30. Why Weight? Join us on the second and fourth Monday of each month as we talk about health and nutrition. Bring your own lunch and join us as we support each other’s weight loss journey! For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124. April 13th—@ LVCIL from 10:30-1:30. Craft class/Lehigh Valley Action Team meeting. Crafting will begin at 10:30. No experience necessary and assistance is provided. Lehigh Valley Action Team will meet from 11:00-1:30. You’re welcome to attend this free, casual gathering where people come together for peer support, activities, and guest speakers. You may bring a lunch. For more information, call Debbie Rozear at 610-770-9781 ext. 124 April 15th—@ Green Pond Country Club. Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Day Luncheon. Come join us for our 22nd Annual Luncheon! For more information, call Tom Burns at 610-395-3877 April 16th—@ LVCIL from 9:00-12:00 noon. S2L meeting (topic to be determined). For more information on the S2L program, call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org Quick Tips By: Annette Drobil Winter is always a time for windy days, lots of snow, and power outages. You should always be prepared just in case the power does go out, especially if you have an electric powered water pump, use a battery powered wheelchair, or have heat that requires electricity. Here are a few DOs and DON’Ts that can help you prepare for a power outage: DOs: Keep lots of blankets handy, charge your electric wheelchair battery when you know a storm is coming, keep your cell phone charged just in case, have lots of flashlights available, keep extra batteries handy, keep bottled water and non-perishable food in your house, get a battery operated radio to listen for news updates DON’Ts: Use your oven to heat your house, run a generator in your home, open your fridge door unnecessarily, use candles for light and warmth Special Thanks to LV Community Foundation! On December 1st, Ron Horvath of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation presented LVCIL Executive Director Amy Beck with a grant award. The award was given to support the Common Playgrounds in-school disability sensitivity training assembly. Landlords for All Corner By: Francisco Sainz de la Peña The number of landlords enrolled in our program continues to grow. Our next Landlords Workshop and Meet and Greet will be on January 20th, 2011 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. We will provide important information for landlords and tenants. You will receive an invitation by mail. If you are planning to attend please call Francisco Sainz de la Peña at 610-770-9781 Ext. 122 or e-mail me at fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org. If you are a home owner and would like to know more about reverse mortgage, we can explain it to you and refer you to an agency that provides this service. Landlords and tenants can also benefit from information related to how you can make a home accessible. You will receive all the above information and much more in an engaging workshop conducted by specialists in the field. Our housing team composed by Debbie Rozear, Bob Amelio, Eladio Gonzalez, and myself will be available for questions about topics related to housing. For consumers who have plans to buy a home, please contact me for First Time Homebuyers’ Seminar. Our agency is approved by PHFA to provide this information. Our seminars are specially designed for people with disabilities. El Rincon de Landlords for All By: Francisco Sainz de la Peña El número de de casas para la renta enrolados en nuestro programa continúa creciendo Nuestro próximo taller para propietarios de casas para la renta y para personas con discapacidades físicas que rentan será el día 20 de enero del 2011, de 5:00 a 7:00 p.m. Vamos a compartir información importante para ambos grupos. Usted recibirá una invitación por correo; si usted está interesado/a en asistir a este evento, por favor llámeme al 610-770-9781 Ext. 122 o mándeme un e-mail a fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org. Si usted es dueño de una casa y le gustaría saber más de hipotecas revertidas (reverse mortgage) le podemos explicar más sobre ese tipo de préstamo y lo referiremos a otra agencia que le proveerá dicho servicio. Los propietarios de casas para la renta y arrendatarios pueden también beneficiarse con información sobre cómo hacer una propiedad accesible. Todo lo mencionado anteriormente y mucha más información se compartirá durante el taller para propietarios y arrendatarios. For any questions about LIVIN, please call Greg Bott at 610-770-9781 ext. 120.