Livin Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Inc. 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109-9121 "Providing services to persons with all types of disabilities" A member of the PA Council on Independent Living (PCIL), a consumer controlled state association of Centers for Independent Living (CIL's) LIVIN' is a quarterly publication of the Lehigh Valley Center for IndependentLiving, Inc. LVCIL provides information and services to people with disabilities, and other service organizations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Businesses or Individuals may sponsor issues of LIVIN'. June 2007 - August 2007 Edition Volume 44 The Official Newsletter of the Lehigh Valley Center For Independent Living, Inc. 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109-9121 June 2007- August 2007 Edition Volume 44 Contact us: Phone: (610) 770-9781 Fax: (610) 770-9801 TTY: (610) 770-9789 Email: info@lvcil.org Web Site www.lvcil.org Editor: Corrina Passaro corrinapassaro@lvcil.org Graphic Design: Bob Amelio bamelio@lvcil.org LVCIL Board of Directors: Tom Burns (T) Nicholas Butterfield Sheila Costanzi Glenn Firman Chris Gonella Tom Harp John Kinnaird Bob Linney Laird MacCubbin Ham Malek Gretchen Parseghian John Rohal Jeanette Schmoyer Mike Smith (P) Jodie Steiner Kathy Vastyshak (S) Dr. Daniel Wilson (VP) Our Staff Email addresses and phone direct/voicemail extensions Bob Amelio, Jr., Community Support Coordinator: bamelio@lvcil.org ext. 11 Amy Beck, Executive Director: amybeck@lvcil.org ext. 14 Robbie Graves, Advocate: robgraves@lvcil.org ext. 26 Linda Hetherington, SLIRS Fiscal Assistant; lindahetherington@lvcil.org ext. 12 Jodie Jones, SLIRS Program Assistant slirsassistant@lvcil.org ext. 16 Michele Marks, SLIRS Program Coordinator: michelemarks@lvcil.org ext. 21 Brenda Palmer, Administrative Assistant: brendapalmer@lvcil.org ext. 15 Corrina Passaro, Development Coordinator: corrinapassaro@lvcil.org ext. 20 Mark Piedmonte, Assistant Director markpiedmonte@lvcil.org ext. 29 Debbie Rozear, Community Support Coordinator: debbierozear@lvcil.org ext. 24 Cara Steidel, Fiscal Coordinator carasteidel@lvcil.org ext. 13 You Are Cordially Invited to The 17th Annual Independent Living Month Celebration Silent Auction & Awards Ceremony "Taking Life to the Mat and Winning" Featuring our Keynote Speaker: Tom Ferrante 2007 Lafayette College Graduate & Championship Wrestler Please Join Us Thursday, July 26, 2007 Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center Routes 22 and 512 Silent Auction: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Buffet Dinner Starting at 4:45 p.m. Keynote Speaker & Award Ceremony: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Cash Bar Available. Look inside for additional Independent Living Month information including our award recipients and an R.S.V.P. card for your attendance. Amy C. Beck LVCIL Executive Director For your information Some Commonly Requested Phone Numbers ADA Technical Assistance (Voice/TTY) 1-800-949-4232 U.S. Department of Justice Information Line (ADA Enforcement) (Voice) 1-800-514-0301 (TTY) 1-800-514-0383 Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (Low interest loans for assistive technology, vehicle & home modifications) (Voice) 1-888-744-1938 (TTY) 1-877-693-7271 Federal Transit Administration ADA Assistance (Voice) 1-888-446-4511 (Federal Information Relay Service) 1-800-877-8339 U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (Fair housing questions and information) (Voice) 1-888-799-2085 (TTY) 215-656-3450 PA Health Law Project (Assistance with publicly funded healthcare coverage & services) (Voice) 1-800-274-3258 (TTY) 1-866-236-6310 Disability Rights Network of PA (Advocacy) (Voice) 1-800-692-7443 (TDD) 1-877-375-7139 Wellness For All Program 2007 The Wellness for All Program kicked off on March 5, 2007 at LVCIL. This year there is a new time for the program 1:00-2:00 p.m. Topics remain the same and deal with nutrition, health and wellness. For a complete list of topics visit www.lvcil.org. June 18 Easy Food Options: Healthy Cooking Made Easy June 25 Craniosacral Therapy July 2 Book Group July 9 Coping with Anger, Part I July 16 Coping with Anger, Part II July 24 Sexuality and Disability, Part V July 30 Eastern Medicine Options for Western Minds and Bodies August 13 To Be Announced August 20 Sexuality and Disability, Part VI August 27 You Are Not Alone: Mental Health Resource Organizations to Assist You For Your Information (FYI) These are exciting times for the Lehigh Valley Action Team! We have a new time slot on the same day, which seemed to work well last month. We still meet on the second Wednesday of every month, but we are starting our meetings at 11:30 am and ending at 1:30 pm. Please feel free to bring your lunch and come when you can! Additionally, some people are arriving at 10:30 am to enjoy arts and crafts and casual conversation with each other for an hour before the meeting starts. At each meeting, we will try to have a speaker to make a presentation for about thirty to forty-five minutes on a subject of interest to the group. Most everyone seems enthusiastic about our new format, but I can use some help! If you would like to lead the group in an art and craft activity, or if have a special hobby or interest you want to share with the group, please let me know. Also, if you have an idea for a speaker, or for a topic you would like learn more about, please let me know. I would like to create a schedule of topics for our meetings and possibly even a schedule for the hour sharing time before the meetings so every knows what to expect and can plan accordingly. We will be taking on two new goals beginning in July. The Statewide Action Team has changed its goals to working on increasing the voting block of people with disabilities and increasing access to healthcare for people with disabilities. In short, we are looking to increase the number of people with disabilities who are registered to vote and to increase the accessibility of healthcare for people with disabilities throughout the Lehigh Valley. If you have any ideas or thoughts to share on either of these two areas, we want to hear from you! The Future Advocates Now (FAN) Group continues to grow. We are meeting at the Lehigh Carbon Community College and planning activities and fundraising events. It is a fun group with new members joining us with each meeting. We are learning some skills and talking about various issues important to independent young adults. If you are interested in joining this group, or know someone who is, please contact me at the CIL, as our meeting days do vary, so I can give you the most up to date meeting information. For people living with Multiple Sclerosis, the heat and humidity of summer can aggravate symptoms of MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has an air conditioner exchange program, which connects donors of air conditioners with people in need on a first come, first served basis. Air conditioners of any size are accepted and donations are tax deductible. Anyone interested in making a donation or in need of an air conditioner can contact Barbara Marriott at 1-800-548-4611. As I reported in my last article, LANTA has received the PwD Shared Ride grant to expand paratransit service to those areas not currently served under the existing rules. While the program has not yet begun, if you live in an area of Lehigh or Northampton Counties that is currently outside the current ADA boundaries for paratransit service, you may soon be able to get a ride under the Shared Ride program and you may apply for service now. I have applications and will be glad to send you one or help you with the application process. Once completed, send the application to LANTA and they will notify you of your eligibility and when you can start scheduling trips. Every day I get calls from people looking for information. In the box on page 2 of the newsletter are some of the most frequently requested phone numbers. Finally, a great website that I refer people to quite often, and I myself reference almost daily, is the ADA Home Page, maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice. It has information and links to a wealth of information about the ADA and is very useful. It can be found at: www.ada.gov. Have a wonderful summer and I hope to see everyone here at the CIL! For CIL Wheelchairs/Stair Glides FOR SALE: Jazzy 1103 Power Chair with EZ Lock Attachment and Jay contoured back. Very good condition. Asking price is $1,200.00. Also selling a Roho Quad Select seat cushion 18.5 x 18.5 inches. Either included with the Jazzy 1103 or if bought separately, $150.00. For more information, please call (610) 258-8880. FOR SALE: 7 1/2 foot stair glide by Excel. Originally used in a bi-level home. Has foldable vinyl swivel seat, foldable arm rests and foot rests. Includes two remotes. No special wiring necessary, plugs into home electrical outlet. Very easy to install. Hardly used. Asking for $1,500 or best offer. Contact Andy at (484) 274-6337. FOR SALE: William Comdo is selling a stair glide. For more information, please contact him at (610) 262-6980. FOR SALE: Quickie Power Wheelchair, Model #70. 3 years old in mint condition. New tires and charged battery. Asking $3,5000. Contact Mr. Bauer for more information at (610) 261-1567. FOR SALE: 3-wheel Red Scooter. 2 years old. Hardly used, like new. Asking $1,900 or best offer. Call for more information: (610) 770-8945. FOR SALE: Jet3 Pride Power Chair. Like new. 2 batteries installed on 12-15-06. Also comes with one extra battery. Asking for $2,000 or best offer. Contact Sam at (610) 443-1892. Wheelchair Lifts/Vehicles FOR SALE: Braun Automatic Wheelchair Lift for automobile. Currently on the car to be used as a demo for operation. Asking $1,600. Contact Mr. Bauer for more information at (610) 261-1567. For Free FOR FREE, AS IS: 1997 Car Chair topper. Opens to drivers side and is for a manual wheelchair. In good condition. Brackets and wiring is included but assistance needed to remove chair topper from vehicle. If interested please call Corrina Passaro at (610) 770-9781 ext. 20. Independent Living Month Celebration, Silent Auction & Awards Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007 Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center Our Guest Speaker - Tom Ferrante Tom Ferrante is a 2007 graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, PA where he received a degree in Economics and Business. Tom is also a championship wrestler, having participated in the Collegiate Wrestling Association National Championships. Born in Brick, N.J. he has been wrestling throughout high school. Tom Ferrante also has a disability, being born without a tibia in either leg and only a partial fibula in his right leg. His disability has not limited him in the world of sports and he will speak about his accomplishments at our 2007 Independent Living Month Event. 2007 Independent Living Month Award Recipients The Mark J. Turbedsky "Torch of Independent" Award This award is given in honor of the late Mark J. Turbedsky. He was the first Program Manager of LVCIL who exemplified the spirit of independent living for persons with disabilities. 2007's Mark J. Turbedsky "Torch of Independence" Award will be posthumously presented to John H. Kinnaird in recognition of his exemplary efforts to eliminate the barriers and stigmas faced by persons with disabilities. The Chester R. Collyer "Key to Living" Award This award is given in honor of the late Chester "Bob" Collyer. He was a charter LVCIL board member and a lifetime advocate for people with disabilities. 2007's Chester R. Collyer "Key to Living" Award will be presented to Cora Hook for her amazing commitment as producer and director of the "Triumphs of Life...With a Little Inconvenience on the Side" drama, which provides poignant disability sensitivity education. Partner in Independent Living Award A Partner of Independent Living Award is given periodically in recognition of an individual or organization's outstanding contribution to persons with disabilities. 2007's Partner in Independent Living Award will be given to Kate DeFrain, Manager of Social Work Services for St. Luke's Hospital, for her dedication to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Housing News By Debbie Rozear Summer is just around the corner. This is the peak time of the year that most people decide to move. With the warmer days and longer daylight hours, many more things can be accomplished each day. As a person with a disability, however, I understand that it takes more time to complete certain tasks. We can accomplish the same goals, although the process may be entirely different between two people that have entirely different disabilities. Join us throughout the year to obtain accessibility (R.A.M.P.), knowledge (Wellness Group), independent living skills (individualized training: check writing, cooking, taking buses, etc.), self-advocacy (LVAT and FAN), informative meetings (CMO; computer training classes), and just have fun (CMO dances and crafts). Please read your newsletters and any other mailings that may come your way, they are sent to you for a reason. Below are tidbits of information to share with friends and family. If you are unsure of what may be going on at any given time, don't be afraid to get in touch with someone here at LVCIL. On Tuesday, May 8, there was a program held at LVCIL called The Right Stuff About Renting. Todd Hacker of CACLV presented the training. Many people turned out for this. Since that time I have had several calls asking about another program of this sort. In the future I am planning to schedule another renting seminar. I have already begun compiling a list of interested clients and agencies. If you would be interested in attending, please call me, Debbie Rozear, at 610-770-9781 Ext. 24, or send an e-mail to debbierozear@lvcil.org. The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) currently has grant funding for low-income homeowners with disabilities to build or replace wheelchair access ramps on owner-occupied homes through R.A.M.P. (Real Access Made Possible). Grant funding is limited and is available in the Cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Persons applying for grants must be City residents and meet strict Federal low-income eligibility guidelines. LVCIL R.A.M.P. grants are made possible through Community Development Block Grants. For additional information about the LVCIL R.A.M.P. grants please contact Mark Piedmonte at (610) 770-9781 ext. 29 or send an e-mail to markpiedmonte@lvcil.org. 2007 Independent Living Month Celebration Silent Auction & Awards Ceremony Thursday, July 26, 2007 Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center Doors Open at 4:00 p.m. Yes, I will be attending # Of Persons Attending $ Amount Enclosed at $25.00 per person I am requesting a sponsorship to pay for the cost of my meal. (Awarded at the discretion of the Executive Director) I am requesting the following accommodations: No, I will not be attending but have enclosed my tax-deductible donation of $ Name Address Phone Payment Type: Cash Check Credit Card Credit Card Type: Visa MasterCard Account Number: Expiration Date: Phone number is required with credit card payments. Please make checks payable to LVCIL. Please send RSVP to LVCIL 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109 Please RSVP by Friday, July 13, 2007 Individuals are responsible for their own transportation arrangements.