News at a Glance
Guidara Continues Fight for MS Rights
On August 23, 2007,
after waiting nearly two years to present his case before a social
security administrative judge, Bob Guidara (featured in the May
2007 article “1,600 Down…8,400 To Go”)
was awarded full retroactive SSDI benefits. The battle was bittersweet.
Guidara is among the
400,000 U.S. citizens who battle the often-debilitating effects
of multiple sclerosis. MS is an autoimmune disorder with an unknown
cause. Guidara recently applied for the disability benefits every
tax-paying citizen is supposed to be entitled. Through this experience
with the cumbersome bureaucracy of our nation’s
social security system, he initiated and continues to spearhead a
grassroots movement to change it.
The current guidelines
that direct case workers how to recognize the effects of MS haven’t been revised in decades. As
a result, many individuals who should have been approved in a timely
manner have had to endure lengthy and costly appeals before they
gain approval, if at all.
Streamlining the process
for disability benefits approval represents only part of the problem,
since permanent disability status in its current form offers inadequate
incentives for chronic illness patients who are in remission to
return to the work force and re-contribute to the ongoing solvency
of the program. Guidara wrote a petition to Congress requesting
that temporary benefits be granted during times when they’re actually needed. To
date, over 4,000 people have signed the petition.
The goal of the initiative
is to prompt legislative changes to our nation’s social security
and disability programs to address the needs of U.S. citizens who
suffer from the totally unpredictable effects of multiple sclerosis
and other serious chronic illnesses. You
can add your voice of support by logging onto www.acceleratedcure.org ![]()
Source: Bob
Guidara
CCP Foundation Funding Available
The CCP Foundation believes that small initiatives working outside
of the system can make change happen for those with developmental
disabilities. The Foundation works to promote innovation and participation
in community programs and services, increased opportunities for individuals,
and increased public support to ensure that individuals with developmental
disabilities are valued, contributing members of their communities.
The CCP Foundation extends
an invitation to risk takers and bold thinkers to apply for assistance.
The Foundation provides modest grants (letter of interest deadline
is September 15), technical assistance or stipends, and sponsorship
of educational events, conferences or symposiums. Full guidelines
can be found online at www.ccpfoundation.org or by calling 651-356-1013. ![]()
Source:
The CCP Foundation
New Documentary Highlights
Direct
Support After Hurricanes
Available from the Institute on Community Integration, the new documentary
Higher Ground showcases the role of direct support professionals
during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
When Hurricane Katrina
struck the city of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, hundreds of
people with developmental disabilities were displaced. Roads were
severely crowded or impassable. Cell phone didn’t work. Many people didn’t
know where their family members were. And yet direct support professionals
stayed with those they supported and made sure everyone evacuated
to higher ground. For months, these dedicated women and men, working
long hours for low pay, put others before themselves, providing
care and support with improvised resources. For these heroes of
New Orleans, being a direct support professional is much more than
a job.
Produced for Volunteers of America by the Research and Training
Center on Community Living, at the University of Minnesota, Higher
Ground sheds much-deserved light on this example of action in the
face of adversity. ![]()
Source: www.highergroundthemovie.org
Greeter
Needed at Ramsey Government Center
The Ramsey County Community
Human Services Department is seeking volunteers. Potential candidates
will provide general assistance and information to visitors of
the Ramsey County Government Center East. Volunteers must
be at least 18 years of age. If interested, contact Ramsey County
Community Human Services — Volunteer Services
at 651-266-4090 or e-mail volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us ![]()
Source:
Ramsey County Community Human Services Department
Volunteers Needed
to Bridge Generations
Adults age 55 years
or older who enjoys working with kids are asked to sign up with
Volunteers of America of Minnesota. Interested individuals are
needed to help school age youth with their learning skills while
building understanding between generations. Opportunities abound
to share your life experience and talents in opportunities that include
tutoring at schools, reading by telephone from home, mentor programs,
environmental service activities and more. Transportation reimbursement
and small stipends are possible for those who qualify. Call Connie
at Volunteers of America of Minnesota, 612-617-7807 or e-mail at
cerickson@voamn.org ![]()
Source: Volunteers of America of Minnesota
Funding
Cuts May Imperil Blind
Book Program
The House Appropriations
Subcommittee is cutting back funding for the Books for the Blind
Program of the Library of Congress. Although
this does not directly affect MN Radio Talking Book, it does possibly
signal more cuts in the future, which could decrease funding for
the valuable state service. Radio Talking Book is currently associated
with the affected program NLS Books on Tape, bringing the cuts even
closer to home. Another ongoing issue is a lack of funding for converting
all tapes to digital format, which was originally scheduled for a
2008 unveiling but still needs major funding to become a reality.
As is always the case, Congress has many difficult decisions to
make when developing the federal budget. Programs that do not receive
public support are easy to cut or even to eliminate. The Books for
the Blind Program is an important service that does not deserve to
face cuts during the conversion. If interested in expressing your
opinions on this issue, contacting your members of Congress is proactive
and straightforward. The Capitol switchboard can be reached at 202-224-3121
or 202-225-3121. To find out who your Congressional representative
is, visit www.house.gov
The Talking Book Program may be the most universally esteemed program
that serves blind people. If you believe in this service, let Congress
know just how important it is to you as an individual. ![]()
Source: www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/fabs/2007-April/000008.html
