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SILC
MEMBERS
OFFICERS MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO
MEMBERS ADMINISTRATION |
2005 Conference - A WINNER
By Ted Thayer
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Tony Melendez performs at the Awards Ceremony. |
The 2005 Independent Living Conference celebrated 25 years of independent living in Texas and was a fitting tribute to the positive changes made in peoples’ lives by this movement. Almost 200 people participated in the conference and, in addition to hearing presentations on a wide array of independent living topics, they also had an opportunity to enjoy Austin and visit with their legislators regarding independent living and disability issues. Numerous exhibitors also participated and displayed an interesting array of equipment and services for people with disabilities.
The conference was co-sponsored by the Texas State Independent Living Council, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and the Austin Resource Center for Independent Living. It featured great keynote addresses by Terry Murphy, Commissioner of the Department for Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
One of the most inspirational features of the conference was the wonderful
entertainment at the awards ceremony by Tony Melendez, an accomplished
performer who has no arms and plays guitar with his feet. Mr. Melendez’s
accomplishments include performances for the President of the United States
and Pope John Paul.
The door prizes this year were exceptional. They included a Dell computer,
a Southwest Airlines ticket, a set of luggage, and a weekend for two at
the Capitol Marriott. This year’s conference will be a hard act to
follow but plans are already underway for next year’s conference.
We hope you will be able to join us in 2006.
2005 IL Award WINNERS
By Paula Margeson
A highlight of the conference was the recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of Independent Living. Awards were given in four categories.
Representative Elliott Naishtat was honored as the Legislator of Excellence. Mr. Naishtat has served in the Texas House of Representatives for fifteen years and during that time has passed numerous bills to improve the quality of life for Texans who are disabled. Among these were the Braille Literacy Act, the Newborn Hearing Screening Act, and the Medicaid Simplification Act. Through the introduction of riders 37 and 28, Representative Naishtat paved the way for thousands of persons with disabilities to leave nursing facilities and reenter community-life.
The achievements of Jennifer LaFleur, reporter for the Dallas Morning News, were acknowledged through the Community Service Award. Ms. LaFleur has written several articles concerning disability issues and all have been comprehensive, well researched, and empathetic. In a time when the media frequently depicts people with disabilities as leading helpless, hopeless lives, Ms. LaFleur advances the Independent Living philosophy of empowerment, inclusion, and equality.
Recipient of the 2005 Consumer of the Year Award was Stephen Sanders from Lubbock. At age eighteen, Stephen sustained a severe head injury and was in a coma for eight weeks as the result of an auto accident that took the life of his stepfather. In less than one year, he established his independence by moving into his first apartment, enrolled in community college to pursue a career as a physical therapist, and became a program coordinator for Moms Against Drunk Drivers. Stephen exemplifies the principles of the Independent Living Movement by exhibiting courage, determination, and self-direction.
In celebration of 25 years of independent living in Texas, the SILC recognized the accomplishments of all of the CILs in the state. In the 2004 program year alone, the centers provided information and referrals to more than 50,000 contacts and directly assisted 8,987 Texans in their efforts to lead independent, self-determined lives.
Receiving Awards were:
Houston Center For Independent Living, with satellites
in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties;
Austin Resource Center for Independent Living, with satellites in San Marcos
and Round Rock;
San Antonio Independent Living Services • Volar Center for Independent
Living;
Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living, with a satellite in Palestine;
Lifetime Independence for Everyone • Panhandle Independent Living
Center;
Rehabilitation, Education & Advocacy for Citizens with Handicaps center
with satellites in Dallas and Denton;
Valley Association for Independent Living • East Texas Center for
Independent Living;
ABLE Center for Independent Living • Resource, Information, Support
and Empowerment;
Heart of Central Texas Center for Independent Living • Coastal Bend
Center for Independent Living
Also honored for contributions to the success of the Independent Living Movement in Texas were The Division for Rehabilitation Services, (DRS), and the Division for Blind Services, (DBS). Last year these divisions provided IL services for 3,659 consumers. The state units and the independent living centers work collaboratively to offer a broad continuum of services to Texans with disabilities.
SILCBriefs
By Paula Margeson
Save The Date
The Region VI biannual Independent Living Conference will be held in Dallas,
June 22 and 23. Stakeholders in IL communities from Texas, Oklahoma,
Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico will come together to network and
to learn about what’s happening in the Movement. The conference
theme is: “Together We Can”. The event is sponsored by Region
VI RCEC – University of Arkansas, Region VI CRP RCEP – University
of North Texas, IL NET, and REACH Resource Centers on Independent Living-Dallas,
Fort Worth & Denton. On the 21st, a pre-conference will center around
youth issues and will include a track for young people with disabilities
ages twelve to eighteen and a track for service providers seeking to
better outreach to and assist this target group. The SILC is offering
stipends for youth, who are interested in attending the conference. For
more information, contact Ted Thayer, Executive Director, at: (512)371-7353.
To register for the conference go to:
https://www.rcep6.org/events/ register/default.aspx?Event ID=1225. Questions
may be directed to Rachel Green or MeShelle Lincks at 501-623-7700. The
registration Fee for the conference is $50 and includes lunch on Wednesday
and all conference materials. Young people who attend the pre-conference
will be able to participate in the regular conference at no charge.
Discount Prescription Program Introduced
According to the April 20th edition of the Wall Street Journal, Merck & Co. will launch a discount-drug program for uninsured Americans, part of a widening industry bid to address political criticisms of high prices of prescription medications and aggressive efforts to legalize drug importation from Canada. Merck will offer discounts of 15% to 40% on its medications to uninsured Americans regardless of age or income. Most pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, already have long-standing programs that provide medicine at no cost to patients with incomes of less than roughly $19,000; however, many Americans without drug benefits and with incomes above this level still struggle to pay for prescriptions. The new Merck program is intended to address the needs of families who fall within this group.
National Council on Independent Living ACTION ALERT
Housing has been a top priority for NCIL members for several years. But never has it been more important than now. In view of the Bush adminis- tration’s announcement of dangerous proposals that would drastically alter the character of public housing and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, NOW is the time to act!!! NCIL calls on IL advocates to contact your federal representatives to oppose these drastic and harmful shifts in public policy that would undermine and possibly even reverse recent gains in ensuring the availability of accessible, affordable housing and livable communities for persons with disabilities.
Is It A Stroke?
Now, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking the individual to follow three simple instructions:
- ask him or her to smile.
- ask the person to raise both arms.
- ask the individual to speak a simple sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dis-patcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers are urging the general public to learn the three questions. Widespread use of this TECHNIQUE could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.
Accessibility Guidelines Revised
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board issued 289 pages of guidelines to make newly constructed or renovated facilities accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines cover such things as the height of light switches, the placement of plumbing fixtures, changes in elevators and alarm systems and the design of saunas, steam rooms and sales and service counters. The revisions will replace standards that have been in effect since 1991. Any business offering public accommodations, such as restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters, doctors’ offices, sports arenas, hospitals, schools, banks, gas stations and more, will be affected by the change in policy. State and local government facilities are also covered. Comments regarding the revisions can be submitted to the Department of Justice until May 31.
collaborating
with the REACH centers and the Heart of Central Texas center. The Coastal
Bend center will be working closely with the contractor in the Corpus Christi
area. This will set up an infrastructure that can be used to secure
additional funding in the future. In addition, VAIL has been approved for
a TBRA Olmstead Housing Grant from the Texas Department of Community Affairs.
Those funds will establish a tenant-based rental assistance program. Finally,
the Crockett center, ARCIL, the Coastal Bend center, and the LIFE/RUN center
have applied and been approved for relocation funds to continue the work
begun under Rider 37.