| Contents |
| Goodbye & Thank You Jane |
| UT Intern |
| ARCIL Locations |
| Expanding, Extending & Adding New IL Classes |
| Social Rec Calendar |
| ARCIL Issue Alert |
| Return to Consumer News Page |
|
May 2011 |
Jane Leifeste will be remembered and missed. For almost 10 years she served consumers at ARCIL Inc. in many ways. Jane was the Coordinator for the social recreation activities. She prepared goals and development plans with each consumer. She worked with many school to encourage their students to come to ARCIL Inc. Jane was available for parents and guardians to visit with her about the needs of their son’s or daughters. When needed she was a Substituted Teacher for ARCIL IL classes. Jane was there for the many outings we did each year. She was “Jane Bank,” when consumers overspent or forgot their money for an activity. I am sure there were many more duties and responsibilities Jane had that I never knew.
Jane was there for us. She let us learn leadership and independence by saying social recreation was our program, so decide and plan it. We had activity discussions with a project manager chosen for each event. We called the place we were going to arrange a time that they could expect us and how much money it would cost. Afterwards, the next week we would discuss how good the activity was or what was not good. We wrote and typed memos in advance and handed them out to consumers so that could know the times and how much money would be needed. Jane let us learn how to be planners, doers and to be independent. She always cared for us and let us learn how to do things ourselves.
I liked Jane and I miss her. She was good for me as a consumer.
University of Texas Intern from the Graduate Program from the Special Education Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Miji Lee is an International student intern Seoul Korea who has volunteered her time to work at ARCIL Inc. in Austin, Texas. She works directly and offers support to the consumers who participate in the IL classes weekly. She has presented an In -service training to ARCIL staff on Disabilities in Korea, she loves to cook and she teaches the Asian cooking classes . She will graduate in the month of May and plans to continue to volunteer at ARCIL Inc. after graduation.
Employment 101
Consumers learn about the world of work; utilize the computer lab to develop independent living skills to prepare for future employment. Consumers also learn the state of the job market, disability – friendly employers in the Austin Area, Ticket to work program, DARS, career fields, and what employers want from employees.
Advanced Computers
Due to the demand for computer classes we have added (6) new computers in the computer lab with a total of 11 computers.
The class will include: managing files on USB drives, scanning hardcopy documents into digital images, attaching files to emails, basic hard drive maintenance, cleaning up internet files from hard drives, and web browser security.
Apple Mac Tutorials
The class will learn about Apple mac OS basics, using the apple mouse, desktop, opening, saving and printing. Moving files from CD/USB drives to the MAC, using Safari to browse the web, basic picture manipulation with iPhoto, basic video editing with iMovie, and basic music exercises with Garage band.
Cooking Healthy
The class will learn how to cook healthy foods from different cultures, preparation of meals, oven safety and food sampling weekly from different Asian countries. This (6 week) class is cooking Asian foods that include: Asian dishes from Taiwan-Cucumber salad, Vietnam-Fresh spring roll, Korean-Beef Bulgogi, Thailand-Pad Thai, Russian-Borscht, Japanese-Tonkasu, and Chinese-Fried Rice.
Social Recreation class Fundraiser
The social recreation class has scheduled activities weekly that the consumers have requested. The consumers in the social recreation class have planned to go to Sea World in September. They have fundraisers scheduled each month to raise money for their trip. They are having a car wash, bake sale, and lunch plates to raise money for the trip and their transportation.
Classes for High School Seniors
During the summer months High School Students will have separate classes on Thursdays that will include “Reaching my own greatness” exploring personal, career goals. They will learn the steps that it takes to select a place to live and to develop a work plan to create an accessible home environment for a successful independent home of one’s own.
ARCIL Issue Alert
Changes to MetroAccess Service – April 2011
John Meinkowsky, ARCIL Policy Advocate, is now a member of Capital Metro’s ACCESS Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to Capital Metro about transportation services for passengers with disabilities. Please tell us about how these changes, and others, affect you.
1. Eligibility and Appeals Process
– Effective date To Be Announced
A new eligibility process will include an application, professional medical verification, and an interview and orientation by staff for new customers. A functional assessment may also be required. Hundreds of passengers will lose eligibility.
2. Service Area
– Effective Feb. 1, 2011
The MetroAccess service area is the area included within ¾ miles of local fixed routes (not including limited, feeder, or flex routes, nor express bus or rail service).
Any time a bus route changes, MetroAccess passengers could lose services.
3. Taxi Vouchers
– Effective May 1, 2011
Taxi Vouchers on Demand will end, along with subscription vouchers. Capital Metro will have a new option called the Access-a-Ride program that allows Metro Access passengers to purchase a stored value card for taxi service, and a cost up to $20 per month for up to $80 per month in taxi rides.
Please Contact:
John Meinkowsky,
Policy Advocate, ARCIL, Inc.
825 East Rundberg Lane, Suite E-6 Austin TX 78753
512 832-6349 or
email johnm@arcil.com