Print Friendly VersionSeptember 2008 Issue 128
ADVOCACY ACTION NEWS
September 2008, Issue 128
ELECTION
NATIONAL
STATE
LOCAL
LEGAL
WEB RESOURCES
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Monthly News Bulletin Published by IndependenceFirst
ELECTION
HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL FORUM ON DISABILITY ISSUES
On Saturday, July 26th, the 18th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, thousands of people with disabilities, their families, friends, employers, and care providers convened in Columbus, Ohio or watched via live webcast as history was made. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Barack Obama’s proxy, and Senator John McCain, had the opportunity to speak about disability issues they feel strongly about. Senator Harkin mentioned disability has had a profound effect on Senator Obama’s family and his own; Michelle Obama’s father has Multiple Sclerosis and Senator Harkin’s brother is deaf.
Harkin emphasized that he is a proud supporter and currently the Chief Sponsor of the Community Choice Act (CCA), which would allow people eligible for Medicaid funded assisted living to choose to live at home or in non-familial residential homes with attendant services. Senator Obama was one of the bill’s first co-sponsors.
Senator Harkin discussed several issues of interest to the disability community:
-The Community Choice Act enables independence among people with disabilities, thus providing them dignity and self worth. Institutional bias exists within Medicaid in terms of how the families of people with disabilities are denied the flexibility of caring for their loved ones.
- Senator Harkin and Senator Obama support the ADA Amendments Act (formerly ADA Restoration Act), and believe this bill will define disability in broader terms, which will better protect people with disabilities.
- Senator Harkin stated that, due to the lack of accessible housing, he recommends that federal housing and mortgage assistance programs should include accessibility requirements.
- People with disabilities have achieved many strides since the enactment of the ADA, though 60% of people with disabilities are still unemployed, an issue that needs to be taken very seriously.
Senator John McCain joined the forum via satellite from Cottonwood, Arizona. Senator McCain has faced many challenges as a naval officer, and a prisoner of war. His wife, Cindy, is a former Special Education Teacher. Senator McCain was the principle author of Title IV, which covers ADA Access, and he has lead the efforts to improve services and care for disabled veterans.
At the forum, Senator McCain announced his support of the ADA Amendments Act.
He also suggested that in order to help the Veteran Administration, as President, he would focus more energy in providing specialized care, and veterans would receive a health insurance card, allowing them to get treatment from any doctor. The important thing, he mentioned, is to discover which federal agencies are functioning or nonfunctioning, and to decrease wasteful spending.
Senator McCain mentioned that a main reason he does not support the Community Choice Act is its high cost.
To view the event web cast:
http://www.disaboom.com/Community/Organizations/AAPD
[SOURCE: Life Without Limits, UCP]
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES & VOTING
People with Disabilities…
vote at a rate up to 15% below the general voting population
are 10% less likely to register to vote
Why People with Disabilities Don’t Vote
Physical Barriers
Transportation
Prejudice
Because they feel unconnected to larger community
The National Organization on Disability poll found:
29% could not get accessible transportation
22% said their eligibility was challenged
21% said they did not know how to register to vote
21% reported the polling place was inaccessible
21% said their mental or physical abilities were questioned
19% said they could not understand the voting machine
18% said they were made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable
12% said they needed alternative voting
12% said they needed assistance
8% said they weren’t allowed help with the machine
Why voting matters
Elected officials define our quality of life….
Healthcare
Accessible, affordable housing
Community-based, long-term treatment
Policies and laws that promote recovery-based treatment that is trauma-informed
Education
Transportation
Employment
Why increasing turnout matters…
Demonstrate to legislators that the disability community votes
Our voices matters and should be heard when doing legislative advocacy
Local elections are as important as national
Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)
Requires states to:
Have at least one accessible voting machine in every polling place - People must be able to vote privately and independently
Train municipal clerks
Increase accessibility
Some basics about voting in Wisconsin
To be an eligible voter in Wisconsin one must be…
A citizen of the U.S.
At least 18 years old
A resident of Wisconsin
Not have lost the right to vote through
Guardianship/Competency process
Convicted felon still under probation or parole
The voting process must be accessible (vote privately and independently)
Can ask for assistance
Can vote absentee ballot
Can vote if you are in the hospital or nursing home
May still be able to vote even if under guardianship
Can vote curbside
Can vote if homeless
Can register to vote on election day
How to file a complaint
Call the State Elections Board 866-868-3947
Call Disability Rights Wisconsin Voting Rights Line 800-928-8778 (voice) 888-758-6049 (tty)
RESOURCES
Resources on rights, polling place locations and other disability vote information
http://www.disabilityvote.org
Polling place location by name or address
http://vpa.wi.gov/
Who is my legislator by address
http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/
[SOURCE: The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC), a nonpartisan project funded by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) and Disabilities Rights Wisconsin (DRW).]
IndependenceFirst encourages you to get informed and to VOTE! If you need any assistance, contact us at 414-291-7520 (v/tty).
NATIONAL
ADA AMENDMENTS ACT INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE
On July 31, the Senate introduced the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3406). The bill has already passed the House. What Does the New Proposal Do? The proposal strikes a balance between protections for individuals with disabilities and the obligations and requirements of employers.
The proposal specifically overturns Supreme Court decisions that have caused many people with disabilities whom Congress intended the ADA to cover to lose important protection. The proposal makes it clear that Congress intended the ADA’s coverage to be broad, to cover anyone who faces unfair discrimination because of a disability.
The proposal clarifies the current requirement that an impairment must substantially limit a major life activity in order to be considered a disability. The proposal prohibits consideration of mitigating measures in the determination of whether an individual has a disability, with the exception of ordinary eyeglasses and contact lenses. The proposal affords broad coverage for individuals “regarded as” having a disability under the ADA. The proposal includes a provision to make it clear that accommodations need not be made to someone who is disabled solely because he or she is “regarded as” having a disability.
[SOURCE: http://www.adabill.com/]
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
In July, the House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 5772, the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008. If it passes, this bill will modernize the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, as well as create a Project-Rental Assistance Demonstration program to expand the supply of permanent supportive housing for low-income persons with disabilities. The Section 811 program is the only Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) permanent supportive housing program exclusively serving persons with disabilities.
HIGHER EDUCATION
On August 14th, the President signed into law the Higher Education Amendments Act of 2007. The House and Senate met for many months to develop the compromise bill, which passed 380-49 in the House and 83-8 in the Senate. For the first time, students with intellectual disabilities can become eligible for Pell Grant scholarships, work study programs and other financial aid. Demonstration grants are authorized to expand postsecondary education programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Currently there are over 100 programs that provide higher education opportunities to students with intellectual disabilities around the country. The new demonstration authority will help expand those programs. The bill also includes a number of other provisions to support students with disabilities and to help prepare special education and general education teachers.
DOJ PREPARED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ADA/ADAAG
The U.S. Department of Justice recently issued major proposed revisions to its regulations implementing Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Some of DOJ's changes are urgently needed, including adoption of the new 2004 ADAAG, stronger hotel reservation and ticketing provisions, recognition of psychiatric service animals, additional companion seating in theaters and stadiums, and stronger provisions for effective communication for people with hearing, visual, and speech disabilities.
However, there are also changes that would reduce the rights of people with disabilities. For example, DOJ proposes:
A weakening of the readily achievable barrier removal requirement for public accommodations;
A reduction of elements required to be accessible in state and local government facilities;
An exemption for all existing facilities from the new recreation and playground rules; and,
The Department has declined to issue regulations on accessible medical equipment.
To see draft comments, visit http://www.ncil.org/ & www.dredf.org/DOJ_NPRM.
To submit comments go to http://www.ada.gov/
(It is extremely important DOJ hears from people with disabilities about this issue. This is our law!
PRESIDENT SIGNS LAW TO CREATE NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND
President Bush signed into law a bill to create a national Housing Trust Fund, the first new federal rental housing production funding source to specifically help the lowest income households in the U.S. enacted since 1974. The Housing Trust Fund is one of the many provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that the President signed.
The Housing Trust Fund’s most important features are:
It is a permanent program with a dedicated source of funding. (So it’s less likely subject to politics!)
At least 90% of the funds must be used for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, or operation of rental housing. Up to 10% can be used for the following homeownership activities for first-time homebuyers: production, preservation, and rehabilitation; down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and assistance for interest rate buy-downs.
At least 75% of the funds for rental housing must benefit extremely low income (30% of area median income or less) households and all funds must benefit very low income households (50% of area median income or less). (This is the level where most people on disability benefits are!)
The amount in the Housing Trust Fund had it been fully implemented in 2008 is estimated to be about $300 million. This amount is expected to grow over time. The bill also allows Congress to “transfer, appropriate, or credit” other funds to the Housing Trust Fund.
The National Housing Trust Fund campaign has been endorsed by more than 6,000 organizations and state and local elected officials. For more information, go to http://www.nhtf.org/.
U.S. INTRODUCES NEW BRAILLE DOLLAR COIN
The design for the new 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar was unveiled at the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention. The silver dollar coin is “the first coin ever minted in the history of our country to contain readable Braille characters," said U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy.
The coin will go on sale in the spring 0f 2009, the bicentennial anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth. Louis Braille is the inventor of the Braille reading and writing system.
Surcharges from the sale of the coin will be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to help fund Braille literacy initiatives.
NOTICE TO SSI & SSDI RECIPIENTS
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a new, safer and easier payment option for people who receive Social Security and other federal benefit payments by paper check. A new debit card -- the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard°-- is now available to give people without bank accounts a safe, convenient alternative to paper checks.
Nearly four million Americans receiving Social Security payments do not have bank accounts. Many get their payments by paper check, which are vulnerable to weather delays, theft and loss. The Direct Express® card, which is being issued by Comerica Bank and MasterCard°, provides a safe, convenient option for receiving your monthly payments. This new debit card option will complement the Treasury's existing Go Direct campaign, which motivates people with bank accounts to switch to direct deposit for their federal benefit payments.
Unlike many other prepaid debit cards, it is possible for cardholders to use the Direct Express® card for free. There is no sign-up fee, and no bank account or credit checks are required to enroll. Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of ATMs and retail locations nationwide.
Visit the Direct Express' card website at www.USDirectExpress.com or call 952-346-6604 (v/relay) with any questions.
STATE
Wisconsin Autism Insurance Now is a coalition of advocates, families and providers who support legislation that requires insurance companies to cover autism services. Members include: Autism Society of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Early Autism Project, Wiebusch-Nicholson Center for Autism, Beyond Boundaries of Autism, Autism Behavioral Network, Autism Intervention Milwaukee, ANGEL Network, Fox Valley Autism Treatment Program, Reaching Your Potential, Friends of Autism, and Innovative Counseling, Inc.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a report in February 2007 which indicates that the rate of autism is dramatically increasing, and 1 in 150 children are currently impacted by autism spectrum disorder.
• There are treatments available to help address this urgent public health concern. For example, research shows that intensive in-home early intervention dramatically increases the rate of normalcy among children with autism.
• Research shows that early intensive behavioral treatment, a program that begins treating children in their toddler years, has a dramatic impact and can improve outcomes to render some children indistinguishable from their peers after treatment. Many lose their diagnosis and require no special education or support services upon entering school. Others make more moderate gains but learn critical skills that allow them to attend school, make friends and be safely integrated into their communities.
• According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the cost of care for an untreated child with autism is more than $3 million over the child’s lifetime.
• The state has a medical assistance program in place to get families the treatment they need, but unfortunately this program is inadequate. There are currently over 350 Wisconsin children with autism on the waiting list to receive autism treatment services through the state waiver program. This waiting list is constantly growing, and the longer these kids wait to receive autism treatment services, the less likely they are to improve.
• If autism treatment services were covered by group insurance policies, more children with autism would be receiving the treatment necessary to help them function, and the waiting list would be reduced, thereby reducing the stress on the autism waiver program and ensuring quicker access to treatment. This private-public partnership would ensure that families who have group insurance are covered for treatment through their insurance policies, and the state waiver program could then be reserved for families without group insurance coverage.
• In the 2007-08 Wisconsin legislative session, a bipartisan bill (SB 178/AB 417) which required group insurance policies to cover treatment for those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder overwhelmingly passed the State Senate with bipartisan support (25-9), but was stalled in the Assembly.
http://www.autisminsurancenow.org/
LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY
As a Milwaukee County resident, and a person with a physical disability who doesn’t drive a car, I have always had to depend on other drivers to get me to my destinations.
I would often reserve a ride on Transit Plus (a Milwaukee paratransit company) to take me to appointments. However, I wasn’t very happy that I wasn’t free to do things spontaneously like going shopping, or going to a friend’s house whenever I wanted, and leaving whenever I wanted like people who drive a car are able to do. I decided to fix this problem by looking into alternative modes of transportation. It occurred to me that the bus was one of those alternatives. It runs most of the time, and goes all over the county.
Unfortunately, when I started riding, not all the busses were accessible, but over the years new ones were bought, and now they all are accessible. Every bus can kneel at stops, is equipped with a ramp, and has two spots for people who use wheelchairs at the front. It is unfortunate that the bus may not always be a feasible choice in our unpredictable climate, but it is a nice transportation option.
Rather than having to depend on Transit Plus rides all the time, I find it helpful to have the option of riding the bus for the freedom of being able to come and go whenever I want, but also because it is cheaper than Transit Plus. The cost of riding the bus is $1 for seniors and people with a disability, and from that you can get a transfer ticket to ride another bus that lasts one hour. A ride on Transit Plus costs $3.25 one way. Riding the bus is clearly a better bargain! Even riding in a car costs more because gas costs so much, and if the driver is going to park, especially downtown, it may cost even more!
The Milwaukee County bus is just another transportation option that is out there for everyone to use, regardless of the physical abilities one may have. It may also bring a sense of freedom to a rider who otherwise may not be able to get around well.
If you are interested in learning about how to use the bus dial 414-343-1700, then dial 0 and ask the operator to connect you to a one-on-one trainer to learn how to ride the bus. Information on how, when, and where to ride the bus can also be found at the Milwaukee County Transit System website at www.ridemcts.com.
If you wish to become involved in transportation issues for people with disabilities, IndependenceFirst holds a Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team meeting every second Tuesday of the month. You can come to this meeting and discuss transportation for people with disabilities. For more information contact Autumn Manz at 414-291-7520 (v/tty).
[SOURCE: Jill Potkay, IF Intern]
COUNTY BUDGET ADVOCACY
All of Wisconsin’s 72 counties develop annual budgets on a calendar year basis, running from January 1 to December 31. The budget process is initiated and overseen by a county administrator. In Milwaukee County, that person is Scott Walker, County Executive.
In early summer, county human service departments submit budget requests to the County Executive’s office. Departmental budget requests are often reviewed by a county board committee, such as a Health and Human Needs or Social Services Committee.
The County Executive will forge a proposed budget for the coming year. By law, the proposed budget must be submitted to the county board by the end of September of each year. The proposed budget is immediately referred to a county board committee with budget oversight (referred to here as the Finance Committee) for deliberation.
The month of October is usually the most important month for county budget advocacy. The Finance Committee will hold meetings during which they receive informational reports from the various department heads about provisions in their budgets. They will also consider amendments to the department’s budget and take votes, both on amendments and on the overall department budget. If you want to change a provision in the budget, you must identify a County Supervisor who will put forth an amendment on your behalf. Then you must line up support from a majority of the members on the Finance Committee. Meetings of the Finance Committee are open to the public, and citizens wishing to speak on matters before the committee can register to do so.
The Finance Committee proceeds throughout the month of October until they have finished taking votes on each department budget. They then combine these into their own version of the county budget, pass it and send it on to the full county board for deliberation and vote.
The full county board passes a budget in early November. There is usually a public hearing before final passage. There are usually very few changes made to the budget that was passed by the Finance Committee. The County Executive can make vetoes to the budget passed by the full county board.
County budgets provide many opportunities for disability advocacy. Aside from victories that may be won in funding for programs, advocates can use the process to educate policy makers about critical issues and become more involved on the local level.
[SOURCE: Tom Hlavacek (edited article) ]
VSVH FORMALLY CHANGES NAME
After 43 years, Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped has officially changed the name of the organization to Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc (ABLE). The new name and accompanying logo bring a fresh, modern approach to the delivery of services.
“It is my hope that our new name helps spread the word about the options ABLE makes available to people who are not able to read standard print,” Executive Director Cheryl Orgas said. “Some members of our community may not be familiar with the unique transcription services we provide. Thanks to our volunteers, we are ABLE to transcribe everything from school and college textbooks to restaurant menus to opera librettos to make them more accessible for individuals in the Milwaukee area and beyond.”
Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc. (ABLE) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that provides alternative ways for people with print disabilities to read. The organization was started in 1965 by a group of volunteers who learned how to Braille in order to transcribe textbooks for blind students at local elementary schools. Today, ABLE provides Braille and audio transcriptions of books and other printed materials for persons who are blind, visually impaired or have print disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print. The ABLE Office is in the Central Milwaukee Public Library downtown, next to the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
LEGAL
HUD CHARGES PUERTO RICO APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR DENYING DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION. HUD has charged the owners of a Puerto Rico housing complex with violating the Fair Housing Act in refusing to make trash-disposal arrangements for a resident with a physical disability. After shutting down the trash rooms on each floor of the apartment buildings, the owners of the complex refused to exempt the resident from the requirement that residents personally dispose of trash in outside dumpsters. The complex had originally promised the resident that maintenance staff would collect her trash as a reasonable accommodation for her disability.
HUD CHARGES FLORIDA HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR DENYING DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION. HUD has charged a local Florida housing authority with violating the Fair Housing Act for refusing to allow a resident with a disability to relocate to an apartment that had a bathroom he could use without negotiating stairs. Sometime after an injury left the resident disabled, the apartment complex relocated his family and two others in order to resolve conflicts among them. The housing authority refused to relocate the resident to an apartment with an accessible bathroom, although such units were available. Consequently, the resident and his family saw no choice but to leave their public housing unit.
For further information about HUD’s fair housing activities, visit HUD’s fair housing website at http://www.hud.gov/fairhousing
[SOURCE: Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council]
A federal fair housing lawsuit was filed on behalf of a man alleging that in 2007 the defendant landlord refused to rent an apartment in Brooklyn to him because he is deaf. At the time, a case manager from a local nonprofit housing organization was assisting the man to find affordable housing and accompanied him on his visit to meet with the defendant. They contacted the Fair Housing Justice Center for assistance after the landlord refused to rent an apartment to the man and allegedly stated that he did not want to rent to a deaf tenant.
[SOURCE: Fair Housing Justice Center, New York]
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“The problem in my life and other people’s
lives is not the absence of knowing what to do,
but the absence of doing it.”
~Peter Drucker
WEB RESOURCES
ADA TRAINING RESOURCE CENTER ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
http://WWW.ADACOURSE.ORG/COURSES.PHP
This Dept of Education-funded site includes links to numerous courses and customized training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability-related issues. Examples include:
ADA Basic Building Blocks Webcourse
A free introductory webcourse, available in English or Spanish, that explores the legal requirements and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Cost: $0 - Free
ADA Title II Tutorial
A free tutorial on the requirements applicable to State and Local government under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Cost: $0 - Free
At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities
A free, self-paced webcourse for discovering the best practices for effectively working and interacting with people who have disabilities.
Cost: $0 - Free
Disability, Workplace & Employment Support Practice
Online professional development courses and certificate programs for managers, practitioners, advocates and policy makers in the disability field that are designed to improve and enhance effectiveness in supporting employment outcomes and greater economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.
Each course consists of interactive multimedia presentations and downloadable PowerPoint course materials presented by instructors from the Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) School.
Cost: Various options and rates
Introduction to Accessible Information Technology
A free webcourse that introduces information technology accessibility as well as related law and policy issues in education. This webcourse is especially recommended for teachers, administrators, and policy makers, and was developed by the National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (AccessIT).
Cost: $0 – Free
TODAY'S COOL SITE OF THE DAY
Famous People with Disabilities! The name says it all. Info on the disability, the famous person, how it affected his or her life…
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0060.shtml
DOL LAUNCHES WEBSITE FOR EMPLOYERS HIRING VETERANS WHO HAVE BRAIN INJURIES AND STRESS
The Labor Department launched “America's Heroes at Work,” an online resource that will assist employers in hiring military veterans who have traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder, two increasingly common post-battlefield conditions.
The new website
http://www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov is intended to provide information for employers about TBI and PTSD as well as guidance on implementing workplace accommodations for affected employees. In addition, it will supply information about job coaching and mentoring programs. The website also includes contact information for the Job Accommodation Network, which gives employers personalized assistance with job accommodations for disabled veterans.
HOUSING FOR ALL
Housing is an issue that many people with disabilities have, whether it be searching for accessible and/or affordable housing, or struggling with fair housing issues such as discrimination.
It can be difficult to keep up with the latest information happening with housing, and it is toward the goal of sharing information that Housing For All was created as part of a grant from the State Independent Living Council in 2003.
Housing For All is a group on Yahoo! Groups that people can join for free. Recent posts have included information on the latest HUD and USDA Rural Housing budget numbers, updates on the efforts to pass a National Housing Trust Fund, interesting housing-related news items, etc. It is NOT a place to ask for help in searching for housing-that’s something a local agency (such as IndependenceFirst) is best suited to assist you with.
And what do you do with the information you receive from Housing For All? Hopefully, you’ll use it to advocate for more safe, affordable, accessible, integrated and decent housing for people with disabilities.
Mail to brianind1@yahoo.com with the heading “HFA Request” and I’ll add you into the group.[SOURCE: Brian Peters, IndependenceFirst]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NAMI GREATER MILWAUKEE ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NAMI Greater Milwaukee has hired Peter Hoeffel as its new Executive Director, to replace Brad Montgomery who relocated to California. Hoeffel has worked as an Advocacy Specialist for Disability Rights Wisconsin, including serving as Chair for the Mental Health Task Force.
SAVE THE DATE!
Grassroots Empowerment Project
announces the 2008 Mental Health Consumer Conference
“Breaking New Ground and
Moving Forward in Recovery”
Keynotes by Peter Ashenden- Executive Director, National Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance, and Greg Raleigh- Author of “Don’t Forget to Remember”
A conference by and for consumers of mental health services (mental health service providers are encouraged to attend and learn with us!!)
November 17-18, 2008
Chula Vista Resort- WI Dells
For more information, please call 1-800-770-0588 (v/relay)
MHA WELCOMES KAREN HANDRICH AS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA) announced Karen Handrich as the new President and CEO. Handrich received her Master's degree in Social Work and certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she was a member of Alpha Delta Mu, the National Social Work Honor Society. She joins MHA from Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare where she has been practicing as a psychotherapist.
HEARNE AWARD NOMINATIONS
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is again accepting applications from Emerging Leaders with Disabilities to apply for AAPD’s 2009 Paul G. Hearne leadership award. This year, AAPD will recognize three Hearne Award recipients at its 2009 Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C., present them each with $10,000 cash, and include each in AAPD’s 2009 Leadership Initiatives. Applications are due by 5 PM EST, Tuesday, September 30, 2008. For more information, see http://www.aapd.com/.
Advocacy Action News is published by IndependenceFirst on or about the 1st of each month. Submissions of articles are due by the 15th of each month prior to publication. For consideration, send your articles or announcements to the Editor, Karen Avery, via e-mail to kavery@independencefirst.org.
Advocacy Action News is available by request in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, on disk or audiotape. It is also made available via our website.
You may also receive Advocacy Action News via email instead of print copy. Contact Karen at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY) or kavery@independencefirst.org.
If you do not have access to the internet, and would like assistance in obtaining any of the internet-based items described in this news bulletin, please contact Karen at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY).
IndependenceFirst
The Resource for People with Disabilities…
540 South 1st Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-291-7520 (V/TTY)
414-291-7525 (FAX)
www.independencefirst.org