Focus Group to Discuss Support Service Provider (SSP) Services for DeafBlind Individuals in Virginia
Where? Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030
Find directions at www.NVRC.org
When? Saturday, June 29, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please join representatives from the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), Virginia Association of the DeafBlind (VADB), and the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) as we discuss the need for Support Service Providers (SSPs) for DeafBlind Virginians.
We want to hear from YOU! Learn how Support Services Providers can help and why DeafBlind individuals need them.
- If you plan to come, and if you need an interpreter, an SSP, or transportation, Please RSVP to Brenda Talley, Btalleyho@hotmail.com by June 20, 2013. (If you do not need assistance with any of these, please RSVP to cheppner@nvrc.org).
- If you can provide any of these services for the meeting, please contact Brenda Talley at Btalleyho@hotmail.com.
from NVRC’s listserv
Understanding Medicaid Waivers
The title of this article should really have the words “Trying to…” in front of it. There is no question that Medicaid Waivers can be extremely confusing. Hopefully this article will help you feel more comfortable with Medicaid Waivers and even encourage you to ask questions about them.
To start out with, there is a website about Medicaid Waivers in Virginia at www.vamedicaidwaivers.org. You can get resources from that site, and one of the best resources is the Virginia Medicaid Waivers discussion group. You can find a link to it on that website. The discussion group is composed of parents, advocates and professionals who share information and their experiences involving Medicaid Waivers. As a subscriber to that discussion group, I have never seen a legitimate question go unanswered. It is a wealth of information.
Medicaid Waivers provide assistance to people with disabilities who meet the criteria for institutionalization and Virginia is waiving the requirement that one be institutionalized in order to receive Medicaid services and instead, will receive those same services and supports (often at a lower overall cost) in the community.
There are six Waivers available in Virginia: the Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Assisted Living Waiver (Alzheimer’s Waiver), the Day Support Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual Disability (Day Support Waiver), the Elderly or Disabled with Consumer-Direction Waiver (EDCD Waiver), the Individual and Family Development Disabilities Supports Waiver (DD Waiver), the Intellectual Disability Waiver (ID Waiver), and the Technology Assisted Waiver (Tech Waiver). Different Waivers have different requirements (financial and otherwise) and a handy booklet entitled Medicaid Waiver Services Guide has been put together by the Endependence Center in Norfolk, VA and the VA Board for People with Disabilities and is available in the Special Programs section of www.ecnv.org.
Some of the services offered by ECNV revolve around the EDCD Waiver. The EDCD Waiver provides services that help individuals live in their own home/community rather than in a nursing home. It is available to people at least 65 years old or people of any age who have a disability. Individuals may require assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, toileting, dressing, et al., and/or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, shopping, etc. These needs can be met through Agency- and Consumer-Directed Attendant Care under the Waiver. With the EDCD Waiver, a recipient is also eligible for: Adult Day Health Care, Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), and Agency- and Consumer-Directed Respite Care. Please note, however, that ECNV is only certified to provide service facilitation for those interested in Consumer-Directed services.
Staff at ECNV who are trained to help with Medicaid Waiver issues are Layo Oyewole (703-673-4490, layoo@ecnv.org), Hannah Manila (703-673-4495 hannahm@ecnv.org), and Kathy Adams (703-673-4492, kathya@ecnv.org). You can also call the main ECNV number (V: 703-525-3268, or TTY: 703-525-3553).
Bus Riders: We Want to Hear from You
Arlington County is updating its 6-year Transit Development Plan and wants your input.
What route and schedule changes would you like to see for ART and Metrobus routes in Arlington County?
Your input will be used to draft the update, which will be available for your review in the fall. The main focus of this plan is on bus service. However, we will also take your input on Metrorail, MetroAccess and STAR.
Day: Saturday, June 1, 2013
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Place: Navy League-US National Headquarters
2300 Wilson Blvd
Arlington VA, 22201
Crystal House
Transit Communications Analyst
Transportation Division
Dept. of Environmental Services
2100 Clarendon Blvd. S-900
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-3545 (V-Relay)
703-228-0630 (Fax)
Information about how to get to the building is available on the ART, Commuter or Car Free Diet webpages:
http://www.arlingtontransit.com/pages/routes/
Call (703) 228-RIDE (7433)
Restraint, Seclusion and Use of Aversives
Proposed Virginia Regulations
The use of restraints, seclusion and aversions is addressed in proposed Regulations Governing the Operation of Private Schools for Students with Disabilities.
The proposed Regulations –
- Would allow the “application of aversive stimuli” such as introduction of foul or burning substances, deprivation of senses, and excessively loud sounds;
- Would allow restraints that impede breathing;
- Lacks clarity about when restraint and seclusion could be used which could result in their use in situations other than when there is imminent danger of physical injury and when less restrictive measures have failed or would be ineffective; and
- Would allow the use of restraint and seclusion for “severe property damage that may result in personal injury.”
The Board of Education is planning to take final action on the proposed regulations during their May 23 meeting. The Board needs to hear from you now about these proposed regulations. The Virginia Coalition for Students with Disabilities is asking that Board action on the regulations be delayed until amendments to better serve and protect students are incorporated into the proposed regulations.
Communicate with the Board of Education by sending email to BOE@doe.virginia.gov. The Board needs to know that they should not delete current regulatory requirements that protect students from harmful restraints, seclusion and aversive interventions.
The proposed regulations can be viewed at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2013/04_apr/agenda_items/item_f.pdf.
Sections 8VAC20-671-640, 650 and 660 starting on page 127 are of particular interest.
Monday, May 13, 9:00am the Virginia Department of Education will hold a Stakeholder Webinar on the proposed regulations for people with disabilities, parents and other advocates. You are welcome to join this webinar. Click the link below to join the webinar. https://intercall.webex.com/intercall/j.php?ED=235701717&UID=1648188407&PW=NOGQ5MDEzYzU5&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
If you are not able to join the meeting through your computer, you can call:
Toll-free: 1-866-8425779, Toll number: 1-832-4453763, Conference Code: 804 225 3252
The Coalition is drafting comment on the proposed regulation which will be available early next week.
For more information, contact the Coalition at cward@endependence.org or 757-351-1585 or 866-323-1088.
Please share this information with other advocates.
“Call Us Regulars” – Words Can Matter
As a person with a very visible physical disability, I know what it’s like to stand out in most situations and therefore not be considered regular even though I am. Now I always have a problem when speaking about everyone in the disability community, because you can’t lump all members of any group together and describe them all in the same terms. There will always be at least one dissenter who thinks, “Sorry, but you don’t speak for me. I feel differently.” That’s understandable and OK with me; I, oftentimes, find myself being that dissenter. So in the series of “Call Us Regulars” columns written by me, I am speaking for myself and nobody else unless they are explicitly mentioned.
——————————————————-
As I wrote my previous “Call Us Regulars” blog post (ecnv.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/call-us-regulars-first-thoughts/), I began to think about person-first language. As I say in my preamble to these posts, I’m sure there will be dissenters, and that is certainly true of this one.
Let’s break that phrase down: the beginning part is “person-first” and the ending part is “language.” Now I admit I don’t know every person in the world with a disability, but it is probably safe to say that they would rather be seen as a person than as a thing. I know I appreciate being seen as a person and not a thing (as I said in a previous Call Us Regulars)! I would much rather be described as a ‘person with a disability’ than a ‘disabled person.’
For one thing, to me ‘disabled’ makes me think of something that is broken and needs to be fixed; like a car that is “disabled” gets moved to the side of the highway so as not to impede traffic. I really don’t think I’m “impeding” anything or anyone by being a person with a disability. Now I’m getting into the issue of proper semantics.
Semantics and word choice can make a huge difference (I wrote about it last year ecnv.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/the-pen-is-mightier-than-the-sword/). While I do think that political correctness can go too far, there are some things (words and actions) that are just plain hurtful to certain individuals. I would venture a guess that most people with disabilities (and those who love them) have gotten quite proficient at having a ‘grin-and-bear-it’ philosophy because life throws people with disabilities a lot of curveballs. But the vast majority of people reach a point where they can no longer ‘grin and bear it.’ So when people write words that the world will see (especially, but not only, Facebook statuses and other social media posts), I’d like them to keep that in mind and refrain from throwing one of those curveballs. Simply put, words can hurt.
By: Tony Trott, ECNV
“Call Us Regulars” – First Thoughts
——————————————————–
As a person with a very visible physical disability, I know what it’s like to stand out in most situations and therefore not be considered regular even though I am. Now I always have a problem when speaking about everyone in the disability community, because you can’t lump all members of any group together and describe them all in the same terms. There will always be at least one dissenter who thinks, “Sorry, but you don’t speak for me. I feel differently.” That’s understandable and OK with me; I, oftentimes, find myself being that dissenter. So in the series of “Call Us Regulars” columns written by me, I am speaking for myself and nobody else unless they are explicitly mentioned.
——————————————————-
The title of this post came from something I said when speaking about a certain local restaurant that my wife and I frequent. My wife, who is a quadriplegic and uses a motorized wheelchair due to a diving accident over 25 years ago, and I, who use a scooter or a wheelchair, due to Friedreich’s Ataxia, were attending a Birthday dinner for a friend at that same restaurant. The wife of the Birthday Guy (I can’t really call him a Birthday Boy as it was his sixtieth!) went over to the host/hostess to ask for something special in the way dessert was served, and the host/hostess looked at the table, saw us, and said that of course they’d do what she asked because she was with us and we were “regulars.” Now it might seem that being “regulars” isn’t a huge big deal in most situations, but it was and still is to me.
I tend to stick out wherever I go due to my trusty scooter or wheelchair. Whether it’s having to jam myself onto a crowded subway train, having to use a lift (which often breaks down – but that’s another post!) to get to wheelchair accessible seats at local sports venues, or having to use certain building entrances because they don’t have stairs. I’m not complaining and whining about having to do those things, I’m just saying that they can make you stick out and not feel like a “regular.” So when people you don’t really know refer to you as “regulars” it makes you feel good. It makes you feel like you’ve managed to be seen as a person and not just a living, breathing wheelchair!
Being seen as a person is a major victory! I would hazard a guess that everyone wants to be seen as a person; not just a thing.
I know I do.
by Tony Trott – Peer Mentor
VSA International Arts Program for Children with Disabilities
The Kennedy Center, through its affiliate VSA, proudly presents a unique opportunity for student-artists with disabilities from around the world to present their artwork side-by-side in an online exhibition. A selection of artwork from the online entries will be chosen for a live exhibition at the United States Department of Education in Washington D.C.!
Deadline to submit: July 1, 2013 Who may submit: Children with a disability, ages 5 to 18 Artwork specifications: Two-dimensional works only, no larger than 18 x 24 inches
Yo Soy….Je Suis….I Am…My Family Children with disabilities are encouraged to create a family portrait that illustrates themselves among the people that provide love, support, and encouragement in their lives – their families! Portraying themselves with some of the most important people in their lives gives testament to the idea that family – no matter how big or how small – help shape who we are and provide the foundation for who we will be.
- About the Submitter – Name, Email, Phone and Relationship to the artist
- About the Artist: – Name, Age, Location and Disability
- About the Artwork: – Title and Medium
About Education at the Kennedy Center For more than 35 years, educational programming has been at the central core of the Kennedy Center’s mission. The Kennedy Center, along with its affiliates/partners (the National Symphony Orchestra, VSA and the Washington National Opera), offers inclusive educational performances and programs in the arts to people of all ages. The educational resources focus on producing, presenting, and touring performances and educational events for young people and their families; school- and community-based residencies and other programs that directly impact teachers, students, administrators, and artists through professional development; systemic and school improvement through the arts and arts integrated curricula; partnerships; creating and providing educational materials via print and the Internet; the development of careers in the arts for young people and aspiring professionals; and strengthening the management of arts organizations. http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/
Past Submissions 2012 Entrants & Exhibiting Artists
