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The PAVA Perk May 2006 Special Edition -- The Voting Kit
This special edition of The PAVA Perk is being released in anticipation of the upcoming Primary Election on June 6, 2006. Iowa P&A and the PAVA team would like to see as many persons with disabilities as possible participate in the Primary and other future elections. This special edition will hopefully be a kit for voters in order to prepare for the upcoming elections that they wish to participate in
The PAVA Perk Special Edition -- The Voting Kit
Medicare Enrollment Deadline Nears May 15 2006
Time is running out as the May 15th enrollment deadline nears for the prescription drug plan. People with Medicare are encouraged to enroll in a drug benefit before the deadline rush.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Press Release May 8, 2006
PAVA News
The Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities is a publication that was originally intended as a training tool for County Auditors, election officials, and poll workers. However, it has been provided as a tool for anyone who assists voters with disabilities. Thanks to the Montana Advocacy Program for allowing us to borrow content and ideas for this booklet from their own publication, Guide to Etiquette and Behavior for Working with People with Disabilities.
Click below to read the Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities.
Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities
Kmart Class Action Lawsuit
Kmart has entered into an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit concerning the accessibility of its stores for individuals who use wheelchairs or scooters for mobility. Click below for the Legal Notice and Claim Form.
Loan Forgiveness of $17,500 Available For Special Education Teachers
On February 8, 2006, a new law made permanent loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 for new special education teachers.
If you are interested in becoming a special education teacher, this loan forgiveness could be available to you.
There is a vast shortage of special education teachers in schools throughout the nation.
Job opportunities for special education teachers are plentiful in virtually every state and in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Special educators work with students who experience a range of learning challenges, including intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, and emotional disabilities.
Special education is a profession where you can truly make a difference in peoples' lives.
For more information, see the letter from Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, at www.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/secletter/060301a.html.
72 Hour Disaster Survival Kit
Click on the link below for good information on disaster preparedness.
April HUD Campaign
ADAPT recently announced its "April HUD Campaign" and requested disability advocates throughout the country to take four specific actions:
"One of the biggest barriers to getting and keeping folks out of institutions is the ability to access affordable, accessible, integrated housing. ADAPT has proposed to HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson a beginning solution to this problem called "ACCESS ACROSS AMERICA."
"ACCESS ACROSS AMERICA" would coordinate the receipt of a Section 8 voucher when an individual is transitioning out of or is in jeopardy of going into an institution.
Secretary Jackson has ignored the need for accessible, affordable, integrated housing for people with disabilities.
To get the attention of HUD and Secretary Jackson, ADAPT is proposing an April HUD Campaign:
1. Go to your local HUD or PHA offices on a weekly basis and distribute the "Wanted Poster", (a copy of which can be obtained by e-mailing bobkafka@earthlink.net). (Expand the distribution to other areas if you think it would be effective.)
2. Meet with your local PHA about designating vouchers for folks transtioning out or in jeopardy of going into institutions.
3. Work with other organizations to get their support for "ACCESS ACROSS AMERICA" and ask them to distribute the "Wanted Poster".
4. Hold some type of press event outlining the drastic need for accessible, affordable, integrated housing.
For an Institution Free America, the ADAPT Community Passionately fighting for what does not exist. YET!
The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles Applauds FOX's Decision on the "R" Word
Published: March 10, 2006
Los Angeles, CA -- Peter Ligouri, President of FOX Broadcasting Network will lock out the word "retarded" from FOX productions according to Lawrence Jacobs, General Counsel of FOX Entertainment Group and News Corp in New York in a response to the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA).
Public demand has brought FOX to this decision. The National Down Syndrome Society in New York received phone calls from concerned parents about a promo airing during FOX's top grossing show "American Idol" for the upcoming comedy series "The Loop." The promo included the statement, "You have a retarded squirrel look on your face." NDSS alerted Gail Williamson, Executive Director of the DSALA and long-time media advocate for people with disabilities. Williamson contacted Lawrence Jacobs who had come to her aid on a previous media issue. Jacobs' concern got the studio to pull the promo, but was told it was too late to re-edit the first episode of "The Loop" due to premier on Wednesday, March 15th following "American Idol."
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and the ARC of the U.S. have fought this fight before but never has a studio heard and responded to their concerns with such a definite response. Jacobs reported that Ligouri felt if the use of the word offended a group of people this much it should be left out of any program they produce. Williamson and the DSALA have been campaigning to keep the word "retarded" from being used in the media to slam someone or something for many years. She reports, "The word exists on the medical charts of over 2 million people worldwide trying to fit into their communties participating in education, employment, living, worship, and recreational opportunities; it is extremely dangerous to use it as a derogatory term. This casual use of the word meant to offend can escalate to isolation, segregation, and even abuse of people with intellectual disabilities."
Jon Colman, NDSS Acting Director, applauds Ligouri for this groundbreaking decision. "NDSS is pleased with FOX's response and hopes that other studios and networks will review how their Standards and Practices Departments govern the use of the word as well," said Colman.
-- National Down Syndrome Society
Survey to Provide Families with Nursing Home Feedback
IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com to launch March 15
Many people seek quality care each year in Iowa's nursing homes, and Iowa Protection and Advocacy has developed a feedback forum to ensure they can make an informed decision.
The survey and website, IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com is designed to obtain direct feedback about the overall quality of care in each of Iowa's nursing homes from past and present residents, and provide a resource for future residents. The first of its kind to be launched in the U.S., the survey results will provide Iowa nursing home residents and family members with information on food, facility cleanliness, nursing staff, administration, and more.
"Iowa's aging population continues to turn to long-term care facilities and they need to be informed of the available options and quality of care at each," said Sylvia Piper, Executive Director of Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services. "We are looking for Iowans' input and first-hand knowledge of these facilities, which will help provide a true picture of long-term care across the state.
People are encouraged to log on to www.IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com to provide feedback and view survey results.
Iowa P&A Establishes Board Meeting Dates for FY 2006
At the Iowa P&A Board meeting on September 17, 2005, tentative Board meeting dates were established for Fiscal Year 2006. The dates are as follows:
January 27 and 28, 2006
April 21 and 22, 2006
July 21, 2006
September 15 and 16, 2006
Once again, these are tentative dates and subject to change. Notice will be given if there is a need for changing the dates.
Iowa P&A PAIMI Advisory Council Establishes Meeting Dates for FY 2006.
The PAIMI Advisory Council has tentatively set the dates for their council meetings in Fiscal Year 2006. The PAIMI Advisory Council usually meets on Friday afternoons prior to quarterly Board meetings. The dates are as follows:
January 27, 2006
April 21, 2006
July 21, 2006
September 15, 2006
Once again, these are tentative dates and subject to change. Notice will be given if there is a need for changing the dates.
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