[humanser] Persons with disabilities unwelcome at home with programs

Fri Jul 24 03:06:58 UTC 2015

It's not that services are not available in the community for people with disabilities, it's the fact that the homeless population is not being served. This particular organization is not even willing to direct them to disability related services. When you're homeless you need somewhere to sleep at night. Sometimes securing even subsidize housing takes time. This program has a nightly safe place for the homeless to stay. Churches take turns opening their doors each night. The program they refer them to after the buses stop running is primarily for people with mental health issues and has no real plan in place to get people on their feet. It's an attitude problem where they want to just pass them off to somebody else. There is very little in my community as far as services for people with disabilities unless you are cognitively impaired. This just a simple sad fact. Still, this people need to understand that we are part of the population and deserve the same respect as anyone else. This particular program doesn't have high standards for anyone which is sad enough. I don't have enough space here to explain how poorly it's run. I can't fix everything but I can make them understand they must be ADA compliant.  I learned there is no ADA compliance officer in our county, so I am talking to people and planning strategy. I have people to back me it's just a matter of getting all the minds together.

Ericka
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 23, 2015, at 1:59 PM, Carly Mihalakis via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Afternoon, Lisa, and everyone,
> 
> From what I've seen, hanging out amongst homeless people, there is plenty of disability represented there, so i don't think there is a problem with securing services?
> CarAt 08:38 AM 7/22/2015, Lisa Irving via humanser wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> 
>> I'll take this a step further a while ago I applied for a job and a program run through the YMCA the building was old. They didn't want to hire me because they were worried about me climbing the stairs. I also know a woman who is visually impaired who was denied entrance into this particular program because they were worried about her climbing the stairs. Fortunately for her she was excepted into a Catholic homeless program from Lisa Irving
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> > On Jul 22, 2015, at 8:29 AM, justin williams via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > Maybe even check the funding source.
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Reyazuddin,
>> > Yasmin via humanser
>> > Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 11:21 AM
>> > To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>> > Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov>
>> > Subject: Re: [humanser] Persons with disabilities unwelcome at home with
>> > programs
>> >
>> > Hi Ericka,
>> > Nonprofit or for profit, ADA applies to everyone. The organization cannot
>> > refuse services just because they are located in a historical building.
>> > There are a few ways to tackle this matter. The ADA information centers or
>> > the DOJ have resources to resolve this issue. Check out the website
>> > www.ada.gov. They have technical assistance documents which address all your
>> > issues.
>> > The county where you live or where this organization is located, should also
>> > have an ADA compliance officer. Talk with them if the group gets county
>> > funding. Most of these groups get some funds from the health departments.
>> > The nature of the primary functions of these groups is such that they have
>> > to use funds through grants or in-kind from the government.
>> > Please let us know what you find out. Also we would like to know when the
>> > matter is resolved.
>> > There have been cases under the ADA in similar circumstances. I know, as we
>> > just reviewed them in a recent training.
>> >
>> >
>> > Yasmin Reyazuddin
>> > Aging & Disability Services
>> > Montgomery County Government
>> > Department of Health & Human Services
>> > 401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor)
>> > Rockville MD 20850
>> > 240-777-0311 (MC311)
>> > 240-777-1556 (personal)
>> > 240-777-1495 (fax)
>> > office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm
>> > Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille
>> >
>> >
>> > This message may contain protected health information or other information
>> > that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
>> > please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this
>> > material.
>> >
>> > Thank you.
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> > dotwriter1--- via humanser
>> > Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 11:04 AM
>> > To: humanser at nfbnet.org
>> > Cc: dotwriter1 at gmail.com
>> > Subject: [humanser] Persons with disabilities unwelcome at home with
>> > programs
>> >
>> > Hi everyone. I think this is the perfect place to ask this question seeing
>> > as we are all in Caring professions. I recently had lunch with my friend
>> > Naomi who used to work at our local Salvation Army and then worked with our
>> > local interfaith homeless shelter type program. She witnessed The supposedly
>> > caring caseworkers snaking snap decisions about people with physical
>> > disabilities not being able to participate in the programs. Now I realize
>> > that it is church-based there for the ADA doesn't force them to do anything.
>> > The current building is not handicapped accessible because of the historical
>> > nature of the building. It is a former school built in the 1800s I believe.
>> > At least one blind person with no other problems was denied and this is
>> > wrong of course. Anyone have done education with these programs before? I
>> > could contact people in my state and FB, but I'm looking for something from
>> > you because you are in the human services field. Any ideas off line or
>> > online would be appreciated. I am working with a non-prophet, Interfaith
>> > human rights advocacy group to accomplish changes. They are fully behind me.
>> >
>> > Ericka
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > ntgomerycountymd.gov
>> >
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