[Nfb-new-hampshire] {Disarmed} Fw: News from The Governors Commission on Disability
Ed Meskys
edmeskys at roadrunner.com
Thu May 3 18:37:27 UTC 2012
----- Original Message -----
From: The Governors Commission on Disability
To: edmeskys at roadrunner.com
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 12:30 PM
Subject: News from The Governors Commission on Disability
The Governor's Commission
on Disability
May 2012
In This Issue
Social Role Valorization Training...
Accessibility Services
Quotes for the Month
Free Eye Exams for Service Dogs
Caregivers Conference
Legislative Training Day A Success
People Say I'm Crazy
Governor's Accessibility Awards
Register to Vote
Computer Technology Assistance
Managed Care Update
Progress on Parking
2012 Employment Leadership Award Nomination
Tick Trouble
Update on NH VR
Quick Links
Our Web Site
We also support and provide:
the NH Client Assistance Program
the Architectural Barriers and ADA programs
Information and Referral Services
We partner with the Statewide Independent Living Council
http://www.silcnh.org/
Social Role Valorization Training
May 21-23, 2012
Social Role Valorization
Accessibility Assistance
At the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, our accessibility specialist, Jillian Shedd, is tasked with reviewing all state leased and owned properties to ensure compliance with ADA laws and accessibility,as well as conducting reviews of other public accommodations ranging from schools to recreational areas like the ongoing Wolfeboro Trail Project. It is our goal at the GCD to ensure that existing buildings, upcoming additions and even brand new projects meet the accessibility requirements that pertain to them. This presents a great opportunity to local public accommodations by helping them ensure they are on the right track and meeting
requirements. Another realm of her work is tracking compliance. Whether your town is planning for their annual report or a five year plan we would love to have you reach out for assistance and education from the Governor's Commission on Disability.
Jillian Shedd
Accessibility Specialist
Governor's Commission on Disability
57 Regional Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Main: 603.271.2773
Quotes for the Month
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more,
you are a leader."
~John Quincy Adams~
"Don't find fault, find a remedy."
~ Henry Ford~
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
~The Dalai Lama~
"You can't test courage cautiously."
~ Annie Dillard~
"Remember there's no such thing as a
small act of kindness. Every act
creates a ripple with no logical end."
~Scott Adams~
The New Hampshire Association for the Blind is holding a 100th Anniversary screening of the Going Blind Going Forward Movie at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday May 12, 2012.
FREE Admission
Reservations required
603-224-4039 X324
Caregivers Conference
SAVE THE DATE!
For the 6th Annual Statewide
Caregiver Conference
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Legislative Training Day - April 2, 2012
The Governors Commission on Disability and the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire held a successful Legislative Training Day at the State House. Thirty individuals participated in the training that included guest speakers Bob Dunn, Senator Sylvia Larsen and Representative Cindy Rosenwald. Participants also went on a tour of the State House.
Join The Mental Health
Center of Greater Manchester
for a film screening at the
Currier Museum of Art
People Say I'm Crazy
The only film about schizophrenia
made by someone with schizophrenia
Thursday May 31, 2012
At Currier Museum of Art
150 Ash Street, Manchester NH
Reception 6 pm
Welcome to Edition #16 !
The Governor's Accessibility Awards
--- We are Now Accepting Nominations
-- Categories:
a.. Non-profits
b.. Businesses
c.. State Employee
d.. Individuals
e.. Legislators
To make a nomination, tell us in one page what this person/organization did that was over and above the requirements of the law to support opportunities or enhance the life or lives of people with disabilities.
The awards will be given on July 26th, the anniversary of the signing of the ADA and will be presented by Governor Lynch.
Registering to Vote
The new voting section of our website now contains posters, checklists, and other resources for supporting our constituents to vote.
NH Votes
Computer Technology Assistance Corp Offers -
Subsidized computer systems* for people or families on state or federal assistance - priced from $65 (Laptops from $90)
Subsidized computer systems* Servers and network hardware for smaller non-profit organizations or schools - priced from $100. (Laptops from $120)
Modestly priced computer systems* for NH's working poor (individuals or families who are living just above the poverty line) - priced from $100. (Laptops from $140)
Computers are also available to anyone who wants to save a buck on a good computer system* and support our program - Priced from $125 to $250. (Laptops from $170)
All systems: Windows 7 professional computer carrying a full 1 year hardware warranty, technical support and up to 1 hour free training.
*A computer system included: CPU box (desktop or tower), Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor
Laptops range in price from $100 - $225
Low income families can get their computer repaired on a sliding fee based on income.
CTAC gladly accepts donated computers that will be refurbished and made available to low income individuals and families in the Granite State
For Additional Information please visit our website:
CTAC-NH
Link to Jan. 2012 Concord Monitor story about CTAC
http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/301607/
Managed Care Update
The vote to contract out New Hampshire's Medicaid program was delayed on April 18, 2012 and left on the table at the Executive Council Meeting. During the meeting, the state's executive councilors asked for assurances that providers of long-term care in Step 2 will have a say in how the new system is implemented.
Commissioner Toumpas was asked to provide more information on step 2 including how input from individuals with disabilities and their families involvement will work, who will be invited to be on these stakeholder meetings and how their feedback will be used. As you may be aware, step 2 will impact all individuals who receive longer term supports and services through Medicaid Waivers such as Developmental Disabilities (DD), Acquired Brain Disorders(ABD) and Choices For Independence (CFI ).
The Executive Council can vote to move forward, reject the contract or to leave on the table and suggest changes to the Department of Health and Human Services. The next Executive Council meeting will be held on May 9, 2012 at 10:00 am at the State House.
Progress on parking
As many of you know, locating accessible parking near the State House or Legislative Office Building on the day of a hearing can be a challenge. I am pleased to tell you that Jillian Shedd, Accessibility Specialist, and I recently met with the Concord Police Department Parking Manager and a representative of the Capitol Security Force.
A positive discussion ensued. Naturally, they cannot manufacture accessible parking spaces out of thin air, but they were open and receptive as we discussed a variety of brainstorming ideas. Most positively, out of the discussion came the notion that if there is a hearing on a bill of particular interest to the "disability community," where we as the Governor's Commission on Disability have reasonable cause to believe that several people with mobility challenges might be present, we are welcome to alert the Concord Police Department parking folks in advance (48 hours at least would be desirable) and they would be happy to designate further accessible spaces and to advise us where to look for them.
Naturally, this does not solve all problems. While we may be able to combine forces and save some spaces, they are not specifically reserved for just our group; if they have the symbol of accessibility they will be open to all with placards. The exception may be that on specific days that we request spaces to provided, they will block off in a different fashion (i.e. the spots could be were marked as no parking zones via a cover on the meters). However, it is important to know that specially marked spaces would not be just open to our constituents, but would be obviously to open to anyone with a placard.
This is not a totally perfect solution, but it seems to be a good faith effort to try to work on and address this issue. Therefore, we invite anyone reading this to be in touch with us if you feel that a particular legislative hearing or event would be likely to have several people who have mobility challenges present.
Thanks a lot, John
2012 Employment Leadership Award Nomination
The Employment Leadership Award Committee invites you to nominate your best employer for the 2012 Employment Leadership Award.
The Employment Leadership Award is presented each year to New Hampshire employers who recognize the skills and contributions that people with disabilities bring to the workforce and who have adopted inclusive policies and hiring practices that allow people with disabilities to fairly compete for employment.
Nominees are submitted by employment providers throughout New Hampshire. The nominations are evaluated based on the company's efforts to: create opportunities that assist people with disabilities to develop the skills they need to obtain competitive employment; adopt inclusive hiring practices that allow people with disabilities to fairly compete for employment; and engage community partners to become a more diverse workplace.
Applications are due June 22 and will only be accepted by email at Jim.Hinson at doe.nh.gov. Please send nomination in word format as an attached file. Applications in PDF format will not be accepted.
Please contact Jim Hinson or David Ouellette, Employment Leadership Award Committee Co-Chairs, at Jim.Hinson at doe.nh.gov - 603-419-9454 or David.Ouellette at ddc.nh.gov - 603-271-7040 with any questions.
Tick Trouble
Play It Safe Outdoors
Warm weather is almost here, which makes it a perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Every year, it is important to remember to avoid tick bites. According to the City of Nashua, Division of Public
Health and Community Services' Epidemiologist, Ashley Conley, MS, CPH, "In Hillsborough County alone, over half of the ticks tested have Lyme disease, with approximately 70 cases each year just in Nashua residents."
One way to protect your family from tick bites is by wearing long pants, socks and long sleeves if you plan to be in a wooded area and apply an insect repellant with at least 20% DEET. After you've been outside, it's important to check everyone, including pets, for any ticks. Don't forget to also check backpacks or gear and tumble your clothes in a hot dryer to kill any remaining ticks.
If you do find a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick's body and pull it out in a smooth, straight motion. Cleanse the area with rubbing alcohol, iodine or soap and water and keep an eye out for any symptoms of disease that may follow. "It is important for patients and parents to be aware of the symptoms of tick-borne diseases, of which
Lyme disease is the most common," states Dr. Larry Lerner, Pediatrician at Merrimack Valley Pediatrics. "About 70% of Lyme disease patients will have a distinctive rash; however, call your
physician if you have the sudden onset of fever, chills, aches and fatigue within a month of a tick bite, even if a rash is not present. Letting us
know will enable effective treatment and reduce the likelihood of serious complications."
To learn more about tick prevention, please visit
www.cdc.gov/ticks or www.stjosephhospital.com
Special thanks to St. Joseph Hospital for sharing this article.
http://www.stjosephhospital.com/Summer2012-HC
Facts from
New Hampshire
Vocational Rehabilitation
Highlights From Fiscal Year 2011
October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011
Return on Investment (for every dollar spent/tax revenue returned) $1 for $9.10
Number of individuals placed in employment 1,085
Average hourly wage $12.60
Average hours worked per week 28
Job Retention 72%
The following sentence is "good advice" from the folks who make this newsletter software. They say:
"End your newsletter with a kick -- consider a postscript to reinforce one of the key product or service benefits."
So here is the postscript from the Governor's Commission:
GET INVOLVED!
Sincerely,
John Richards, Executive Director
The Governors Comission on Disability
57 Regional Drive,
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2773
Forward email
This email was sent to edmeskys at roadrunner.com by john.richards at nh.gov |
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeT | Privacy Policy.
The Governors Comission for Disability | 57 Regional Drive | Concord | NH | 03301
More information about the NFB-New-Hampshire
mailing list