[NFBC-Pathfinder] Fwd: DMC News & Updates

[Rochelle Houston]



Rochelle Houston,
National Federation of the Blind of California
President, Pathfinder Chapter Los Angeles
rhouston58 at gmail.com
323 807-0300
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nations blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Dayle McIntosh Center <ldaly at daylemc.org>
> Date: February 22, 2021 at 1:35:53 PM PST
> To: rhouston58 at gmail.com
> Subject: DMC News & Updates
> Reply-To: ldaly at daylemc.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> News & Updates from the
> Dayle McIntosh Center
> February 2021
> 
> 
> Supporting Our Community,
> Supporting Independence
> While the COVID pandemic continues to affect everyone, the impact on the aging and disability communities of Orange County has been profound. DMC has been able to assist a number of individuals with services and supports that have helped them continue to live at home, sustain independence, and save lives. These services have included paying for emergency personal assistance services for individuals at risk of being forced into skilled nursing facilities, providing food, distributing personal protective equipment such as face coverings and hand sanitizer, providing technology such as laptops to bridge the digital divide, providing durable medical equipment such as shower chairs, manual wheelchairs, and walkers, assisting with minor home modifications such as the installation of grab bars, facilitating support groups for people living in isolation, and many others.
>  
> If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, would like to move out of a nursing facility, or are at risk of being moved to a nursing home, please reach out to DMC for help. Thanks to funds received from the CARES Act, DMC is able to provide support to individuals at risk due to COVID-19. 
> 
>  
> DMC continues to respond to urgent community needs during the pandemic. Recently, DMC staff distributed PPE including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to residents at Carbon Creek Apartments and Mariposa Villas. Residents of these two developments are primarily seniors and people with disabilities who are at greater risk to the Coronavirus.
> 
> DMC received a call from an individual who had been struggling with the stairs that lead into her mobile home. She shared that she dreaded going out because going up and down the stairs was becoming more and more difficult. Just the thought of it would cause her pain and anxiety. DMC staff was able to coordinate the installation of a donated wheelchair lift and give her a wheelchair that fit her needs. She has shared that she has not felt this great in a long time. She feels independent and safe at home and no longer fears going out.
> 
> 
> While on vacation, a woman was rushed to the hospital and later diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and possibly Multiple Sclerosis. When she returned home, she found her house inaccessible. She was unable to get to the second floor and made the living room her new bedroom. This solution left her without a shower. She used wet wipes and a makeshift shower in the parking lot to improvise.  She reached out to DMC for help. DMC was able to partner with other organizations to assist her with having a stairlift installed. This gave her complete access to her house while ultimately keeping her safe in her home.
> 
> 
> Black History Month: 
> Contributions of Black
> People with Disabilities
> 
> According to the 2020 Annual Disability Statistics Supplement, from the University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability, there are more than 5.5 million African Americans living with a disability in the United States. February is Black History Month which gives us the chance to reflect and highlight the many contributions that black people with disabilities have made and continue to make in our lives. To get you started we have compiled a few noteworthy sources.
> Read More
> 
> Low Vision Awareness Month
> 
> DMC provided large print calendars to individuals receiving services from the Aging with Vision Loss Program. 
> 
> “Thank you so much for making [my] Dad’s world literally more visible!”
> 
> Picture is of Marc Gould, 100-year-old
> Retired Aeronautical Engineer, sitting in front of his calendar.
> 
> February is low vision awareness month. There are millions of Americans that have some degree of vision loss. Although a diagnosis of low vision or blindness can be a hard piece of information for someone to absorb, it is absolutely possible for these individuals to live a full and successful life. Vision loss does not have to be a negative experience. Here are some highlights and tips that can be applied by individuals who are on their journey of adjusting to vision loss.
> 
> Read More
> 
> New Faces at DMC
> Please join us in welcoming three new staff to the DMC team!
> 
> Julia Valencia (she/her)
> ADRC Veterans Benefits Specialist
> 
> Julia previously served the veteran population at Cal State Fullerton's Veterans Resource Center, managing the Titan Warrior Wellness Program and providing resources for military-connected students to ensure their success. She is excited to continue serving both the veteran and disability populations in her new role with the ADRC.
> 
> Julia will assist veterans' and their families with determining eligibility and applying for benefits.
> 
> Juanita Herrera (she/her)
> Assistive Technology Coordinator
> 
> Juanita comes to us with extensive experience in the field of blind/low vision technology. She is bilingual in Spanish and is excited to make a difference in the community. When not discovering new technology, Juanita loves to try different food places and enjoys spending time with her daughter.   
> 
> 
> Rich Skerbitz (he/him)
> ADRC Community Transition Coordinator
> 
> Rich Skerbitz worked as an Independent Living Specialist for four years at the ILC in Superior, Wisconsin, providing resources to consumers and conducting training on disability rights, assistive technology, and other topics with local community groups. He has a bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation and is deeply passionate about Independent Living Philosophy and history.
> 
> Rich will be partnering with Marquita Facen, Community Transition Coordinator, to support consumers moving out of nursing homes and other facilities and back into the community.  
> 
> Virtual Workshops and Peer Support Groups
> 
> DMC continues to offer a number of workshops, training, and peer support groups designed to provide our community with valuable information and support. For more information and to view all groups and events please visit
> DMC Virtual Peer Support Groups & Meeting Calendar
> 
> Support DMC
> 
> We recognize this is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone, we also know that you may be looking for an opportunity to support your community. If you would like to make a donation to DMC so that we can continue to provide the support and resources needed by so many at this time, please click on the button below.
> Donate to DMC
> 
> 
> Join the Orange County Disability Coalition
> 
> The Coalition recently had its first meeting of 2021. If you are interested in being part of an inclusive coalition responsive to issues that impact our community, then email Bhumit Shah, Systems Change Advocate, or call (714) 621-3300 ext. 334, for more information.
> 
> 
> Low-Cost Internet Services Available
> 
> With so many programs and services now being offered online, having access to the Internet and a computer or tablet is more important than ever before. A 2017 statewide survey showed that over 87 percent of California households have access to the Internet. That number falls to 75 percent of households that include a person who has a disability. Thanks to a partnership with the World Institute on Disability, DMC is able to provide you with information on low-cost Internet options that may be available in your community. Please contact DMC to learn more about this program.
> 
> Community Resources 
> 
> FILE YOUR TAXES in OC FOR FREE!
> The United Way is gearing up to help Orange County residents prepare for the 2020-2021 Tax Season! This program is available to those whose household income was less than $60,000 in 2020. Appointments for free tax preparation are now available at ocfreetaxprep.com. Program information is also available in • Farsi • Korean • Vietnamese
> 
> March 5: Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Hosts a Senior Scam Stopper
> Friday, March 5 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. in a virtual meeting a panel of experts will provide information to seniors on how they can protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud. Attendees can get answers to their questions and obtain assistance if they have been scammed. Please RSVP for the event in advance.
> 
> County of Orange Emergency Rental Assistance Program 
> The County of Orange is currently accepting applications for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Renters who are experiencing financial hardship, due to COVID-19, may apply to the County for assistance. This will help households pay rent and utilities. Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine residents cannot apply for the County program but can apply for their City's programs. Learn more and apply.
> 
> California Launches New COVID Vaccine Website? My Turn'
> The California Public Health Agency recently launched a new website called "My Turn" to help Californians determine when they are eligible for a COVID vaccine. Visitors to the site, myturn.ca.gov, may submit basic information about their age and other COVID-related factors, and the platform will notify them when it is their turn to receive a vaccine. 
> 
> Please follow DMC on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information, updates, and announcements. 
> 
> 
> 
> See what's happening on our social sites:
>  ‌   ‌
> 
> Dayle McIntosh Center
> 501 N. Brookhurst St. #102
> Anaheim, CA 92801
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