News/Alerts
September 2, 2010
Action Allert:
DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR
IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF WOODS SERVICES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alliance for Inclusive Education &
Kids Together, Inc.
Contact:
Alan Holdsworth
Ph (267) 633-0193
Cell (267)-608-0913
adaptdan@yahoo.com or staff@kidstogether.org
DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR
IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF WOODS SERVICES
Join us Thursday, September 2 at 11 AM
at the Route 1 entrance of Woods Services
read more...
Action Alert:
Rally to Close Woods Services
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ISSUED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND KIDS TOGETHER, INC.
Protest to demand the immediate Closure of Woods Services
Woods Services, Route 1 entrance
September 2, 2010 at 11:00 AM
For further information, comment, or interview, please contact Alan Holdsworth:
Phone: 215-633-0193
Cell: 267-608-0913
Email: adaptdan@yahoo.com or staff@kidstogether.org
read more...
August 16, 2010
Press Release:
Liberty Resources Expands Attendant Care Programs for People with Disabilities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: AMY SLOAN
(215) 634-2000 x262
Liberty Resources Inc., is a non-profit organization that advocates and promotes independent living for persons with disabilities through a comprehensive array of services, with offices in Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Liberty's Home Based Community Services (HBCS) program works with individuals with disabilities to provide needed support services. These consumer-directed independent living services support a person’s ability to work, live and attend school independently in the community.
read more...
August 11, 2010
FMAP Passes!
"President Obama signed into law on Tuesday a bill (HR 1586) passed earlier by the House that includes a six-month extension through June 2011 of Medicaid's temporary enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for the states. FMAP was introduced last year to help financially strapped states pay for additional Medicaid coverage under the economic stimulus package." (Janice Simmons, HealthLeaders Media)
Thanks to everyone who heeded our news alerts, tweets, Facebook posts, and emails, took action, and contacted your legislators to underscore the importance of FMAP. Every one of you can take credit for pushing this one through. Your voices have made an impact!
You will see that some PA Congressional Representatives voted against FMAP, the funding that enables people with disabilities to live in the community this year. They include Timothy Murphy, Charles Dent, Jim Gerlach, Charles Shuster, Todd Platts, Glenn Thompson, Joe Pitts, and Kathy Dahlkemper.
Pennsylvania has much to do to educate our Congressional Reps, about ending the Institutional Bias, but today, we have taken a step forward with the passage of FMAP.
read more...
ADA20
Media Coverage of LRI's Americans with Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary Event
Independence Mall came to life on Monday, July 26th, as Consumers, staff, friends, and supporters of Liberty Resources and the Independent Living Movement gathered for a historic milestone: the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The passage of the ADA, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, marked a turning points in the push for civil rights and access for people with disabilities of all types. The Anniversary of the signing has become known as “Independence Day” for the disabled community.
The day’s sub-90 degree temeratures offered a respite from the oppressive triple digit heat that has characterized this summer. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the event during its four hour span, from the old familiar faces well acquainted with the reason for the celebration, to those who found their curiosity piqued as they passed by the Visitor Center, and who stayed to bask in the spirit of the gathering.
The event was covered by most of the area's news outlets. Click onthe links below to read some of the articles:
CBS3
The Metro
WHYY
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia Inquirer
read more...
ADA20
Media Coverage of LRI's Americans with Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary Event
Independence Mall came to life on Monday, July 26th, as Consumers, staff, friends, and supporters of Liberty Resources and the Independent Living Movement gathered for a historic milestone: the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The passage of the ADA, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, marked a turning points in the push for civil rights and access for people with disabilities of all types. The Anniversary of the signing has become known as “Independence Day” for the disabled community.
The day’s sub-90 degree temeratures offered a respite from the oppressive triple digit heat that has characterized this summer. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the event during its four hour span, from the old familiar faces well acquainted with the reason for the celebration, to those who found their curiosity piqued as they passed by the Visitor Center, and who stayed to bask in the spirit of the gathering.
The event was covered by most of the area's news outlets. Click onthe links below to read some of the articles:
CBS3
The Metro
WHYY
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia Inquirer
read more...
Action Alert:
FMAP vote on Tuesday, August 10. Call your legislators TODAY!
Congress will vote on FMAP on Tuesday, August 10. FMAP means independent community living for people with disabilities. Tell your legislators TODAY:
"The decision to fund FMAP for this year is now up to you.
Pennsylvanians need you to pass the exact language now contained in HR 1586 inclusive of Senate Amendment SA 4567. Vote is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2010 time TBA.
People with Disabilities want to live in the community and daily need Home and Community Based Services to assist with bathing and dressing; meal preparation and eating; taking medicines; and more. Our Governor and Secretary of Public Welfare are saying they will make cuts across the board in all our waivers and Home and Community Based Services without FMAP. FUND FMAP."
Contact:
Robert A. Brady 202-225-4731
Chaka Fattah 202-225-4001
Kathy Dahlkemper 202-225-5406
Jason Altmire 202-225-2565
Glenn Thompson 202-225-5121
Jim Gerlach 202-225-4315
Joe Sestak 202-225-2011
Patrick J. Murphy 202-225-4276
Bill Schuster 202-225-2431
Christopher P. Carney 202-225-3731
Paul E. Kanjorski 202-225-6511
Mark Critz 202-225-2065
Allyson Y. Schwartz 202-225-6111
Michael F. Doyle 202-225-2135
Charles W. Dent 202-225-6411
Joseph R. Pitts 202-225-2411
Timothy H. Holden 202-225-5546
Timothy H. Murphy 202-225-2301
Todd Russell Platts 202-225-5836
read more...
Woods Services Update:
Langhorne care center sanctioned after autistic man's heat death
By John P. Martin
Inquirer Staff Writer
www.philly.com
State officials on Thursday ordered a Bucks County care center to close the unit responsible for a severely autistic man found dead in a sweltering parked van, and said they would remove its eight other residents from the campus.
The Department of Public Welfare also barred Woods Services Inc. from accepting new clients until state inspectors complete their investigation into the July 24 death of Bryan Nevins.
read more...
Action Update:
Coverage of the Woods Services Tragedy, and Subsequent Vigil / Protest
Some overage from yesterday's protest and vigil at Woods Services:
read more...
URGENT Action Alert:
FMAP Amendment vote on Monday, 8/2. Fax these senators today to ensure FMAP funding for home and community based services!
There will be a vote in the Senate on a $16 billion FMAP amendment on Monday August 2 around 5:30. Please forward this to other who will take action!.
Please place your name and address at the bottom of the three letters to Senators Snowe, Brown, and Collins (links below). The letters include a fax cover sheet as the first page. Please be sure to place your name on both the fax sheet and at the conclusion of the letter.
Home and community based services are needed to allow people with disabilities to live independently. Without the passage of FMAP, these services and the independence they provide will be jeopardized.
It only takes a few moments to make your voice heard, and it will make a difference!
FMAP Fax & Letter: Sen. Brown
FMAP Fax & Letter: Sen. Collins
FMAP Fax & Letter: Sen. Snowe
read more...
Action Alert:
Defending Our Freedom in Rochester, NY: Call Maggie Brooks and Tell Her Don't Take Away Our Choice!
From the Center for Disability Rights
The Roving Activist
For three days, I have been on the sidewalk with the folks from the Center for Disability Rights (CDR) as we fight for the freedom of our
sisters and brothers who use the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) program through CDR.
On July 22, 2010, CDR, and each of its 300 CDPAS consumers received a letter from the Monroe County Department of Human Services stating that CDR's contract with the county had been terminated, and that consumers had until August 1, 2010 to find another agency. No reason was given for the termination of the contract.
read more...
Action Alert
DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION FOLLOWING TRAGIC DEATH OF WOODS SERVICES RESIDENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
(215) 219-0694 Cassie James
(267) 608-0913 Alan Holdsworth
(267) 322-0516 Madeleine McMahon
DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION FOLLOWING TRAGIC DEATH OF WOODS SERVICES RESIDENT
Join us Thursday, July 29 at 2pm for a vigil outside of Woods Services memorializing Bryan Nevins, the 20-year-old autistic man who died in a sweltering van, neglected by the facility’s staff.
On Saturday, July 24, Bryan Nevins, a 20-year-old, non-verbal autistic man, died in the back of the van where he had been left after returning from a trip to Sesame Place with fellow Woods Services residents. Hours after the Woods Services van driver had dropped off the other residents and parked the van, Mr. Nevins was discovered missing. After 5 hours in the suffocating 150 degree heat of the sealed vehicle, staff found the victim’s clearly lifeless body in the back seat.
read more...
ADA20
An Open Letter from ADAPT to the Disability Community on the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Sisters and Brothers in the Disability Community:
As the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act draws near, we approach the milestone with mixed emotions. Securing national civil rights legislation, protecting the rights of people with disabilities, was truly historic. It is important that we recognize the incredible nature of this accomplishment and the hard work of those that made this happen, but 20 years after President George H. W. Bush signed this civil rights legislation into law and as our community is preparing for the celebrations, we pause in disappointment that the promise of freedom has still not reached our sisters and brothers in nursing facilities and other institutions.
read more...
NBC10: Man With Autism Left in Hot Car by Caregiver Dies
By VINCE LATTANZIO
NBC Philadelphia
Investigators want to know how a man with autism could be left inside a van for hours in the intense heat just steps from the facility where he lived.
The unidentified 20-year-old man died after spending more than five hours inside a van operated by Woods Services in Middletown Township, Pa. last Saturday, police say.
More: www.nbcphiladelphia.com
read more...
Stop Home Care Cuts in your State!
Call key Senate Republicans to wish them a happy ADA anniversary and ask them to help DEFEND OUR FREEDOM!
Today (7/26) is the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act but are YOU satisfied with your state's home services?
Right now, Congress is holding onto millions of dollars to pay for our in-home services by not extending the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages or FMAP.
Take control of YOUR home services! Tell Congress to act now and extend more Medicaid funding until June 30, 2011 for people with disabilities across the nation!
read more...
ADA20
New York Times: Disabled See Progress, But Problems Persist
By ALBERT R. HUNT
Published: July 25, 2010
WASHINGTON — This week is the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, one of the country’s landmark civil rights measures and the signature domestic achievement of President George H.W. Bush.
The A.D.A. mandates equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in employment, access to public facilities, transportation and telecommunications.
More: www.nytimes.com
DOJ upholds civil rights of people with disabilities in NY voter registration case
DOJ has announced a court-approved consent decree which resolves a 2004 lawsuit against New York State and its public university systems. The state failed to provide voter registration services at offices serving students with disabilities at public university and college campuses in the state. The lawsuit alleged that the state violated Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which requires that voter registration services be provided at offices that provide state-funded programs for persons with disabilities. By the start of the 2010-2011 school year, disability services offices at each public university and college campus in the state will provide voter registration services to students with disabilities.
For more information visit this link: www.disability.gov/civil_rights/enforcement_actions
Liberty in the News
From the Philly Daily News City Howl Help Desk:
THE PROBLEM: Richard Greene is fed up with CCT Connect, SEPTA's paratransit service, which provides transportation to senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Greene, who uses a wheelchair due to a condition called cervical stenosis, wrote a review on City Howl (www.thecityhowl.com) saying that his rides are often late - from 30 minutes to an hour after the scheduled pickup time.
Read more: SEPTA is late with its paratransit service
Action Alert!
Rally Against PA's Budget Cuts
WHAT: Rally Against the Budget Cuts
WHEN: Thursday, July 1 at Noon
WHERE: Philadelphia City Hall, Dilworth Plaza (15th Street Side)
Pennsylvania is facing a very difficult budget process. The federal government did not pass HR 4213, which would have increased the percentage of Medicaid that the government would have contributed to Pennsylvania’s budget. Pennsylvania had counted on this money and is now considering further cuts to vital services in order to cope.
read more...
Action Alert!
Demand Enhanced FMAP today!
Today is the eleventh anniversary of the Olmstead Decision. The Decision that among other things promised Americans the "Least Restrictive Setting" for services. Enhanced FMAP is still not authorized in HR 4213. Please contact: Senators Collins, Snowe and Brown (MA), Voinovich (OH).
Ask them how we can have the 'least restrictive setting' and yet the funding for services in the least restrictive setting are cut off.
Let our voices be heard. Let our Emails be so numerous they have to shut the connection down.
To The Honorable
United States Senator for Ohio
George V. Voinovich
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Fax number (202) 228-1382
To The Honorable United States Senator for Massachusetts
Scott Brown
317 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20510
Office: (202) 224-4543
Fax number: (202)0228-2646
To The Honorable United States Senator for Maine
Olympia J. Snowe
154 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Fax: (202) 224-1946
To The Honorable United States Senator for Maine
Susan Collins
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2523
Fax: (202) 224-2693
read more...
Pa. Lawmakers Launch Web Site to Help Solve Budget Woes
by KYW’s Tony Romeo
A group of Democrats in the Pennsylvania House has launched a web site designed to collect your ideas on how to help balance the state’s wounded budget.
Some of the ideas submitted so far: impose fees for every child after the first in each household and tax plastic shopping bags. But nonetheless, the web site—launched by some House Democrats including Josh Shapiro of Montgomery County and Steve Santarsiero of Bucks County—has the endorsement of Governor Rendell, who’s confident there’ll be some good ideas:
"I'll accept any idea that will either save us money or generate money for us. I go on these 'talk to the governor' shows all the time, and I tell people that. And, you know, we may get 100 ideas, and 99 of them may be wacky as heck but the 100th may be a gold mine for us."
The governor says that's why he reads almost all of his mail. The web site is yourpabudget.com
ADAPT vs Pelosi
The Washington Post ran a story and video yesterday (6/10/10) about ADAPT Activists "heckling" Nancy Pelosi.The Post captioned the video as follows:
"House speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) remarks to a gathering of progressive activists at the America's Future Now conference on Tuesday were greeted by screaming protesters, forcing Pelosi to literally yell parts of her speech. (Dana Milbank/The Washington Post)"
See the video here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/06/08/VI2010060801758.html?sid=ST2010060805383
The Post however, failed to mention or consider WHY ADAPT protesters "heckled" Nancy Pelosi. ADAPT's advocates are not Tea Partiers—,they are disability activists who are fighting to reform the long-term care system. Presently, people are funneled into nursing homes because that is how the system is set up. Legislation in Congress, with over 100 cosponsors in the House, will permit people who want to remain in their homes with appropriate services. Also, services in the home are significantly less expensive than those in the nursing homes.
read more...
Action Alert!
Enhanced FMAP Update: PLEASE WRITE!
Posted on Behalf of Cassie James Holdsworth,
Director of Advocacy and National Policy
ADVOCACY ALERT
ENHANCED FMAP
HR 4312
UPDATE
ONE DOWN --- TWO MORE STAGES TO GO!!!
The Senate Democrats put forward the amendment for Enhanced FMAP!
All of us need to phone, write, fax Senators listed to demand their vote for Enhanced FMAP Amendment for HR 4213. The U.S. Senate has the power to pass the Amendment with 60 votes. Last time we checked: The votes are not adding up.
read more...
Action Alert!
At Protective Services Action Needed: Contact Your Senator Today!
Forwarded by Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Great news! SB 699, our adult protective services bill for people between ages 18 and 59, has been sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Now is the time to contact members of the Appropriations Committee and ask them to do what they can to consider the bill quickly and pass it back to the full Senate for final passage.
read more...
Justice Department Signs Agreement with Lancaster County, PA to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities
Forwarded by Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Lancaster County, Pa, to improve access to civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under Project Civic Access (PCA), the department's wide-ranging initiative to ensure that cities, towns and counties throughout the country comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
read more...
Stop the Home and Community-Based MA Reductions.
The Wall Street Journal on 5/20/10 wrote an article "Disabled Face Hard Choices as States Slash Medicaid." To read the entire article, go to:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704292004575230673483973904.html?mod=WSJ_ hps_MIDDLETopStories
This article points out a number of important issues that disability advocates might consider.
read more...
Wall Street Journal Poll: Medicaid—Home Care vs. Residential Care
The Wall Street Journal is conducting an on-line poll. It's one question—should Medicaid entitlements be shifted to prioritize in-home care for recipients over residential care?
Click here to participate.
Governor Rendell Signs Order Starting to Implement Health Care Reforms Reforms will Save Pennsylvanians up to $650 Million over 8 Years
Harrisburg—May19, 2010: Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed an executive order that begins to implement many of the key elements of the federal health care reform act signed recently by President Obama.
"I have been a strong and vocal supporter of the federal health care reform for the simple reason that it will have an enormous positive impact on the lives of every single American. This health care reform package is a terrific step forward for the uninsured, for parents, for children, for businesses—:for anyone who has a stake in the health care system, and that's everyone," Governor Rendell said.
read more...
April 10, 2010
HUD & HHS Partner to Provide Independent Living Funding to Non-Elderly Americans with Disabilities
$40 million available to local housing agencies to assist 5,300 families
From Vision for Equality, www.visionforequality.org
WASHINGTON - Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today.
read more...
April 8, 2010
ADAPT rallies against inaccessible supermarket
FRANKFORD - April 6, 2010 (WPVI) -- Some shoppers who use wheelchairs want a Philadelphia supermarket to make some changes. So, they parked their wheelchairs there in protest on Tuesday.
The protest took place at Thriftway Supermarket at Bridge and Pratt in the Frankford section of the city.
The protestors are upset about a fence in front of the store. The supermarket erected the fence about 15 years ago to prevent customers from walking off with shopping carts. It has openings large enough for most customers to walk through.
While wheelchairs don't fit through it, the fence has a locked gate that is opened by a guard when someone shows up in a wheelchair.
Click here to read the full story at 6abc.com
April 6, 2010
Liberty in the News
Philly Wheelchair Users' Lament: No Taxis
By DAN GERINGER
Philadelphia Daily News
geringd@phillynews.com
215-854-5961
As darkness descended one evening last December, Filomena Renieri Ward, 52, who has muscular dystrophy, was driving her motorized wheelchair across Castor Avenue when she hit a bump and fell over onto the asphalt.
Helped up by off-duty police officers, Ward managed to drive her wheelchair the few blocks home, where her real nightmare began.
"My arm was throbbing and I figured I'd better get to a hospital," Ward said. "The trouble was, I fell down at 6 p.m. and paratransit only takes reservations until 4 p.m. I called and explained my emergency. They said no."
Read the full story at philly.com
read more...
March 4, 2010
When Curb Cuts are Prison Bars
By Daniel Rubin
Inquirer Columnist
I was hoping for a little more snow, if only to show what Lauren DeBruicker is talking about when she describes this as the winter of her discontent.
But she's been put through enough already.
Her commute is normally a brisk couple of Center City blocks. She wheels herself out of her condo in the Ellington, west on Chestnut Street, up 16th, along Market to 17th, then into her office at Duane Morris, where she is a partner and commercial litigator.
read more...
March 1, 2010
Liberty in the News
Daily News Story Features Liberty Consumers who have Transitioned to Independent Living
Liberty Consumers Tim Kinniry and Deborah and Walter Thomas have recently transitioned to independent living at the Marine Club Condominiums thanks to Liberty Housing Development Corporation and Marine Club Developer Eric Blumenfeld. Kinniry and the Thomases share their stories in an excellent piece by Daily News Reporter Dan Gerringer. The online article also features a wonderful video interview with Tim by Michelle Tranquilli.
Click here for the full story: Freeing people who are trapped in nursing homes
read more...
February 23, 2010
Obama tells Denver ADAPT: "I support Olmstead"
On Thursday, February 18, President Obama went to Denver to highlight job creation with Colorado's Senator Bennet. Four ADAPTers went to the event after and the indomitable Dawn Russell cornered the President and not only handed him the letter copied below, she made him read it to her and after reading it said he supports enforcing Olmstead. Another victory for ADAPT. The video above shows the President shaking his hands in a crowd and being snagged by Dawn Russell, then having the aforementioned conversation. ***The video is NOT captioned.
Click here for the full story at Defending Our Freedom blog
February 23, 2010
LRI mourns the loss of Charles "Buddy" Homiller
It is with a great sadness that I inform you of the death of Charles "Buddy" Homiller early this morning. If you don’t know, Buddy he was one of our oldest consumers (he turned 80 in November), an LRI Board Member, a member of Disabled in Action for 25 years, and an activist with ADAPT since 1988. He was the unofficial Mayor of Philadelphia; everyone knew the old man who blew the horn at demonstrations and hearings alike. He would get up everyday and go out and visit someone in the hospital, go to a demonstration, attend a hearing at City hall or in Harrisburg (regardless of how he felt). He was our biggest champion. We will miss him.
When we know of arrangements we will send them out.
Thanks,
Nancy Salandra
Director of Independent Living Services
February 23, 2010
Action Alert:
Tell legislators not to let DPW cut funding for adaptive technology!
As you may know the DPW does not plan to reapply for the Michael Dallas waiver which provides consumers who are technology-dependent (technology dependence is defined as requiring technology to sustain life or replace vital bodily function and avert immediate threat to life) with the necessary services they need to remain in the community.
The letter below can be sent to legislators in an effort to reverse this decision. If you receive services through the Michael Dallas Waiver, please copy and paste the text below, edit it as you see fit, and sign and send a copy to your legislators. Remember to place your name in the blank.
Click "read more" below to read the full letter.
read more...
February 19, 2010
'Eyes of Me' transcends blindness, encourages understanding
The Philadelphia Daily News ran article about The Eyes of Me, a film produced by Keith Maitland. The documentary follows four blind Texas high school students through a year at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin.
Liberty Resources and Overbrook School for the Blind partnered for a Philadelphia showing at Overbrook School for the Blind on Wednesday 2/24. The film airs at 9pm, March 4 on WHYY.
"The Eyes of Me" public screening, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 2/24, Overbrook School for the Blind, 6333 Malvern Ave., free. To RSVP and to request audio description, visit whyy.org/memberexperience or call 215-877-0313 x405.
Click here for the full Daily News story
February 19, 2010
KYW reports on snowy conditions affecting accessibility for people with disabilities
Like Fox 29's story earlier, KYW Newsradio fell into old habits, leading their snow story with the term "handicapped". LRI's Shawn Tucker is featured in the piece, and Kafi Roundtree also gave statements.
Click here to the full article at KYW 1060
February 19, 2010
Liberty in the News:
Fox News story on how the snow aftermath affects accessibility for people with disabilities
Despite this Fox's repeated use of the term "handicapped", their story on how the aftermath of last week's blizzard impacting the disabled community does call attention to some significant ADA issues. LRI's Shawn Tucker, Zach Lewis, and Margot Brown-Pinder give statements in the piece.
Fox News: Snow Hampering Travel for the Handicapped Disabled
February 16, 2010
ADAPT Update:
DNC Resolution Pledges Olmstead Support; HHS OCR Agrees to Meet
For Information Contact
Jennifer McPhail 512-627-5868
Nancy Salandra 215-779-1014
www.adapt.org
DNC Resolution Pledges Olmstead Support; HHS OCR Agrees to Meet
ADAPT's Defending Our Freedom Campaign: Two Weeks, Two Victories
Philadelphia, PA - Two weeks into ADAPT's
read more...
February 4, 2009
Community Cinema Film Premiere Inspires Public Discussion About Disability and Independent Living in Philadelphia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, PA
Contact:
Sara Zia Ebrahimi
ITVS Community Cinema Co-Coordinator
phillyitvs@gmail.com
215-901-4549
www.communitycinema.org
For downloadable images, visit www.itvs.org/pressroom/photos/
For the program companion website, visit pbs.org/pressroom
Community Cinema Film Premiere
Inspires Public Discussion About Disability and Independent Living in Philadelphia
Hosted by Overbrook School for the Blind
THE EYES OF ME
A film by Keith Maitland
Four blind teens. One dynamic year. How do you see yourself, when you can't see at all?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
7:00pm-9:00pm
Overbrook School for the Blind
6333 Malvern Ave, Philadelphia, PA
FREE and open to the public.
Wheelchair accessible.
Film will be shown with closed captioning. Descriptive audio service provided.
To RSVP and to request audio description, visit whyy.org/memberexperience or call (215) 877-0313 x405.
Panel discussion after film with students and alumni from Overbrook School for the Blind and advocates from Liberty Resources, Inc. a local group that has been fighting for accessibility across disabilities for over twenty years. This intergenerational panel will address the challenges to independent living faced by blind people and the importance of sharing experiences across disabilities.
read more...
January 22, 2010
Liberty in the News:
LRI Mural Artist Featured on Action News
A presentation by Kong Ho at the Independence Arts Studio was recently featured on 6ABC's Action News. Working with Independence Arts Studio and Liberty Resources under a grant from the PA Council on the Arts, Ho and fellow disabled artists will create a disability rights/independent living movement mural on the side of the Sovereign Building, 714 Market Street, which Liberty purchased in 2008.
January 8, 2010
Blind Woman Mistreated by US Airways
In this investigative report, NBC 10's Luann Cahn interviews Pauline Mazer, a blind and partially deaf woman who found herself stranded at the Philadelphia Airport terminal, unable to get to the baggage claim, after US Airways staff failed to properly accommodate her--not once, but twice, despite the airlines assurances that future incidents would be avoided.
Liberty Resources staff members Lynne Maleeff and Joel Moffatt appear in the piece giving brief statements.
See the video here
December 23, 2009
ADAPT in the News:
ADAPT Halts SEPTA Train in Protest
On December 14th, ADAPT activists halted a SEPTA train on the Market-Frankford El line in response to SEPTA's lack of wheelchair accessibility. Click here for CBS 3's coverage of the action.
December 11, 2009
ADAPT Victory Alert
An Important Step for Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities: AFSCME Declares Support for Community First Choice Option in Health Reform
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has announced that they fully support the Community First Option!
ADAPT has worked long and hard to bring AFSCME from not supporting such issues like the Community Choice Act, to taking a big step forward in supporting the Community First Choice Option!
We will get more information out soon, but here is the release AFSCME sent out.
Randy Alexander
ADAPT
read more...
December 8, 2009
ACCESSIBLE HOUSING TO PREMIERE
AT THE MARINE CLUB CONDOMIMIUMS
Liberty Resources and Liberty Housing & Development Corporation will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Liberty Community Integration Project at the Marine Club Condominiums, 1100 S. Broad Street, on Wednesday, December 16th from 3:30 – 5:30PM. Brenda Laroche, Deputy Regional Director of H.U.D. and Thomas Earle, C.E.O. of Liberty Resources, will be the Keynote Speakers as they present 11 fully accessible properties to the public and people with disabilities.
read more...
November 19, 2009
Liberty in the News
Liberty Wheels Featured on KYW Newsradio
Click here to read the full story on KYW1060's website.
November 4, 2009
Liberty in the News:
Proposed Disabilities Act expansion discussed
By Jane M. Von Bergen
Inquirer Staff Writer
What happens if the boss fires a worker for insubordination and the worker counters with a claim under the Americans With Disabilities Act that he is being discriminated against because of a psychological disability that interferes with normal social interaction?
"Employers may think twice as they attempt to manage employees who may be engaged in disruptive, insubordinate behavior," said Darryl G. McCallum, a management lawyer from Shawe Rosenthal L.L.P. in Baltimore.
That was the kind of scenario, among others, raised yesterday when Stuart J. Ishimaru, acting chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other EEOC and Department of Justice officials held a "town hall listening session" for comments on proposed regulations governing an expansion of the act.
Read the full article at philly.com
October 20, 2009
Liberty in the News:
Training Session Gives Disabled New Job-Seeking Skills
by KYW's John Ostapkovich
Dozens of disabled job seekers got a chance on Tuesday to hone their interviewing skills on the quick.
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NBC10 Meteorologist Michelle Grossman shares her story and answers questions from local business people and job seekers |
"Disability Mentoring Day," hosted by the Liberty Resources Academy on Market Street in center city, brought together about equal numbers of those looking for work and those with insights on how to get it.
read the full article at kyw1060.com
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