Abilities in Motion Joins PA VOTES Nonprofit Collaborative
“We want to ensure that people with questions or concerns about voting in this year’s election have access to factual information,” Stephanie Quigley, Abilities in Motion’s Executive Director, emphasized. “Not only are we assisting people with registrations and making sure their information is up to date, but we are also providing resources and information on voter rights and accessibility to ensure that everyone is able to cast their vote with their own individual ability.”
“Through a collaborative grassroots effort, Abilities in Motion has partnered with PA VOTES to encourage and advocate for local voter participation ahead of the November 2020 general election.
“The PA VOTES program is a nonpartisan initiative of Nonprofit VOTE and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania to support and evaluate the role of nonprofit service providers doing voter engagement. Its goal in recruiting nonprofit organizations is to increase the capacity of service providers to do voter engagement work and improve models for nonprofits to register and engage voters in the course of ongoing activities.
“The initiative will highlight the value of nonprofits conducting voter participation with their constituents and community through evaluation data and case studies.
“According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau on voting and registration in the November 2018 election, about 40% of individuals with independent living difficulty were represented in the electorate compared to almost 50% of those with no disability. Even more disparities in voting exist between participation of different races and income levels, as accessibility extends beyond factors related to disability.”
Click here to continue reading this article at BCTV.org.
Announcing PA VOTES – A Civic engagement initiative
Welcome to the Disability Equality in Education September newsletter
“In this newsletter (click on the graphic to download the newsletter) you will find lots of resources to engage students in a conversation on disability. The information and resources are created and vetted by disabled people to ensure that the conversation you start in your classroom has the voice of disabled people.
“This unique project asks educators to include disability as you do race, sex and gender in your curriculum. Disabled people and their achievements, issues and history are invisible, yet we make up almost 20 percent of the population.
“We want to educators with you to create more resources to help you to bring disability into the regular classrooms so that the generation you are teaching are free of the prejudice, stereotypes and ignorance that we as disabled people experience every day of our lives.”
Visit the Disability Equality in Education Website: https://disabilityequalityeducation.org/
FREE screening: “Opening Doors to College”: Hundreds of colleges across the U.S. are opening doors to higher education for students with intellectual disability.
Hundreds of colleges across the U.S. are opening doors to higher education for students with intellectual disability. The 36-minute film “Opening Doors to College” shows how students like Fudia, Missy, Curtis, and Janet are leading this inclusion revolution as they immerse themselves in classes, residential life, extracurricular activities, and the entire college experience at Millersville and Temple Universities.
“‘It’s not cutting it’: Significant roadblocks deter special education students from progressing at home” – Lancaster Online
by Alex Geli
“Denise Schwebel and her daughter, Emma, sat at the head of their dining room table on a recent Friday afternoon to finish the final few online assignments of the school year.
“Schoolwork for Emma, who is in a multiple disabilities support program run by the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 at Conestoga Valley High School, is always a team effort. The 20-year-old is cognitively delayed and in a wheelchair, can’t talk and only eats pureed foods.
“But because she hasn’t been in school since mid-March because of the coronavirus shutdown, her mom has been by her side to help.”
Click here to read this Lancaster Online / LNP – Always Lancaster article in its entirety.
“Coronavirus video for kids explains the basics.” – Futurity
A new coronavirus video for kids offers scientifically accurate information in an engaging and understandable way.
Click on the graphic to watch the video.
by Nardy Baeza Bickel-Michigan
“The coronavirus pandemic affects everyone, including children, who may find the complexity of the situation especially difficult to understand, researchers say.
“’Packaging evidence-based information about the pandemic in a digestible way and delivering it directly to educators and education systems will benefit children, their teachers, and their families,’ says Andria Eisman, a research assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
“These brief resources focus on age-appropriate content, knowledge about the virus, and how to prevent its spread to empower kids and inspire them to act with their own agency.”
Click here to continue reading this article at Futurity.org.
Department of Aging Receives $3 Million to Support Aging and Disability Resource Centers during Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) Office has been awarded $3 million from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to support efforts to mitigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ADRC, also known as the PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources, is a statewide program that provides information and referral services to older adults and individuals with disabilities. This program helps individuals with activities of daily living by connecting them with medical and non-medical supports and services. Consumers, family members, caregivers and providers, can contact the PA Link through the helpline,1-800-753-8827, or here.
“During COVID-19, being able to obtain information and access support services is a vital concern for older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers,” said Aging Secretary Robert Torres. “The PA Link provides seamless connection to a vast array of services, supports and person-centered counseling delivered in local communities throughout the Commonwealth. This federal funding will help PA Link boost capacity and improve connectivity to serve consumers during this pandemic and beyond.”
The PA Link will use the grant funds to administer the following activities:
Virtual Management of ADRC Access Functions: Implement e-services for PA Link staff and partners to improve business operations related to accessing PA Link programs.
Care Transition Services: Assist those most at risk of COVID-19 who are seeking transitional support from hospital or nursing home to a home setting.
Food Order and Delivery: Collaborate with local grocery stores, restaurants and/or online/mobile food order and delivery services to provide delivered groceries and food.
Assistive Technology: Help older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers and care providers learn how to use telehealth technologies to provide and receive needed services. The Department will partner with the Assistive Technology Act program to provide assistive technology assessments, devices and training.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide PPE for community partners to ensure in-home supports can be maintained safely.
Marketing of PA Link Helpline and Outreach: Increase public awareness of the PA Link helpline,1-800-753-8827.
Reduce Social Isolation: Provide individuals with the ability to request periodic check-in calls by trained staff and increase awareness of low-cost programs that connect individuals through broadband and telecommunication equipment.
Information and Counseling Services: Increase the capacity of the PA Link network partners to respond to requests from individuals in need of resource information, assistance with referrals and person-centered counseling.
Visit the PA Department of Health’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage here for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.
Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here.
SOURCE: news release
Link Webinar trilogy is complete | Do not miss any of these – Register for these three Link Webinars now
Each of these webinars are totally FREE to attend; take advantage of these special training opportunities for Link to Aging and Disability Resources partner agencies.
Click on the above graphic; then click on the link in the .pdf file to register.
Click on the above graphic; then click on the link in the .pdf file to register.
Click on the above graphic; then click on the link in the .pdf file to register.
“With Schools Closed, Kids With Disabilities Are More Vulnerable Than Ever” – NPR
Maria Fabrizio for NPR
by Elissa Nadworny
“With school closed, Marla Murasko begins her morning getting her 14-year-old son, Jacob, dressed and ready for the day. They have a daily check-in: How are you doing? How are you feeling? Next, they consult the colorful, hourly schedule she has pinned on the fridge.
“Jacob, who has Down syndrome, loves routine. So this daily routine is important. Schools in Hopkinton, Mass., are closed until April 6th, so Jacob’s morning academic lesson — which according to the schedule starts at 9 a.m. — has been temporarily moved to the basement.
“But there’s been one big hiccup to all this: What, exactly, to learn during these at-home sessions?”
Department of Banking and Securities Provides Recommendations for Pennsylvanians Financially Impacted by the Coronavirus
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) collaborates with state agencies to develop resources available for Pennsylvanians financially impacted by COVID-19.
“As Pennsylvanians continue to heed the advice of public health experts to stay calm; stay home and stay safe, it is important to know your financial options,” said Acting Secretary Richard Vague. “Pennsylvanians should take action now to understand their financial situations and stay informed of what resources are available.”
Access Your Financial Institution
When possible, complete transactions using online or mobile banking, phone banking, drive thru, or ATMs.
Make use of services available 24/7 on your financial institution’s website or mobile app including: balance inquiries, transfers, loan payments, mobile check deposits, and transaction inquiries.
Consumers should contact their financial institution for any concerns with credit, automatic bill payments, or debt obligations like credit card and mortgage payments.
Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation
If you are unable to work because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Compensation benefits. Learn more about eligibility requirements, latest developments, and how to get started here.
Trouble Paying Credit Cards
If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your credit card or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus. For guidance visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or contact a credit counselor near you.
Trouble Paying Your Mortgage or Rent
If you do not have enough money in your savings to cover your mortgage payment or rent contact your lender or landlord immediately. Do not wait until you’re behind on payments. Some lenders may work out an agreement with you to waive late fees, set up a repayment plan or offer loan forbearance.
For mortgage information visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or find a housing counselor near you. For rental assistance visit the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Short Term and Emergency Loans
Consider your options before taking out a high cost short term loan. Talk with your creditors to negotiate more time to pay bills or borrow from friends or family before exploring loans offered by banks, credit unions, or licensed small loan companies that you may not be able to repay. Confirm the lender is licensed with DoBS and borrow only what you can afford to pay back.
Paying Utilities
On March 6, 2020, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman signed an emergency order prohibiting electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication and steam utility terminations by utilities that are under the PUC’s jurisdiction. The moratorium will remain in place for as long as the Proclamation of Disaster, issued by Governor Tom Wolf related to the Coronavirus, is in effect. If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, contact your service provider for possible emergency assistance programs.
Insurance Issues
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has resources and information available for consumers who have insurance related questions and developed an FAQ that provides information and answers to common questions related to insurance coverage and COVID-19.
Financial Scams
Consumers should be on the lookout for financial scams during major events such as the outbreak of COVID-19. If you have received an unsolicited phone call, when in doubt, hang up. Never provide credit card or other financial or personal information as part of an unsolicited phone call and think twice if you’re being pressured to act now.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the PA Department of Health’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage that is updated daily.
Learn more about COVID-19 information and guidance for financial Institutions and consumers from DoBS.
Anyone can contact DoBS at 1-800-PA-BANKS or 1-800-722-2657 to ask questions or file complaints about financial transactions, companies, or products.
