Dela, on her wheelchair, taking a walk through Chinatown with a friend
In This Issue
Important Changes to the ADA
Benefits and Tax Credits
Senior Action Network's Senior Academy
Theater Experiences for People with Autism
Paid Internships for HS Students
Help ILRCSF provide Community Access Tickets to PWD
Quick Links
  
DELA

The Advocacy Newsletter of ILRCSF


Due to circumstances beyond our control, the feature article for this month's issue of DELA is not yet ready for publication. There are, however, several news items and time-sensitive opportunities that we want our consumers and supporters to know about. This month's newsletter is short, but we think you'll find the content worthwhile.

Important changes to the ADA Title II and Title III in effect starting March 15.

Title II applies to state and local governments. Title III applies to the private sector: stores, hotels, day care centers, non-profit organizations, medical providers, etc. Most of the changes in the two regulations are the same.

Service Animals
 
The definition of service animals now only includes dogs. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The regulations also clarify that the animal must be under the handler's control at all times, that the handler is responsible for the animal's care, and which questions can and can't be asked if a person indicates his or her dog is a service animal.

Miniature Horses
 
Although not under the definition of service animals, the regulations permit the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, where appropriate. Assessment factors to determine appropriateness include the type, size, and weight of the miniature horse, whether the facility can accommodate these features, whether the handler has sufficient control of the miniature horse, whether the miniature horse is housebroken, and whether the miniature horse's presence in a specific facility compromises legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for safe operation.

Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
 
The regulations distinguish between wheelchairs and "other power-driven mobility devices" (OPDMDs). OPDMDs are mobility devices not designed for people with disabilities, but which are often used by people with disabilities (such as the Segway). Wheelchairs must be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use. OPMDs must be permitted unless their use would fundamentally alter programs, services, or activities, create a direct threat, or create a safety hazard.

Ticketing (not parking tickets - tickets to sporting events, concerts, theater, etc.)
Tickets for accessible seating must be available to purchase during the same hours, during the same stages of ticket sales (pre-sales, promotions, lotteries, wait-lists, and general sales), and through the same methods of distribution (phone, in person, internet, third party) as tickets for non-accessible seating. The regulations also include requirements concerning information about the location and availability of accessible seating, hold and release of accessible seating to persons with out disabilities, prevention of the fraudulent purchase of accessible seating, and the ability to purchase multiple tickets when buying accessible seating.

Effective Communication
 
The regulations include video remote interpreting (VRI) services as a type of auxiliary aid that may be used to provide effective communication. To ensure that VRI is effective, the regulations include performance standards for VRI and requires training for users of the technology. The regulations state that a minor child may not be used to interpret or facilitate communication except under emergency situations.

The World Institute on Disability has put posted an important Q&A resource regarding Benefits and Tax Credits.

 

 http://www.wid.org/programs/access-to-assets/equity/equity-e-newsletter-march-2011/equity-responds-wid-answers-your-questions/

  

If you have questions about this issue, ILRCSF's Employment Incentives Coordinator, Aine Casey, can be reached at

ph. (415) 543-6222

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Action Network's Senior Academy

Starting March 29, Senior Action Network will host Senior University at the Manilatown Center.   This will be a 4 class series entitled "Keep Your Hands Off of My Children's Social Security."  On day 3 we will visit Senator Feinstein's office in San Francisco.  For those unfamiliar with Senior University:

Senior University empowers seniors and adults with disabilities in San Francisco by focusing on community organizing skills, senior leadership and senior empowerment. It is offered throughout San Francisco in several languages: Chinese, English, Russian and Spanish.  Each round of Senior University consists of 4 weekly classes. The curriculum includes:

        Community Organizing

        Conducting an Effective Meeting

        Diversity

        Leadership

        Lobbying

        Public Speaking

The primary objectives of the program are to give seniors and adults with disabilities the opportunity to develop skills and build confidence to be active community leaders. 

For more information please contact Mr. Pi Ra (415) 546-2096

AMC Theaters Address the Needs of Some Consumers with Autism

 

AMC theaters, in partnership with The Autism Society, have launched a program that provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!

 

The idea for the program began with a request from a parent with an autistic child for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall 14 in Columbia, MD. More than 300 children and parents attended the first screening.

 

AMC now offers the program at many locations nationwide. For information about AMC theaters near you that are participating, show times, and a list of films that are included, go to:        http://www.amctheatres.com/SFF/

 

Summer 2011 Paid Internship Program For SF Public High School Students

The Out of Site Summer Internship Program will run from June 20 - July 15. Monday through Friday 10am-3pm. Classes will be located at Out of Site Youth Arts Center on the campus of Lick Wilmerding High School located next to Balboa Park BART/Muni.

To apply for an internship, go to:

 http://www.outofsite-sf.org/summer-intern.html 

The deadline for applying for these limited spots is April 4th

 

Help ILRCSF provide Community Access Tickets to our consumers

Community Access Ticket Service (CATS) provides cultural, recreational and educational experiences to tens of thousands of people though partnership with hundreds of social-service organizations.  These types of experiences represent positive socialization and community integration opportunities that are otherwise unavailable.  CATS has successfully provided these experiences to over 300,000 people since 2004.

ILRCSF is trying to raise $375 to purchase a one-year membership to CATS, which would enable us to provide free tickets to museums, plays and other cultural events to consumers. To help us make the CATS program a part of what ILRCSF has to offer people with disabilities, please specify on the note section your donation check, "CATS."

Donations may be sent to:

ILRCSF

649 Mission Street, Floor 3

San Francisco, CA 9410

ILRCSF Benefits Workshop Schedule

 

ILRCSF offers two different workshops on benefits:

 

1. Basic Benefits Overview

2. How Employment Affects your Benefits - for those on SSDI &/or SSI

 

All workshops are on Thursdays at 9:30am. However, only one topic - basic benefits or employment -- is covered each Thursday.   Please attend the workshop that best suits you; for example, if you need information about applying for SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal or other benefits, come to the Basic Benefits Overview workshop.  If, on the other hand, you already receive SSDI or SSI and are considering going to work, come to the workshop entitled How Employment Affects Your Benefits. At this Employment Workshop you will learn how to use work incentives to keep some of your benefits as you transition into a job, as well as how to use the PASS program, and Ticket to Work. To hear the schedule of upcoming workshops, call 415-543-6222 ext. 155.

 

Upcoming workshops:

 

April

 

April 7            

Basic Benefits Overview

April 14          

How Work Affects Your Benefits - for those on SSI &/or SSDISDI

April 21           

Basic Benefits Overview

April 28           

Basic Benefits Overview

 

May

 

May 5 

How Work Affects Your Benefits - for those on SSI &/or SSDI

May 12           

Basic Benefits Overview

May 19           

How Work Affects Your Benefits - for those on SSI &/or SSDI

May 26           

Basic Benefits Overview

 

June

 

June 2           

How Work Affects Your Benefits - for those on SSI &/or SSDI

June 9           

Basic Benefits Overview

June 16          

How Work Affects Your Benefits - for those on SSI &/or SSDI

June 23          

Basic Benefits Overview

 

NOTE: ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations upon request. In order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities, ours is a scent-free office.

 

When visiting ILRCSF, please do not wear any scented products, including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc.

  
The Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization. Donations from the public support our mission to ensure that people with disabilties are full social and economic partners both within their families and within a fully accessible community.
  
Tax deductable donations may be sent to:
  
ILRCSF
649 Mission Street, 3rd Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94105
  
  
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