| October 2008 |
Volume 1 Issue 4 |
WHO IS DELA?
DELA began with our button for Capitol Action Day 2008. It is a simple, true message that states that we are voters, taxpayers, shoppers, employers, students, family, friends, neighbors, employees and people with disabilities. In other words we are a part of every segment of society.
DELA IS … the name of our newsletter. In that context it stands for Disability Education, Legislation and Advocacy.
DELA IS … the subject of our media campaigns that represent the spirit of our Capital Action Day 2008 button.
DELA IS … the name of a character drawn by artist Brian Kolm, for ILRCSF promoting full accessibility and inclusion for all.
DELA IS:
A 30 year old woman who was born and raised in San Francisco. When she was 15, Dela was involved in a car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury that required extensive medical attention. After a period of time in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility, Dela returned home and resumed the active lifestyle she’d enjoyed before her accident. Since then, she’s met every challenge head on.
Like most kids, young Dela loved her bicycle. This didn’t change after her accident, and it hasn’t changed as she’s grown older. She’s been involved in the mountain bike racing circuit, riding a hand-operated mountain bike. Musically inclined since early childhood, she is an accomplished musician who loves to play saxophone.
Dela has been married for five years, and is mother to a three year old daughter. Juggling motherhood and work outside of the house can be difficult, but Dela is up to the challenge. She loves her job at a small public relations firm in downtown San Francisco. She is passionate about politics and is an outspoken advocate for everyone to be involved in the process and exercise their right to vote. Like so many of us, Dela loves to shop and, if she wants to shop at an inaccessible store, she makes sure that the owner understands that she has money to spend but that “she can’t shop at this store if she can’t get through the door!”
Dela lives life to the fullest. Dela represents people with disabilities as people who participate in all life has to offer, just like people who do not have disabilities.
CONTENTS
DisabilityChatSF
We are inviting people with disabilities who live and/or work in San Francisco to join DisabilityChatSF. This group is being set up to provide a safe and respectful place for people to share their experiences, ask questions about all areas of their day-to-day lives, etc. This is not an avenue for advocacy and legislative efforts – there are other groups set up for that purpose. We welcome people to join. We request that interactions be friendly and respectful of others’ opinions, etc. We understand that people will disagree, but those disagreements must not rise to the level of personal attacks or inappropriate behavior. If members choose to make comments that do not adhere to these basic rules, ILRCSF reserves the right to remove them from the group.
ILRCSF Workshops, Resource Room, Online Purchases
ILRCSF Regular Office hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Friday's 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations on request, including ASL interpreters and print information in alternative formats. ILRCSF is a scent-free office in order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities. Please do not wear any scented products including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc. to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF. If you are wearing scents, you will not be able to remain in the office.
BENEFITS WORKSHOPS
Every Thursday at 9:30, we will hold a “drop-in” Basic Benefits/Work Incentives Workshop. Information about applying for Social Security, Medi-Cal or other benefits, as well as work incentive issues including the PASS program, and how Social Security benefits and healthcare are affected by returning to work are covered.
HOUSING WORKSHOPS - Low Income Housing
Registration is required. Call 543-6222 ext. 100. Monday’s in September 1:30-3:30.
ILRCSF RESOURCE ROOM
ILRCSF has a FREE, accessible Resource Room, with information in Chinese, English and Spanish. We also have a bulletin board with information for Deaf Consumers and information is available in alternative formats upon request.
The resource room provides info on a variety of subjects, such as benefits, ADA, assistive technology (helpful gadgets), returning to work, free food-shelter-medical care resources, health care access, legal resources, housing (including a place for those who want to post ads for apartments for rent or shared housing rentals; an updated rental list from Craig’s Lists; etc.) etc. If we don’t have the resource, we’ll do our best to find referrals for you. Service providers are welcome to send us flyers and handouts to distribute.
YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES CAN BENEFIT
Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco!
Who hasn't uttered the words, "I wish there was something I could do to help"? Now you can. Start shopping! At iGive.com®, you can buy the items you've always wanted - like that DVD box set, designer bag,or big-screen TV you've had your eyes on - only without the guilt. iGive.com is FREE for you and free for our organization. Find everything you need at 650+ participating online stores, including; Staples.com, Barnes & Noble, drugstore.com, and Lands'End.
Up to 26% of each purchase is donated to Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco. GET A $5 BONUS DONATION with your 1st purchase at any iGive.com store!
* Join for free at: www.iGive.com/ILRCSF
* 1st purchase must be made through iGive.com, within 45 days of joining. eBay bids are not considered for this purpose. Causes listed at iGive.com have been listed by iGive members for their own and other members' use. Information listed here is subject to change. Visit www.iGive.com for the most current information.
ASK KEVIN ABOUT AT
I have diabetes and take insulin. I also take medication for other health issues. Over time I have lost some vision and I can no longer read the information on the prescription bottles. I also have a difficult time measuring my insulin. My son is concerned because I have mixed up my medications. I am very independent and would prefer to continue living on my own without having to hire an aide to help with my medications. Do you have any suggestions?
Adaptations is a store located in The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, located at 25 Van Ness Avenue. Adaptations sells a Prescription Bottle Recorder, for $19.95, that will read the name, directions and special warnings on your prescription bottles. Another technique to try is to attach items such as fabric, buttons, etc., to pill bottles, giving each a different texture, so you can differentiate between your medications. Adaptations also sells Count-A-Dose, for $70.00, which holds one or two bottles of 100U insulin and a one-half cc syringe. It counts each unit as it is drawn into the syringe.
To see assistive devices or to learn more about gadgets that can help with a disability related barrier, call Kevin at 415-543-6222 X 107. To have your questions answered in a future edition of DELA please contact him via phone or email at kevin@ilrcsf.org.
ILRCSF EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONSUMER INFORMATION
2009 Medicare Information
Medicare is a Federal health insurance program that has four parts:
Part A: Medicare Hospital Insurance
Part B: Medicare Medical Insurance (outpatient visits)
Part C: Medicare Managed Care plans (Medicare Advantage)
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage (brand names and generics)
Medicare Part A covers a wide range of hospitalization and inpatient services. Most people get Part A automatically when they turn 65 or 24 months after they become disabled. If you (or your spouse) have worked 40 quarters (10 years total) or more there is no premium for Medicare Part A. If you (or your spouse) have worked less than 10 years total you will have to pay a Part A premium.
Medicare Part B helps pay for doctors’ services, outpatient services and other medically necessary services that are not covered under Part A. Some preventative services are covered but annual physicals are not. Almost everyone pays a Part B premium based on income:
Individual Joint Monthly
Tax Return: Tax Return: Premium:
$80,000 or below $160,000 or below $96.40
$80,000-$100,000 $160,000-$200,000 $134.90
$100,000-$150,000 $200,000-$300,000 $192.70
$150,000-$200,000 $300,000-$400,000 $250.50
Above $200,000 Above $400,000 $308.30
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) is administered through private health plans, such as an HMO, PPO or other Private Fee for Service Plans.
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage through the Medicare Prescription Drug plan or private drug plans. There are two ways to get Medicare Part D coverage:
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) that adds drug coverage to Parts A and B.
- Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO, PPO, etc.) that includes prescription drug coverage as part of the plan.
Cost Breakdown:
Year-To-Date Prescription Costs: $0-$295
Coverage: Deductible Period: Beneficiary pays 100% Medicare pays 0%
Year-To-Date Prescription Costs: $295- $2,700
Coverage: Co-Insurance Period: Beneficiary pays 25% Medicare pays 75% Year-To-Date Prescription Costs: $2,700-$6,153.75
Coverage: Coverage Gap Period: Beneficiary pays 100% Medicare pays 0%
Year-To-Date Prescription Costs: Over $6,153.75
Coverage: Catastrophic Period:
Beneficiary pays: $2.40 Generic $6.00 Brand Name
Medicare pays 80%
Plan pays 15%
Dual Eligible refers to an individual who qualifies for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. Drug coverage is provided through private drug plans. Eligibility and co-payment amounts are based on income and resources:
Eligible for full benefits – income up to 100% of the federal poverty level and resources within the MediCal limits: Co-payments: Generic $1.10; Brand Name $3.20
Eligible for full benefits – income over 100% of the federal poverty level and resources within the MediCal limits: Co-payments: Generic $2.40; Brand Name $6.00
Subsidies for dual eligibles who are not eligible for full benefits:
- Resources under $6,290 for an individual and under $9,440 for a couple: Co-payments: Generic $2.40; Brand Name $6.00
- Resources between $6,290-$10,490 for an individual and between $9,440-$20,970 for a couple: Deductible of $60.00; 15% co-insurance up to a threshold of $4,350 in out-of-pocket expenses; Co-payments after reaching the threshold in out-of-pocket expenses: Generic $2.40; Brand Name $6.00
Important Dates:
Week of October 15, 2008
Medicare and You handbooks mailed out
October 31, 2008
Medicare beneficiaries should have received their 2008 Annual Notice of Coverage and Summary of Benefits
November 15 – December 31, 2008
Annual enrollment period for Part D
January 1, 2009
Changes to coverage take effect
Some Medi-Cal Payments Frozen Until Budget is Approved
California officials notified operators of health care facilities that Medi-Cal payments to health care facilities (nursing homes, health care clinics, adult day care centers, and other organizations that California categorizes as a health care “institution”) would be on hold until a state budget is approved.
Budget signed by the Governor on September 23, 2008
EVENTS, GROUPS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Huckleberry Youth Programs’ Comedy Night Benefit
Date: Thursday, October 23
Location: Bimbo’s 365 Club, SF
Admission: Ticket purchase required
Information: Featuring Will Durst, Nato Green, Bob Sarlatte, and Johnny Steele
Disability Services and Legal Center 3rd Annual Tech Expo
Date and Time: Friday, October 24 from 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa
Information: Informational Booths, demonstrations and breakout sessions. Keynote speaker: Michael Muir (John Muir’s great-grandson). For more information contact Vaughn Held at 1-707-528-2745 ext. 208
Study – Does Computer Training Help the Symptoms of Early Schizophrenia?
UCSF & UCD needs volunteers for a research study. You are eligible to participate if:
- You have a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder or shizoaffective disorder
- Your first episode of schizophrenia symptoms began within the last 5 years
- You are in good general medical health
- You are doing well and have been on the same medication for at least four weeks
- You are between the ages of 16 and 30
- You are fluent and proficient in the English language
UCSF and UCD are conducting this study to aid our understanding of whether or not specialized computer training helps young people with schizophrenia lessen their symptoms and improve their thinking. The procedures consist of interviews and questionnaires, computer and paper pencil tests, brain imaging tests and blood tests. You will be paid approximately $5 for every hour of computer training and $20 for each lab appointment, up to $1,040 total. Participants should be available to spend 60 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 consecutive weeks either at a home computer with Internet access or at a computer at UCSF or UCD.
Interested? Know someone who might be? Call for more information: UCSF 415-476-7278 or UCD 916-734-0512. A confidential phone screen will be conducted to determine initial eligibility. If you are under 18 years of age, please have your parents call.
Share Your Story Online – A New Website for People Who Are Impacted by Current and Proposed Budget Cuts
A new project called My California Story (MyCAStory.org) gives everyone the opportunity to upload videos, add pictures and write their own stories. It was created to give people the opportunity to tell powerful and deeply personal stories about how lives are being affected by the California budget. For more information, please visit www.MyCAstory.org
Scholarships – Attend the National Conference on Disability Inclusion and National Service: Acting Today to Shape the Future
The National Service Inclusion Project has a number of scholarships of up to $1,000 available for individuals with disabilities who wish to attend the national conference. The funding is available through the Corporation for National and Community Service, and is reimbursable for travel and lodging only. Please see www.serviceandinclusion.org for more information. If you are an individual with a disability or would like to recommend someone, please send name(s), contact information and a brief justification to nsip@umb.edu by October 8, 2008.
Grant – Good Neighbor Assistance Fund
The San Francisco Chapter of the CA Council of the Blind (CCB) will give a grant of up to $2,500 to a Bay Area blind or visually impaired student (grades 6 – 12 or college program) who can best demonstrate the need to improve his or her educational or employment opportunities. Submit a completed application and essay to: Good Neighbor Fund Committee, c/o Charlie Dorris, 966 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94133 by October 31, 2008. To request an application and instruction form or for further details contact: Charlie Dorris at 775-0487 or tyreedorris@aol.com, or Ellie Lee at 378-6079 or elliesf@hotmail.com. Applications must be postmarked by October 31, 2008.
Survey: Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities
The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) is collaborating with the Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies (JCVVS) to raise competence in supporting and serving crime victims with disabilities. They are developing and conducting a national training conference focusing on the needs of crime victims with disabilities which is scheduled to be held in 2009. In order to design a conference based on the needs of people with disabilities, they have developed a 10 to 15 minute survey that is available at vovici.com. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or the survey itself contact Dan Petersen at the JCVVS, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621, phone (785) 670-2115, or email dan.petersen@washburn.edu.
Grant – Brighter Tomorrow Grants
The goal of the grant is to provide individuals with MS with the goods or services (valued at up to $1,000 per recipient) to improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well-being. To qualify a person must be 18 years of age or older and diagnosed with MS, or the parent of a minor child diagnosed with MS, and be a permanent US resident. They must not have any other means of fulfilling the need they express. Applicants are asked to provide basic personal and financial information, and to write a brief essay of 100 words or less to describe how the grant would help them have a brighter tomorrow. For further information on the Brighter Tomorrow grant, call the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Program Services Dept. at 1-888-MSFOCUS or email support@msfocus.org.
NOTABLE DATES IN OCTOBER
Monthly Observances:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Disability Employment Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Healthy Lung Month
Physical Therapy Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Crime Prevention Month
Energy Awareness Month
UNICEF Month
Weekly Observances:
First Week: Mental Illness Awareness Week
Second Week: Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week
Third Week: Health Education Week
Infection Control Week
Fourth Week: Hearing Aid Awareness Week
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Daily Observances:
10/9: Yom Kippur
10/13: Columbus Day
10/15: White Cane Safety Day
10/16: World Food Day
10/24: United Nations Day
10/29: 1929 Stock Market Crash – Beginning of the Great Depression
10/31: Halloween
ILRCSF JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Outreach and Information Services Coordinator
Chinese Community Services Coordinator
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