Life and Independence for Today.
A Lift in the Right Direction.
Fall 2002 Issue.
Are You A Family with Children
By: Jill Rhoades, Home Modifications Coordinator
If you are a family with children and you or a person in your household has a disability, you need to contact me immediately. LIFT has a program available for you to create FREE, necessary modifications throughout your home to make it accessible for you or your loved one. There is no need to take a loan out and put yourself into debt. If you, or someone in your household has a disability and you meet the income guidelines there is a program waiting just for you. Contact Jill Rhoades at LIFT at (814) 781-3050 or (800) 341-5438 for more details on making your life accessible.
Need the perfect Christmas Gift?
How about a Wonder Cup?
A wonder cup is an adjustable measuring cup, which has a sleeve to push the ingredients to the desired point on the scale. It measures all scales from teaspoons to pints, can be used for wet or dry ingredients, and is ideal for shortening and peanut butter. LIFT is selling wonder cups as a winter fundraiser, and all proceeds will benefit people with disabilities in our area. We have one-cup wonder cups for $3.50 and two-cup wonder cups for $6.00 each. Get one for yourself and as a gift for that dedicated baker. You'll love it! For purchase or additional information, please call Cindy at LIFT.
Wish List
By: Merri Burkhouse, Independent Living Coordinator
As you may remember, last year LIFT started a computer recycling program. We sent out hundreds of flyers to area businesses asking for donations of used computers. In turn, we would donate the computer to a consumer who we have on a waiting list based on the need for the computer. This program has been moving along very slowly due to the fact that we have not had any computer donations recently.
If you have a computer sitting around, in good working condition, and would like to donate it, please phone our office. Help us with our Wish List!
If you are in need of a computer and would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact Merri Burkhouse at the LIFT office.
Gary's Story
By: Gary Barnett Consumer of LIFT
My name is Gary Barnett and I have been a consumer with LIFT for 7 years. I first started receiving LIFT services when I fell and broke my ankle and had to be placed in a nursing home while I recovered. I then returned home and LIFT continued to provide their services so I could remain in my own home. A few years later, I was placed into the Jefferson Manor due to pneumonia where I remained until May of 2002. In May, LIFT helped me find an apartment in my hometown of Punxsutawney, where I am currently living. I really enjoy being on my own. With the help of aides I can live the life that I want to live. I am free to go where I want, when I want, and how long I want and it's great. I also enjoy tinkering with electronics and talking on my CB which I couldn't do while living in the nursing home. I get to interact with many different people, which I greatly enjoy. Without LIFT's services, I wouldn't have been able to last this long out on my own. Thanks to all of you at LIFT. To those of you who are thinking of making "the move" just do it, you won't regret it!
Welcome Elaine!
My name is Elaine Scida and I am from Johnsonburg, PA. I graduated from Johnsonburg Area High School in June of 2000 and graduated in June of 2002 from the DuBois Business College. While in college, I took many computer and business courses that prepared me to work in an office. On 11-12-02 I started
Regional Action Team's in Review
By: Kelly Valdez, Advocacy Specialist
Bradford RAT I:
This group has been busy advocating for the expansion of the People with Disabilities Pilot program and learning about accessibility. Several members attended the Mark Derry ADA training held in Johnsonburg in October. Two members are readying themselves to move from the Bradford Manor into the community, and have been educating themselves on issues like attendant care and assistive technology. Several members attended a recent Consumer Attendant Benefits Coalition (CABC) luncheon held in Bradford to discuss the need for affordable insurance for persons working as personal care attendants.
Bradford RAT II:
This group has been working on curb cuts and other accessibility issues, including the Bradford YMCA. Members of this group also attended the CABC luncheon.
Brookville RAT:
This group has changed it's day, time, and place of meeting to attract new members. They will now be meeting at 4 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of the month at the 1st Baptist Church in Brookville. There were two new faces at the first meeting and the group discussed some ideas for goals for the coming months.
Cameron County RAT:
The Cameron County folks have been advocating for the Pilot Program to go statewide, starting a petition to that effect. They also participated in the letter-writing campaign to the Governor, regarding money for the Pilot being included in the upcoming budget. Two group members attended the Mark Derry training in Johnsonburg.
Clearfield RAT:
The Clearfield group has focused their advocacy efforts on the issue of employment (or lack thereof) opportunities for persons with disabilities. The group has developed a survey and has met with the County Commissioners regarding the implementation of the survey and development of an action plan.
DuBois RAT:
This group continues to work with ATA for increased service between DuBois and Brockway as well as advocating for the Pilot Program to go statewide. They will continue to work on local goals of having an audible traffic signal installed at the intersection of Long and Brady Streets and assisting the Clearfield group with their employments.
Elk Co RAT:
This group is working on several local accessibility issues, but the primary focus is the Pilot Program and the advocacy efforts needed to ensure that the program goes statewide. Group members attended the Mark Derry training at Johnsonburg.
Potter County RAT:
This group has focused their efforts on the expansion of the Pilot to their county. This group is now meeting on the 3rd Thursday at the Roulette Public Library at 5 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE:
Kane, Smethport, and the Punxsutawney Regional Action Team meetings have been cancelled until further notice. It is my goal to rejuvenate these groups after extensive outreach to increase membership and interests.
Do you need to loan any of these items?
The following items are available to loan from the equipment loan program. You may use these devices as long as you need them and return them when they are no longer needed. If you would like to loan any of the following types of equipment please feel free to contact the LIFT office at (800) 341-LIFT.
Equipment Loan Program
Code Word: Bryce Jordan
By: Tom Wenner, Accessibility Counselor
On Thursday, October 24th, Life and Independence for Today (LIFT) co-presented a seminar on the Accessibility Requirements of the International Building Code (IBC). This was a technical training on the IBC, which will soon be adopted throughout Pennsylvania. It was held at the Bryce Jordan Center of PennState University in State College; other sponsors included the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL), the Pennsylvania ADA Coalition, Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, Centre Region Codes Administration, and Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, and the CILs in Altoona and Williamsport.
Brain Black and Jennifer DePaul of EPVA were the instructors for this training, which was attended by seventy-four advocates, code officials, and other members of the construction industry. The presentations were very interesting and there was lively interaction on some of the more controversial issues.
The session included a review of scoping provisions of the IBC, and the dimensional requirements of its accessibility reference standard, ICC/ANSI A117.1. (Scoping dictates which features of a facility must be made accessible, while the reference standard shows how to make them accessible; for example, IBC Chapter 11 tells what percentage of parking spaces must be accessible, ICC/ANSI tells how to design them.) The proposed revision of the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and its harmonization with the IBC was also discussed.
This event was part of PCIL's effort to educate the disability community and the building industry on the accessibility issues in the new statewide uniform construction code. Many thanks to PCIL and the other agencies that helped with this event, and to all those who are working hard to improve Pennsylvania's access for people with disabilities.
Remember Your Loved One - We Will
By: Cindy Feldbauer, Financial Manager
LIFT would like to thank everyone that has contributed to LIFT's Memorial Fund. This fund was established in 1996 for the intent of assisting people with disabilities with the cost of transportation services. It took some time, but this goal was finally reached in 2001. LIFT is now in the process of utilizing these donations to help people in various other ways, with the help of you. If you would be interested in placing a contribution for a family member or a friend, please contact Cindy at 800-341-5438 or 781-3050. Let the memory of your loved one always be remembered.
Opinions expressed in this publication may not be the views of LIFT.