Granite State Stuff : disabled

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

AskLisa — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:17:00 GMT

In 1988 Congress declared October National Disability Employment Awareness Month and as the state’s only Independent Living center, Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) is taking this opportunity to spread the word about some of the progressive employment programs our award winning organization offers.

This past year, despite tough economic times and record unemployment rates, the Employment Services department at GSIL placed 83 individuals with disabilities in jobs with salaries ranging from $7-$25 per hour. Note, of this group, 98% have disabilities defined as severe.

Many of us are defined by our jobs; it is an important part of who we are. With this in mind, the Employment Services team strives to place individuals in career-track positions that offer benefits, stability and an increasing opportunity for advancement. As GSIL continues to serve our consumers, we will continue to be leaders in addressing the needs of New Hampshire employers.

GSIL committed to assisting people with disabilities reach their employment goals by providing a wide range of employment services- including benefits counseling- so achieving the American dream is a real possibility. GSIL collaborates with Vocational Rehabilitation, offers Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD), and is an Employment Network for Ticket to Work.

Congress designated a National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). To highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed. This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) has received a $36,750 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

AskLisa — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:04:00 GMT

Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) has received a $36,750 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. These generous funds will support GSIL’s Access Modification Program (AMP). The grant funds will be used solely to provide a minimum of 15 individuals with spinal cord injuries with the necessary access modifications for their homes.

Last year, AMP assisted 44 consumers in overcoming access barriers by providing coordination and funding for the installation of ramps, home modifications, or the purchase of equipment. The AMP program and the critical modifications it makes possible open the door to a greater degree of independence and allows individuals with disabilities to better access their homes and communities.

For some, these barriers are so confining- they literally become prisoners within their own homes. These barriers severely interfere with or prevent the individual’s ability to earn a living and go about the activities of daily life. This lack of independence diminishes the dignity and pride inherent in those personal freedoms. This funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will now allow GSIL to assist a minimum of 15 more consumers in achieving greater independence. Additional information about the Access Modification Program can be obtained by calling Granite State Independent Living at 603-228-9680 or by visiting www.gsil.org.

Granite State Independent Living receives $10,000 Grant

AskLisa — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) is please to announce the Alexander Eastman Foundation has awarded GSIL $10,000 to support the purchase of a fuel efficient, cross disability bus to be used to transport consumers. This vehicle will replace a bus which was auctioned off due to age and high mileage.

For individuals with disabilities, securing reliable transportation is one of the biggest obstacles on the path to living independently. GSIL offers accessible transportation to individuals with disabilities which allow them to be independent and self direct their lives. Our transportation services help people live their lives by getting them to and from events, meetings, appointments and errands. Having reliable transportation fosters independence in consumers, reduces stress and dependence on others and improves the overall quality of life. GSIL would like to thank the Alexander Eastman Foundation for its generous support of our mission.

About Granite State Independent Living (GSIL)
Founded in 1980, Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote life with independence for people with disabilities and those experiencing the natural process of aging through advocacy, information, education and support. We offer the tools and resources so that individuals can participate as fully as they choose in their lives, families, and communities. The organization provides a wide variety of services, including employment, peer groups, transportation, personal care, access modification and benefit counseling.

Every polling place in NH is now accessible to individuals with disabilities

AskLisa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:57:00 GMT

As mandated by the Help America Vote Act, every polling place became accessible in November 2007. There are several new options available to individuals with disabilities to increase access to voting.

The private accessible voting booth is now truly accessible. It is 6’ x 6’ x 6 ½’, has a privacy flap and a table and chair inside the booth. On the table will be some equipment which will be described below. There will be fewer voting booths – and tables with privacy screens on them, allowing voters to sit and vote instead of standing the entire time, while still ensuring privacy. The goal is to eventually replace 50% of the voting booths with privacy screens on tables.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 mandates that every polling place in the United States be accessible to persons with disabilities and that the ballot must also be accessible to everyone, including people with little or no vision. Its purpose is to guarantee equal access to the voting process for aging voters as well as persons with disabilities by way of an accessible voting system.

In order to determine what kind of system this state should acquire to satisfy HAVA, NH assembled a task force that included the Departments of State and Justice, disability-relates organizations and local election officials. After much deliberation, the decision was made to use the Inspire Voting System (IVS).

IVS is an interactive telephone system that will allow any voter in any polling place to access their ballot from that polling place by telephone, making their selections using the telephone keypad, and have their ballot faxed back to them at the polling place for insertion into the ballet box.

NH law requires that each vote cast in NH be counted from a marked piece of paper. New Hampshire is one of only a handful of states that don’t allow a simple electronic vote that gives no physical evidence that a vote will be counted. So there is no fear that the new system will not count all votes. Voters will be submitting a marked ballot just like every other voter.

The beauty of the system is that the technology needed for a registered voter to use this system is simply an amplified telephone and a fax machine. The phone itself can be amplified to 50 decibels and will have tone adjustment. It will also have a large keypad buttons with good contrast. In addition, for someone who may not be able to hold on to the handset or who may simply prefer to use headphones, they will also be available.

One major factor for the decision to use the IVS system is its capability to Preview and Practice before Election Day. Approximately 3 weeks prior to the actual Election Day in November, voters will be able to access the system from the comfort and privacy of their own home. This will help to familiarize voters with the computerized voice and how to navigate the keypad to make choices. Practicing will also remind voters of the different contests (races) they will be voting for and any warrant articles that may be on the ballot for that Election Day.

Voters can use the Preview and Practice as often as they wish. Since the system uses a digitized voice, practicing beforehand will make the process quicker when voters actually go to vote.

All 310 polling places in NH will receive a self-contained kit with everything they need to provide access to the ballot for registered voters. The kit will include the telephone and fax machine as well as some low-tech aids that will make voting more accessible and less frustrating for anyone who has difficulty using a traditional ballot. Some of the items included are privacy screens to be used on tables so voters can sit down; a page magnifier for someone who wants to use a traditional ballot but needs magnification; a set of headphones with adjustable volume; communication cards for deaf and hard of hearing voters; a table lamp for better illumination of the ballot; and a signature template for someone who is blind or has significant vision loss and chooses to register on Election Day.

Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) has partnered with the Secretary of State’s Office to provide organizations an opportunity to learn more about the new accessible voting system in New Hampshire.

The Secretary of State's office has been providing comprehensive training sessions all around the state to educate local election officials and poll workers about the system. The seminars also include disability etiquette information and suggestions about how they can respectfully assist all people with disabilities.

GSIL’s staff is available to present more information to groups about the voting accessibility and how it will provide the opportunity for individuals with all abilities to vote independently.

Crotched Mountain attempts to set record while raising money for the disabled

AskLisa — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:20:00 GMT

On Saturday, March 15th from 10:00am - 3:00pm Crotched Mountain Ski & Ride will attempt to establish the record for most starts on a NASTAR race course in a single day. NASTAR is an open race format that welcomes all ages and ability levels.

A discounted entry fee of $5.00 will get unlimited runs on the NASTAR race course. The mountain will be holding a fundraiser during the race to benefit CMARS- the Crotched Mountain Adaptive Ride & Ski program. All donations will be used to purchase new equipment for the program.

CMARS is a non-profit program and an affiliate of AbilityPLUS. The program provides ski and snowboard lessons for students experiencing a range of disabilities. All lessons are taught by trained volunteer instructors. For more information on lessons, reservations or getting involved as a volunteer, visit online http://www.crotchedmountain.com/adaptive.html or contact the program at 588-3668 ext.229 or adaptive@crotchedmountain.com

Whether you want to support a great program that benefits people with disabilities, are a seasoned racer looking to set a new course record, have always wanted to run gates but need an excuse or are just looking for a chance to one-up your friends… here’s your opportunity. Get out and enjoy the snow.