RCIL Leading On!

2003 . Issue 1 . Winter
The Voice of Independent Living in the Rochester Area

In this issue:

• From the Director
• New Staff/New Programs
• IL Skills Courses
• NYS Priority Agenda
• Upcoming Events
• RCIL Community
• YELL! News

RCIL's newsletter title commemorates the final words of disability rights leader, Justin Dart, who wrote "I am with you always. Lead on! Lead on!" Dart is best known for his work in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

RCIL Gets a Ramp on the Nunda Library

We've all seen it happen: an organization that has the "right idea", and pursues making their facilities accessible to wheelchair users - only to have their efforts halted by the "powers that be" - in this case, an Historical Preservation Board.

Such was the case with the Nunda Library, which had received a grant to make the building architecturally accessible in the summer of 2002. RCIL got a call from them after they had applied for permits to proceed with the work, and discovered the New York State Historical Preservation Board had rejected their plans.

"They had a limited budget," said RCIL Accessibility Services Coordinator, Fred Dievendorf, "and the budget didn't allow for help going through the process, and dealing with our society's systems that, often unintentionally, set up impediments."

The plans for the library called for the ramp to encroach onto the "front setback," or the front corner of the building. Dievendorf was able to provide supporting information from the letter of the law - the ADA - to the Board to show why this was necessary. He acted as liaison between the Library and the Board, and by knowing procedures and systems, was able to get the plans for the simple, attractive ramp approved for the building's accessible entrance.

Giving all Americans the means to enter public places through the front door is important work, and in support of the rights of Americans with disabilities to equal access in our society.

"It's what we do," said Dievendorf, "and I'm glad we could help."

Thanks to RCIL, this attractive ramp serves the citizens of Nunda today.

RCIL Holds Annual Meeting at Southview Towers;
New Board Members Elected

RCIL held its 2002 membership meeting on Saturday, December 14, at 500 South Avenue. The 101 members of RCIL were invited, and, additionally, a general invitation was extended to RCIL consumers and friends, and the residents of Southview Towers. Many visitors attended.

Board President Nancy Salzer was absent due to illness, and Vice President Sherry Shaw chaired the meeting. Reports were presented by RCIL's executive director, officers and board committees chairpersons.

In the 2002 election, Nancy Salzer was elected to her second term as RCIL president, and Cathy Alfieri was elected as Secretary. Newly elected board members were: Valerie Borum, David Gross and Dorothy Herndon. Re-elected to board seats were Teresa Carroll and Nancy Salzer.

At its January, 2003, meeting, the RCIL Board of Directors voted to appoint Diana Williams to fill a vacancy.

The following is a summary list of your 2002-2003 RCIL Board of Directors:

• Cathy Alfieri, Secretary
• Marilyn Auerbach
• John Bouchard
• Linzi Burns, Treasurer
• Teresa Carroll
• Cathy Donnelly
• Nancy Salzer, President
• Sherry Shaw, Vice president
• Diana Williams
• Mary Wilson.

Your Board of Directors

By Nancy J. Salzer, RCIL Board President

This newsletter issue contains news of RCIL's annual meeting and elections for the Board of Directors. I want to express my thanks to our new board members for their willingness to serve, and to thank former board members who have served over the past year: Matt Starr, Brenda Paine, Dan Sulimowicz, and Deb Anderson. We owe special thanks to Matt Starr for his six years of service on our Board and three years as Treasurer.

Members of the RCIL Board of Directors are legally responsible for the financial and program health of our organization. But equally important is our role as individuals who are elected by the membership to set the policies which govern RCIL.

While RCIL's staff does the actual work of RCIL, providing services and individual and systems advocacy aimed at making life better for people with disabilities, the Board of Directors has a different function. This January, our Board held a training session at which the following board functions were outlined and discussed: Board members determine the mission and purposes of RCIL, hire and assess the executive director, ensure effective planning in order to put the mission into action, monitor the quality of programs and services, ensure that the organization has adequate resources and that those resources are used effectively, and enhance the organization's standing in the community at large.

Board members do not get involved in day to day operations, but we do set the general goals. Our job is to provide direction, advice and support to Todd Eggert as our Executive Director, as he puts plans into action to meet those goals.

In this, there is a role for YOU, as an RCIL member and as a concerned community member. The Board has several committees through which we work: Personnel, Finance, Public Relations and Development, Issues and Advocacy, Program, Strategic Planning, and Membership/Nominating. RCIL members, and individuals from the community at large, are always welcome to serve on these committees or other ad hoc committees that are formed from time to time. Please call RCIL if you want to talk about joining one of our committees.

RCIL is your Center, and you are encouraged to get involved.

Members of the Board. Above, beginning in foreground, and continuing clockwise: Diana Williams (back to camera), John Bouchard, Teresa Carroll, Sherry Shaw, interpreter, Linzi Burns, and Cathy Donnelly; not pictured: Nancy Salzer, Mary Wilson, Marilyn Auerbach, and Cathy Alfieri.

As I see it!

By Todd E. Eggert, Executive Director

Some of the Governor's proposed budget cuts which will negatively impact people with disabilities are detailed in this newsletter, in the NYS Priority Agenda. With respect to these cuts, I am reminded of a historical saying which, to paraphrase, says: Seldom have so few done so much for so many on so little!

New York's 37 Independent Living Centers serve thousands of individuals with all types of disabilities with a broad array of community supports and enabling services which are largely provided by other individuals with disabilities. This peer support relationship is one of the more unique characteristics of Independent Living. Whether its assisting an individual to leave an institution and begin residing in a community-based setting or helping him/her learn to manage his/her own affairs through the independent use of mainstream community services such as transportation, shopping, banking, libraries, etc., Independent Living Centers have a positive impact on our State's economy. Greater personal independence naturally leads to and results in lesser governmental dependence.

A second issue which causes me even greater distress than RCIL's funding is the newly announced open ended delay in the implementation of the Medicaid Buy-in legislation which was supposed to be available to consumers with disabilities on April 1, 2003. Although not a strictly budgetary issue, this is yet another attack, in a series of attacks, on people with disabilities by the governor, seemingly without conscience. Some of the Executive Budget's proposed cuts have included those to state agencies and private not-for-profit organizations that do business with them; to propose a budget that affects public funding of services is one thing; to propose one that impacts people who are not only disabled, but who live well below the poverty level is unconscionable and unforgivable. For people with disabilities who fought for this issue, and then who waited with great anticipation for this program, the delay is inexcusable; and to blame this delay on 'computers' is a feeble excuse that speaks volumes about New York State's Executive's attitude toward people with disabilities. The Medicaid Buy-in delay has the effect of balancing the budget at the expense of our poorest New Yorkers. What possible budgetary value can there be in delaying this program when measured against the opportunity to enable an initial 20,000 taxpayers to enter the workforce? The New York State Legislature must not let the Administration renege on this program.

There is one final issue that I need to mention because it not only causes me serious concerns as a professional in the disability services arena, but results in a great deal of personal anger. It's the Governor's proposal to withhold the Federal cost of living adjustment (COLA) for New York's 600,000+ recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits; another unconscionable attack on individuals with disabilities who constitute a significant measure of our State's poorest and most vulnerable citizens. The SSI COLA is only $13 a month per recipient, but when your total monthly income is only $639, that $13 truly makes a difference, particularly in light of the basic subsistence costs that will doubtlessly escalate. The Assembly and Senate must turn back this malicious assault on New York's SSI recipients by rejecting this proposal.

(Excerpted from testimony presented at the Assembly Majority's Rochester Hearing on the Governor's proposed budget at City Council Chamber, March 14, 2003.)

Numbers to keep handy . . .

• City of Rochester "Special Attention" Hotline:
  585-428-6955; 585-647-1598 tty
  Problems with snow removal? Construction or other environmental impediments within the City of Rochester? RCIL set up the above number with the City's Department of Environmental Services. Give them call.
  
• RTS VP of Operations, Paul Holahan:
  585-654-0266
  Are RTS bus drivers upholding their responsibilities under the ADA? If you use a wheelchair, are you being tied down correctly? Are the drivers calling out the bus stops, for riders who are blind or visually impaired? Call the number above if you have concerns!
  
• Liftline, Debbie Himmelsbach:
  585-426-3520 X 222
  Direct any of your concerns regarding Liftline service to the above number!

Welcome to New Staff . . .
Bernice, Mary Jo, and Linda!

Independent Living
Skills Training

By now, many of you may know
Bernice Bird, whose independent
living skills training classes began in
late 2002, and have met with rave reviews.
As our Independent Living Skills Trainer,
Bernice works one-on-one with consumers,
or in small group sessions. She has a
Bachelor's degree in special education
and a Master's degree in education.
Additionally, she has seven years of
experience teaching over 40 topic
areas related to independent living.

Some of the subjects that her course offerings covered are:

• assertiveness training
• nutrition
• shopping
• money management
• self concept building
• anger and disability
• awareness of disabilities other than your own
• grooming
• using community resources
• practical reading.

Her latest course offerings appear on the following page, and are also listed on the Community Calendar.

A New Face for the TRAID Center

Mary Jo Conrad-Reingold is RCIL's new coordinator for the Genesee-Finger Lakes TRAID Program (Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities). She is a licensed occupational therapist with a strong commitment to advocacy, and was happy with some of the work she discovered was being done by RCIL when she began work here. "RCIL is tackling a lot more systems change issues than I ever knew. I've also been impressed that a number of the staff not only teach about or help on advocacy issues, but also live them, and are truly concerned with them."

Mary Jo began her work in December with moving the TRAID center, in keeping with RCIL's vision that TRAID be integral to the programs at the CIL. She feels it is now better to have TRAID in the RCIL offices, where people resources and referrals can be more readily shared.

TRAID's Loan Closet includes items such as accessible toys and early intervention equipment, personal care items such as commode chairs, reachers and grabbers, and technology items such as computers.

Some of Mary Jo's plans for the future are to strengthen networking within the community, and to develop a digital photograph catalog of TRAID items for loan, that can be accessed via the internet. Mary Jo would like to have people with experience with Loan Closets, or constructive comments on our program, to schedule an appointment and come in and meet with her. "We're always seeking alliances with other organizations," says Mary Jo. "If anyone knows of an agency that would like to share a loan closet, let me know."

Additionally, Mary Jo would like to meet with anyone wishing to borrow or loan something, or anyone who would like to return something previously borrowed, no matter how long ago it was. Mary Jo can be reached at 442-6470, x 602.

Introducing The Spina Bifida Resource Center

RCIL welcomes Linda J. Burdett as the Manager of the new Spina Bifida Resource Center (SBRC) at RCIL. The SBRC is funded by a grant from the Family Consumer Council of the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office.

Linda's enthusiasm for the new Resource Center is evident. "There's so little out there that's available for individuals with spina bifida and their families," she says. "We want to grow this program as big as it needs to be."

SBRC is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals with spina bifida and their families, especially those living in the Finger Lakes and Western New York Region of New York State. Linda will be providing educational materials and programs, support services and advocacy, and will facilitate collaborative efforts to assist individuals with spina bifida and their families.

Expect the following new resource materials from SBRC:

• A guide for parents of infants and toddlers with spina bifida, and a separate guide for parents and teachers of children with spina bifida.
• A transitioning guide for teens.
• A packet of materials on spina bifida, translated into Spanish.
• A web site up-and-running by December, 2003.

SBRC will be able to provide workshops and presentations, advocacy and assistance with the IEP process, and a regional conference in the coming year. Stay tuned!

Announcing: Benefit Days at RCIL and The Advocacy Center!

How many times have you just wished someone could answer a simple question about how much you can earn without losing your benefits? If you want answers to your questions about SSDI, SSI, Foodstamps, Medicaid, or Housing subsidy, visit RCIL (1641 East Avenue, Rochester) or The Advocacy Center (590 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620)!

WHEN:
The last Wednesday of every month (March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25), from 10 am to 4 pm. ASL fluent staff available at RCIL.

Call ahead for appointments on other days and times!
RCIL: 585-442-6470 v/tty
The Advocacy Center: 585-546-1700, ext. 266

ANYONE INTERESTED in ticketing cars illegally parked in handicapped parking spots?? Is this an issue for you? The RCIL Committee on Issues and Advocacy (CIA) is seeking community input . . . please call Fred at 442-4670 ext 622

Upcoming Independent Living Skills Training courses with Bernice Bird

Call the RCIL receptionist to register, 442-6470 v/tty. You must sign up to reserve your space; and remember, space is limited, so sign up today!

• Study Group- Learning from Authors with Disabilities
  10 sessions of 2 hours each; Mondays from 5:00 to 7:00.
  Dates: April 21, and 28, May 5, 12, and 19, and June 2, 9, 16 and 23.
  Join us to study a number of disabled authors' works. Do these authors have a special message for us as people with disabilities? Humor, empathy, strength, personal philosophy, independence, and determination are some of the components we will discuss with each other.
  
• Taking Control
  8 sessions of 2 hours each, Thursdays from 11:00 to 1:00.
  Dates: May 8, 15, 22, and 29, and June 5, 12, 19, and 26.
  No one can be independent for you. You are ABLE to take control by increasing your skills in the following areas: goal setting, decision making, problem solving, networking, believing that you can be responsible, and that you have the ability to follow through. The philosophy of RCIL includes the concept that you can take control of your life if that is what you choose to do. If you want to explore these issues, come and participate in this group to discuss these subjects.

TRAID Thanks Loomis Insurance for Donation

The Staff and Membership of the RCIL\GFL TRAID Project wish to express their gratitude to the People of Loomis & Co., Inc., 733 Linden Avenue, Rochester, NY 14625. Their gracious donation of six Computer CPUs, a monitor and three keyboards have made it possible for more people in our community to cross the digital divide.
The hardware donated by Loomis & Co. will be loaned indefinitely to those persons that can be successfully matched with the systems into which they are integrated. Donations such as this go a long way towards helping people in our community to learn, grow and share information.

RCIL Community Calendar

Standing meetings each month:

• 1st Friday of every month, 12 to 2 pm: Committee on Issues and Advocacy (CIA) meets at RCIL for pizza and discussion. Everyone welcome! For more info, contact Lisa Hoffman,
  442-6470, X 617.
  
• 1st Wednesday of each month, 3 to 5 pm: Cross Disability Support Group meets at RCIL. Everyone welcome! We meet to discuss a variety of topics! For more info, contact Jeff Lewis at 442-6470, X 619.
  
• 3rd Wednesday of each month, 3:30 to 4:30 pm: Public Relations and Development Committee meets at RCIL. If you have expertise or interest in getting publicity for disability rights issues or RCIL, or fundraising, we want you to join us! For more info, contact Jean Penner at 442-6470, X 623.
  
• 3rd Wednesday of each month, 5 to 7 pm: meeting of the RCIL Board of Directors at RCIL.
  
• 2nd Friday of each month, 1 to 3 pm: meeting of the RCIL Program Committee, at RCIL. If you'd like to be a part of this committee, join us! For more info, contact Michele Olyer at 442-6470, X 607.
  

RCIL Upcoming Events!!

• March 22, Saturday
  YELL! Rochester community activity TBA (afternoon)
  
• April 4th, Friday
  Noon - 2 pm: The Honorable Stephanie Aldersley, Democratic leader in the Monroe County Legislature, will speak at the CIA meeting at RCIL. Pizza will be served. Please RSVP to Lisa at
  442-6470, X 617 if you wish to attend!
  
• April 5th, Saturday
  YELL! Chat meeting at RCIL; 1-4 pm; group will view a videotape on the independent living movement
  
• April 21, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• April 26, Saturday
  YELL! Rochester community activity TBA (afternoon)
  
• April 28, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• May 2, Friday night
  Disability Community Event: RCIL's Annual Awards banquet at the Crowne Plaza, with guest speaker Andrew Imparato of the American Association of people with Disabilities (AAPD). Stay tuned for your invitation and more details!
  
• May 5, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• May 8, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• May 12, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• May 15, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• May 17 Saturday
  YELL! attends the Rochester Lilac Festival; 1-4 pm
  
• May 19, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• May 22, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• May 29, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• June 2, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• June 5, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• June 7 Saturday
  YELL! Outing at Honeoye Lake; all afternoon
  
• June 9, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• June 12, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• June 16, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• June 19, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• June 23, Monday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Learning from Authors with Disabilities"; 5 to 7 pm
  
• June 26, Thursday
  IL Skills Series at RCIL: "Taking Control"; 11 am to 1 pm
  
• July 11, Friday, to July 13, Sunday
  YELL! Niagara Falls/Marineland trip
  
• July 26, Saturday
  Disability Community Event: RCIL ADA Commemoration Community Picnic, all afternoon, at Charlotte Beach. Come for food, fun, and ADA Compliance Victory Awards! Stay tuned for your invitation and more details!
  

If you have any questions about the RCIL Community Calendar, call Jean Penner at 442-6470, X623.

Disability Action Priority Agenda

"Using the federal COLA for disabled SSI recipients to plug holes in the state budget is heinous."

The following is the statewide PRIORITY AGENDA for New York State's 37 Independent Living Centers (ILC's), released in mid-February. These issues will form the core of RCIL's disability rights advocacy initiatives for the coming year. For information on how YOU can become an active participant in our Statewide Systems Advocacy Network, or for answers to questions on these issues, contact Lisa Helen Hoffman at:
585-442-6470 v/tty, ext. 617 today!

Part I: Reaction to the Executive Budget

ILC State Appropriation

• Restore the $1.2 million legislative add to the ILC state appropriation.
• Provide an additional $1 million dollars to the ILC state appropriation to offset the increased cost of operation over the last three years per NYS DOE Department Request.
• Convert the increase to the IL state appropriation into a "recurring add" in future years.

Failure to provide a $2.2 million dollar increase to the IL state appropriation will result in a $61,500 cut to each center (i.e., $33,500 restoration of add, $28,000 additional increase). This will set off a "ripple effect" that will have a serious impact on center operations. Each center will have to eliminate 2-3 staff. Since ILC's are consumer-controlled organizations, more than 50% of the staff are people with disabilities.

The loss of staff will greatly affect the service capacity of centers during a time when more people will be seeking alternative services as a result of cuts to a variety of programs. ILC's are a likely point of contact because it offers a wide range of services to people of all disabilities and ages. The statewide network served over 59,000 people last year. The elimination of over 90 staff will reduce the network's service capacity by 24%. This means that 14,040 of New Yorkers with disabilities will not be served.

STOP the Proposed SSI COLA Raid

• Restore the $25.7 million dollar federal COLA to SSI Recipients.

Using the federal Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) for disabled SSI recipients to plug holes in the state budget is heinous. The over 600,000 New Yorker's on SSI need this modest increase to manage their daily existence. These individuals are within the lowest 20% in income and pay the highest percentage in state and local taxes - 12.6% after federal offset. At the same time, the Governor refuses to close corporate tax loopholes or institute a personal income tax increase on individuals in the upper 20% bracket.

Oppose Health and Home Care Cuts

• Eliminate the non-reimbursable 0.6% assessment on home care provider revenues.
• Restore the Medicaid trend factor that adjusts provider rates for cost of living.
• Restore state aid to counties for optional services.
• Oppose initiation of a new "utilization review" process for high cost & use cases.

All of these proposals make it difficult for the home care industry to provide high quality and consistent services. Some of the Governor's recommendations will challenge the fiscal viability of providers and could end up forcing them to cease operations. Consumers may have no other alternative but to enter a nursing home in the absence of services - a clear violation of the ADA's most integrated setting provisions and the Olmstead U.S. Supreme Court decision. It will leave the state vulnerable to costly and embarrassing litigation.

ILCs like RCIL could see funding and staffing cuts if the Governor's budget recommendations go through.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The statewide network of ILC's oppose the Governor's proposal to move Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living from the Education Department into the Department of Labor (DOL). There are no efficiencies gained from this move. Labor focuses on the needs of the employer, not individuals. DOL also has a huge learning curve when it comes to the needs of people with disabilities - evidenced by the lack of access and services available at one-stop centers and the arbitrary decision to discontinue funding for the New York Works program for mental health service recipients. In addition, ILC's want to see VESID case services avoid an "order of selection." At a minimum, the $2 million dollar legislative add for VESID case services needs to be restored. Any increase should be considered a recurring add in future years. VESID's yearly caseload grew by almost 6% per year over the last four years. During this same time period, the average cost per consumer served has risen by 4.5%. Funding is needed to sustain services to all eligible consumers. Without appropriate resources, VESID will have to adopt an "order of selection" that will prioritize services to people with the most significant disabilities. Many New Yorkers with disabilities will be closed out of vital services that are needed to obtain employment.

Part II: Keeping Commitments

Most-Integrated Setting Law

The Governor signed the bill into law on September 17, 2002with minor technical amendments. The Governor has since inserted the technical amendments in this FY 2003-04 Article VII Budget Bill with language that weakens the act. This is an act of "bad faith." The language must return to the original agreement. Further, the Most-Integrated Setting Coordinating Council members must be appointed so that they can start their public meeting process and develop New York's comprehensive Olmstead implementation plan.

Medicaid Buy-In

Agreement was reached on a Medicaid Buy-In for New Yorkers with disabilities in the health budget deal struck in January 2002. The buy-in is scheduled for implementation in April of 2003. People with disabilities want to know specific details about the program, especially how to enroll and participate.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

Advocates worked hard to see that HAVA was passed at the national level with appropriate resources and provisions that will mandate accessibility at every polling site in the state. New York must be proactive in its implementation of this new federal law to make sure that it doesn't misuse funds and/or waste this opportunity to implement effective and lasting election reform. The state must appoint at least three members to the HAVA state advisory board and contract with consumer-controlled, impartial providers who will verify the accessibility of polling places on a statewide basis like ILC's.

Part III: Making New York Work Better

Adopt a Medicaid Waiver

Instead of the draconian cuts proposed for health and home care, New York State can adopt a Medicaid waiver for people with disabilities and seniors. The state has saved significant dollars through its existing waiver programs. For example, the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver program saves Medicaid over sixteen hundred dollars per person per month. A Medicaid waiver will allow an individual to live in the community with appropriate support services, as opposed to the expensive cost of institutional care. At a minimum, the program is set up to be "cost-neutral" on an aggregate basis. If just 1% (1,300 people) of the current nursing home population was transitioned back into the community each year through a waiver program, it would save New York $152 million over five years. The counties would save on their share as well. As an added incentive, the five-year cycle would coincide with a new initiative announced by the Bush Administration. The Federal "Money Follows the Individual" initiative would pay the full cost of home and community-based waiver services for one year for individuals who transition out of institutions. After one year, the state would agree to continue care at the regular Medicaid matching rate. If funded, the total state savings would increase to over $304 million dollars during the five-year cycle. In this time of fiscal responsibility, how can our state leaders afford not to enact a waiver program for people with disabilities and seniors? One of New York's "solutions" to Medicaid is simple. Let the money follow the individual. Let the Governor follow the President.

Enact State ADA Reform

Inconsistent decisions made by federal courts have increased the need to enact state Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reform within New York State Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations, government entities and services, and sovereign immunity. It will end needless confusion and reinstate rights vital to New Yorkers with disabilities.

RCIL Community

American Council of the Blind Supports Complaint Against Audiovox Communications Corp. and Verizon Wireless

On February 21, 2003, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), an organization representing tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired people from across the United States, supported a blind citizen, Dr. Bonnie O'Day, of Alexandria, Va., in filing a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission against Audiovox Communications Corporation and Verizon Wireless, Inc. The complaint states that both have failed to make their wireless telephones and services accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired.

Dr. O'Day's filing is the first formal complaint to be submitted to the FCC to enforce the rights provided under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This provision requires that telecommunications equipment and services be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, if readily achievable.

"My complaint started out as an informal complaint which I filed with the FCC in June of 2001," explains O'Day. "When I began shopping for a cellular phone in December of 2000, I went from store to store looking for a phone that would meet my needs. I finally settled on the Audiovox CDM9000 as 'the best of the worst.' But I found that many features of the phone were very difficult to use because most of the information I needed even or minimal access to the phone's features, such as caller ID and one-touch dialing, was delivered via a visual display which is totally inaccessible to me as a person who cannot read the phone's screen."

O'Day explains that she contacted both Audiovox and Verizon Wireless by letter, and that neither company could offer her the hope of any remedy for these difficulties. In fact, each participated in a "blaming game," implying that what O'Day requested couldn't be done. "And," O'Day says, "each one said, even if it could be done, it was the responsibility of the other party."

O'Day contacted the American Council of the Blind, and ACB is supporting her in pursuing a remedy for this situation on her behalf as well as for the millions of blind and visually impaired people in the USA who contend with similar difficulties every day.
For more information, go to www.acbradio.org.

Free Tax Preparation

A free tax preparation program, sponsored by Rural Opportunities, St. John Fisher College, and the IRS, offers home appointments to individuals with disabilities or special needs. Spanish translation services are also available upon request. For more information, call 585-340-3707.

WE WANT NOMINATIONS FROM YOU

for the July 26th ADA Commemoration picnic. If you know of a business that is deserving of an ADA Compliance Victory Award - that has gone the distance to ensure equal access for Americans with any type of disability - call Jean Penner at 442-6470, X 623 with your nomination!

Despite the steady snowfall throughout the day, RCIL's New Year's Open House on January 6th, 2003 drew a friendly crowd to the Center. RCIL staff greeted a mix of consumers, disability organization professionals, elected officials (including Joe Robach), Board members, and first-time visitors from the community. Above, Peggy Gorrow, Lorenzo Williams, and William Tubbs enjoy a variety of festive cakes, snacks and beverages.

YELL! (Youth Expressing Life's Limits)

was busy on Valentine's Day, hosting a Bingo party for Monroe Community Hospital residents, and doing some outreach with some of the younger residents. Future additional events at MCH are planned for this dynamic group of young people with disabilities. Some members of YELL! will also be attending the Bruce Springsteen concert in March at the Blue Cross Arena. YELL! is co-sponsored by RCIL and Cerebral Palsy Association, and is fortunate also to have the support of community volunteers Paula Barton and Jim Leary. See the RCIL Calendar of Events in this issue for upcoming events and classes, including YELL! events.

RCIL's Rasheem Broughton, second from left, called Bingo numbers to a packed hall at the Valentine's Day event hosted by YELL!

(Left) YELL! members Rebeka and Molly.


(Below) Sara and Lauren. Rebeka and Lauren are co-founders of the group.)












Caitlin (left) and Amanda (center), YELL! members, joined MCH resident Joy Miller at Bingo.

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