SILC NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2015Sharing Information Loud and Clear

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

The momentum of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continues as the Independent Living Centers (ILCs) and State Independent Living Council (SILC) work to make independence a reality for Californians with disabilities. Whether it’s meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C. or supporting the Youth Leadership Forum or helping students with disabilities succeed in school, the SILC and ILCs are actively addressing barriers to independent living.

This edition of Sharing Information Loud and Clear shines a spotlight on the many ways the SILC and ILCs improve services and programs to equip Californians with disabilities to live and work independently. The articles include:

SILC Members Sharing Information Loud and Clear on Capitol Hill Independent Living Centers and Students with Disabilities Team Up to Pave the Way to

School Success ILCs Open Doors to Independence for Californians with Spinal Cord Injuries Planning the Future of Independent Living at the SILC’s Quarterly Meeting Sharing Aspirations, Needs and Dreams to Shape the A.N.D. Plan and 2017-2019 SPIL Living the ADA at the 2015 Youth Leadership Forum Luncheon

Your recommendations are always welcome for future articles in Sharing Information Loud and Clear. Please join the SILC in sharing this edition with your friends, family and colleagues, and don’t forget to encourage everyone you meet to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Sincerely,

Ben JaureguiChair, SILC                                                 

SILC MEMBERS SHARING INFORMATION LOUD AND CLEAR ON CAPITOL HILL

State Independent Living Council (SILC) Executive Director Liz Pazdral was joined by SILC Members Joseph Cody, Fiona Hinze and others at the National Council on Independent Living’s (NCIL) 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living in Washington, D. C. in July. Participants at the record-breaking event took part in workshops and panels, and more than 1,000 disability advocates marched to the Capitol, culminating in a rally and visits with legislators. During those visits, Hinze had the opportunity to speak with Senator Barbara Boxer about issues impacting people with disabilities.

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Photo: SILC Member Fiona Hinze’s Visit with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer in Washington, D.C.

Photo Collage: Participants at the NCIL 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living and March to the Capitol and the Road to Freedom Bus

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Pazdral participated in a workshop on intergenerational bias that covered specific training on diversifying SILCs to engage multiple generations. She also served on an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) panel to discuss the future and sustainability of the program and share what is happening with California’s ADRCs.

Ted Jackson, Statewide Community Organizer with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers received NCIL’s Regional Advocacy Award for Region 10.

Photo Collage: First Photo L-R: Ted Jackson Accepting the NCIL Regional Advocacy Award, Sheri Burns,

Executive Director of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center and Region 9 representative on NCIL’s Board, and Allie Cannington, NCIL’s Youth Transitions Fellow and a California Youth

Leadership Forum Alumna; Second Photo L-R: Sheri Burns and Ted Jackson

Sheri Burns, former SILC Member and Executive Director of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center in San Jose, was re-elected to represent Region 9 on NCIL’s Governing Board. And former SILC Member Jessie Lorenz, Executive Director of the Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco, was elected to the one-year Member-at-Large position on the NCIL Governing Board.

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Photo: Speakers at the NCIL 2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living Rally at the Capitol in Front of a Banner with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote: “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat

to Justice Everywhere.”

INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TEAM UP TO PAVE THE WAY TO SCHOOL SUCCESS

Amid the frenzy of school shopping and signing up for classes and activities, students with disabilities and their families are joining forces with California Independent Living Centers, such as Community Access Center (CAC) in Riverside, to ensure students receive everything they need for their academic success. CAC offers students of all ages individualized programs and support services for tackling the hurdles that interfere with learning and ultimate independence.

“Our mission is to empower persons with disabilities to control their own lives and achieve complete social, economic and political integration,” explained CAC Programs Director Faustino Alvarez. “By supporting young people early on, we help pave the way to their independence as adults.”

CAC starts to pave the way by representing parents on their children’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans to ensure specific needs are met in school for accommodations, modifications and other services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision therapy and assistive technology. While in school, CAC staff continually advocates for students to remain in school and interfaces with the Department of Rehabilitation . CAC also works closely with the Inland Regional Center (IRC), which serves individuals with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including in-home behavioral interventions for families.

As students near graduation, CAC works with them on completing college and financial aid applications and assists with job searches. And when students move from one school to another or from high school to college, CAC staff is available to facilitate those transitions.

“We attend transition meetings at new schools with parents and encourage them to talk to their children about what to expect and help them meet new friends,” said Alvarez. “This is

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particularly important for children who do not deal well with change. And we accompany college students to their campuses and introduce them to programs and services for students with disabilities.”

When asked about what could be improved for students with disabilities, Alvarez highlighted the growing demand for skilled individuals who can effectively collaborate with one another and partner with the students for a successful educational outcome. He also cited the length of time students must spend on buses to be transported to other locations for special education classes.

“Our team wears many hats to make certain someone is always available to partner with each child to ensure she or he is heard and receives appropriate assistance,” concluded Alvarez. “I’ve witnessed so many successes with the students we’ve served. Personally, I live for the work I do.”

“California Independent Living Centers offer a variety of resources for students,” noted California State Independent Living Council Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “Preparing children with disabilities to live independently is one of their top priorities.”

ILCs OPEN DOORS TO INDEPENDENCE FOR CALIFORNIANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES

With nearly 300,000 Americans living with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and the number of new SCIs estimated to reach 12,500 annually, the role of Independent Living Centers (ILCs) like Southern California Resource Services for Independent Living (SCRS-IL) is increasingly important. SCRS-IL is one of 28 ILCs in California opening doors to independence for individuals with SCIs by providing a range of programs and services, notably assistive technology services and education.

“In serving people with SCIs, staff members reflect our philosophy of supporting persons with disabilities to transform their lives by making their own choices on how they live, work and participate in their communities,” noted Interim SCRS-IL’s Executive Director Mario Galdamez. “The programs and services we offer are designed to educate and increase the skill levels of individuals living with disabilities.”

Through assistive technology (AT) services, SCRS-IL offers individuals with SCIs the opportunity to access technology as one means to living independently. AT includes a broad range of devices such as scooters and wheelchairs, remote controls, accessible keyboards and communication devices or more complex items such as durable medical equipment and home modifications. When combined with training, individuals learn how to use the equipment and become more self-sufficient.

SCRS-IL also conducts monthly disability-related presentations and workshops, tailored for SCIs at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) in Downey, CA. One such workshop is the drum circle, designed to enhance brain activity for spinal cord repair and improve sensations and movement for individuals with SCIs. By partnering with Rancho’s occupational and physical therapy staff, SCRS-IL can increase the level of resources and services provided to individuals with SCIs and their families. Additionally, SCRS-IL participates in Rancho’s annual Spinal Injury Games that provide individuals with SCIs an opportunity to engage in a variety of wheelchair sports.

“One of our consumers, who is participating in this year’s Spinal Injury Games in October, came to us in 2013,” said Ignacio Gonzalez, SCRS-IL’s Service Coordinator/Independent Living

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Advocate. “He sought help from us on his application process for the position of Wellness Ally at Rancho, where he actively participated in rehab programs and the SCI support group for men. We helped him develop a résumé and personal reference page, which contributed to his landing the job. He has mentioned that both SCRS-IL and Rancho are ‘amazing’ and have ‘changed his life.’”

In addition to the above programs and services, SCRS-IL continues tackling the obstacles of a lack of funding for equipment and devices as well as inaccessible and unaffordable housing. SCRS-IL is breaking down barriers to Independent Living by creating a documentary film to educate stakeholders on the critical need to prioritize accessible sidewalks and curb cuts in several neighborhoods of Los Angeles County. Additionally, SCRS-IL supported the inclusion of Hector Ochoa as a new commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities who will be the leading voice in advocating for all persons with disabilities, not limited to the SCRS-IL catchment area.  “The SCI services provided by SCRS-IL is one example of the type of work being done to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities,” concluded California State Independent Living Council Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “By understanding and addressing the unique realities of individuals living with SCIs, ILCs are well prepared to increase opportunities for living independently.”

PLANNING THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING AT THE SILC’S QUARTERLY MEETING

The California State Independent Living Council’s (SILC) quarterly meeting was held on September 15-16 in Concord, California. In addition to time reserved for public comments, the meeting included committee and agency updates, presentations by various stakeholders and panel discussions on the 2017-2019 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) and supporting Aspirations, Needs and Dreams Plan (A.N.D. Plan).

The Communication and Collaboration Committee reviewed and approved the public affairs calendar themes through June 30, 2016, and the state legislative agenda, which concentrated on 13 bills impacting the state’s Olmstead Plan and SILC’s mission.

The SPIL Committee voted to accept the Quality of Life Survey for the transition from medical institutions programs in the state. The A.N.D. Plan process started with focus groups and stakeholder meetings, including representatives from native populations, veterans, youth and the Central Valley. Two additional events will be held for stakeholders from Northern and Southern California as well as interviews with Independent Living (IL) directors during the summit in Burbank. The SPIL must be approved by 51 percent of all California IL directors.

Galen Ellis, President of Ellis Planning Associates Inc., and Edward Kako, Senior Associate of Mission Analytics Group, Inc. provided an update on the A.N.D. Plan. They discussed the ILCs and groups across the state needing additional services and resources based on existing data. The consultants will include data from surveys of the ILC directors and members of the IL network as well as Native populations and youth.

Ellis gave an overview of the focus groups research to date indicating employment, housing and transportation were the core issues raised. Other concerns included the need for and importance of advocacy, particularly in schools; the isolation of Native populations, especially in rural areas; the importance of hearing veterans’ stories and coordinating the IL network with Veterans Administration services; and the importance of youth participation at ILCs.

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The first day concluded with a stakeholder meeting for individuals interested in IL to garner input for the A.N.D. Plan. The stakeholders also were asked about valuable programs and services that have been lost in their communities or are not being provided.

Wednesday’s meeting began with a mentee/mentor “PIE With Breakfast” led by SILC Member Ben Jauregui to Prepare, Inform and Engage Council Members in sharing information, teambuilding and fun activities.

Following the breakfast, Mayor Tim Grayson welcomed the group to Concord and noted that IL encompasses all ages and conditions – far more than just the aging community.

Photo: Concord Mayor Tim Grayson

The meeting continued with a dialog on various changes in regulations led by Elizabeth Akinola, Independent Living Program Specialist, Independent Living Administration, Administration for Community Living. She discussed the new SPIL templates and major changes in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and various sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that will affect the development of SPILs.

At the request of SILC Vice Chair Linda Schaedle, Jay Harris, Chief, Independent Living and Assistive Technology, California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), provided an overview of the data collection systems at California ILCs. The Department of Rehabilitation does not require the ILCs to use any specific system, provided they can report the data in the required format.

Next on the agenda was Independent Living Resources of Solano and Contra Costa Counties’ (ILR) Assistive Technology and Advocacy Team who talked about IL and assistive technology. The team included Executive Director Susan Rotchy, Assistive Technology Specialist Eddie Lopez and Independent Living Specialists Danielle Roundtree and Michael Hopfe.

The afternoon session included reports by representatives from state agencies on program and regulatory changes and budget implications for the disability community.

Following the agency updates, SILC Members and staff shared their experiences at various meetings and conferences attended since the last quarterly meeting.

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Yvonne Walden, SILC ADRC Grants Project Manager, recapped where the SILC is with the ADRC grants, noting that funding ends September 29 with reporting to conclude by December 29.

The day ended with comments and suggestions from SILC Members and staff. The next quarterly meeting will be held on December 3-4 in Laguna Hills, California. Check the Meeting Notices section of SILC’s website at www.calsilc.org for updates and information.

SHARING ASPIRATIONS, NEEDS AND DREAMS TO SHAPE THE A.N.D. PLAN AND 2017-2019 SPIL

The California State Independent Living Council (SILC) is working with stakeholders and the public to gather testimony and data for the Aspirations, Needs and Dreams Plan (A.N.D. Plan), which will inform the development of the 2017-2019 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

The following focus groups, stakeholder events, meetings and interviews were held during September to support the effort:

Sept. 2: Native Populations Telephone Focus Group Sept. 10: Central Valley Telephone Stakeholder Event Sept. 10: Veterans Focus Group at Central Coast for Independent Living Sept. 11: Youth Telephone Focus Group Sept. 15: SPIL Committee at SILC Sept. 15: Northern California Stakeholder Event in Concord Sept. 22: Independent Living Summit Burbank: Independent Living Director Interviews Sept. 22: Southern California Stakeholder Event in Van Nuys

In October, the SPIL Committee will conduct semi-monthly telephone meetings that will be open to the public. This is your opportunity to work with us to ensure comprehensive services for Californians with disabilities are delivered effectively by the state’s network of IndependentLiving Centers.

To join the SPIL team or for more information, contact SILC Executive Director Liz Pazdral, liz@calsilc.org, voice: 916-445-0142, toll-free: (866) 866-7452, TTY (toll-free): (866) 745-2889 or visit SILC’s website http://www.calsilc.org/meetings.html.

LIVING THE ADA AT THE 2015 YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM LUNCHEON

The Sacramento Convention Center was rocking with enthusiasm as the public joined Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) Delegates to celebrate their week-long achievements. This year’s Luncheon focused on the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and featured keynote speakers Katie Estrella and Jacob Lesner-Buxton, both YLF alumni.

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Photo: SILC Member Michael Agyin Pointing to ADA25 Sign

The YLF is an annual five-day leadership program in Sacramento providing information and resources about employment, education, independence and assistive technology for high school juniors and seniors with a disability. Delegates have the opportunity to connect with students their own age as well as staff with various disabilities. The California State Independent Living Council was one of the major government partners for this year’s YLF Luncheon.

Photo Collage: SILC Members Michael Agyin (top left) and Eli Gelardin (top right); the YLF Spirit Squad Leading Cheers at the 2015 YLF Luncheon (bottom)

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JOIN THE SILC MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED PHOTOS AND SELFIES FOR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Photo Collage: Facebook Posts with SILC Members

THANKS to our 1,331 Facebook friends and 105 Twitter followers and those who have sent photos to the SILC for our Facebook page. Please keep the photos and selfies coming and invite your friends to “like” and “follow” us, too! Oh, and don’t forget to share our Facebook posts and retweet our tweets! #calSILC

The California State Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent state agency which, in cooperation with the California Department of Rehabilitation, prepares and monitors the State

Plan for Independent Living.

The SILC Mission: To Create Policy and System Change for Independent Living

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