the advocator ~november 2015 advocating for the rights of …€¦ · * resume development *career...
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The Advocator ~NOVEMBER 2015
Advocating for the Rights of People With Disabilities in the
Cape Fear Region
Located at 140 C Cinema Drive Wilmington, NC
910-815-6618 www.drc-cil.org
Hours of Operation Monday—Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday: CLOSED
Serving the counties of~ New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Onslow & Pender
CELEBRATE NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH
Over 50 million Americans are recognized this month. The estimated value of the “free”
services provided by these family members caring for loved ones who are frail, chronically
ill or disabled is conservatively estimated to be $306 billion annually.
Sponsored each year by the National Family Caregivers Association it focuses on the
challenges facing family caregivers. They provide a vast array of emotional, financial,
nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily basis. Family caregiving can ex-
tend for a few years or a lifetime. And it’s time to thank, support, educate and celebrate
family caregivers who are literally America’s primary long-term providers. Eighty percent
of these providers are family or friends.
* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their
friends, or simply relax.
* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s day.
* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the month
of November.
* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-
lopes for their holiday cards.
* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your
favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
WAYS TO CLEBRATE NATIONAL
FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH
* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their
friends, or simply relax.
* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s
day.
* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the
month of November.
* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-
lopes for their holiday cards.
* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your
favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their
friends, or simply relax.
* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s
day.
* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the
month of November.
* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-
lopes for their holiday cards.
* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your
favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
* Find 12 different photos of the caregiver’s family and friends. Have a copy center cre-
ate a 2015 calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments
and events.
* Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so
they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.
* Take a few minutes to write a letter. Encourage your faith community to ask for
prayers not only for those who are ill, but also those who care for them.
* Encourage family caregiver’s to become a part of the National Family Caregiver Story
Project. It’s a great place to not only share but read about others in like situations.
* Help a family caregiver find new educational materials and support through family
caregiving web sites.
Continued….. Ways To Celebrate
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts denied a request from
industry groups who wanted a new rule establishing minimum wage
and overtime protections for home care workers to be delayed. This
has paved the way for an Obama administration rule mandating min-
imum wage and overtime caregivers assisting those with disabilities to
be implemented.
Under the 2013 rule from the U.S. Department of Labor, most home
care workers must be paid at least the federal minimum of $7.25 per
hour and earn time-and-a-half for working more than 40 hours per
week.
Last September, the groups challenging the rule asked the Supreme
Court to postpone implementation of the changes so that they could
further appeal the decision. With Roberts’ order on 10/6, however, the
rule is set to take effect October 13th, 2015.
However, the Labor Department said it will not begin enforcement of
the new rule until November 12, 2015 and will use “prosecutorial dis-
cretion” through the end of the year to assess whether to bring en-
forcement actions based on how much effort states and other relevant
entities have put toward ensuring compliance.
LONG-DELAYED
CAREGIVER WAGE
PROTECTIONS TO
TAKE EFFECT !
Finding reliable disability-related information and resources can be
time consuming. That’s why Disability.gov has developed a series
of14 guides about topics such as disability benefits, housing assis-
tance, job training programs and financial help for families with low
incomes. Other guides cover services that promote independence
for people with disabilities such as home health care, programs for
caregivers, assistive technology and more.
Each guide begins with a series of “quick links” that answer many
frequently asked questions. Disability.gov’s Guides to Information
and Resources also connect you to information about local organi-
zations that offer programs and services that promote the inclu-
sion and full participation of people with disabilities in their com-
munities. To lean more, visit disability.gov.
Disability.gov - Offers
Information Guides on
Disability Benefits,
Programs and Services.
The Recovery Resource Center, Inc. is a safe gathering place
and resource center serving those with mental health and/or
substance use issues as well as their supporters and advo-
cates. They provide free education and empowerment to the
community in a safe, stable and supportive environment.
They are located in the Harrelson Center; 20 N. 4th Street;
suite 420; Wilmington, NC for further information call (910)
769-7064, [email protected]
RECOVERY RESOURCE
CENTER, INC. (RRCI)
HOUSING CRISIS HOTLINE
(910) 444-4998
Out of Darkness Walk – Sunday, November 15 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
at Wrightsville Beach Park. In the United States, a person dies by sui-
cide every 13.3 minutes. Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in the
U.S. among adults 18-65, second leading cause of death among teens
and young adults and individuals over 65 account for 16% of all sui-
cides. If you are interested in participating please contact Louise Rip-
py Lane at (910)471-9393 or by email: [email protected].
Receive 1 on 1 consultation on how you can
potentially reduce the costs of your medica-
tions. You MUST call Dorothy Dale to
make an appointment -(910) 442-6044.
dRC’s PRESCRIPTION
CLINIC
dRC’S
COMPUTER LAB
Monday—Friday
9:00am - 4:00pm
NEED 1 ON 1 ASSISTANCE ?
*For the beginning user to the
Technologically challenged.
* Resume development
*Career Assessment & job searching
*Personalized training in using the web,
Facebook, Twitter & more!
*Demonstration and use of Low Vision
Equipment.
*Demonstration & Use of devices for Hard of
Hearing.
Please Call Teresa Cheney For An
Appointment– Monday - Thursday -
10:00am - 3:00pm
No Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016
Posted on October 15, 2015 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an increase in the benefit amount people receive
each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and SSI federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in
the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s
Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
The CPI has not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment in 2015. As a result, your SSI benefit rate and,
for most people, your Social Security benefit amount will stay the same in 2016.
This news isn’t necessarily bad. When inflation stays at the same rate, your cost of living also stays the same.
Prices for goods and services, on average, haven’t increased enough to affect the COLA.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also won’t
begin in January 2016. Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of
earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts. These
amounts will remain unchanged in 2016. The new fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Securi-
ty and SSI changes.
For additional information about the 2016 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/
OACT/COLA/AWI.html.
NO COST OF
LIVING ADJUSTMENT
TRIPS, INC. Special Adventures
ALL INCLUSIVE vacation packages for
travelers ages 16 and older with
Intellectual and developmental
Disabilities.
June - December 2015
www.tripsinc.com
1-800-686-1013
Step up For Soldiers is a volunteer group providing renovations, recre-
ation and recognition for recently disabled veterans. They are not a
government organization and do not receive government assistance.
Their mission is to provide disabled veterans, who have experienced
loss of limb & mobility problems, with the resources necessary to ad-
just in a post-war environment. For further information go on line to
www.stepupforsoldiers.org.
“STEP UP FOR
SOLDIERS”
NOVEMBER 7TH, 2015
3:00 pm To 5:30 pm
Division of Services For Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Professional Deaf-Blind
Q & A Panel
DSDHH is hosting a panel of various DeafBlind individuals to share
their experience. The event is open to the public. Get to know a few
local members of the Deaf/Blind Community and learn about their
daily experience and interaction with the world from their
perspectives. The discussion will include addressing common miscon-
ceptions and stereotypes and will also provide plenty of informational
materials. ASL/English interpretation will be provided.
Where: Cape Fear Community College
415 N. 2nd Street
Building L, Room #107
Wilmington, NC
Contact: Daisy Rivenbark
Videophone: 910-795-2714
November Events
November 7 – Oyster Roast Fundraiser; 1:00pm to 6:00pm at The Beach House Bar & Grill;
7219 Market Street; Wilmington; Admission $25.00 and proceeds help The Cape Fear Volun-
teer Center. For further info contact Gina at (910)686-7219.
November 7 – Walk To End Alzheimer’s; 8:00am at Mayfaire Town Center; 6835 Main St.;
Wilmington. Register on line http://act.alz.org or contact Amy Julian (919)803-8285.
November 7 – Run, Roll & Stroll 5K, 10K, 9:00am for Veterans fundraiser. Downtown Wil-
mington at the Riverfront Park; admission is $25.00 to $40.00 and proceeds benefit the Pur-
ple Heart Homes nonprofit organization. Register on line https://its-go-time.com/
runrollstroll/. Further info: Zach Hunt (910)232-7532.
November 14 – Step Up For Soldiers annual chili cook-off at 1:00pm, High Tide Lounge,
North End Pier, Carolina Beach, NC. Admission is $10.00. Proceeds go to veteran Justin
Crabbe.
November 15 – 4th Annual Walk For Suicide Prevention, 2:00pm at Wrightsville Beach Park,
321 Causeway Dr.; Wrightsville Beach, NC. Further info contact Louise Rippy Lane (910)
471-9393 or email [email protected].
November 18 – Cape Fear Disability Commission meeting 10:30am at the New Hanover Gov-
ernment Complex – HR Room; Wilmington. Request for bus/dart vouchers should be made
to John Russ at (910)264-6158.
November 20 – 22 – Wilmington Riverfest; downtown Wilmington, Riverfront Park. Admis-
sion Free. For more info: www.wilmingtonriverfest.com
November 21 – Holiday Market 9:00am – 3:00pm at Ocean Front Park; 105 Atlantic Ave;
Kure Beach, NC. Admission Free. For further info: (910)458-8216
November 26 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING
November 28 – NC Holiday Flotilla 6:00pm at Wrightsville Beach (Banks Channel). Admis-
sion is free. For further info: www.ncholidayflotilla.org or (910) 256-2120.
140 C Cinema Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: 910-815-6618
Fax: 910-815-6658
www.drc-cil.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is disAbility Resource Center? dRC is a Center for Independent Living
(CIL). Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to become and
maintain their independence within their community. Inclusion and Inde-
pendence is accomplished through education, employment, access to afforda-
ble housing, access to services and activities that allow the opportunity and
possibility of a full life for all those with a disability.
To achieve our common mission and purpose the dRC focuses on four core
services to empower individuals with a disAbility, their families and caregivers:
1) Peer to Peer Counseling 2) Independent Living Skills and Training 3) Sys-
tems and Individual Advocacy 4) Information and Referral.
A few Examples of Services: We provide individuals with the information
and tools they need to live freely and independently. We can help with pre-
paring a budget, creating a resume, teaching job searching skills, computer
training, and peer mentoring. We also provide information about who to con-
tact if you need a ramp, home modifications, assistive technology, problems
with your social security benefits, utility assistance, searching for affordable
housing, support groups, disAbility rights advocacy and more!!
Do I need to make an appointment? Appointments are highly recommended,
but we do accept walk-ins and will do our best to accommodate you at that
time.
Do I need a referral? No
Do we charge a fee? No, our services are provided at no cost to consumers.
We are a non-profit organization that is funded through the generous support
of individuals, local organizations and the State of North Carolina’s Division of
Rehabilitation Services.
Is dRC a part of Vocational Rehabilitation? No, Vocational Rehab is a State
Agency and we are a nonprofit agency.
Do we provide funding or financial assistance to individuals? If dRC has
received donations designated specifically for consumer assistance we can
provide some financial assistance on a very limited basis for very specific
circumstances and needs. However, if dRC is unable to financially assist we can
refer individuals to the right agency or organization that can provide financial
assistance specific to your needs.
Where are we located? dRC is located near the intersection of Market Street
and Kerr near the Carmike Theaters in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Important Websites:
http://www.adacompliance101.com
http://www.disability.gov
disAbility Resource Center