MATAplus Applications

MATA Announces Temporary Process for New MATAplus Application Requests and In-Person Assessments

Memphis Area Transit Authority Chief Communications Officer Nicole Lacey from City of Memphis 

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) today announced that starting December 15, 2020, MATA will temporarily revert to its previous application process of certifying new MATAplus applicants without the functional assessment. This means the applicant (or their representative and personal care attendant) can send a completed application to the Assessment Center along with a high-quality photo to be included on their MATAplus card. (MATA will not accept photocopies of driver's license or other identification cards).

Once MATA receives the completed application (the first three pages must be completed by the applicant and the last three pages completed by a healthcare or social services professional that is familiar with the applicant’s qualifying conditions), the application will be processed for an eligibility decision.

Within 21 days of receiving the completed application and the rendering of an eligibility decision, the applicant will receive a certification card and other service-related documents by U.S. mail. The certification of new applicants is temporary, and the applicant will be asked to participate in an in-person functional assessment once COVID-19 related health directives are lifted.

For more information about this temporary process change, please call Anthony Amos, ADA Compliance Officer at 901-722-7165 or email him at aamos@matatransit.com or please call Tia Horton, ADA Eligibility Specialist at 901-722-7193 or email her at thorton@matatransit.com.

How to apply for MATAplus: https://www.matatransit.com/mataplus/#apply 

MATAplus Certification Application – pages 1 to 3

Medical Verification of Disability Form (pages 4 to 6)

Katie Beckett Waiver to begin Monday

Program for children with disabilities who are not Medicaid eligible

By Alison Donald

The Katie Beckett waiver will bring home healthcare to many seriously disabled children in Tennessee on November 23, 2020 at 7:30am CST.  There have been some additions to the waiver since it was first introduced in the state of Tennessee a year ago.

“This is great news for so many Tennessee families and their advocates,” TennCare director Stephen Smith said. “Tennessee’s Katie Beckett Program is an innovative approach that will benefit children and families in need throughout our state, and we look forward to getting started.”

The Katie Beckett Program is a program for children with disabilities and complex medical needs who are not currently Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets.  Tennessee’s Katie Beckett Program has two parts. Part A provides Medicaid services to children with the most significant disabilities or complex medical needs.  Part B is a Medicaid diversion program, which means children will not be enrolled in Medicaid, but will receive a capped package of supports of up to $10,000 annually to help meet his or her needs.

Plan A: Will serve up to 300 children with the most significant disabilities or complex medical needs. Children would receive full Medicaid benefits, which could include services like home health, private duty nursing, durable medical equipment and supplies, and occupational, physical and speech therapies, among other services.Children in Part A would also receive up to $15,000 a year in home and community- based services.These are non-medical services that help families care for children in their homes. Some of these services include respite, supportive home care, and home and vehicle modifications.

Plan B: Will serve up to 2,700 children with disabilities or complex medical needs. Children in Part B will not be enrolled in Medicaid. They would receive up to $10,000 a year in services for their child.

Families will have the flexibility to choose any or all of the following services within their budget:  premium assistance, a health-care savings type account, reimbursement for  services that would benefit the child but can’t be covered under a health-care savings account, self-directed respite and supportive home care services, or an array of services from a community-based provider

The new addition to the Katie Beckett waiver is Part C

Part C: All children who are already on Medicaid can keep their coverage if their parent’s income increases.  The child’s parents do not have to purchase private insurance and can move to Part A but they will not receive home and community based services.

The application process takes about an hour to complete.  All applicants will have to complete a DIDDs assessment. You will need the following information to complete the application and avoid delays in receipt of service.  Medical records, Child’s IQ, Individualized education Plan (IEP), and therapy notes.  This is not a complete list.  Additionally if your meets the requirements for Part A there will be a third party medical review.  

This program will also require each recipient to prove that their need for care remain the same during a recertification process. The Katie Beckett waiver is a Medicare program so each recipient will receive a letter if they do not qualify which will inform the parents how to file an appeal.

If you would like more information on the Katie Beckett Waiver and how to apply please visit https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/services/homepage to create an account. If you don’t have a computer, a DIDD case manager can help you complete the self-referral. To get help, call the DIDD office in your region: West Tennessee Regional Office: (866) 372-5709.

If you have any questions regarding the Katie Beckett waiver please contact the Memphis Center for Independent Living at 901-726-6404.  For the latest updates please visit our website and follow us on twitter:  @MemphisCIL.

Social Security Report can be completed online

 The Disability Update Report Can Now be Completed Online

The Disability Update Report is part of our Continuing Disability Review (CDR) process, which is required by law. We periodically review each case to determine if the beneficiary continues to meet the eligibility rules to receive disability benefits. We mail the Disability Update Report, or Form SSA-455, to disabled beneficiaries to obtain updated information about their medical conditions and recent treatments. They now also have the option to complete the SSA-455 online at https://www.ssa.gov/ssa455-online-form.

SSA is making it easier for people who receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments to submit their Disability Update Report - SSA Form 455 online.  This form is completed periodically by some beneficiaries for their Continuing Disability Review (CDR).  The law requires us to complete a CDR to determine if a beneficiary still has a disabling condition.

In addition to completing the form online, beneficiaries can still submit it by mail or over the phone with a representative by calling our customer service number at 1-800-772-1213.

The notices sent to beneficiaries this month explain that the online option is coming soon. Future mailed notices will provide information about the option to submit the form online. I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.

People with Disabilities and the Pandemic

By Allison Donald

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread there have been measures put in place to improve outcomes for people living with disabilities. People with disabilities have experienced disproportionate impacts as a result of COVID-19 due to limitations and disruptions to access critical programs and services such as healthcare (including COVID-19 testing a treatment), transportation, employment, housing and sheltering, education, mental health and crisis counseling, technology, and communication.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to collaborate with federal agency partners and national disability stakeholder organizations to identify, monitor, and address concerns for people with disabilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FEMA has outlined the following best practices to assist people with disabilities in getting the proper services and supports during the pandemic and how organizations can provide accommodations in the areas of information and communication, healthcare technology, and testing.  -Medical students created a plain language illustrated guide on COVID-19 to help individuals with intellectual disabilities understand what COVID-19 is and what to do if a person is experiencing symptoms.-Although mobile applications may not be accessible to all people with disabilities, crowdsourced assistance mobile applications allow people who are blind or have low vision to shop without the help of store employees to identify products and read labels. Some smartphone apps can also read printed text aloud to identify products.

Some of the hardest hit areas during the pandemic have nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes.  FEMA has also provided guidance to address certain concerns about people with disabilities and the supports provided to them by their aids.-While instituting necessary precautions and limiting visitation, medical facilities should consider allowing caregivers to accompany patients with disabilities to provide support and assist with communication.

We are more reliant on technology now but for our consumers and other  People with disabilities may experience challenges navigating websites given that many eCommerce sites are not fully accessible.-Governments should ensure websites with emergency-related information are accessible to people with disabilities, by using captioned videos and alternative tags for images to increase readability by those who use screen readers and other assistive technologies. See the Department of Justice’s guidance on technical assistance on accessible technology.

The most critical part of the pandemic has to be access to testing and for people with disabilities it is imperative due to the the presence of underlying conditions. -People with disabilities may not be able to access COVID-19 testing sites which include, but are not limited to, community-based drive-through testing sites. Drive-through testing is especially inaccessible in urban areas, where fewer people have access to cars.

If you are in need of free Covid testing you can visit your local CVS, Walgreens, or Church Health Centers in Memphis.  MCIL is working to meet the need of our consumers by meeting virtually and keeping our community informed via phone about the resources and supports that are available at this time.

If you have any questions please visit https://www.fema.org for further guidance.

Voting by mail

My Experience voting by mail 

I have voted in person in every presidential election since 2000.  However, due to the Coronavirus I chose to vote via absentee ballot.  I must admit I was skeptical of the process, because it took some time for my ballot to arrive so I was worried that I was not going to have an opportunity to vote and it be counted.  I feel like it is important for me to document my experience as a first time absentee ballot voter for not only people with disabilities, but others who may have been nervous about the proposition of voting by mail.

First I requested the ballot by completing   I received my ballot on Saturday completed as instructed and mailed it back in the envelope provided to me by the Shelby County election commission.

Instructions for absentee Voting by mail mark the ballot using blue or black pen as shown.Fill in the oval. Do not use a red pen or a pencil. The ballot may say to use a black but either blue or black is fine.

Fold the ballot and seal it in the yellow ballot envelope.

Do not detach the flap. Leave the flap on the envelope and sign. 

Your ballot cannot be counted unless the envelope has been signed.Your signature affirms that you are eligible to vote in this election.(The ballot envelope may have a white sticker or only printed information). 

If someone has helped you vote, your helper and a witness must also sign in this section.Make sure that you sign the envelope that is personalized for you if there are multiple voters in the household. 

Placed the yellow ballot envelope in the white return envelope.

Place postage on the return envelope.One first class stamp is sufficient for this ballot. Mail the ballot.Please note that ballots must be mailed; they will not be counted if they are handed-delivered. Make sure you mail your ballot in time to arrive on or before Election Day.  Ballots received after Election Day cannot be counted.

I mailed my ballot but considering how the United States Postal Service has been backed up I was more than a little bit concerned.  However, it was easy to track the status of my ballot by visiting   https://tnmap.to.gov/voterlookup.  

Enter your voter registration information and the last four digits of your social security number

It will take you to a screen where you will find the date your ballot request was received and the date that your ballot was received by the county.

This is important, because if you chose to vote by mail in Tennessee your ballot must be received by mail on or by Election Day if not your vote will not be counted.  The best way to get a timely answer is to email voteinfo@shelbycountytn.gov.  You can also call 901-222-6800.

It was a simple process and I believe it allowed more people an opportunity to participate in this election cycle.  However, I did miss the experience of standing in line waiting listening to older people talk about their first time voting as I waited to cast my vote. 

Happy Election Day and Remember Every Vote Counts!

ADAPT working to pass the DIA

ADAPT denounces Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) for refusing to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act (S.117)

Today, the disability rights organization ADAPT – American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today – denounced Senator Susan Collins for refusing to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act (S.117/HR.555) despite repeated efforts by advocates to get her to support this important piece of civil rights legislation.

The Disability Integration Act (DIA) is bipartisan and bicameral legislation, introduced by Senators Charles Schumer, Minority Leader (D-NY) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) in the Senate and Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House, to address the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions and losing their basic civil and human rights. Today, the legislation is more important than ever as elderly and Disabled people – particularly Black and brown people with disabilities – unnecessarily die from COVID-19 because they have been warehoused in nursing facilities and other institutions.

Although Senator Collins has supported programs that fund efforts to transition people with disabilities from institutions into the community, including the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program, these programs alone do not go far enough. Without an enforceable civil right, people with disabilities will continue to be driven into institutions by states and private managed care companies. This is particularly true for Black and brown people with disabilities who are less able to access home and community based alternatives to institutionalization because of racial disparities.

ADAPT worked with Senator Schumer to craft the Disability Integration Act to ensure that elderly and Disabled people could live in freedom. The bill is being championed by Cory Gardner, however, Senator Collins, in refusing to cosponsor and support this legislation, is sending a clear message that elderly and Disabled Americans should continue to be denied their freedom and most basic rights. Specifically, her refusal to support this legislation demonstrates that:

1. Senator Collins believes that elderly and Disabled Americans who use Long Term Services and Supports should not have a statutory right to live in freedom and – after more than two decades – we should not expand the protections afforded under the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision so that the Disability Community has a more effective tool for getting – and keeping – people out of institutions.
2. Senator Collins believes that people with disabilities should not be protected from Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) who prioritize their profits over the freedom of elderly and Disabled Americans.
3. Senator Collins believes that freedom is not a fundamental right for elderly and Disabled Americans and “treating professionals” should have the last word about whether they can live in the community. She believes that community integration should only be given to Disabled people when it is determined to be “appropriate” by professionals.
4. Senator Collins believes that pro-institutional mechanisms that are permissible and widespread under current law, including waiting lists, service limitations, cost caps, and inadequate rates, should be maintained.
5. Senator Collins believes that states should continue to have the right to institutionalize people with disabilities using the “fundamental alteration” defense that allows them to deny Disabled people the right to live in freedom based on programmatic and budgetary criteria.
6. Senator Collins believes that elderly and Disabled people should only be given “medically necessary” Long Term Services and Supports and shouldn’t have a right to lead an independent life – which includes getting the supports they need to have pets, children and jobs.
7. Senator Collins believes that elderly and Disabled people should not have the right to sue to secure the affordable, accessible, integrated housing they need to live in freedom.
8. Senator Collins believes that elderly and Disabled people should not be afforded the right to control their own lives because they don’t have an option other than assisted living and supportive housing where service providers control their home and life.
9. Senator Collins believes that states should not be required to implement a vigorous process for public engagement in performing a self-evaluation and developing a transition plan for community integration, and instead we should maintain a system where states can limit public participation in the development of their Olmstead Plans, and without a required external review process, advocates can continue to be legally be excluded.
10. Senator Collins supports maintaining the bottle-necked systems for enforcing the right of Disabled people to live in the community which have failed our community, particularly for those in nursing facilities where at least 75,000 people have died from COVID-19.

With the election is just weeks away, it is imperative that the people of Maine understand that Senator Collins has stood in the way of Disabled people who just want the right to live in freedom. We deserve better than Susan Collins.

ADAPT has worked for decades to secure the same rights and liberties for Disabled Americans as those enjoyed by their non-disabled neighbors. Learn more about ADAPT’s history and activities at www.adapt.org, on social media with the National ADAPT Facebook and Twitter pages. Also, keep up to date on their current endeavors by following the hashtags #DIAToday and #ADAPTandRESIST.

Fact Sheet: Protecting Against Voter Intimidation

Constitutional Advocacy and Protection 

GEORGETOWN LAW

Is voter intimidation illegal?

Yes. The right of each voter to cast his or her ballot free from intimidation or coercion is a foundational principle of a free and democratic society. Federal law prohibits voter intimidation.

Multiple federal statutes make it a crime to intimidate voters: it is illegal to intimidate, threaten, or coerce a person, or attempt to do so, “for the purpose of interfering with” that person’s right “to vote or to vote as he may choose.” 18 U.S.C. § 594. It is also a crime to knowingly and willfully intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person, or attempt to do so, for “registering to vote, or voting,” or for “urging or aiding” anyone to vote or register to vote. 52 U.S.C. § 20511(1). And it is a crime to “by force or threat of force” willfully injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because he or she is voting or has voted or “in order to intimidate” anyone from voting. 18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(1)(A)

Federal law also provides for civil lawsuits based on voter intimidation. Section 11 of the Voting Rights Act makes it unlawful to “intimidate, threaten, or coerce” another person, or attempt to do so, “for voting or attempting to vote” or “for urging or aiding any person to vote or attempt to vote.” 52 U.S.C. § 10307(b). And Section 2 of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 makes it unlawful for “two or more persons to conspire to prevent by force, intimidation, or threat,” any voter from casting a ballot for the candidate of his or her choice. 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3).

Every state also separately prohibits interference with voters and voter intimidation.

What are examples of voter intimidation?

The U.S. Department of Justice has explained that voter intimidation is conduct that is intended to compel prospective voters to vote against their preferences, or to not vote at all, through activity that is reasonably calculated to instill fear. Some actions that ordinarily would be legal may be unlawful if they are intended to intimidate voters.

Voter intimidation is often subtle and context-dependent, so it can be difficult to identify in advance. Here are some examples of conduct near polling sites that likely would constitute illegal voter intimidation, although other conduct could also qualify:

• Violent behavior inside or outside the polling site

• Confronting voters while wearing military-style or official-looking uniforms

• Brandishing firearms or the intimidating display of firearms

• Disrupting voting lines or blocking the entrance to the polling place

• Following voters to, from, or within the polling place

• Verbal threats of violence

• Spreading false information about voter fraud, voting requirements, or related criminal penalties

• Aggressively approaching voters’ vehicles or writing down voters’ license plate numbers

• Harassing voters, aggressively questioning them about their qualifications to vote

Are guns permitted at polling places?

Sometimes. As the Giffords Law Center explains, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and the District of Columbia “explicitly prohibit guns at polling locations,” while Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina “prohibit concealed firearms at the polls.” Guns may also be prohibited when polling locations are in K–12 schools and other property where firearms are not permitted.

Even where guns are not explicitly prohibited, they may not be used to intimidate voters. Nor may armed groups of individuals patrol polling locations or otherwise engage in activities reserved for law enforcement or official state militias. Fact sheets containing state laws banning private unauthorized militia activity are available at http://bit.ly/50factsheets.

Does the First Amendment protect intimidating speech?

Not always. The First Amendment does not protect intimidation in the form of “true threats,” “where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence” against another person or group. Virginia v. Black, 538 U.S. 343, 360 (2003).

Even when speech is not openly threatening, states and localities nonetheless may impose some restrictions on speech in order to protect the integrity of elections and the rights of voters to cast their ballots free from intimidation. In Burson v. Freeman, 504 U.S. 191 (1992), the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that banned campaigning within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. 

Nearly every state has a similar law protecting voters against electioneering in the immediate vicinity of the polls. Although speech outside this limited distance may be entitled to greater protections, jurisdictions likely could, for example, require any demonstrations to remain a reasonable distance away from the path that voters must take into the polling place in order to guard against intimidation.

What does it mean to be a poll watcher?

State law regulates those who are permitted to observe the voting process within a polling place, sometimes called “poll watchers” or “election observers,” and what those observers are permitted to do. State law also governs who is permitted to challenge a voter’s qualifications to vote and what a challenger must show to make such a challenge. These laws vary from state to state. 

Election officials should be familiar with these laws to prevent unauthorized observation or challenges and to ensure that such activities are not used for purposes of intimidation. Even if your qualifications to vote are challenged, you may still cast a regular ballot unless that challenge is sustained, and, at a minimum, you always have the right to cast a provisional ballot before leaving the polling site.

What should I do if I see or experience voter intimidation?

✓ If you fear imminent violence, call 9-1-1.

✓ Notify your local election official at your polling place.

✓ Document what you saw or experienced: what happened, where, and when, and whether any voters were deterred from voting.

✓ Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Assistance is also available in Spanish at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888- 839-8682), in Arabic at 844-YALLA-US (844-915- 5187), and Asian languages at 888-API-VOTE (1-888-174-8683). A video American Sign Language line is available at 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683).

Is it legal to act as a private militia in Tennessee?

No. All 50 states prohibit private, unauthorized militias and military units from engaging in activities reserved for the state militia, including law enforcement activities. Some, including Tennessee, also prohibit paramilitary activity during or in furtherance of a civil disorder. Tennessee’s laws are described below:

Tennessee Constitution: The Tennessee Constitution forbids private military units from operating outside state authority, providing that “in all case the military shall be kept in strict subordination to the civil authority.” Tenn. Const. art. I, § 24.

Tennessee Statutes – Prohibition on paramilitary activity: It is a felony in Tennessee to assemble with one or more persons “for the purpose of training or instructing in the use of, or practicing with, any technique or means capable of causing property damage, bodily injury or death with the intent to employ such training, instruction or practice in the commission of a civil disorder.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-314.

This Fact Sheet has been prepared by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) at Georgetown University Law Center. ICAP’s mission is to use the power of the courts to defend American constitutional rights and values. Visit us at https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/. Contact us at reachICAP@georgetown.edu.

Comment on the Fairness to Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act

Fairness to Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act (S. 4830)

On Thursday, October 22, Senators Brown, Casey, and Wyden introduced the Fairness to Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act (S. 4830). This legislation would protect older adults and people with disabilities from being required to repay extra Social Security or SSI benefits they received from the Social Security Administration (SSA) due to the agency suspending certain work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the companion bill to HR 7830, introduced in the House by Rep. Danny Davis.  

If passed into law, it would require SSA to automatically waive all overpayments that occurred between March 1 and December 31, 2020, without requiring the overpaid individual to request a waiver, unless there was determination of fraud, similar fault, or misuse by a representative payee in causing the overpayment.  

However, SSA has already published an interim final rule that sets up a “streamlined” waiver process for individuals who were overpaid between March 1 and September 30, 2020. This process requires the individual to contact SSA to request a waiver, even though SSA has already determined that the agency was at fault in causing the overpayment, and it would be “against equity and good conscience” to require the individual to repay the benefits.   

Justice in Aging submitted comments in response to this rule, urging SSA to waive all COVID-related overpayments automatically, without requiring individuals to request waivers. We believe this is the most equitable and efficient method for handling overpayments during this pandemic period, and is the approach taken in the Fairness for Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act. 

Today, Monday, October 26, is the final day to submit comments to SSA about the interim final rule.  

The New Fare System at MATA

Are the new features and vending machines accessible?

By Allison Donald, MCIL

The Memphis Area Transit Authority, MATA, has made a number of changes to the fare system over the past few months to make the way riders pay easier and more efficient.  They have been developing a new cashless mobile payment system that brings MATA on par with industry standards.  MATA’s new payment system “Go901” will include ticket vending machines and point of sale systems soon.

GO901 Mobile, a new free mobile fare app, will allow passengers to purchase fare tickets and all day passes on their smartphones using a debit or credit card. The new app – which can be downloaded to Android or iPhones – is available in both Apple and Google Play stores.

“Our former fair system was 25 years old, and in need of change,” said Gary Rosenfeld, the MATA CEO. “For a wide section of our customer base this will allow them the opportunity to use mobile ticketing on board the bus.”

Passengers can tap their phones onto a scanner in the front of their MATA vehicle near the operator.  A scanner will indicate when the scan is successful, according to a MATA  release. GO901 also has other features, including allowing registered users to check their balance, purchase reduced fare and purchase passes.

“Any expansion of the different ways to pay fares can be a good thing,” said Curtis Tillman a MATAplus rider. “I can see myself using a reloadable card, because I would not want to download another app on my phone.”

There are still questions about the operation of the system like the proper procedure in the event of mistaken charges. And people with disabilities have concerns about the accessibility of the new system.  

“I am not excited to use the new system,” said Della Bailey a fixed route rider, “because they want too much information”.

If you have any questions about the new fare system and MATAplus riders-please feel free to contact LaBarbra Houston at 901-722-7100 and follow the prompt.  Also, this information is located on the MATA website at www.matatransit.com. 

MCIL Work Plan 2020 - 2021

 MCIL Work plan 2020 - 21

Systems Change Activities

 

Housing

Issue: lack of affordable, accessible, integrated housing

Measurable Outcomes: MCIL participation in the Fair Housing Conference, The Memphis area MLS will include more accessibility features, MCIL will update and use the MCIL online housing tool, MCIL will produce a sample of barriers to housing and MCIL will provide four informational blog articles on housing.

MCIL Objective: Increase access of people with disabilities to affordable, accessible, integrated housing. Inform the community on the protections of the Fair Housing Amendments Act. Promote and educate the community on visitability.

Planned Activities:

 

• MCIL will partner with local Realtors to improve the Memphis area Multiple Listing Service to include accessibility features of local housing. [March - May 2021 Reported in the db and MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL staff will collaborate on an updated MCIL online housing tool and general procedure for all questions concerning local housing. MCIL will promote self-advocacy in housing and track consumers Independent Living needs and goals related to housing. [All year, Reported in the db with service hours and goals]
  
  

• MCIL will produce a sample of barriers to Fair Housing in our community. [Feb - April 2021 Reported in the db Community Activities and MCIL Journal]
  
  

• Educate our community and legislators of the need for VISITABILITY and discrimination of townhouses and multi-level units. [January - June 2021 Reported in the db Community Activities and MCIL Journal]
  
  

• Educate consumers on Fair Housing rights with a workshop in April 2021. Reinforce Fair Housing rights for people with disabilities throughout the year with 4 original blog posts and supplemented with social media. [April 2021 Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media and MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL will advocate for more local funding for Minor Home Modifications for critical accessibility. [All year, Reported in the db Community Activities and Resource Development]
  
  

 

Transportation

Issue: need for reliable, affordable, accessible transportation

Measurable outcomes: MCIL online data, individual narratives, MCIL informational blog articles and Social Media posts.

MCIL Objective: Increase awareness of accessible transportation options and improve public transit

Planned activities:

• Inform consumers and the Memphis community about public transportation and accessible public transportation with a workshop in the summer of 2021. MCIL will reinforce the workshop information with two original blog articles and social media. [May - July 2021 Reported in the db Community Activities, MCIL Journal and Social Media posts]
  
  

• MCIL will produce an original bi-monthly informational article about paratransit in the area. [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, MCIL Journal and Social Media posts]
  
  

• MCIL will promote and improve the “Transportation Toolbox” that will inform consumers on how to use accessible transportation resources. [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities]
  
  

• Monitor, respond and collaborate with groups and other organizations working to increase availability of all forms of transportation.  MCIL will advocate with local and state partners for an increase in the state budget for transportation and making ride-sharing providers accessible. [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities and 901 Rideshare report]

 

Healthcare

Issue: lack of adequate healthcare and long-term care

Measurable Outcomes: Healthcare industry data from the Sycamore Institute and the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, individual narratives and MCIL online data collection. 

MCIL Objective: Assist people with disabilities in Shelby county and surrounding areas to obtain and maintain healthcare and needed services for community living including living well with a disability.

Planned Activities:

 

• MCIL will inform consumers about the Disability Integration Act. MCIL will collaborate with NCIL and ADAPT to end the institutional bias and produce two original MCIL Journal articles about our advocacy for this goal.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]

• MCIL will collaborate, monitor, network and support the efforts of Tennessee Healthcare Campaign to expand Medicaid coverage in Tennessee.   [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL will provide peer support to individuals transitioning from nursing homes and assist six people to move into the community.   [All year. Reported in the db individual services and goals]
  
  

• MCIL will advocate with State and Federal legislators to maintain and expand long term care and home and community based services. The Center will collaborate, monitor and advocate with Tenncare, MCOs and other related agencies to ensure that all needed services are provided for people with disabilities.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

Assistive Technology

Issue: lack of knowledge and access to Assistive Technology

Measurable Outcomes: MCIL online data collection, individual outcome statements and MCIL blog articles and social media analysis. 

MCIL Objective: Increase the use of appropriate affordable AT by people with disabilities

Planned Activities:

• MCIL will create and produce an informal guide for the use of selected AT in the community. The Center will produce three articles on gadgets and peer accounts on how they may be used to participate in the community.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• Train Peer Mentors as Technical Mentors in appropriate affordable AT. Produce at least one original blog post about assistive technology.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities,  related individual services and the MCIL Journal]

Other – Barriers to full integration

Issue: Community access barriers, attitudinal barriers, segregation of people with disabilities, isolation and regressive language. 

Measurable Outcomes: MCIL data collection, individual narratives and MCIL online resources.

MCIL Objective: Educate, advocate and participate in groups supporting a more accessible and livable community. Expand disability awareness and decrease attitudinal barriers and social stigma. Increase opportunities for education, socialization and community inclusion for people with disabilities. 

Planned activities:

• MCIL will work with community partners to create a Memphis ADA plan.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL will educate consumers, business owners and community partners in access requirements, regulations and laws. MCIL will work with consumers on self-advocacy for gaining ADA compliance and give information and referral to businesses that wish to comply with the ADA. MCIL will produce at least three MCIL Journal articles on the ADA, one in July of 2021.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• Work with the SILC and Tennessee Centers for Independent Living to ensure accessible elections and polling sites.  [October - November 2021. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL will expand disability awareness through group community activities. MCIL will produce an open house and resource development event in December of 2020. MCIL will produce a celebration of the 31st Anniversary of the ADA in July 2021 and will produce the annual Access Awards event in honor of Deborah Cunningham.  [Dec. 2020; July 2021;. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

• MCIL staff, board and volunteers will be involved in community activities, governing boards, advisory committees and local government to ensure equal participation of people with disabilities.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities, Social Media posts and the MCIL Journal]
  
  

Business and Resource Development

Issue: Limited funding and local resources.

Measurable Outcomes: MCIL development and financial data

MCIL Objective: Expand general funding and unrestricted development funds. Have a strategic planning to prepare MCIL beyond the next fiscal year.

Planned Activities:

• MCIL will have a strategic planning meeting with all staff and board in the summer of 2021. The strategic plan will provide new guidance, reporting and tracking for MCIL staff.  [July - September 2021. Reported in the db Community Activities]
  
  

• MCIL will continue and increase funding streams including fee for service programs, grant based projects and fundraising throughout the year that will promote the mission of MCIL.  [All year. Reported in the db Community Activities]
  
  

• MCIL will work to promote the Deborah Cunningham Access Awards and Silent Auction as separate fundraising and outreach events.  [July and December 2021. Reported in the db Community Activities]

Management, data collection and compliance

Issue: New compliance standards from ACL and a new online database for MCIL staff.

Measurable Outcomes: MCIL will track and improve our data collection and produce meaningful outcomes that express the struggle of consumers to become independent. 

MCIL Objective: Be fully compliant with federal, state and local guidelines and use innovative practices to advance Independent Living in the Memphis area. 

Planned Activities:

• MCIL will ensure that each intake consumer either has a signed, individualized, independent living plan or a waiver. The plan will insure that the services provided by MCIL are at the request of the individual and will promote their independence.  [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will produce a Policy Manual for the Board of Directors and a Policy and Procedure manual for all staff. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will track consumer goals and follow-up with consumers their progress on each goal. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will track outcome statements for each consumer. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will create and follow a staff training schedule for the year so that each MCIL employee may refresh their proficiency. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will create a social media plan and make daily posts to inform the community. MCIL will respond and react to social media and advance the general outreach of the Center with activities and issues. MCIL will use social media to promote events and issues of interest to the Memphis disability community. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]
  
  

• MCIL will use the online database to track consumers needs and consumer satisfaction. [All year. Reported in the db and quarterly SILC report]
  
  

• MCIL will use the available resources to track phone use and printing. [All year. Reported in the db and monthly IL Team Report]