The Disability Integration Act has been introduced in the House
By Allison Donald
Organizations within the disability rights movement have been working diligently to build a coalition in support of the Disability Integration Act. As a result of that hard work the DIA was introduced into the house in July by Republican Congressman Christopher P. Gipson (NY). This is an important victory because, as people with disabilities we realize how much of a pain staking process it can be to access long term supports and services in our respective communities.
I accompanied the staff of The Arc of the Mid-South to speak with Congressman Steve Cohen (TN). We were met with warm smiles and good intentions from our US House representative who is not currently a co-sponsor of the DIA. Rep. Cohen and his assistant, Mr. Henry listened intently and took notes. Each person spoke about the lack of affordable accessible integrated housing, subpar paratransit, lack of employment opportunities, and being stuck on waiting list for years. After listening to the conversation for about 20 minutes Congressman Cohen said:
“I had not been made aware of any legislation that could improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.”
When he made that statement I found an opening to introduce him to the Disability Integration Act (DIA). He made note of the bill number (HR 5689) and seemed enthusiastic about the bill as all politicians do when they are sitting in the room with their constituents. I didn’t want to sound like a lobbyist, but I did impress upon him the importance of him acting on behalf of the people in his district that have disabilities and depend on those services so they can live as they choose.
Rep. Cohen is a person with a disability. He has firsthand knowledge of what it is like, because the Congressman had polio.
As we were leaving the meeting, Congressman Cohen mentioned to one of the staff members of the Arc of the Mid-South that when he was younger he “suffered from polio.” He continued to say that’s why he has taught his staff to take pictures on a two count instead of three, because he can’t stand that long.
I thought it was pretty harmless until he said: “I do have a brace that I try not to wear at times, because I don’t want to be seen as a person with a disability.”
I wanted to tell the Congressman that most people cannot take off their disability as if it were an article of clothing. Tennesseans don’t need empathy we demand action. We asked Rep. Cohen to support the DIA because his constituents demand to participate in the community and not be segregated in expensive institutions. Please support the DIA and ask Rep. Cohen to become a co-sponsor.
MATAPLUS and STAC WORKSHOP REPORT August 25, 2016
By Bobbie Fields
MATAplus and the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee met to discuss some of the changes we both would like to see at MATA. STAC members in attendance included, Allison Donald, Rexcey Bowers, June Mangum, Christina Clift, Savannah Morris and Bobbie Fields. MATA representatives were Ms. Glenda Wade, LaBarbara Houston and Mr. Steven Fields.
The topic of discussion centered on the daily operations of MATA and the buses. Ms. LaBarbara talk about the signing of the ADA, what paratransit is; the dispatcher’s duty, making reservations, applying for MATAplus, no shows, the driver’s duty and the appeal process.
The workshop didn’t focus on any of the management responsibilities or the policies and procedures. All of the material covered in the workshop could be found in the Riders Guide. I was expecting more about the ADA regulations and how they are implementing them into the day to day operation of MATA.
Ms. LaBarbara supplied DATA from July, to give us an idea of how many people they serve daily and their performance. At the moment there are 7,877 rider’s registered, they made 18,048 trips for the month at a distance of 8.12 miles per trip. The average trip only lasted 32 minutes per person. They were able to transport 1.6 passenger per hour. They also claim to be at a 90 per cent on time performance rate.
Mr. Fields provided one of the new buses for our inspection. I agree that they are roomier and quieter than the other buses but it concerns me about how low they are to the ground. This may cause the buses to scrub the street and speed bumps in some places. The driver may not be able to take the bus on certain parking lots and driveways. There is a problem with the ramps deployment and storing system as well.
MATA has promised to hold more workshop like this one in the hope of becoming more transparent. I hope the next one will be more about the policies and procedures, funding, equipment and maintenance.
MCIL Welcomes Timothy Redd
By Timothy Redd
I am a person with a disability. My whole life has been about defying the odds and not allowing a disability to define me. There are many barriers that exists for people with disabilities that can make it difficult to live independently. I am here to tell you indeed it is possible. I have osteogenesis imperfecta, brittle bone disease. My childhood was characterized with broken bones, surgeries, and intense physical therapy. I don’t know where I would be had I not had supportive parents who encouraged me that I could do anything I wanted to do.
I know all too well the realities that can impede a person with a disability progress towards true independence. I have been separated in a class solely because of my disability. I was stuck in the house not able to go to work due to the lack of reliable transportation. I faced the challenge of finding accessible affordable housing and took legal action against a local apartment community who refused to accommodate my accessibility needs. I navigated the tedious process of applying for disability, been victimized by discrimination, and through it all triumphed over blatant ignorance that comes along with encountering people who don’t understand people with disabilities. These are some of the chief barriers so many in my community rally against daily.
I have overcome all these challenges on my own and achieved my own independence. This has not been a small feat. However, it is the most fulfilling and liberating feeling ever. I would not trade any of what I have dealt with because it has been necessary to make me know my strength. What I have learned in my own journey is how to advocate for myself. I am thrilled to be a part of the Memphis Center for Independent Living and excited to work with others like myself as an independent living specialist. I am here to support people in their own advocacy and offer support through information referrals and by sharing my life experiences to inspire. Currently I am pursuing a BA in Sociology with Ashford University. In my spare time I love to travel, museums, discover new local eateries, shop, and listen to music.
Learn more about the Employment with the PASS program
By Timothy Redd
Here at MCIL we are constantly out in the community staying abreast of information that can help our community. August 30, 2016, I attended the Social Security Administration Workshop by Dorothy Bailey, Jodie Oakes, and Carolyn Smith, the PASS Specialists serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. PASS is SSI work incentive plan that stands for “Plan to Achieve Self Support.”
This workshop focused on how you can receive disability benefits like SSI and SSID and still work. The Social Security Administration has some stipulations that apply to benefits if you work.
Did you know you can earn up to $1,780 per month in addition to your SSI disability benefit if you are under 22 and regularly attending school? Did you know that there is a trial period of nine months that you can work and receive your benefits? Did you know there is a not a limit on what you can earn during the trial work period?
With a PASS plan you can set aside income or an excess resources to pay for things to needed to reach a work goal. The PASS program can benefit someone who wants to be self-supporting by working. PASS is available for an individual in vocational rehab, ticket to work program, an SSI beneficiary with income other than SSI, and a person that receives SSDI and could become eligible for SSI with a PASS.
The information that I have provided is only the tip of the iceberg. Often times we as people with disabilities do not work because we fear that we will lose our benefits. However, as I have stated, there are ways that we can work.
It’s no secret that living on a fixed income is very difficult. If you are interested in learning more about getting back to work you may contact social security via the web at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213. To learn more about the PASS Program you can speak directly to a PASS agent by calling 1-800-254-9489
