Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
... for a fully integrated and accessible society for all people with disabilities ...
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Access Board Forms Advisory Committee on Rail Vehicle Accessibility
The U.S. Access Board has organized an advisory committee as part of its review and update of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles. The Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee will develop consensus recommendations for the Board's use in updating sections of the guidelines that cover vehicles of fixed guideway systems, including rapid, light, commuter, intercity, and high speed rail. These guidelines, which were originally published in 1991, serve as the basis for standards that apply to new or remanufactured vehicles required to be accessible under the ADA. The committee's work will not extend to portions of the guidelines that address buses and vans, which the Board is already in the process of updating. ...
For further information, visit the Board's website or contact Paul Beatty at rvaac@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0012 (voice), or (202) 272-0072 (TTY). Those interested in this rulemaking and the work of the committee can sign up to receive further updates.
Read the full story on our Transportation News page
Hagel orders Pentagon to buy new health records system
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday directed the Pentagon to purchase a new healthcare records system that can be integrated with the system used by the Department of Veterans Affairs. ...
... “This is a complex and expensive undertaking. It is critical that we get it right,” Hagel said after he and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki met with the Senate Appropriations Committee members on Wednesday. ...
... Shinseki has vowed to end the claims backlog by 2015. The VA has roughly 600,000 disability claims that have not been processed within its goal of 125 days. ...
Read the full story on our Federal Issues page
Shannon Graham talks on the phone while nurse Kiran Sarai, center,
helps six-year-old Max. Graham has five adopted children, four
of whom have significant disabilities. The family relies on the weekly
assistance of between eight and 10 personal care attendants
and nurses. (Photo by Mike Shields)
Personal Care Attendants: KanCare's unheralded workers
Every day a small army of Kansans — officials estimate there are about 16,000 of them — are at work helping some of the state’s neediest cope with the demands of daily life so that they can remain in their own homes rather than nursing homes or state institutions.
The personal care attendants or PCAs, as they are called, do all sorts of things to help: They clean house, fix meals, line out doses of medications, change adult or infant diapers, scour feeding tubes, lift people on and off toilets and in and out of beds, bathtubs and wheelchairs. They advance the pieces on a board game so a child can play with a younger brother. They let the dog out. Sometimes they are small but tough women presented impromptu tasks that would intimidate others, such as calming a large, shouting man made erratic by a brain injury. ...
... They usually are paid between $9 and $10 an hour, generally without benefits such as health insurance, vacation or paid time off to deal with their own illnesses or problems. Collectively, they care for about 20,000 Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries any given month. ...
... Because they mostly help people in their homes, the work of the personal care attendant is largely unseen by the public and they often are overlooked by policymakers. Many, if not most, are exempt from wage-and-hour laws. ...
Read the full story on our State/Local Issues News page
ACTIVITY CODES FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES (T1019) IN THE MR/DD WAIVER AND PERSONAL SERVICES (S5126) IN THE PD AND TBI WAIVERS, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
ACTIVITY CODES FOR ATTENDANT CARE SERVICES LEVEL I, LEVEL II, AND SELF-DIRECTED IN THE FRAIL ELDERLY WAIVER, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
You Are Invited to Share in the Fun at these Upcoming TILRC Events!
Rec. Committee Fishing Outing -
Gage Park Pond (on SW Westlake Court) June 14th, 9 – 11 a.m. (view photos from the May Fishing Outing)
23th Americans With Disabilities Act Anniversary Celebration - July 26th, 408 SW Jackson St (times TBA)
Rec. Committee Movie Showing - 408 Jackson, August 16th, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Rec. Committee Fishing Outing –
Lake Shawnee (accessible fishing dock), Sept. 6, 9 a.m. – Noon (includes a picnic lunch)
Oklahoma Tornado: How to Help
The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 provides immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the violent storms across Oklahoma
Public Hearing for the 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 | 2 to 4 p.m.
The hearing will provide an opportunity to offer input on its 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living. The interactive webcast will connect people in six Kansas communities; Garden City, Hays, Kansas City, Parsons, Topeka and Wichita; through a live audio and video broadcast. Participants in each location will be able to share their comments or questions, which will be broadcast live to all locations.
Find out more at: http://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org/index.php
New to the TILRC Website:
Adapting Motor Vehicles For People With Disabilities - this brochure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is based on the experience of driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals who work with individuals who require adaptive devices for their motor vehicles. It is centered around a proven process that can help you avoid costly mistakes when purchasing and modifying a vehicle with adaptive equipment.
Section 504 FAQ - These questions and answers focus on the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibit disability discrimination in programs receiving HUD funds or financial assistance.
HUD Notice on Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing and HUD-Funded Programs - This notice explains certain obligations of housing providers covered by the FHAct, Section 504, and/or the ADA with respect to animals that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities.
Now Accepting Applications for
TILRC's 2013 George Wolf Youth Internship Program
Contact Kim at 233-4572 for additional information
LET US HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR INDEPENDENT LIVING GOALS!
If you are a TILRC consumer you may already know how we help people who want to transition from an institution, like a nursing facility, back into the community or how we help folks get the attendant care services they need through the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Programs, but you may not be aware of all the other ways we help people with disabilities maintain or increase their independence. Learn more about how our advocates can help you be more independent in many aspects of daily living.
Job Openings
- AAPD Jobs Board
- Community Resource Council Jobs Bank
- Disabilty Scoop Jobs Listings
- NCIL Jobs & Internships Listings
- Independent Living Advocate, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC)
- Executive Director, Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK)
ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), May 23, 2013 3pm CDT - This webinar will provide a basic understanding of these two federal programs that can provide financial assistance for individuals with disabilities that meet the eligibility requirements.
Autism NOW Webinars
Service Implications of the DSM-5 for People with Autism, May 28, 2013, 1-2:30pm CDT
ADA Audio Conference Series
Upcoming changes for federal contractors and subcontractors: Hiring and employing people with disabilities, May 27, 2013, 1-2:30pm CDT
LEAD Center Webinars
Introduction to Customized Employment and Customized Self Employment, May 29, 2013, 2-3:30pm CDT, Participants will gain an understanding of how these practices can support job placement efforts for a variety of job seekers both with and without disabilities.
Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) Webinars
Local Policy Development: Ensuring Your Transportation Service is Open and Accessible to All, June 05, 2013, 1-2:30 CDT
AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series
Accessible Fire Alarm Systems, June 06, 2013, 1:30-3pm CT
Arts & Recreation Webinar Series
Transition Planning: The Dynamic Process for Parks, Recreation and Tourism, July 10, 2031, 1pm CDT
Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars
Ticket to Work: Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work, June 12, 2013, 2-4:30pm CDT
ADA Legal Webinar Series
The anatomy and myth of the ADA drive-by lawsuit, July 16, 2013, 1-2:30pm CT
WebEd Webinar Series
Accessibility of Web Information: Implications for how the Public and Private Sector Conducts Business, July 17, 2013, 2-3:30pm
POLICYMAKERS/RESEARCHERS NEED YOUR INPUT:
The “Apps Jungle” - What are the accessibility issues? This survey is designed to gain a greater understanding of the accessibility issues encountered by users with disabilities in dealing with app stores, how to determine if an app is accessible prior to purchase and what has become for everyone a very cumbersome process to find assistive and accessible apps relevant to them.
Wireless RERC Survey on Emergency Communications & People with Disabilities - This survey by the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center asks you to share some information about yourself, your experiences, and your preferences for communicating in emergencies. Your answers will be used to improve accessibility of emergency communications for people of all ages and abilities.
ITEM Coalition Survey on Access to Assistive Devices Under Medicare - The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition is surveying Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities and chronic conditions to assess their experience accessing the devices they need to function independently in everyday life. ITEM is interested in getting feedback from individuals who access medical device and assistive technology in areas where Medicare has implemented a selective provider contracting program known as the DME Competitive Bidding Program, and comparing that feedback to individuals who use devices outside of those areas.
SABE Self Determination Survey - Tell SABE if your local or statewide self advocacy organization's activities help its members to be more self-determined.
Access to 9-1-1 for People with Disabilities Survey
PECS Survey for Parents of Children with Autism - This survey askes asks parents to describe their children's Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training, their children's PECS use, and their own attitudes towards PECS.
Topeka ADA Advisory Council Members Needed!
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD! - Help eliminate the use of the R-word in everyday speech.