the Independent blog

November 2^nd is the general election across this nation, a day in which every citizen has a right and duty to vote for the individuals they wish to represent them in their government. The right to vote did not come easily. Many brave Americans, past and present, have fought hard to attain and preserve this right. We as Americans owe it to those heroes to continue this legacy of self governance. All of us at Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living Inc. encourage everyone to fulfill their civic duty on November 2^nd. Please vote.

The Social Security Administration is expected to announce on Friday that there will not be a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2011.  Cost of living adjustments in benefits payments are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation estimates for the third quarter, ending in September, of the year before the COLA would take effect.  SSA has no administrative discretion to change the outcome because Congress adopted this formula by law in 1975.  Major news outlets have been reporting the “no COLA increase” in advance of SSA’s regular mid-October announcement.  However, SSA’s announcement will include additional details of interest to people with disabilities, such as the 2011 levels for substantial gainful activity (SGA) and earnings needed for a “quarter of coverage” or “work credit”.  These amounts will be reported in CI following SSA’s formal announcement.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has released disability employment statistics for September showing that the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.6. By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was 69.9.  The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 14.8 percent, compared with 9.0 percent for persons with no disability (not seasonally adjusted).  For more information visit:

http://www.disability.gov/employment/research_%26_statistic

Hello all-

Today ACC clients and staff were approached Daryl Braham from Heritage Homes (co-owner  of the company sponsoring the build)  and were asked to HELP.  On Friday October 8^th, 2010 the Extreme Makeover team is going to try to beat a Guinness Book of World Record by having more than 250 people in wheelchairs at one event.  They would like to spell out the words HOPE INC. with those who attend.  I would like to extend the word to all of you in hopes that you pass the word on so we all can work together to make history and support a great cause.  Please keep your eye on www.extrememakeoverfm.com as the Extreme Team will be posting a time and an exact location to gather.  Hope to see you all there!

 ”Each individual person is very important. Each person has tremendous potential. She or he alone can influence the lives of others within the communities, nations, within and beyond her or his own time.”
Muhammad Yunus

2 Med Life Chairs (Morse Code Blue)      Paid $3390.00 for both

                I slightly used, the other like new

1     3 wheel Golden Tech Scooter             Paid $2570.00

                Never used

1         Queen Visio mattress and adjustable base  Paid $3000.00

Never been used to her knowledge

WILL TAKE ANY REASONABLE OFFER TO GET RID OF ITEMS!

 

Call 218-289-2842 (cell) or 218-281-4542 (home) Ask for Shirley

“In 2009, there were 23 States that spent more than 75% of their Medicaid LTC A/D on nursing homes.[NE, ME, CT, OH, WY, AL*, MI, NJ, AZ, FL, UT, HI*, IL*, KY, PA, NH, IN, MS, MD, SD, DE, ND, RI*].  *All data not reported.  These 23 States have not “rebalanced” their A/D expenditures and 10 years after Olmstead still are overwhelminingly institutionalized biased.”

Source: Steve Gold.  Rebalancing Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Expenditures: How Is Your State Doing?  Information Bulletin #323 (9/2010).

The North Dakota Department of Human Services, is seeking public comment from North Dakotans with disabilities.

As a potential consumer of the Client Assistance Program, the Division of Vacational Rehabilitation would like to invite you to a community forum to discuss the potential re-designation of the North Dakota Client Assistance Program. You input will

1. Help determine the organizational structure of the Client Assistance Program,
2. Help identify the qualities and characteristics of the Client Assistance Program that best serve individuals with disabilities; and
3. Make recommendations to the North Dakota Governor on the designated agency or agent for the Client Assistance Program.

Where: Freedom Resource Center, 2701 9th Avenue S, Ste H, Fargo
When: September 28, 6:00pm

Freedom Resource Center, a disability rights organization, seeks Communication and Policy Coordinator. Duties: Coordinate website, newsletter, and other communication; conduct public speaking and group training; policy analysis; and coordination of outreach activities. Qualifications: Education and/or experience in the areas of communications, public relations, and public policy work. Knowledge of disability-related services and issues preferred. Computer application knowledge and travel are required. Send cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and three professional letters of reference to: Freedom Resource Center, 2701 9th Ave. S., Suite H, Fargo, ND 58103. Deadline: Sept. 30. Persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.

Our deepest sympathies to the Ovind family.  This week we lost a dear friend, Susan Ovind of Jamestown, ND.  She passed away unexpectedly on Wed Aug 18 at Sanford Health Fargo.  

Susan was great  representative of the disability community  and participated in the SILC, was Recognized as Outstanding Citizen with a disability in 1993 and was very active on the Jamestown Mayor’s Partnership Committee.  Susan was particularly passionate in removing barriers in her town as well as working towards accessible parking compliance. Susan’s leadership, passion and many volunteer hours will be greatly missed.