June 2020 Newsletter
Tell Us What You Think!
Each year P&A develops goals to guide what we will work on in the next year. This survey will help us set our goals by gathering input from the community. Unfortunately, P&A does not receive enough funding to address all the issues people with disabilities face. It is important to note that these goals do not include all our services. We will continue to provide core services such as conducting training, outreach and information services. Please respond by August 31, 2020. If you would like assistance in completing this survey or would like to request a paper copy please contact P&A at:
info@pandasc.org
Toll free: 1-866-275-7273
TTY: 1-866-232-4525
3710 Landmark Dr., Suite 208
Columbia, SC 29204
ADA Turns 30
On July 26 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 30. It is important to know and understand your rights. So P&A will be celebrating the ADA during July. We urge you to join us on Facebook and Twitter and use #ThanksToTheADA or #ADA30 to share what the ADA means to you.
Alert for Residents of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert to consumers to be on the lookout for nursing homes and assisted living facilities that are requiring residents who are on Medicaid to sign their stimulus checks over to the facilities.
Census 2020
The census has understandably taken a backseat in many people’s minds as they deal with job loss, illness, or other effects of COVID-19. Still, we know that getting counted is key to ensuring people have the resources they need to weather this storm and to build their communities. It is not to late! You can still complete it online at the @uscensusbureau’s website – or participate by phone or by mail. #DisabilityCounts2020
Hospital Patients with Disabilities Have Right to Visitors for Medical Support
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently resolved a complaint about hospital visitation policies in Connecticut. The policies had limited visitors without considering the needs of people with disabilities. HHS made it clear that people with disabilities have reasonable access to their own support personnel in hospital settings.
In South Carolina each hospital has its own policies about visitors. There is no state policy or emergency order about visitors in hospitals. P&A has asked the South Carolina agency that licenses hospitals to make visitation rights clear. Until they take some action, families who are blocked from visitation should remind the hospital of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that require accommodations. Most hospitals have an office called Patient and Family Liaison, Patient and Family Relations, or Patient Representative. Please let P&A know if you have problems about visiting a person with a disability who needs your special support while in the hospital.
Staff Spotlight
Roxanne Saunders has been an Administrative Assistant with P&A in the Central Office since 2015. She likes working with an organization that is so involved with helping people. Roxanne enjoys being a part of the Annual Gala to help further the mission of P&A. When not at the P&A office, she enjoys reading, watching TV, playing with her two cats and spending time with her granddaughter.
