September 2019 Newsletter
P&A Service Highlight
The Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) program was created to allow P&As to assist individuals with disabilities in getting, using, or the care of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services through case management, legal representation and self-advocacy training. Assistive Technology (AT) devices or services are things that help people with disabilities live, work or learn. An “AT device” is any item or equipment that helps people with disabilities in their daily life activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, magnifiers, wheelchairs, or amplified phones. An “AT service” is any service that directly helps an individual with disabilities choose, get or use an AT device. An example would be coordinating needed therapies with AT devices. While P&A cannot purchase AT devices or services under this funding, we can help when there are barriers to AT services or problems with needed AT devices. If you have questions about your rights to AT devices or services call P&A today or go to our website to learn more at https://www.pandasc.org/resources/assistive-technology/
Advocacy Watch
The 2020 Census will try to count everyone living in the US on April 1, 2020. In March, the US Census Bureau will send a postcard to everyone asking for a response. You can answer on line, by phone or with a printed form the Census Bureau will provide. If needed, someone will come to your home. The questions include the age, sex, race of people living in your home. There will also be a question about home is rented or owned. All responses are confidential.
Did you know the US Census Bureau has identified people with disabilities as a “hard-to-count population”? This means they are at a greater risk of being undercounted in the 2020 Census. Although disability data will not be collected in the 2020 census, it is important for people with disabilities to be counted. When communities are undercounted, they are deprived of equal representation and funding. For example multiple federally funded programs like special education Grants and Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants are guided by census data for each state.
In order to ensure full participation the US Census Bureau is offering multiple options for full accessibility.
• Braille and large print guides
• American Sign Language (ASL) video guide
• Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) technology will be used
For more information on why the census matters go to the new National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) report https://www.ndrn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/People-with-Disabilities-Brief.pdf
Disaster Preparedness
Are you ready for a disaster to impact your area? Do you have at least 3 days of supplies on hand? A great place to get started is to put together your own personalized disaster plan. Go to https://www.ready.gov/disability to find out more about what you need to do to be ready for a disaster. If you have any questions you can also call the SC Emergency Management Division 1-866-0133 for help.
Staff Spotlight
Brandy Earle has been with P&A for 13 years. She has spent most of her years with us as member of the Outreach, Information and Referral Team. However, last year she was promoted to Rep Payee Coordinator. She is a graduate of Winthrop University and the University of Social Carolina. Outside of P&A, she enjoys traveling, spending time with my family and friends, Zumba and reading.
Are you 18 years or older with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and living with Type 2 Diabetes?
Able South Carolina is hosting multiple listening sessions in Columbia and Greenville with small groups of people with I/DD to talk about a new video about diabetes. They want to know what you think of the video! For more information view this flyer.