Special Up-Coming Event

A Quarterly Publication of

Independence Now, Inc. 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101 Fall 2015 Silver Spring, MD 20904 Oct, Nov, Dec Independence Now is the Center for Independent Living for Board Members Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties

President Considerations When Requesting a Ramp Robert Watson

Vice President Often consumers call Independence Now requesting assistance with funding Cindy Buddington home modifications to make their homes safer and to become more independent.

Secretary One of the most requested items is a ramp to get into and out of the home. Many Sarah Allen things must be considered before a ramp can be installed. The biggest consideration is the amount of space needed for the ramp. A ramp must have a Treasurer “foot of length for every inch of height.” This means that usually every step to Justin Campbell your front porch is about 8 inches high, a ramp needs to be 8 feet long for every step. If you have 2 steps to the porch and one step inside that means that you Members need a ramp that is at least 24 feet long (8 x 3 = 24). Timothy Hairston David Johnson Ramps consist of a 5 foot by 5 foot platform at the door, often over the front Sandra Sermons porch, so that the person in the wheel chair can maneuver the doorway. Another Alex Vakalopoulos platform must be placed after at least 30 feet of ramp for a rest area. So if you Staff have 5 steps to the porch and one step inside, the ramp alone will be 48 feet long (8 x 6 = 48). You will need a 5 foot by 5 foot platform at the door and one Executive somewhere along the way for a rest and/or turn area. Now your ramp is 58 feet Director long (5 + 5 + 48 = 58). Sarah Sorensen Not every home has the space for the ramp that is needed. There are other HOUSING waitlist openings announcement in this issue of IN Touch for Admin. Staff options, such as wheel chair lifts. But please, keep all this in mind when Montgomery and Prince George’s County wondering how or if you are going to be able to get into your home on a scooter Patricia Foley or wheelchair. Deborah Jackson “Like us on Facebook!” and “Follow us on Twitter!” David Mitchell Contact the Director of Community Services at 240-898-2181 for more info Our Facebook Place page is at facebook.com/InNowOrg Brian Thompson regarding assistive technology and home and vehicle modifications. Twitter account is tweet us @InNowOrg. Todd Thorpe Give to INDEPENDENCE NOW #59275 Project Staff www.cfcnca.org Shelia Wooten needed help to Complete the Pledge Form and save campaign costs by donating through e-Giving Carlos Gardner remain independent in safely paperless or online printed pledge options Tonya Gilchrist entering and exiting her home. Her Davon Harrison need was due to a deteriorating Rochelle Harrod INDEPENDENCE NOW, INC. (IN) is a nonprofit organization created by and for people with disabilities. IN. ramp, which needed repair or assists residents of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to use community services and resources that Kelvin Hawkins replacing. She did not qualify for will enhance their independence. All services are provided without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, national Cindy LaBon Independence Now’s home origin, age, religion, or type(s) of disability. This Newsletter and all public information are available in alternate Shannon Minnick modification program due to her format such as Braille, large print, or by e-mail upon request. Michael Saunders income level. Denise Sosbe Instead of letting this be a barrier to Independence Now has four offices in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties: Brandon Taylor her, she was assisted by her Independent Living Specialist to secure a low- Silver Spring Office Rockville Office Largo Office Camp Springs Office Yolanda Williams 12301 Old Columbia Pike 401 Hungerford Drive 1300 Caraway Court Harriet Hunter Building interest loan and other funding. Before long, Sheila had her ramp! The ramp Suite 101 3rd Floor Suite 200 6420 Allentown Rd changed her life and allowed her brother, who also uses a wheelchair, to visit Silver Spring, MD 20904 Rockville, MD 20850 Largo, MD 20774 Camp Springs, MD 20748 her for the first time in many years. Lack of access no longer kept them apart. ◄ September ~ October 2015 ~ November ► ~ December 2015 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Housing Let’s Get Seminar Together 1pm – 3pm N. H Transitioning 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2pm – 4pm Youth Path to 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Christmas Empowerment Self-Advocacy Path to Party & Training Empowerment 1pm to 5pm Annual Holiday 11am – 1pm 11am – 1:30pm Event 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 11am – 1:30pm Housing 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 CHRISTMAS Seminar Newsletter Office Closed 1pm – 3pm Volunteers 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10am – 12pm Employment 27 28 29 30 31 Seminar 1pm – 3pm Youth Speak-Up Social 1:00-5:00pm

◄ October ~ November 2015 ~ December ► Contact the staff person listed for each event at least one week in advance to register. Unless Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat otherwise stated, all events will be held at the main office of Independence Now at 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101, Silver Spring, MD 20904. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Financial  PLEASE NOTE: The Housing Seminar usually scheduled for the 4th Thursday of each month Budgeting has been changed for the month of November and December due the Thanksgiving and Seminar Christmas holidays. 1pm – 3pm 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Housing Seminar SPECIAL UP-COMING EVENT 1pm -3pm Self-Advocacy Training, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 11 AM – 2 PM

17 18 19 20 21 Join Us! At The Arc of Prince George's County, 1400 Mercantile Lane, Suite 160, Path to Largo, MD 20774, Conference Rooms A and B Empowerment Independence Now, in partnership with People On the Go of Maryland, presents a special learning event 11am – 1:30pm on how to advocate for yourself. You will learn hands-on tips and tricks for how to speak up for yourself in 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 difficult situations to be heard and get results. THANKSGIVING Office Closed People On the Go of Maryland is a self-advocacy organization comprising advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities who use their voices to be heard and recognized. People On The Go believes 29 30 . One-way travel reimbursement will be provided for consumers using public all people should be active participants in their communities and strives to eliminate discrimination. Learn transportation more at http://www.peopleonthegomaryland.com/. . If you require accessible accommodations or interpreter services you must contact the staff person listed six business days before the event For more information and to register contact Deborah Jackson at 240-638-0066 or at [email protected] with subject line “Self-Advocacy Training”. YOUTH SPEAK-UP SOCIAL -- 1pm to 5pm Dec 29th, Tuesday -- Healthy Lifestyles for Transitioning Youth to Adulthood This event is hosted in partnership with Independence Now and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) at the Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Rd, Landover, MD 20785. Sessions will include, “Recreation and Leisure is a Fun and Healthy lifestyle” and “Relationships in the Real World”. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Contact Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070 to register.

HOUSING WAITLIST ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

The Housing Authority of Prince George's County (HAPGC) will begin accepting online only preliminary applications for placement on the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) Waitlist on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 12:01 am through Friday, October 16, 2015 11:59 pm EST. Everyone who applies AT ANYTIME during the electronic preliminary application period has an equal chance to be randomly selected for the 5,000 waitlist slots. Only one application per household will be accepted. Households who complete multiple applications may be disqualified. HAPGC will only accept electronic preliminary applications. No applications will be accepted at the HAPGC central office. Applicants who need internet access or assistance may go to any local library in your area. HAPGC staff will be on site to offer additional assistance at the following library locations on October 14, 2015 to October 16, 2015 between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Hyattsville Branch Oxon Hill Branch Spaulding's Branch 6530 Adelphi Rd 6200 Oxon Hill Rd 5811 Old Silver Hill Rd Hyattsville, MD 20782 Oxon Hill, MD 20784 District Heights, MD 20747

You can also get more information by calling our wait list information line at 301-583-9906. Independence Now will be available to assist individuals with disabilities to apply on the following dates and locations during the hours of 10AM – 1PM by appointments only. See back page of this newsletter for contact person information for each site. • Silver Spring - Thurs 8th, Mon Oct 12th • Camp Spring - Tues, Oct 6th and Tues, Oct 13th • Largo - Mon 5th, Fri 9th, Fri 16th

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) has opened its wait list for affordable housing programs. Visit http://www.hocmc.org/. The wait list will be fully-electronic, available online, and will stay open all year round. Applications must be submitted through the HOCHousingPath.com website. Any Internet connected computer, smart phone, or tablet device can be used to submit an application. If you don't have access to a computer/the Internet, kiosks will be available at HOC office locations and Montgomery County Public Libraries. Please note: You must be at least 18 years old to apply. Completion of an application does not guarantee housing assistance.  There are three ways to get additional information Your question may be answered on the Frequently Asked Questions page. You can email your question to: [email protected] You can call the Wait List Hotline at: 240-627-9800 (Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00PM) Note: Due to heavy call volume, you may get a faster response by emailing your question, instead of calling.

Independence Now will be available to assist consumers with the application process. Call Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070 for an appointment.

INDEPENDENCE NOW REGULAR SCHEDULE EVENTS (monthly, quarterly and annual events)

LET’S GET TOGETHER (NURSING HOME TRANSITIONING) Oct 7th, Wednesday 2pm – 4pm Are you ready to transition from a nursing facility to community living? Join others who are on the same path to independence! Round-trip travel reimbursement for IN consumers will be provided for Metro Access, Metro bus or rail. Contact Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070 for more details. PATH TO EMPOWERMENT -- Third Thursday monthly 11am – 1:30pm Contact Shannon Minnick at 240-630-0070 to register and obtain location details. Travel reimbursement for IN consumers will be provided for Metro Access, Metro bus or rail. October 15th -- Imagine...delicious dinners that taste like old fashioned suppers even on the busiest of days. Experience making quick, health and easy meals in 30 minutes that your family will love and obtain information about assistive technology that can help with food preparation. November 19th -- Giving up great food during the holidays isn't an option, if eating is your passion come and explore Healthy Cooking for the Holiday so you can still be Happy! December 17th -- This session will be combined with IN’s consumers’ annual Holiday Party, which will include cooking skills training, Social activities, food, music and gift exchange. HOUSING SEMINAR Oct 22nd, Thursday 1pm - 3pm. You've submitted your housing voucher application: What's Next? Learn how to follow-up process once an online application for housing in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties has been submitted. Contact Rochelle Harrod at 240-898-8124 for more information or to RSVP. Nov 12th, Thursday 1pm - 3pm How to address issues with your landlord presented by Sulma Guzman, Esq. of Casa De Maryland. Also receive any up to date info on housing options. Contact Rochelle Harrod at 240-898-8124. Dec 10th, Thursday 1pm - 3pm. Utility Assistance -- Find out what’s available and your eligibility for these programs. Contact Rochelle Harrod at 240-898-8124 to RSVP. FINANCIAL SEMINAR -- BUDGETING -- Establishing and Rebuilding Credit Nov 4th, Wednesday1pm - 3pm Learn how medical bills, utility and cell phone bills affect your credit presented by Dan Florea of Guidewell Financial Services. Contact, Rochelle Harrod at 240-898-8124 to RSVP. EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR -- 1pm - 3pm Oct. 28th, Wednesday -- Want to work and keep your benefits? Our MD Work Incentive Network (MD-WIN) staff will help you understand the pros of working while disabled. You will also obtain information on knowing your rights in the employment process and after being hired. For more information or to RSVP contact Kelvin at 240-638-0068.

YOUTH HOLIDAY PARTY -- 1pm to 5pm -- Save the Date Dec 13th -- Cheers my Dear’s, SET YOUR SIGHTS ON HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND PRESENTS ROUND THE TREE! Join us for an evening of fun at our Holiday Jamboree. Contact Shannon Minnick at 240-630-0070 to register and obtain location details.