Friends of WVSILC: 2 Legislative Calendar 2 Jan Lilly-Stewart 3 RYPAS Board 3 Wall of Fame SILC UPDATE 8 Labor Statistics The State Legislative Session is in full swing and we are watching closely to see what bills, good and bad, will affect people with disabilities. At the Federal level, the lack of a complete budget for FY 2019 has resulted in a “partial government shutdown” leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without a pay check. The good news is that the federal departments of Education and Health and Human Services have budgets that have passed and they are working, and getting paid – which means the Division of Rehabilitation Services, the SILC, and the Centers for Independent Living are receiving their federal funding. So, we are at end of THE the first quarter of the fiscal year with no budget agreement in sight. Let’s hope things go a bit smoother at the State level! The Fall elections resulted in several new members of the WV Senate and House of Delegates. Be sure to reach out to new legislators to let them know who you are and why you care about disability issues. Be a resource to them as they learn the process and make sure they learn about the effect their decisions can have on the lives of people with WINTERdisabilities 2019 - WVSILC– share - POwhat Box you 625 -know Institute, – shareWV 25112 your personal experiences – let them know how to get more information – they need you! And if you are not a member of the Fair Shake Network (FSN) – you should be! FSN is the unified voice of the disability community at the Legislature and they need your support – go to www.fairshake.org today and join! MISSION From the desk of: “To ensure persons who have disabilities have access to community-based resources that promote personal choice and facilitate the achievement of their independent living goals.” Ann McDaniel Executive Director IN THIS EDITION: Jan Lilly-Stewart Racer loses his legs but Blind delegate to Duckworth has her revenge 1951-2018 p.2 not his drive p.4 take office p.5 on lousy airline service p.6 WV Centers for Independent Living Appalachian CIL Mountain State CIL Elk Office Center 821 Fourth Ave. 4710 Chimney Dr. Huntington, WV 25701 on the Charleston, WV 25302 1-866-687-8245 1-800-642-3003 329 Prince St. Northern WV CIL Beckley, WV 25801 601-603 East Brockway Ave. 304-255-0122 Suite A & B Morgantown, WV 26505 1-800-834-6408 Go Paperless: If you would prefer to 109 Randolph Ave. receive our newsletter electronically, please Elkins, WV 26241 contact us at (304) 766-4624 or wvsilc@ 304-636-0143 wvsilc.org. Jan Lilly-Stewart You have probably already heard that former SILC member Jan Lilly-Stewart, 2019 Legislative Calendar passed away Thursday December 6, 2018 at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a short illness surrounded by family and friends. She will be remembered by First Day - January 9, 2019: First day of many for her fierce advocacy, steadfast friendship, and unwavering love of life. session. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18) Jan was born August 15, 1951 in Beckley, WV daughter of Genevieve “Jennie” Browning, of Canton, OH, and the late James Lilly. When Jan was a child, Twentieth Day - January 28, 2019: doctors told her mother that she was not likely to live to adulthood due to her Submission of Legislative Rule-Making spina bifida. Her mother defied their predictions. She supported Jan in following Review bills due. (WV Code §29A-3-12) her dreams, which led her to a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Marshall University, a career in the disability movement and marriage to the love of her Thirty-fifth Day - February 12, 2019: Last life, David Stewart, who died in 2015. Jan was the first inductee in the West day to introduce bills in the House. House Virginia Independent Living Hall of Fame on July 21, 2002. She was one of the Rule 91a does not apply to originating or pioneers in the state’s independent living movement as an original staff supplementary appropriation bills, and does member at the first CIL (Center for Independent Living) in West Virginia in not apply to Senate or House resolutions or Huntington, now known as Mountain State Centers for Independent Living.. concurrent resolutions. She was recognized nationally for her contributions with a Regional Advocacy Award by the National Council on Independent Living. She left the CIL to lead Forty-first Day - February 18, 2019: Last the advocacy efforts of the W Developmental Disabilities Council. She was day to introduce bills in the Senate. Senate one of the founders of the Fair Shake Network and served as its coordinator Rule 14 does not apply to originating or for several years. Jan was well-known at the State Legislature for her expertise supplementary appropriation bills, and does and leadership on disability issues. She helped author legislation that closed not apply to Senate or House resolutions or the Colin Anderson Center, the state’s last institution for people with concurrent resolutions. developmental disabilities. She was also instrumental in the passage the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) Act, the Independent Living Act Forty-seventh Day - February 24, 2019: and other important bills. She served on the first RYPAS Board and was Bills due out of committees in house of origin instrumental in the development of the legislative rules and policies for the to ensure three full days for readings. program. She was the founder of WV Partners in Policymaking, which has helped prepare many new leaders in the disability movement. She was an Fiftieth Day - February 27, 2019: Last day to amazing mentor to many of us. Jan worked hard, and she played hard. She consider bill on third reading in house of origin. and David hosted frequent gatherings in their home, where David loved to Does not include budget or supplementary cook and friends often played music. Many a Friday night during the summer, appropriation bills. (Joint Rule 5 paragraph b) Jan could be found listening to local musicians at Live on the Levy. She loved the Beatles and saw Bruce Springsteen in concert four times. On hearing of Sixtieth Day - March 9, 2019: Adjournment her passing, Don Perdue, former Delegate to the West Virginia House of at Midnight. (WV Const. Art. VI, §22) Delegates, remarked: “Oh my! Such a great person. God increased the value of Heaven today.” A celebration of Jan’s life was held December 15, 2018 at For more information on the 2019 WV Snodgrass Funeral Home by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the Legislative Session, see full calendar on family requested that donations be made to The Fair Shake Network, PO Box page 15 or visit the WV State Legislature 354, Institute, WV 25112, or online at http://www.fairshake.org/donate.html. website at: http://www.legis.state.wv.us. Page 2 WVSILC Solicits Nominations MTSTCIL Wall of Fame for the RYPAS Board Ann McDaniel is the latest member of the Mountain State Centers for Independent The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Wall of Fame. Living Council is (SILC) is recruiting individuals with disabilities to fill vacancies on the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Board. The Council is mandated by Section 18, Article 10L of the West Virginia Code to maintain a standing committee to serve as the consumer-controlled board to direct the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services in the implementation of this program. The Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Program (RYPAS) is a State funded program provided through the State Plan for Independent Living. Legislatively, the board is required to meet at least quarterly, but usually meets monthly to review applications for eligibility and to address policy and other governing issues for the program. Board members will be compensated for allowable expenses incurred as a result of active participation on the board. Individuals nominated must have a severe disability (a physical, mental, or sensory impairment that affects one or more major life activity), be dedicated to the development and growth of the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Program (RYPAS), and be committed to attending meetings and actively participate on the board. You may wish to nominate yourself or another person (with their permission) for membership on this board. More information about RYPAS is available at http:// www.wvsilc.org/rypas.htm. The form to nominate RYPAS Board members is on page 13 and available at http://www.wvsilc.org/docs/RYPAS%20Board%20 At the WVSILC meeting on Wednesday, Nomination%20Form.pdf. Learn more about WVSILC and its work at http:// January 9, 2019, Anne Weeks, CEO/ www.wvsilc.org. President of Mountain State Centers for Independent Living presented a copy of the Please feel free to share with as many individuals as you wish. If you have sketch that now hangs in the Mountain State questions or need further information or assistance, please contact WVSILC at Centers for Independent Living’s offices in (304) 766-4624 or toll free at (855) 855-9743 (voice/TDD). Huntington to Ann McDaniel. Ron Yost sustained a spinal cord injury when he Ann McDaniel MTSTCIL Staff was 20 that resulted in quadriplegia. He was an Ann worked for MTSTCIL for 11 years during active advocate for people with disabilities, and the early years. She started as a part-time he fully understood how much difference having trainer in Lincoln County on a special project. an attendant or personal assistant can make in the level of independence and quality of life for a Ann and Jane Gibbons developed the first person with a disability.