Volume 24 Issue 18
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Spring 2012
MARCH IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
On March 13, 2012 the Governor of North Dakota signed a
proclamation at the State Capitol proclaiming March as TBI
awareness month.
Facts Provided by the Brain Injury Associations of America

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow, jolt or bump to
the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the
normal function of the brain.
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TBIs are caused by falls (35%); car crashes (17%); workplace accidents (16%); assaults (10%); and other (21%).
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52,000 people will die. 275,000 people will be hospitalized. 1.365 million people will be treated and released
from an emergency department.

About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions
or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).
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Mission Statement:
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The Dakota Center for Independent Living believes in selfdetermination for people with disabilities and helps to create the
environment in which it is achieved!
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“The contents of this newsletter were developed under a grant from the Department
of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the
Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal
Government.”
This newsletter is available in alternative format—upon request.
RONALD MCDONALD
CARE MOBILE
“delivering hope on wheels”
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is a state of the art mobile dental clinic
that delivers oral health services to underserved children age 0-21 in their
own neighborhoods in the western half of North Dakota.
Services may include:

Exams

X-rays

Oral health education

Cleanings

Fluoride treatments

Sealants

Simple extractions

Referrals as needed
For more information contact the Ronald McDonald House at
701-258-8551 and ask for Kathy or Celeste.
GOOD LUCK CHANTEL
Dakota Center for Independent Living is sad to announce that
Chantel Zeller, Branch Office Coordinator in our satellite office
in Dickinson, has resigned her position with us. Chantel will be
greatly missed by all staff and consumers. BEST WISHES are
extended to her and her family from DCIL Staff.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The revised ADA Regulations Implementing Title II and
Title III are now in effect as of March 15, 2012.
Compliance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design
are now required as of March 15, 2012.
Go to www.ada.gov for information regarding the changes
that have gone into effect.
Dakota Center for Independent Living offers training that prepares people with disabilities to become peer mentors.
Anyone interested in becoming a Peer Mentor for Dakota Center for Independent Living please, contact Jeannie at 701-222-3636.
Bingo Night
Dakota Zoo
Pumpkin Patch
RECREATION: Events are a great way to meet new people and make new
friends. Come out and join us for a wonderful time by participating in our
indoor and outdoor activities. For more information contact Jeannie at
222-3636.
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER:
Jonathan Wald took the driver’s permit course at Dakota Center for Independent
Living, and passed his permit test in just 7 weeks of attending classes.
Louis Davis moved from California to Dickinson, ND, to find work. Louis took the driver’s permit course at Dakota Center for Independent Living and passed his permit test in
just five weeks of attending classes. He is looking forward to taking his driver’s test.
Sharon Halsey, an employee at McDonald’s on Main Street, was awarded Employee of
the Month for February.
THE VOICE OF ROYCE
After traveling to Las Vegas a few times I realized the big cities have the same transportation
issues as small-town rural America; lack of accessible transportation. I haven’t had a problem getting back and forth from the airport and hotel, but to try to catch an accessible taxi
any other time is difficult to say the least.
On my latest trip in February, I called the same taxi company that took us to the hotel and
was told that it would be 10 minutes to an hour for a pickup. After waiting for an hour and
15 minutes hoping that maybe another accessible taxi would show up, we decided we better
stay on the strip because we weren’t too confident we could get a ride back to the hotel. Now
this isn’t the first time that this happened, and when you’re stuck in downtown Las Vegas
and not sure how you will get back to your hotel, you tend to panic a little, which leads me to
another incident.
I made a trip to Las Vegas with my brother-in-law, Raymond. We stayed at Sam’s Town,
which is a rather long distance to the strip. So we called a taxi and they were on their way,
and after about a half an hour we called again and they were still on their way. So after two
hours of waiting and calling multiple taxis, we decided to walk a few blocks and catch the
city bus to the strip. Eventually we did get there, walked around for a bit and caught the
Deuce (double- decker bus that runs up and down the strip), and went down to Fremont
Street, and decided about 11 o’clock we should probably head back to the hotel. Once again,
we started calling taxi companies and even had a connoisseur make calls for us, and still no
ride back to our hotel. At this point, it’s about midnight and we were still standing on the
street trying to figure out how we are going to get back to our hotel. Well, as we were standing on the street a taxi drives by with the universal symbol of accessibility on it, and has to
wait for the light show to get over on Fremont Street. Raymond and I look at each other and
he takes off running for this taxi and asked the driver if he could take us to Sam’s Town.
Fortunately, for us he did and he got a very generous tip.
This finally brings me to my point that it would be so great that if either Taxi 9000 or Metro
Taxi or both, would have an accessible taxi for on-demand service. Would it be perfect or
available for everyone that needs it when they want? Probably not, but it isn’t in the bigger
cities either. But it would give individuals with mobility issues the ability to be more spontaneous and not have to plan all their trips ahead of time. If we individuals with mobility impairments make our voices heard, this can be a reality. So let’s be heard!
ND MEASURE 2
JUNE 12TH BALLOT
Measure 2 would amend the North Dakota Constitution to abolish property taxes and
require the state Legislature to come up with a formula by which to fund all legally imposed obligations of counties, cities, townships and other political subdivisions.
STANDING ROCK COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Students at Standing Rock Community School took part in the Self Advocacy presentation
to learn about safeguarding their civil rights, and what organizations and agencies are
available to assist them, should they need to seek help.
MONEY FOLLOW THE PERSON (MFP)
TRANSITION
In January 2011, Lloyd Williams suffered from a stroke. After his stroke, Lloyd was admitted into Dakota Alpha to receive nursing and rehabilitation services. In February,
2012, Lloyd transitioned back into his apartment in Mandan, ND, with his wife. Lloyd
states, that he feels like he has recovered more at home because he is living back with
his wife. The purchase of a lift chair increased his independence by enhancing his mobility. He is currently receiving respite services through Home and Community Based
Services. Lloyd is also receiving physical therapy three times per week through St. Alexius Home Health.
The Lifeline and Link Up Programs Help Low-Income
Households Get Telephone Service.

Lifeline provides discounts on one basic monthly phone service (landline or wireless). The discount can be up to $10.00 per month, depending on the state.

Link Up provides a one-time discount (up to a maximum of $30.00) off of the initial
installation fee for a landline or the activation fee for wireless phone service.
Federal Eligibility Criteria for Low Income Support:

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food
stamps

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Medicaid
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National School Lunch Program’s free lunch program

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
For more information about the programs you can contact Dakota Central Telecommunication at 1-800-771-0974 or Reservation Telephone at 1-888-862-3115. You may also
contact your present telephone service for more information.
TELEMARKETING FRAUD TIPS

Telemarketers may only call between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00pm. It is a
red flag if you get a call from a company outside of those hours.

Be wary of telephone calls and postcards with offers “TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.”
They usually are!

Ask a lot of questions and listen carefully to the answers. Take notes during the
call. If the caller does not answer your questions, HANG UP.

REFUSE to be pressured into making a hasty decision. Legitimate callers will allow time for consideration. Take your time!

Be skeptical if you are told you have won a prize, but have to pay something to receive it. NEVER pay for a “free” prize. Free is Free.
Prepared by the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division of North
Dakota Office of Attorney General.
Dakota Center for Independent Living
3111 East Broadway Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58501
HAPPY EASTER
FROM DCIL STAFF
Phone: 701-222-3636
Toll Free: 1-800-489-5013
Fax: 701-222-0511
Web address: dakotacil.org
DCIL has a satellite office in
Dickinson, ND. They can be
Reached at: 1-701-483-4363
Need a Hot Meal?
Soup Café
619 Memorial Highway, Bismarck
Monday—Friday—11:00am—7:00pm
Saturday 11:00am—5:00pm
New Song Church
3200 N 11th St. Bismarck
Sunday—9:45am—10:30am
Continental Breakfast
Wednesday Meal, starting August 31, 5:15pm—6:00pm
Charity Lutheran Church at Riverside School
406 S Anderson St. Bismarck
Tuesday—6:15pm—7:30pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
3rd St & Ave. A, Bismarck
Thursday—5:30pm—7:00pm
Spirit of Life Church
801 1st St. SE, Mandan
September—May
Thursday—11:30am—12:30pm