ENDEPENDENCE CENTER INFORMATION FOR JULY 2012
Workshop to Become a Consumer-Directed Assistant
The Endependence Center is sponsoring FREE workshops for people who want to become
employed as Consumer-Directed Assistants, supporting individuals with disabilities to live in the
community. The first workshop will be on Tuesday, July 10th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the
Churchland Library, 4934 High Street W in Portsmouth. A second workshop will be held
Thursday, August 23rd, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Virginia Beach Central Library, Libris
Room, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach. Call Tammy Manno at 351-1586 to register for either workshop.
A Consumer-Directed Assistant position offers flexible hours and on-the-job training, requires no specialized or costly
degree, and provides a person with an opportunity to build valuable skills while earning pay. To become a ConsumerDirected Assistant, a person must be 18 years old, have a Social Security number, pass a Criminal Background check and
pass a Child Protective Services background check if working with a child. The Virginia Association of Centers for
Independent Living, through a grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities titled “Improving and Expanding
Consumer-Directed Services” is working across Virginia to develop a workforce of Consumer-Directed Assistants and to
establish an electronic Consumer-Directed Assistant directory.
Fair Housing Seminar
July 17, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm, VA Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach
This course is about legal rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Law, and gives the
basic foundation of Fair Housing Law required of all housing providers. This class is for anyone
who sells, leases, owns, or manages residential property. Housing providers who complete the
course are eligible for state certification by the Fair Housing Board. The course is free but registration is required.
Register online www.vipnet.org/conference/cgi-bin/conference.cgi?confer_id=686 or call Mally Dryden Mason at
804-840-9053 or 888-551-3247.
Audio Descriptions on TV
Beginning July 1st, ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, plus the top five cable networks will begin providing audio
descriptions of some of their programming for blind or sight-impaired viewers. The shows to be
described range from ABC's Modern Family to CBS's NCIS to Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer to USA's
Royal Pains.
Starting July 1st, the Big Four broadcast networks and the top five-rated cable networks will begin
offering four hours a week of “video descriptions” that clue in blind and partially sighted viewers on
what's going on when the characters aren't talking. The descriptions, audible only to viewers who
want them to be audible, are squeezed in between the dialog.
PARTICIPANT LED SCHEDULED EVENTS**
.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - 12:00 noon – 2:30 pm
@ AMF Norfolk Lanes, 2441 E. Little Creek Rd. Norfolk 23518
Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Women’s Group @ ECI
Tuesday, July 31 2012 - 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Mentor Awareness Needs (M.A.N.) Group @ ECI
Participants schedule these events; therefore, staff will not be present, however, staff will be available for
assistance for events taking place at the Endependence Center. For information about participant
led events in the community, contact Deon Latham at 581-6932.
** HRT HANDI-RIDE/BUS TICKETS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY!!
(Tickets will be provided for events taking place at ECI)
July 2012
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
5
ECI CLOSED
IL Support Group
@ ECI
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
8
9
10
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
6
7
ADA Webinar
“Accessible Kitchens and
Kitchenettes”
@ ECI
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
11
12
13
14
18
19
Participant Led Event**
“Women’s Group”
@ ECI
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
20
21
26
27
28
Participant Led Event**
@ AMF Norfolk Lanes
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
15
22
16
“Movie Monday”
@ ECI
I Am Sam
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
23
17
Mix-n-Mingle
For All Ages
@ ECI
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
24
News Team
@ ECI
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
29
30
31
Participant Led Event**
“M.A.N. Group”
@ ECI
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
25
ADA Celebration
@ ECI
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
ENDEPENDENCE CENTER INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE JULY 2012
3rd
TUE
IL Support Group – 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
This support group is for anyone with a disability. We talk about adjusting to a disability, being
independent, plus dealing with stereotypes and attitudes.
5th
ADA Webinar “Accessible Kitchens and Kitchenettes” – 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
THU Access to kitchen and kitchenettes is the subject of many technical inquiries received by the
Board. This session will review scoping and technical requirements for kitchens and kitchenettes.
Illustrations and diagrams will be used to explain how various specifications apply and relate,
including those for clear floor space, required clearances and fixtures and doors, and turning
space.
16th “Movie Monday” – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
MON ECI will be having Movie Monday where “I Am Sam” will be shown followed by a discussion of
thoughts and feelings regarding disability and how it relates to the movie.
24th
TUE
News Team – 2:00 pm -- 3:30 pm
Are you interested in writing an article or helping create the participant newsletter? If so, the
group would like you to join them! Facilitator – Linda Johnson
26th
ADA Celebration – 12:30 – 2:30 pm
THU The Endependence Center will be celebrating the 22nd Anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Participants will be sharing their future plans on how they will stay
committed to keeping the ADA an integral part of society. Refreshments will be served. If you
have any questions or plan on attending, please contact Emily Fisher at 351-1587 or
efisher@endependence.org.
Financial Resources from USA.gov
If times are tough for you and your family, we can help connect you with the tools and information you need to
get back on your feet. This website will highlight government resources that will help you with unemployment,
jobs, and training; housing; debt and credit; family issues; and health care and insurance. Learn more about
these topics at http://www.usa.gov/citizen/topics/family/help-for-difficult-financial-times.shtml.
Habitat for Heroes
Habitat for Humanity is working on a project to build 6 affordable homes in Virginia Beach to include universal
design features to make the homes accessible. Habitat for Humanity is looking for Veterans who would be
interested in the program. You do not have to be retired or active duty, only have had an honorable discharge.
This is not a charity; homes are sold to the veteran with an interest-free loan. The homes will be 2-story 3 and 4bedroom; and the first level will include a bedroom and full bath, to include a roll-in shower. (4-bedroom homes
will have 2 bedrooms on the first level.) For further information on the Habitat for Heroes project, please
contact Sharon Chittim at 640-0590 ext 208 or familyservices@shrhabitat.org.
Disability Advocacy & Services
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Norfolk, VA
Permit No. 102
A Community Service of
Endependence Center, Inc.
6300 East Virginia Beach Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone:
(757) 461-8007 Voice
(757) 461-7527 TDD
Fax:
(757) 455-8223 or
(757) 461-5375
E-Mail:
ecinorf@endependence.org
Website:
www.endependence.org
Alternate formats of this newsletter are
available upon request. Please contact
Place label here
Cheryl Simpson at 461-8007 for requests.
Trainings and Activities are
OPEN TO ALL AND ARE HELD AT
ECI!
Check ECI website at
www.endependence.org
For any changes to the
Schedule or by calling 461-8007,
Extension 400
All facilitators listed can be reached
at 461-8007 voice or 461-7527 TDD
or via Relay @ 711
To sign up for a training/activity or to
request an accommodation, such as
a Sign Language Interpreter,
Braille, CART or Attendant, contact
Emily Fisher at 351-1587
Voice, 461-7527 TDD or via email at
efisher@endependence.org
Mix and Mingle
Virginia Association of
Personal Care Assistants
will meet on July 12th,
from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm,
at ECI in the Large
Conference Room.
All PCA’s in the Hampton
Roads area are invited to
attend. Any questions,
please contact:
Randi Gregory at
804-447-0746 or
randi.gregory@seiuva.org.
Participants are welcome to
come to the Center to
socialize with others and
play games or cards, watch
movies, etcetera.
For All Ages
July 18, 2012
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm