Looking for a great day of skiing and riding at Sunday River? Join Maine Handicapped Skiing at their 25th anniversary Ski-A-Thon, March 27th, 2010 at Sunday River Ski Resort. Teams of five people– friends, family or co-workers–raise a minimum of $1000 to participate in the all day extravaganza. And what a day it is! Read the rest of this entry »
Chairs and Members of the Committee, I am Dennis Fitzgibbons, Executive Director of Alpha One, Maine Center for Independent Living. For thirty years, Alpha One has played a role in providing services to Maine citizens with a disability and seniors who want to remain in their homes and communities. I will not add anything to superlatives that you have heard throughout these hearings and that you will continue to hear as the week progresses.
Today was one of those days when working for Alpha One and working with consumers we serve is an uplifting, inspiring occasion. Read the rest of this entry »
Have you or a loved one been denied Complex Rehab Equipment that would enable a healthier, happier and higher quality of life?
Did you know your government is providing reimbursement based on which equipment they think is best for you? Their decisions are not based on what actually is best for your unique medical needs.
So basically — you are getting rehab equipment — but what the government feels is appropriate for you. Not what is really best for you to live an independent healthy lifestyle.
If this scenario sounds familiar and you would like to get involved and help change the way the government reimburses for Complex Rehab Equipment, apply for a Consumer Scholarship to the CELA conference in April 2010:
http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=a0mh1fpj6d89i3×656273
This is an expenses paid trip to Washington, DC where you can tell your story in person to members of Congress on Capitol Hill. Your involvement will help change the government’s perspective for you and others with disabilities.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.
The following article is a repost from Rep. Matt Peterson’s blog. The link after the article.
Last week, Governor Baldacci unveiled his proposed curtailment package to reduce budget expenditures in the current fiscal year in light of lowered revenue projections. At the time, he indicated that this is the first phase of an estimated $400 million in budget reductions in the current fiscal year. As expected, these initial curtailments fell most heavily on human services programs and state aid to education. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you prepared for an emergency? The Maine Emergency Management Association (MEMA) addressed that question this fall at workshops titled ”Including People with Disabilities and the Elderly in Emergency Preparedness,” Read the rest of this entry »
Nursing homes fill an important role in caring for those with severe disabilities. But, independent-living advocates believe many people could receive similar homecare services in community settings that would allow those with disabilities to live more independently and at less expense to taxpayers. Read the rest of this entry »
By Dennis Fitzgibbons
Nobody has asked me, but in my opinion, not enough people vote and specifically, not enough people with disabilities vote. When I drop my ballot in the ballot box at each election I feel like I am doing my part as a responsible American citizen. Read the rest of this entry »
Here at Alpha One we believe that gainful employment is the means to true independence.
In addition to the obvious financial freedom that working creates (the NOD survey reports that 26 percent of people with disabilities had annual household incomes below $15,000, compared with 9 percent of those without disabilities), work is the foundation of buildings a fully integrated, meaningful life.
Quite simply, employment is the final frontier of independent living. When people are able to secure a living-wage job , they are able to move from systematic dependence to economic liberation and that much closer to a life of personal fulfillment.
The myth that employees with disabilities are a liability still pervades the business world despite the overwhelming statistics that prove otherwise. Employees with disabilities have equal or higher job-performance ratings, higher retention rates, and lower absenteeism.
People with disabilities are better educated than ever and are proven to have met and/or exceed challenges. People with disabilities are motivated by the desire to give something back, opportunities for personal growth, job flexibility and social inclusion.
