Welcome to the 61st issue of the ILRCSF Resource Rag. This compilation of resources, announcements, and events is designed as a community pipeline for things that may fall through the cracks of other newsletters or postings.

The Rag is published the first week of each month and sent to the ILRCSF Resource Rag distribution list and you can also pick up copies of the Rag at our office. If you have resources or articles you would like to share, would like to give us feedback, or want to be added to the Resource Rag distribution list, please send an email to data@ilrcsf.org

CONTENTS

• ILRCSF Announcements, Updates and Calendar
• Spotlight News - Disability Capitol Action Day in Sacramento Information; Rebates from the Federal Government's Economic Stimulus Plan; Discounted TV Converter Boxes
• Advocate’s Corner - Disability Capitol Action Day Postcard - Come Into Our Office to Sign One!
• Events
• Announcements

ILRCSF RECOGNIZES NOTABLE DATES IN APRIL

Monthly Observances:
Counseling Awareness Month
Autism Awareness Month
Donate Life Month (Organ Donation)
Sports Eye Safety Month
Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Animal Cruelty Prevention Month
Humor Month

Weekly Observances:
4/20 – 4/27 Passover
4/27 – 5/3 Volunteer Week

Daily Observances:
4/7 World Health Day
4/15 Income Tax Day
4/18 Great San Francisco Earthquake in 1906
4/22 Earth Day observed

1.  ILRCSF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES AND CALENDAR:

NEW ILRCSF OFFICES HOURS:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Friday's 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations on request, including ASL interpreters and print information in alternative formats. ILRCSF is a scent-free office in order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities. Please do not wear any scented products including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc. to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF.  If you are wearing scents, you will not be able to remain in the office.

IF YOU RECEIVED “SSA MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE NOTICE OF TERMINATION

Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed letters to some beneficiaries who are currently receiving the low-income subsidy. A small group of beneficiaries received this mailing beginning the week of March 2. Beneficiaries will no longer receive the Extra Help effective April 1, 2008 because they did not provide information about their continuing eligibility.

It is important to know three key things:

May 15 – Disability Capitol Action Day in Sacramento

BENEFITS WORKSHOPS

Every Thursday at 9:30, we will hold a “drop-in” Basic Benefits/Work Incentives Workshop. Information about applying for Social Security, Medi-Cal or other benefits, as well as work incentive issues including the PASS program, and how Social Security benefits and healthcare are affected by returning to work are covered.

HOUSING WORKSHOPS - Low Income Housing
Registration is required. Call 543-6222 ext. 100. Monday’s in April 1:30-3:30.
NO workshop on Monday April 7th .

ILRCSF RESOURCE ROOM
ILRCSF has a FREE/ accessible Resource Room, with information in Chinese, English and Spanish. We also have a bulletin board with information for Deaf Consumers and information is available in alternative formats upon request.

The resource room provides info on a variety of subjects, such as benefits, ADA, assistive technology, returning to work, free food-shelter-medical care resources, health care access, legal resources, housing (including a place for those who want to post ads for apartments for rent or shared housing rentals; an updated rental list from Craig’s Lists; etc.) etc. If we don’t the resource, we’ll do our best to find the resource and referrals you are looking for. (Service providers are welcome to send us flyers and handouts to distribute.)

For further information on these and other ILRCSF services
you can stop by our office at 649 Mission Street, 3rd Floor

ATTENTION SAN FRANCISCO PEDESTRIANS: We need your help!!

Please let us know what you think about the City’s Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). Have you used them? Did they work properly? Have you encountered any problems? Have they helped you in your travels? Please use the contact information at the end of this announcement to give us your feedback!

A list of San Francisco intersections currently equipped with APS can be found on the website of the San Francisco LightHouse at http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/AccessiblePedestrianSignals.php

On that same page you will find information about how the APS work and links to information about the settlement agreement between the blind community and San Francisco about APS. To request an APS, call the City’s Customer Service Line at 311 (if you are in San Francisco) or 415-701-2311 (outside of San Francisco).

The APS in San Francisco are being installed as a result of an agreement between the City and the LightHouse, the California Council of the Blind, and the Independent Living Resource Center. Community feedback is crucial as we implement the agreement over the next two years. We hope we will hear from you soon.

Please send feedback to: info@lighthouse-sf.org or, if email is not available, please leave a message, toll free, at 888.400.8933

Thanks in advance, Jessie Lorenz, SF LightHouse, Linda Porelle, CCB, Diane Rovai, ILRC

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Chinese Community Services Coordinator

Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco, located in the financial district (downtown SF very near to BART/MUNI) is looking for a CHINESE COMMUNITY SERVICES COORDINATOR .  This position reports directly to the Community Outreach Supervisor.

Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco (ILRCSF) is a disability rights advocacy and support organization. ILRCSF’s mission is achieved by: systems change; community education; partnerships with business, community organizations and government; and consumer directed services.

Salary for this position is in the range of $34,500-$39,000 annually, and includes a benefits package: health, dental, vision, and life insurance and 403(b) employee contribution retirement plan, 2 weeks vacation. Flexible and diverse work place.

Job Description

Under the direction of the Community Outreach Supervisor, the Chinese Community Services Coordinator is responsible for establishing a relationship with community organizations which facilitates culturally appropriate services for Chinese speaking people with disabilities in San Francisco 's Chinatown (primarily). Additionally, this position provides an array of services in group and individual settings, including peer counseling, information & referral, and advocacy, in service areas including housing, benefits, work incentives, assistive technology, health care access, etc. Occasional translation/interpreting required. All services are delivered on a bilingual-bicultural and disability peer role model basis at ILRCSF and at community sites.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Provide service coordination to the cross disability community, including needs assessment, identification of relevant community resources, advocacy, and interpreting.
2. Provide independent living skills training so consumers may actively participate in obtaining community services.
3. Provide information and referral services.
4. Provide assistance in the areas including IHSS, disability benefits, work incentives, housing and assistive technology, health care access and ADA related issues.
5. Provide peer counseling and assist consumers to develop peer and family support systems.
6. Conduct community workshops and other community education activities.
7. Through community outreach, establish culturally appropriate relationships with community groups to facilitate identification of people with disabilities; identify venues for community education; and work to increase both disability awareness and accessible service delivery in the community.
8. Maintain and develop resource materials for Chinese speaking community.
9. Represent ILRCSF on community task forces and committees.
10. Participate in Officer of the Day duties.
11. Complete necessary reporting duties in a timely manner.

Qualifications

1. Bilingual-bicultural Chinese speaking persons preferred.
2. Must identify as a person with a disability as part of independent living/role modeling approach. (Includes diabetes, asthma, heart disease, HIV, or other disabilities which significantly effect some daily activity or activities).
3. BA or equivalent education and experience.
4. At least 2 years experience in social services delivery.
5. Good personal and written communication skills.
6. Ability to present information in a workshop/group setting.
7. Ability to work as a generalist - absorb detailed information in an array of service areas.
8. Ability to come to work scent free.

Union representation by the Office & Professional Employees, International Union Local No. 3, AFL - CIO

Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco (ILRCSF) is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations on request, including ASL interpreters and print information in alternative formats. ILRCSF is a scent-free office in order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities. Please do not wear any scented products including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc. to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF. EOE.

Send résumé and cover letter to Alice Ordover, 649 Mission Street, 3rd Floor, SF, CA 94105 or email alice@ilrcsf.org

2.  SPOTLIGHT NEWS - Disability Capitol Action Day in Sacramento       Information; Rebates from the Federal Government's Economic       Stimulus Plan; Discounted TV Converter Boxes

JOIN US ON
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
FOR DISABILITY CAPITOL ACTION DAY
IN SACRAMENTO

Free transportation, including a wheelchair accessible van, provided by ILRCSF.

The opportunity to meet and speak with State Representatives.

Please drop by our office to sign cards that we will be delivering to Governor Schwarzenegger.

To reserve your seat, contact ILRCSF by Monday, April 21. Reservations are taken on a first come basis. Provide the following information:

• Name
• Mailing address including zip code
• Phone number including area code
• If you need accessible transportation

Reservations by phone: 415-543-6222 extension 180
Please speak slowly
Spell out your first and last name
Spell out your street name and city name

Reservations are not provided without complete information.

Buses leave from and return to ILRCSF offices at 649 Mission St. (between 3 rd St. and New Montgomery)

• Buses board for Sacramento at 8:00am
• Buses for return trip to San Francisco board at 2:00pm

Rebates from the Federal Government's Economic Stimulus Plan

Are you eligible for the $300 rebate from the Federal Government’s
“Economic Stimulus Plan”?

Some key information for people receiving disability benefits:

• People who receive SSI only arenot eligible for the rebate
• People receiving a combination of Social Security and SSI benefits must have received at least $3000 from Social Security in 2007, in order to qualify for rebate
• If you qualify for the rebate, you must file taxes this year (2007), even if you have no taxable income

Most taxpayers do not need to take any extra steps to receive the payment beginning in early May. But there are some exceptions - Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax return will need to file a return this year to receive the stimulus payment . The return must show at least $3,000 in qualifying income.

Converter Boxes Necessary For TV’s Using Antennas
Federal Government Providing Coupons to Assist with Purchase

(from an AP report)

Millions of $40 government coupons are available to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes for older TVs that might not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.

Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture. That's the day the television industry completes its transition from old-style analog broadcasting to digital.

The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and will be available at most major electronics retail stores. Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box.

To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov starting Tuesday. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

3. ADVOCATE'S CORNER - Disability Capitol Action Day Postcard –     Come into our office to sign one!

TEXT OF POSTCARD WE WILL DELIVER TO THE GOVERNOR AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND CHINESE

PLEASE DROP BY OUR OFFICE TO SIGN ONE !

Governor Schwarzenegger:

We are a part of every segment of society. We are approximately 20% of the population.

We are voters. With every purchase we make or job we do we are taxpayers. We are part of every community. We patronize local businesses. We are part of workforces in every corner of California.

Our community has members across the economic spectrum but we are concerned with the impact of the budget cuts on those that depend on state programs to maintain their health and independence.

We will no longer accept being the segment of society that absorbs repeated budget cuts that place the lives of many of us on the line every time California has a budget crisis.

We are making our voices heard. We are people with disabilities.

4.  EVENTS

FREE TAX PREPARATION AVAILABLE – Locations and dates:

Tenderloin Community School
Sponsored by KPMG
627 Turk Street @ Van Ness Avenue
Saturday, March 1 and April 5, 12, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

St. Peter’s Parish School
Sponsored by Deloitte
1249 Alabama Street
Saturday, March  29 and April 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Southeast Community Facility
1800 Oakdale Avenue @ Phelps Street
Saturday, March 8, 22 and April 5, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Support Group for People with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
Date and Time: Third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:45pm
Location: 1380 Howard St Room 537
Information: Drop in or call Susanne Killing at 415-558-5900 . Dinner is provided at meetings

Support for Families 2008 Information & Resource Conference
Date and Time: Saturday, April 5 from 9:30am to 2:30pm
Location: John O’Connell High School, 2355 20 th St , San Francisco
Information: There will be 14 workshops, 80 exhibitors and an assistive technology lab. For more information contact Open Gate at 920-5040 or at www.supportforfamilies.org

24th Annual Pac Rim Conference – Sponsored by the Center on Disability Studies (CDS)
Date: April 14 and 15, 2008
Location: Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort, Honolulu , HI
Information: www.pacrim.hawaii.edu

San Francisco Women Against Rape (SF WAR) 5K Walk and Rally Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 10:00am
Location: Walk begins at Justin Herman Plaza; rally at Mission Dolores Park
Information, Registration, Sponsorship Forms:www.sfwar.org

Children and Adolescents with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Conference
Dates: May 9 and 10, 2008
Location: Holiday Inn – Mediterranean Room, 1740 N. 1 st St. , San Jose Information and Registration: Francisco Valenzuela at savalenz@sarc.org. To register online visit www.sarc.org

National ADA Symposium and EXPO

A comprehensive three day conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability laws sponsored by the National Network of Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC). Conference will be held from May 12 – 14, 2008 at America ’s Center in St. Louis , MO. For more information call 1-800-949-4232 for the DBTAC that serves your region.

International Conference on Self-Determination
Dates: May 27 through 29
Location: Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
Information: Visit www.self-determination.com

5.  ANNOUNCEMENT

Disabled Women Video Online

In 1996 Suzanne Levine and Pat Chadwick produced a video documenting an international group of women with disabilities journey to the United Nations Fourth World Conference & NGO Forum on Women in Beijing, China . This 13 minute video is now available online at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4833198064580117217

Free Dental Screening for People 18 years and older

At the University of the Pacific School of Denistry at 2155 Webster St. in San Francisco . These screening are provided so that dental students can find patients for upcoming clinical licensure examinations in May in June. This service is available beginning February 28 for drop in patients on Thursdays from 9:00am to Noon .

Rebuilding Together San Francisco

Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization that provides free of charge repair services to community facilities and low-income homeowners. Rebuilding Together has two programs:

• Rebuilding Weekend: An annual program that repairs and renovates homes of people who, due to age, financial limitations, or disability, cannot do the work themselves. This may include painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, weatherization, cleanup, yard work and other necessary repairs.
• Home Safety and Independence : A year-round program that provides safety modifications, ensuring that low-income homeowners remain in a safe and independent living environment.

Applicants must meet income guidelines, be elderly or disabled, San Francisco homeowners who live in their home. For more information call 905-1611.

YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES CAN BENEFIT
Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco!

Who hasn't uttered the words, "I wish there was something I could do to help"? Now you can. Start shopping! At iGive.com®, you can buy the items you've always wanted - like that DVD box set, designer bag,or big-screen TV you've had your eyes on - only without the guilt. iGive.com is FREE for you and free for our organization. Find everything you need at 650+ participating online stores, including; Staples.com, Barnes & Noble, drugstore.com, and Lands'End.

Up to 26% of each purchase is donated to Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco. GET A $5 BONUS DONATION with your 1st purchase at any iGive.com store!

* Join for free at: www.iGive.com/ILRCSF

* 1st purchase must be made through iGive.com, within 45 days of joining. eBay bids are not considered for this purpose. Causes listed at iGive.com have been listed by iGive members for their own and other members' use. Information listed here is subject to change. Visit www.iGive.com for the most current information.

ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations on request, including ASL interpreters and print information in alternative formats. ILRCSF is a scent-free office in order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities. Please do not wear any scented products including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc. to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF.