SILC NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2014
Sharing Information Loud and Clear
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Change is happening at the California State Independent Living Council (SILC)! With six new Council Members appointed by Governor Brown and Desi Gonzales joining our team as Legislative Specialist, we’re on track for a productive 2015.
As 2014 comes to a close, California’s 28 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) continue their excellent work striving to ensure all Californians with disabilities can live and work independently. While two ILCs join forces to expand their job development programs, another ILC provides a place for veterans to express their artistic talent and share their stories.
And, the SILC continues to promote the good work of our ILCs through a variety of venues, including most recently linking to the social media world!
This edition of Sharing Information Loud and Clear includes the following articles on the changes taking place at the SILC as well as the work being accomplished by the ILCs as they advance the Independent Living philosophy and change the lives of people with disabilities:
· California State Independent Living Council Welcomes Six New Members
· December 3 is “International Day of Persons With Disabilities”
· Connections are Key for Independent Living Centers to Increase Employment Options for Californians with Disabilities
· Art Guild and Independent Living Center Give Veterans with Disabilities Freedom to Express Artistic Talents
· Gonzales Joins California State Independent Living Council as Legislative Specialist
· Spread the Word – SILC has Joined the World of Social Media!
· Public Input Encouraged at the SILC’s Quarterly Meeting in Los Angeles
As you enjoy this edition of Sharing Information Loud and Clear, think about points of interest you would like us to cover in subsequent issues. We’d love to hear from you!
All of us at SILC thank you for the opportunity to serve you in 2014 as we work together to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. We wish you happiness and peace in a New Year filled with hope. Happy holidays!
Sincerely,
Eli Gelardin
Chair, SILC
CALIFORNIA STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL WELCOMES SIX NEW MEMBERS
In a recent news release, Governor Brown announced the appointment of the following six individuals to serve on the California State Independent Living Council (SILC).
· Rebeca Aguirre, 41, a volunteer for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and a poll worker for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder.
· Joseph Cody, 28, the director for technology and resources at Resources for Independence, Central Valley.
· Fiona Hinze, 24, systems change coordinator and community organizer at the Independent Living Resources Center of San Francisco.
· Dawn Leverett, 41, a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor, qualified rehabilitation professional at the California Department of Rehabilitation.
· Sara Moussavian, 23, an administrative assistant at Ada's Café in Palo Alto.
· Michael Van Essen, 61, an instructor at Saddleback College, corporate director at the Pacific Clinics Benefits Establishment and an HIV/AIDS educator and benefits specialist at the AIDS Service Center, Pasadena.
The SILC team welcomes the new Council Members and looks forward to working with them in shaping the future of Independent Living services and programs in California.
[PLEASE PUT THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE AND LOGO IN A DARK BLUE CALL-OUT BOX]
DECEMBER 3 IS “INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES”
The theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology,” will focus on the role of technology in:
· Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses
· Creating Enabling Working Environments
· Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals
The annual observance was proclaimed in 1992 by a United Nations General Assembly resolution to promote an understanding of disability issues, mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.
CONNECTIONS ARE KEY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS FOR CALIFORNIANS WITH DISABILITIES
For the first time since July 2008, the nation’s unemployment rate dropped below 6 percent. While this is welcome news for many jobseekers, Californians with disabilities continue to encounter barriers to employment. Topping the list are employer bias and unreliable or non-existent transportation. California Independent Living Centers (ILCs), such as Resources for Independence Central Valley (RICV) and Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL), work together to eliminate these barriers by educating employers and connecting people with disabilities to agencies, programs and services that increase their employment opportunities and help them live independently.
“Connecting with employers to address their concerns, dispel misconceptions and eliminate barriers is a top priority for us,” said RICV Executive Director Robert Hand. “Many employers believe people with disabilities can’t meet job requirements or the disability will interfere with work performance. This simply isn’t true.”
RICV collaborates with others, including the Workforce Investment Board, Workability programs in Fresno and organizations in San Francisco on a Workforce Accelerator grant that addresses the requirement for federal contractors to ensure 7 percent of their workforce includes people with disabilities.
Both RICV and DRAIL also partner with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), which refers individuals to ILCs approved as vendors by DOR for job preparation and placement services. The ILCs provide job coaching and training on creating resumes, strengthening interviewing skills, filling out applications, searching for jobs, setting up LinkedIn accounts and more. They continuously build new relationships with employers while making sure there’s a good “fit” between the employee’s job skills and aspirations and the employer’s needs.
“Our approach is to tell employers to hire the best person for the job, then demonstrate why the person we’re referring is the best applicant,” Hand remarked. “The disability is irrelevant if the applicants can do the job well – only their ability is important.”
According to Ryan Moorman, DRAIL’s Job Development Coordinator, it’s critical to connect, not only with state agencies like the DOR, but also other ILCs.
“RICV helped us start our Job Development Program,” noted Moorman. “We now offer a weekly job club for individuals to share their experiences and discuss topics relevant to seeking employment. We also provide Work Incentive Planning Assistance services to help jobseekers understand how employment may affect their benefits. Through our connection with RICV, we’ve been able to exceed expectations.”
ILCs also work together when it comes to transportation barriers. People living with disabilities can be deterred from applying for jobs because of unreliable public transportation or having to depend on someone else’s schedule. Public transportation often has limited schedules and coverage and simply doesn’t exist in many rural areas. In response to these barriers, ILCs join forces to advocate for improved public transportation options and offer training on navigating transportation systems.
“Public transportation can be undependable and, many times, gets consumers to their destinations or jobs 15 to 30 minutes late,” explained Moorman. “Through education, Independent Living skills training and referrals to resources, people living with disabilities are better equipped to respond to these barriers.”
Both Hand and Moorman see the results of their efforts to address employment barriers in the success stories of individuals the ILCs have served. Moorman recalls the story of a young man whose favorite hobby was attending car shows. By listening to the young man’s needs and wants and providing job coaching and training, DRAIL found the perfect “fit” for him – a job detailing cars.
“Stories like these are gratifying,” said Moorman, “particularly, as we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and continue making key connections on behalf of Californians with disabilities.”
ART GUILD AND INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER GIVE VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES FREEDOM TO EXPRESS ARTISTIC TALENTS
California has the highest number of veterans of any state in the nation with more than 2 million military veterans calling the Golden State home. Many of these veterans return home with "service-connected" disabilities, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2011, the Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco (ILRCSF) seized the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of veterans with disabilities by honoring the Veterans’ Art Guild's (Guild) request to meet weekly at ILRCSF, which offers veterans a supportive environment to share their stories through art. Started by veterans, social workers and arts educators/therapists at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC), the Guild is a social and support group for veterans living with PTSD and other disabilities to work on creative projects, such as writing, painting, photography, filmmaking and sculpting, as a form of expressive therapy.
When ILRCSF’s Executive Director Jessie Lorenz and ILRCSF’s Director of Programs and Development Lana Nieves met with the counselor in charge of SFVAMC’s therapeutic artistic expression program, he described a prescriptive program focused on the medical model of disability where participants were graded on their performance. He expressed interest in finding a flexible environment for the Guild that encouraged openness and creativity.
Lorenz and Nieves subsequently met with a SFVAMC’s social worker and the veterans who were the driving force behind the Veterans’ Art Guild. They suggested moving the Guild to ILRCSF where veterans could create their art with greater freedom and with fewer restrictions.
“The idea fit perfectly with the Independent Living philosophy,” said Nieves. “So, we made it a condition of our partnership with the Veterans’ Art Guild that every participant would be afforded the same respect and consideration as anyone else at ILRCSF. We do not hide sharp objects or treat the veterans differently, and there’s not been a single incident of unrest at ILRCSF involving any Guild member.”
Primarily supported by ILRCSF, which provides the meeting space, equipment and administrative services, the Guild also receives funding from the Veteran’s Administration for supplies and equipment. Since 2011, the Guild has grown from one or two vets showing up sporadically to weekly creative workshops of up to 20 veterans as well as a week-long veterans’ oral history and film-making project that filled ILRCSF’s conference room to capacity. The men and women of various ethnicities come from all walks of lives and range in age from 19 to late 80s.
“Many veterans, especially those who have seen combat, have very difficult stories to tell, and those stories are often difficult for others to hear, as well,” noted Nieves. “ILRCSF is about people interacting with other people, and the Guild is about placing value on the lives and life stories of veterans, while embracing and welcoming them as members of the wider community.”
A case in point is one Gulf War veteran living with PTSD who was reluctant to participate in veterans’ activities and tended to withdraw. A few months ago, he started attending Friday Guild meetings and other events on a regular basis. An accomplished artist, his work was featured in ILRCSF’s Americans with Disabilities Anniversary Art Exhibit in 2012. He spotted Nieves on a bus recently and told her he was so happy to be engaged again with his fellow Guild members at ILRCSF where they can create their art in a welcoming setting that encourages freedom of expression.
“We want ILRCSF to be thought of as a community center, and veterans are an important part of our community,” explained Lorenz. “This place is theirs, and all of our services and events are as much for them as for any other San Franciscan.”
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) throughout California strive to ensure veterans with disabilities have access to the best and most up-to-date support services available to live independently in their communities.Some of these include help with state or federal benefits information, employment services, peer support and counseling or housing assistance.
“California ILCs have successfully engaged the veteran community by cultivating relationships built on trust,” said California State Independent Living Council’s Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “Veterans know when they enter the door of an ILC their voices will be heard and their stories will be respected.”
GONZALES JOINS CALIFORNIA STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL AS LEGISLATIVE SPECIALIST
Desi Gonzales, J.D. is settling into his new position as the California State Independent Living Council’s (SILC) Legislative Specialist. Gonzales will be responsible for implementing the State Plan for Independent Living, handling public affairs activities, analyzing legislation impacting people with disabilities, developing recommendations for SILC Council members to present to policymakers, building coalitions with other disability, senior and civil rights organizations and more.
“I am excited to be working with the SILC and California’s Independent Living Centers,” said Gonzales. “Given my interest in public affairs and advocacy, coupled with my background in working with people with disabilities, I look forward to expanding my skills in support of SILC’s mission, creating policy and systems change for independent living.”
Gonzales holds a law degree from the University of California, Davis and worked with the California Department of Social Services for 25 years in various capacities helping people with disabilities live independently in their communities. He managed a policy unit that worked on development and implementation of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs and worked on the Coordinated Care Initiative designed to coordinate and deliver a variety of services and supports to seniors and individuals with disabilities. His unit also provided technical assistance to counties and other stakeholders on IHSS program issues while resolving inquiries from the public.
“I look forward to working with Desi as a key member of our team,” said SILC Executive Director Liz Pazdral. “His vast experience and knowledge will be tremendous assets for SILC as we strive to eliminate the barriers facing Californians with disabilities.”
SPREAD THE WORD – SILC HAS JOINED THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA!
The California State Independent Living Council is on Facebook and Twitter! We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook, “follow” us on Twitter and recommend others to do the same. #calSILC