The DC Center for Independent Living

10/28/2020

DC Board of Elections - Early Vote Centers

It’s time for EARLY VOTING In #DC everyone! Please see the list of voting locations for the District of Columbia here: earlyvoting.dcboe.org #vote2020

10/06/2020

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month! #NDEAM

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month! #NDEAM

05/06/2020

Get on the Phones!

There are some excellent opportunities to get involved in advocacy! The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival needs volunteers for the 50 Days of Action leading to the Assembly and March on Washington for June 20, 2020.

From phone banking to sharing art, the ways to organize and help this campaign are endless! A link to phone bank and information more ways to take action below:

[poorpeoplescampaign.org/get-on-the-phones?link_id=2&can_id=87322b97f782ae37bfb24f6ead748a2a&source=email-ppc-ncmr-lets-get-active-online-this-week&email_referrer=email_794881&email_subject=stay-in-place-stay-alive-organize-a-call-for-moral-non-cooperation]

https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/take-action/

It's time to get on the phones with the Poor People's Campaign and we need your help! Can you give a few hours a week? Sign up for a 30-minute training and we'll put you to work calling people in your state. We need to organize, organize, organize! Sign up for a 30-minute training by clicking one of

04/28/2020

Applying for benefits? DC Hunger Solutions is offering assistance and fielding questions to apply for SNAP. Call (202)-640-1088 to leave a voicemail or email [email protected].

04/21/2020

Some information on WIC updates & COVID-19

Source: DC Hunger Solutions

04/15/2020

In Prince George's County:

04/10/2020

Health Care Professionals: Safeguard Against Disability Discrimination During COVID-19

From the Administration for Community Living; a message about being alert for disability discrimination during the COVID crisis.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USACL/bulletins/285db14

The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities published a new fact sheet for health care professionals that describes best practices and legal requirements for health care when serving people with disabilities. The fact sheet is designed as a quick reference guide suitable for po...

04/08/2020

Attention DC Residents: What You Need to Know About the Federal Government's Economic Impact Payments — Capital Area Asset Builders

ALERT! Key information on receiving federal economic impact payments;

Main Points: Payments will begin to rollout within the next three months.

Some seniors & others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive payment.

Source: Capital Area Asset Builders

Who is eligible? Tax filers with gross income up to $75,000 for individuals & $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns.

https://bit.ly/2w9NTdN

Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in the greater DC region to build financial security, savings, and wealth for the future.

04/07/2020

Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program - AAPD

Hi Alll

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is rolling out an exciting new opportunity for young (18-26) Black disabled activists in the field of increased voter registration.

https://www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/hamerprogram/

The American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP Texas are proud to announce the *new* date for POWER: A Disability & Election Summit. This event will take place on Monday, June 22, 2020 (the anniversary of the Olmstead v L.C. decision) in Austin, Texas.

03/31/2020

The Kennedy Center is offering a free webinar on handling this difficult time through arts education. Feel free to join!

03/26/2020

03/24/2020

IMPORTANT FOOD& SERVICE PROVIDERS PROGRAMMING UPDATES EFFECTIVE THURSDAY MARCH 24. (3/24)

Miriam’s Kitchen: Breakfast from 7 to 8 AM
Dinner from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. half-hour reduction in morning service.
All volunteer shifts canceled, which will mean losing b/w 12 to 15 volunteers per food service. All operations to be moved outdoors to an adjoining courtyard outside its main entrance. The courtyard will include a trailer with bathrooms and tents for food service and case management, and is expected to open on Monday, March 16,
Over the coming weeks, Miriam’s Kitchen could see up to a 50% reduction in staff capacity across its programming.

McKenna Center
Will provide homeless lunches

Martha’s Table:
Will continue providing groceries, pre-packaged meals and other essential resources at its Northwest and Southeast D.C., locations. The organization’s education centers at those locations will be closed from March 17 until April 3.

Bread for the City in S.E.- Closed pending an office move.
Bread for the City in B.W.-Open for emergency package food

Catholic Charities is open for emergency needs (food and hygienic supplies) also accepts donations.

CCNV Shelter -Currently full

Unity Health Care is open for Medicaid, Medicare Application, medical needs.

Whitman Walker Clinic-Open

Washington Legal Clinic- Open on reduced schedule.

So Others May Eat Program- Open

03/24/2020

dc.gov

An update from the Mayor regarding operating procedure during the COVID-19 emergency:

https://dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-extends-modified-district-operating-status-and-prohibition-mass-gatherings

03/13/2020

In response to the DC Mayor’s office declaring both a state of emergency and a public health crisis, DCCIL employees will be telecommuting from March 16-March 31, Monday through Friday, from the hours of 9 am-5 pm. IL services to consumers will continue remotely in the following ways:

All staff have been set-up to access email and CIL Suite (our data collection system)

Independent Living Specialists (ILS) will be available to provide new intakes via phone

ILS will be available to answer questions from their existing consumers

All other questions or service related issues will be directed to [email protected] or via our business continuity line at 202-753-6300

02/18/2020

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

02/11/2020

In First, Actor With Down Syndrome Presents At Oscars

Incredibly proud of Zach Gottasagen who presented an award at this year's Oscars Ceremony. A great leap forward for disability representation in the media!

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2020/02/10/in-first-actor-with-down-syndrome-presents-at-oscars/27794/

On Hollywood's biggest night of the year, an actor with Down syndrome joined the ranks of A-listers to present an Academy Award.

02/07/2020

Great presentation on the predatory practices of debt collection in the District and the amazing work being done by the folks at Tzedek DC.

Our Gallogly Fellow Marissa Ditkowsky presented to
The DC Center for Independent Living today on Tzedek DC's Disabilities Community Project's work advocating for people with #disabilities in #debt and #credit matters.

#disabilityjustice #disabilityrights #debtcollection #independentliving

02/07/2020

Disability Rights Policy Takes Center Stage In 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary

Primary season is here & it's important to stay informed!
NPR interview w/ Rebecca Cokley, Dir of Disability Justice
Initiative at the Center for American Progress, offers important insight into the Democratic candidates' disability platforms.

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/01/16/disability-rights-2020-democrats

We look at the major disability policies being discussed this election season.

01/30/2020

The Marion Barry Summer Youth employment program will be accepting applications starting tomorrow January 31st and will close February 29. Don't forget to get those applications in early!

01/20/2020

On this day, we remember and take heart in Dr. King's eternal message of love, and service.

07/26/2018

Search Form Right Style 2

Have you hears of Access A11y?

On this 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Rights Center is excited to announce a new app designed to put more information about accessibility at your fingertips!

Access A11y is an app that will allow people who use wheelchairs, canes, hand crutches, or other mobility devices to discover, review, and rate the accessibility of stores and restaurants in the Greater Washington, D.C. area and New York City (and eventually, across the country), ideally finding spaces that are inclusive and accessible, and ultimately living up to the promise of the ADA.

Imagine going out to eat, drink, and shop without the hassle of paying an extra visit to the establishment or phoning ahead to determine if the place is accessible.

And then imagine not having to take a chance on an employee’s understanding of what accessible means.

Having this kind of information at your fingertips is the difference between going out and embracing one’s independence or avoiding going out altogether.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO HELP MAKE ACCESS A11Y A VALUABLE TOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES! The ERC has designed a working model of the app that is now live. You can help ensure that others can jump right into using it as a resource when it launches later this year. Here’s how:

Go to the Access A11y website using your phone’s web browser app -

Sign up with a user name and password;
Search for and submit a review – or even better, multiple reviews – of your most recent retail or restaurant experiences;
If you can’t find a location – add it to the site;
Ask your friends and family to add their own reviews.

Being able to dine in restaurants and shop in stores with ease isn’t just about the civil rights guaranteed by the ADA and other laws – it’s about independence. With your help, we can populate Access A11y with useful reviews prior to its launch,

Providing a comprehensive view of the most accessible places for people to dine and shop in the Greater Washington, D.C. area and New York City; and,

Demonstrating the need for a more robust version of the app including vision and hearing accessibility features, expanded listings, and more (which the ERC intends to develop soon).

For more information on this exciting project, see the app demo video. For questions about Access A11y, please contact Chelsea Sullivan at 202-370-3209 or [email protected].

http://accessa11y.org/

Search Form Right Style 2

07/26/2018

Register to vote

As we gear up for primary elections we want to encourage the members of our community to #vote Find your local polling place at https://vote.gov/ #cripthevote your voice matters

Find voter registration options in your state.

07/26/2018

Proclamation - Americans with Disabilities Act Day 2018 | odr

The DC Office of Disability Rights (ODR), the DC Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) and the DC Commission on Persons with Disabilities (DCCPD) join together to recognize and celebrate the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In recognition of the Act’s 28th anniversary, we continue to train District of Columbia Government Staff and community members on the ADA to ensure that the over 75,783[1] residents with disabilities in the District of Columbia are guaranteed rights and equal access under the law.

"As we celebrate the ADA's 28th anniversary, the disability community takes pride in our civil rights law that promotes equality, accessibility, and community integration," ODR Director, Mat McCollough.

https://odr.dc.gov/release/proclamation-ADA-2018

Proclamation Americans with Disabilities Act Day July 26, 2018

07/26/2018

Reminder - Commission on Persons with Disabilities Meeting

Reminder - Commission on Persons with Disabilities Meeting

The Commission serves as an advisory body to inform and advise the District on programs, services, facilities, and activities that impact the lives of residents with disabilities in the District of Columbia. The Commission is committed to enhancing the image, status, inclusion, and quality of life f...

07/26/2018

Our staff has been volunteering at the National Council on Independent Living it has been a great week in #advocacy!

07/13/2018

Joining Hands Professional Networking Meetup - Tuesday July 17 in Washington, DC
People with disabilities are needed in international careers! That's why MIUSA will be hosting an evening meetup this month, bringing together young professionals with disabilities and staff from international exchange or international development organizations. We encourage individuals and organizations in the Washington, DC area to attend!

If you work for an international exchange or development organization, please come prepared to share information about your organization, current job and internship openings, international exchange opportunities, and more as you enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and beverages with colleagues, MIUSA staff, and members of the disability community.

Date: Tuesday July 17, 2018
Time: 5 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: FHI 360 Conference Center at 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Registration: Free to attend
Registration deadline: Wednesday July 11
Accessibility: Venue is wheelchair accessible and ASL interpreters will be on site
Who should attend: People with disabilities interested in international exchange opportunities and international careers; People who work for organizations that offer international exchange opportunities and international careers; Friends and supporters of MIUSA who just want to say hi!

Register for the Professional Networking Meetup

07/13/2018

The Office of Disability Rights, The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Age Friendly DC, the DC Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Partnership for Inclusive Development invites you to get disaster prepared! In Celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act we are kicking off a Disaster Preparedness Forum.

When: Wednesday, July 18th

Time: 6 (six) to 8 (eight) p.m.

Location: Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Lower Level Meeting Room 4

Learn about what to do in an emergency or disaster situation
Learn how to build a disaster preparedness kit
Learn how to make a plan that is tailored just for you!
We ask for your help in providing feedback as to what was helpful and what could be improved. Our plan is to hold this forum in all 8 Wards over the next 6 months and your feedback is crucial in improving the Forum.

Accessibility: The location is wheelchair accessible. There will be onsite ASL-English Interpreters.

To request other reasonable accommodations or if you have questions please contact [email protected] or 202-727-2890.

Please RSVP !

Transportation to the Disaster Preparedness Kick Off Forum:

Via Metro: The closest metro stop is Cleveland Park (red line). If taking the elevator, once you exit the elevator you will be facing Connecticut Avenue. Turn left and continue down the sidewalk parallel to Connecticut Avenue. Cross over Ordway Street and continue down the side walk parallel to Connecticut Avenue. There will be shops and restaurants on your left. Once you arrive to Macomb Street do not cross Macomb street but cross Connecticut Avenue. The library will be a few steps to your right.

Via Bus: The closest bus stop is Connecticut Avenue and Macomb Street, bus L1 or L2. Once you exit the bus the library will be directly in front of you.

Via Car: There is street parking available.

07/12/2018

The DC SILC is looking to increase its membership! We encourage you to get involved!

07/12/2018

Connect4 Social for Young Adults with Disabilities Presents...

Happy Hour at Fire Works!

When: July 27th, 2018, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Fire Works Pizza, 2350 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington VA

Last month’s event, Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C, was such a big hit and It was so great to meet with everyone again! This month we will be meeting at Fireworks Pizza in Courthouse! Happy hour ends at 6:30 pm so be sure to get here on time. Looking forward to seeing everyone and continuing the good times!

RSVP: [email protected] or 703-673-4497

Join our Facebook group to stay informed about future events.

Connect4 Social Hour is a social networking group founded by the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia ECNV for young adults with disabilities. By coming together, we can help build confidence, independence, networks, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Our social group meets monthly at various locations in the VA/DC area for various events and activities. This includes outings at community events, restaurants, mixers at ECNV, and any other fun activity that we can think of! Some meetings will include topics of discussion or information sessions important to the disability community, while others will be just to mingle and have a fun night out!

07/10/2018

DFHV Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting is Wednesday, July 11th at 3:30 p.m. Public members are encouraged to join!

When: Wednesday, July 11th
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 441 4th Street NW, 11th Floor Conference Center
Call-In Number: 530-881-1212. Meeting ID: 526-185-538

To learn more about the Department For-Hire Vehicles’ Accessibility Advisory Committee go to dfhv.dc.gov
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