June is PTSD Awareness Month

Disability Rights Connecticut is a statewide non-profit organization with a mission to advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.

Published by Andrew Brown, CT Mirror

"A CT group home director wants to cash in on her state-funded properties" 

Six photographs of different community homes where Brian House residents live

Photo credit Yehyun Kim / CTMIRROR.ORG

"It's very, very troubling that this has happened and this is ongoing," she said. "It's sounds like they are just allowing it to happen even when there was an ethics finding." Deborah Dorfman, DRCT Executive Director



Rep. Michelle Cook, who has been a member of the Connecticut Legislature's Human Services Committee for 14 years, called the Winkleys' ownership of the homes "extremely problematic," and she said she intends to speak with legislative leaders, Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong about the family's plans to sell the homes.


"We, as a state government, should not be in the business of allowing folks to profit in the millions like this," said Cook, D-Torrington. "That is just unconscionable to me when you recognize that all of the folks in these homes could feasibly be on the street if they are not successful in relocating them." "This angers me," she said.


Deborah Dorfman, the executive director for Disability Rights Connecticut, said she was surprised that DDS officials allowed the situation to get to this point, in which the state could potentially lose several group homes. "It's very, very troubling that this has happened and this is ongoing," she said. "It's sounds like they are just allowing it to happen even when there was an ethics finding."

...

Click to read this article
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Executive Probate Assembly Committee Meeting

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

9:45 a.m. - 10:13 a.m. 

Office of the Probate Court Administrator Library

Link to Event

Webinar:

Housing: Know Your Rights

Friday, June 10

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. via Zoom

Link to Register

Keep the Promise Coalition

Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

10:00 -12:00 p.m. via Zoom

To RSVP, email: KTPAdmin@cahs.org

CT Kids as Self Advocates (KASA) Monthly Meetings

Saturday, June 18, 2022

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

To RSVP, email: eball@pathct.org

DRCT's 2nd Annual Virtual Town Hall

Tuesday, June 28

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Link to Register

Webinar:

Employment: Know Your Rights

Wednesday, June 29

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. via Zoom

Link to Register

DRCT Board of Directors
Kathryn DuPree (President)
Christina Calabro (V. President)
James Ross (Treasurer)
Lisa Nee (Secretary)
Sara Liss (PAC Chair)
Denise Drummond
Audrey Felsen
John Mehm
Bonnie Clark

We are currently looking for additional board members, and PAIMI Advisory Council members.
If interested, please contact Deborah.Dorfman@DisRightsCT.org
Announcements

DRCT is closed for intake beginning Monday, May 16, 2022, through Friday, June 10, 2022.

If you are contacting DRCT to request assistance, please know we are not responding while intake is closed. Please call back when intake reopens on Monday, June 13, 2022. Thank you. If you are at immediate risk of harm, please call 911. You can find out more about the work we do by visiting our website at www.DisRightsCT.org.


DRCT estará cerrado para llamadas de admisión a partir del lunes 16 de mayo de 2022 hasta el viernes 10 de junio de 2022.

Si llama para solicitar asistencia, sepa que no estamos respondiendo durante este cierre de admisión. Por favor vuelva a llamar cuando la admisión se abra de nuevo el lunes 13 de junio de 2022. Gracias. Si presenta un riesgo de daño inmediato, llame al 911. Puede encontrar más información sobre el trabajo que hacemos en nuestro sitio web, www.DisRightsCT.org.


Upcoming Webinar

Housing: Know Your Rights

Vivienda: Conoce Tus Derechos

June 10, 2022  3pm-4pm

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Disability Rights Connecticut, Connecticut Legal Rights Project, and Center for Childrens Advocacy present a free webinar. We will be talking about...

  • Renters' rights
  • Housing accommodations
  • Lights & heat


CART CAPTIONING SERVICES & SPANISH AND AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS PROVIDED.

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   Derechos de los Discapacitados de Connecticut , Proyecto de Derechos Legales de Connecticut y el Centro para la Defensa de los Niños presentan un seminario web gratuito. Hablaremos sobre...

  • Derechos de los inquilinos
  • Adaptaciones de la vivienda
  • Iluminación y calefacción.


SE PROPORCIONARÁ SERVICIOS DE SUBTITULADO Y DE INTÉRPRETES DE ESPAÑOL Y LENGUA DE SEÑAS

ESTADOUNIDENSES .

Register For Webinar Today

DRCT's New Focus Areas for 2023

DRCT wants to to know that you think! 

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Every year, DRCT makes focus areas for our work with the help of feedback from the public (aka YOU).


Please tell us more about the issues you think DRCT should work on. Please go to any of the topics listed below, click on the link and provide further feedback.


View in English

Ver en Español

Save The Date: The Yard Goats

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Please join us in celebrating Disability Rights Connecticut's 5th birthday with the Yard Goats.


When: July 30, 2022, 6:05pm

How: Tickets are $16. Available soon for purchase on DRCT's website. To reserve tickets early, please email info@DisRightsCT.Org.

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Acompáñenos a compáñenos a celebrar el 5.º aniversario de Disability Rights Connecticut con los Yard Goats


Fecha y hora: 30 de Julio de 2022, 6:05pm

Los detalles: Entradas a $16. Próximamente disponibles para la compra en el sitio web de DRCT. Para reservar entradas con antelación, envíe un correo electrónico a info@DisRightsCT.Org



COVID-Corner
Protect Yourself, Get Boosted!
The CDC approved booster shots for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer. You are not required to show documentation regarding your pre-existing medical conditions.

For people who have already received 2 doses of the Moderna or Pfizer shot, you are eligible for a booster shot if:
  • You are 5 or older
  • Or if you are 18 or older and one or more of the following apply:
  • Work in a high-risk environment (such as a hospital or healthcare facility)
  • Are in a long-term care facility (such as a nursing home)
  • Have certain underlying medical conditions (such as cancer)
  • AND it has been at least 6 months since you received your second dose of Moderna or Pfizer

For people who have already received the Johnson & Johnson shot, you are eligible for a booster shot if:
  • It has been at least 2 months since you received the J&J vaccine
  • You then are eligible for a booster dose of any of the following COVID-19 vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson

If you would like to receive the booster shot:

Order free COVID-19 Home Test Kits

Vaccines for Children:

If you are homebound due to any medical conditions and would like the booster shot:

If you would like to retrieve your immunization record

If you are experiencing disability-related accessibility barriers, please call DRCT at (800) 842-7303 or email info@DisRightsCT.org.
Click to see Information on the CDC Website
Need a ride? Transportation is available for people who want the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Call the Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at
(877) 918-2224 to schedule your COVID vaccine appointment AND get connected with a ride to and from your appointment.

The Vaccine Appointment Assist Line can also provide assistance to those who face language and technology barriers and those who are Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, or DeafBlind. 
Residents can also subscribe to text message COVID-19 alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
Other Updates

PCA Workforce Crisis Support Group

Come together on the Second Monday to SHARE stories, SUPPORT one another, and SING because WE are surviving the PCA Workforce Crisis. We need to support and give energy to one another during these difficult times. This gathering will happen on ZOOM.

 

To register, please contact Molly Cole, Executive Director for the State Independent Living Council.

Her email is Molly@ctsilc.org.

Once registered you will receive the zoom link to participate. 


Seeking People to Join the Connecticut REV UP Coalition
The REV UP Voting Campaign is a nonpartisan national voting initiative focused on advancing the power of the disability vote. Our mission is to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. REV UP stands for “Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!”

Contact Molly Cole to join the monthly meetings.

Community Engagement
Let's Connect!

Disability Rights Connecticut works with individuals with disabilities, their families, and community partners to understand common goals, priorities, and visions. DRCT staff provides outreach and training to establish and maintain community relationships and implement strategies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

DRCT can provide training, upon request, on issues related to our focus areas. If you believe you, or a group you are a member of, could benefit from training, please contact our Strategic Partnerships Manager, Michael Whilby at 860-856-4158 or Michael.Whilby@DisRightsCT.org
Deborah Dorfman,
Executive Director/Attorney

Disability Rights Connecticut
860-297-4300

Click here to Give to DRCT
Click Here to Request our Services
Open and Affirming Statement:
Disability Rights Connecticut 
is open and affirming and welcomes all people regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, nationality,
or any disability.

RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG WITH A  PERSON USING A WHEELCHAIR.
Disability Rights Connecticut
846 Wethersfield Ave.
Hartford, CT 06114
800-842-7303 (toll-free in CT)
860-297-4300 (voice)
860-509-4992 (videophone)
860-296-0055 (fax)
An Affiliate of the National
Disability Rights Network.
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