October 2024 Newsletter

October 2024

From the Executive Director

Dear Independence Alliance Supporters:

In our daily lives we all seem barraged by notifications and news bulletins that one month is given an honorary designation. Well, one designation made for the month of October is that it is recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It is very important to me and to Independence Alliance that this designation is not put on the back burner.

As we have said in other forums and instances, people with disabilities absolutely have the right to live their lives how they wish. This includes being able to find a career that suits their skills and qualifications without any misgivings or being overlooked by a prospective employer. People with disabilities work in all different kinds of jobs in our communities. There are many businesses that go out of their way to recruit, hire, and train people with disabilities for many roles within their organizations, and to them we say thank you.

There are many ways YOU can be supportive of people with disabilities not only during the month of October, but all year round. Give your business to companies who you know to use such inclusive practices. Spread the word of career opportunities to people with disabilities. Do you know of a company who does not yet practice inclusion? Take this opportunity to go through the appropriate channels to be an advocate. The list goes on…

Do you know of any success stories of where people with disabilities have overcome obstacles to secure gainful jobs and careers? Please feel free to share them with me.

Sincerely,

Rob Festenstein

Executive Director

P.S. It has been some time since we last did this so here we go. The sixth person to contact me indicating they have read this message will be the lucky winner of a $10 Kroger gift card!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) activities don't have to end in October. There are opportunities to launch year-round activities that highlight the importance of including disability in all of your organization's diversity endeavors. Doing so delivers numerous internal and external benefits to employers.

Ten Ways to Foster the NDEAM Spirit Year-Round

Last Call for 2024 Home Modifications Referrals!

This project, funded in part by a grant from Greater Cincinnati Foundation, will provide home modifications that will assure a safe and accessible environment for people with disabilities so they can live as independently as possible.

Home modifications are changes made to a person’s home that create a living environment that is accessible, safe, and promotes independence. These changes can include adding supportive features, such as those that improve a person’s ability to engage in daily activities, care for themselves, or maintain access to community participation. While handrails or temporary ramps are common home modifications, this project can also provide modifications such as lowering a mailbox or doorbell, changing doorknobs to lever style knobs, lowering closet rods, installing a raised toilet, updating faucets to lever handles, adding a handheld shower spray, or updating to a digital thermostat.

Interested in submitting a referral? Our referral guidelines are as follows:

· Home modifications must be reasonable and necessary.

· Home modifications must increase a person’s independence.

· Home modifications must follow ADA guidelines.

· Interior home modification referrals for a rental property will require a written authorization from landlord or property owner.

· Eligible applicants must have no other resources to help obtain this modification.

· The completed referral form must be signed by the participant or a representative.

· Participants may live in Southwestern Ohio or Northern Kentucky.

A Home Modifications Project committee will review all referrals. If your referral is approved, an on-site assessment will be completed, and modification/installation work will be carried out through our partnership with People Working Cooperatively or Right Now Mobility. It is our goal to work together to complete each project in an efficient manner and within a suitable time, however, all projects are subject to the availability of the contractor and materials.

Home Modifications Referral Form, click here.

Questions?

Contact Debbie Moorehous or call: 513-338-5110

Americans with disabilities are entitled to the full and equal opportunity to vote.

If you have the will to vote, there’s a way to vote. Your voice matters and needs to be included in our elections.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5th!

For a state-by-state guide empowering voters with disabilities, visit www.usvotefoundation.org and click on Voter Assistance.

Registration - State Board of Elections (ky.gov)

Presented by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Join Independence Alliance and Art Beyond Boundaries as we celebrate the accomplishments of artists with disabilities with an evening of local jazz musicians, dinner, cash bar, raffle, Bourbon pull, valet parking and more! Tickets are $75.

Jazzed About Art raises funds to support our arts program where artists with disabilities grow artistically, display and market their artwork, and establish themselves in our vibrant arts community.

Purchase tickets here

Email us

Do you plan on visiting Independence Alliance?

We are a fragrance-free environment and ask that you avoid the use of fragranced products when visiting our office.

Please know we are available to discuss your need for accommodations or accessibility for your visit with us. Contact us!

Employee Anniversary

Join us in congratulating Larissa Brassell, Ohio Housing Coordinator, on her 10-year anniversary with Independence Alliance.

Learn more here about how using your

Kroger Plus Card can support our organization!

Once you have signed up there is nothing more

to do other than use your Kroger Plus Card

at the checkout!

Help us increase the number of households participating by signing up today!

(You will still sign up as supporting Center for Independent Living until further notice.)

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Email us!

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