Outreach to Unserved/Underserved Populations

PA CAP is always looking for ideas or ways, to expand the groups to whom we outreach. Our advocate that spends a lot of time going over some of our case statistics, in particular the category “Primary Disabling Condition” is getting an idea of who we are serving and who is not getting to CAP. Amputees, TBI and kidney (genitourinary conditions) transplants are three populations that CAP believes are unserved/underserved. In FY 2011, CAP clients that have any of these 3 disabilities make up only about 5% of our total cases. This statistic gives us good information so we can better target our outreach. To this end, in FY2011, we have outreached to the Amputee Coalition of America.

This organization was in and of itself a good contact and lead to others. A list of amputee support groups in PA was sent to us. We are happy to report we spent time and effort contacting each of these support groups, some of which include; Western PA Amputees, Central PA Amputee support group, Amputees for Amputees, Lehigh Valley Amputee support group. In FY 2012, we will continue to uncover groups, providers, and rehabs that work with this population. In contacting some of these support groups and providing information about CAP and OVR services, it was great to hear the excitement in an amputee’s voice when they understood that if they are able to work, they can possibly receive help getting a new prosthesis if they apply to OVR. If they encounter a problem with this vocational rehabilitation service, they now know they can call CAP. The hopeful tone of the person’s voice who would not have known about such support without our call reaching out can be the difference in the person working or not. If OVR can provide a prosthesis, the person can work, without a prosthesis this person may not be able to work. What an impact our outreach can have!!

Another group that our case profiles show is an underserved population is individuals who have a traumatic brain injury, TBI. Again, we have made some strides in contacting various organizations, support groups, etc. that work directly with these individuals.

In FY 2012, we will continue to get more involved with these populations and help increase their awareness of CAP and OVR services.

Customer Satisfaction Survey available at the PaRC Website
We need your help in order to better serve people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. You can help us by taking the Customer Satisfaction Survey.

By completing this survey you are helping us to ensure that quality vocational rehabilitation services continue to be provided in Pennsylvania. Learn more about this survey, its impact on people with disabilities in Pennsylvania and how the history of vocational rehabilitation requires that we continue to participate.

Please note the survey is on the PaRC website at www.parac.org.

This Philadelphia OVR customer contacted CAP because she needed services in order to maintain her self –employment. She had an open case with OVR, but the services she requested were not being provided in a timely fashion. This was causing her to lose money in her business. The customer is a person with paraplegia and other disabilities. Due to both the natural aging process and a recent injury, she was unable to do some things as she had before, such as transferring in and out of her bathtub. She requested that OVR make modifications in her home including installation of a roll in shower and a partial lift system. After an in home evaluation, OVR agreed to the requested modification, but it had been almost six months since the agreement and “nothing was happening”.

CAP contacted the counselor to address the delay. CAP learned that an OVR vendor needed to be replaced with a different contractor because contractor number one had displayed poor workmanship on some other OVR jobs and was therefore, no longer being used as a vendor. This need to change contractors had created the delay. Once the customer learned of the reason for the delay, she was a little more accepting. Even so, she still needed the home modifications to be expedited so she could get back to her consulting business on a more full time basis. The struggle to take a shower so that she could prepare for work was causing her to cut back on her work days. CAP advocated for the customer and through discussions with both the counselor and supervisor, OVR agreed that this situation was placing the customer’s long time self-employment in jeopardy. Therefore, the customer was placed near the top of the list for completion of her modifications and things got done. As a result, the customer was able to maintain her self-employment and avoid going back on Social Security Disability.

This case is interesting because it illustrates two key points. First, communication between the counselor and customer is essential to keeping a positive working relationship. Second, situations involving “job jeopardy” should be brought to the attention of the counselor immediately to help avoid an unnecessary return to Social Security.

The Little Rock Foundation provides resources to blind and visually impaired young adults. CAP advocate Margaret McKenna will speak to their new director, and a group of parents of blind and visually impaired children to inform them about the advocacy services that CAP provides. Margaret will also share information about how to obtain services through the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS). This outreach will take place on Feb. 1, 2012 at 1:30 pm at Children’s Seashore House Philadelphia.

On Tuesday January 17, 2012 from 1:30-3, CAP advocate Margaret McKenna will be at the CIL of Bucks County. She will speak to their peer support group about CAP advocacy and how CAP works to help clients access OVR services. If you live in Bucks County and would like to attend, please call Glenn at (215) 781-5070.

In an effort to help our staff at PA CAP become re-energized and re-focused on outreach and to remind us of why we must continue to increase our outreach efforts, one of our CAP advocates put together a short refresher on our outreach mandate. This was compiled into a handout called, “creating the connections”. This document helped us to revisit some tried and true outreach techniques. Some of these techniques include attending conferences, hosting exhibit tables, requesting that VR and CIL offices host a CAP presentation or event, contacting radio and TV stations for potential community advertising, writing articles for newsletters and websites, coordinating outreach efforts and mailings with other disability groups, and last but not least, lots of networking!
As we revisited some of these techniques, our CAP director was asked to participate in a local community TV program called “In focus”. This program highlights community programs and events. During the program, we had a unique opportunity to explain the services CAP provides to a wide audience.
While looking at outreach efforts, we were reminded of “who” we outreach to. In addition to the obvious contacts such as VR CIL staff, VR vendors, other programs and projects funded under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act, and Careerlinks across the state, we also need to outreach to other programs and organizations that serve people with disabilities. Some examples of these are welfare offices, rehabilitation hospitals, veterans centers, and small business development centers.
Reviewing our outreach methods also showed us that we needed to update our methods to reflect new technology. With this in mind, we made new additions to our PA CAP website and increased posts to our Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program facebook page.
We recognize that good outreach efforts using a variety of methods serves as a valuable “lifeline” connecting us to the disability community, our clients and potential clients.

From VITALS on msnbc.com

Can you hear me now? 1 in 5 in U.S. suffers hearing loss

By Linda Carroll

Nearly one in five Americans has significant hearing loss, far more than previously estimated, a first-ever national analysis finds.

That means more than 48 million people across the United States have impairments so severe that it’s impossible for them to make out what a companion is saying over the din of a crowded restaurant, said Dr. Frank Lin, author of a new study published in the latest issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

“It’s pretty jaw-dropping how big it is,” said Lin, an assistant professor of otolaryngology and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Previous estimates had pegged the number affected by hearing loss at between 21 million and 29 million.

Lin and other researchers were surprised at the magnitude of the problem, but the significance of the findings goes beyond the “wow” factor, he said.

That’s because other studies have shown that hearing decline is often accompanied by losses in cognition and memory. Further, Lin said, some studies have associated hearing loss with a greater risk of dementia.

Lin’s study is the first to look at the hearing loss in a national sample of Americans aged 12 and older who have actually had their hearing tested. Earlier studies were smaller or depended on people’s self-reports of hearing loss.

For the new study, Lin and his colleagues analyzed data collected as part of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES), a research program that has periodically gathered information from thousands of Americans since 1971.

Using the World Health Organization’s definition for hearing loss as not being able to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the frequencies for speaking, the researchers found that about 30 million Americans, or nearly 13 percent of the population, had hearing loss in both ears.

That number jumped to about 48 million, or more than 20 percent of the population, by adding people with loss in just one ear.

Many people begin to lose their hearing in their 50s, Lin said. And the process is so gradual that they barely notice. That’s one of the reasons earlier studies found lower numbers of people with hearing loss, Lin said.

“Young people will come in with hearing loss from an infection and they feel so impaired that they can’t do their jobs,” Lin said. “But a lot of times, their hearing loss isn’t as bad as what we see in someone in their 60s who has learned to live with it.”

Because of the association with memory problems, loss of cognition and dementia, Lin would like to see more middle-aged people and seniors getting tested — and treated — for hearing loss. Now, the problem is often ignored, he said.

“If a 10-year-old has mild-to-moderate hearing loss, universally clinicians, insurers, and society say we’ve got to treat it,” Lin said. “But if you have the same hearing loss in someone who is 60, universally you get a shrug. That person still has to go to board meetings and hear people over dinner. But we don’t think it’s important for him to get treated.”

*Thanks to PaRC for this useful information.

On January 30, 2012 CAP advocates Jamie Ray-Leonetti and Lee Lippi will visit York OVR. While there, they will share CAP information with six new VR counselors.

From Art Reach in Philadelphia:

Promotions and Discounts

Media Theatre is offering $29 tickets (usually $47-$54) to its open-captioned and ASL performance of Sound of Music on Saturday, January 7th @ 2:00pm. To order tickets use the promo code OC at www.mediatheatre.org or 610-891-0100. Tickets can also be ordered via email by contacting p.ward@mediatheatre.org. Phone or email orders will automatically be seated in the designate OC/ASL section, website orders should notify the box office upon arrival to receive appropriate seating.

Accessible Events

The King and I
Walnut Street Theatre
Open Captioning, Audio Description, & ASL on January 6th @ 8:00pm

The King and I has captured the hearts and minds of millions with its charming story of the British governess brought into the court of Siam to tutor the King’s many children. Once within the splendor of the Royal Palace, Anna and the King grow to understand one another and learn about each other’s cultures. This unique love story is told with one of the most glorious and unforgettable scores ever written. The much-loved songs and sweeping melodies from the show include: “The March of the Siamese Children,” “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers” and the unforgettable “Shall We Dance.” This spectacular new production promises to be the musical event of the holiday season!

TacTile Tour
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
January 15th and February 19th

TacTile tours lead visitors who are blind or partially sighted through the Magic Gardens’ main site, allowing them to touch and explore the fully mosaiced gallery walls and labyrinth sculpture garden with trained PMG interpreters. Tour topics include Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic techniques and artistic influences, the materials used in the mosaics, the narratives behind his iconography and images, and the history of South Street and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Guests who are blind, partially sighted, and sighted companions are welcomed to experience sculptures and tiles from around the world through this fun and informative new program. Tours are regularly scheduled every third Sunday of the month, but can be scheduled any day of the week. They last approximately an hour and are capped at six people per tour. While most of PMG is accessible, some areas can only be accessed by stairs. Please contact PMG to reserve your tour by calling 215-733-0390 or by email to khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org

The Sound of Music
Media Theatre for the Performing Arts
ASL and Open Captioning on January 7th @ 2:00pm

The classic beloved musical about the Von Trapp Family singers and Maria, whose spunk and determination assist them in finding hope in an ever-changing world. Songs include “Climb Every Mountain” and “Do Re Mi.”

Charlotte’s Web
Arden Theatre
ASL on January 13th @ 10:00am and January 14th @ 4:00pm

Everyone is invited to join us for the heart-warming story of a special friendship between a lovable pig and everyone’s favorite spider. Wilbur, Charlotte and their barnyard friends have never been more delightful than in this wonderful tribute to one of the greatest stories for children ever written.

Memphis
Academy of Music
ASL on January 19th @ 7:30pm

Turn up that dial…From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves — filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Memphis , which played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse, features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony® nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway’s most exciting new destination — what the AP calls ‘The very essence of what a Broadway musical should be.’

Body Awareness
Wilma Theatre
Open Captioning on February 4th @ 2:00pm

Director Anne Kauffman thrilled Wilma audiences in 2010 with the smash hit Becky Shaw, winning a Barrymore for Best Director. She returns to Philadelphia next season to direct another Off-Broadway hit comedy! Welcome to Shirley State College, Vermont where it’s Body Awareness Week. In charge of the week’s festivities, college professor Phyllis has anything but a conventional life with girlfriend Joyce and her son Jared. But when a visiting artist brings his photographs of nude women into their home, conflicting feelings over sexuality and identity get passionately stirred up. Nominated for the Drama Desk Best New Play award, this hilarious comedy is fresh from Obie-award winning playwright Annie Baker (Circle Mirror Transformation, The Aliens).

The Scottsboro Boys
Philadelphia Theatre Company
Audio Description on February 4th @ 2:00pm
Open Captioning on February 11th @ 2:00pm

“From the legendary songwriting team of Kander and Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), The Scottsboro Boys is a stirring musical that explores the infamous 1930′s ‘Scottsboro Case’ in which a group of African-American men are falsely accused of a terrible crime, ultimately provoking a national outrage that sparked the American Civil Rights movement. Scottsboro Boys is the definition of inspired American musical theater with a gorgeous and melodic score

Motherhood the Musical
Society Hill Playhouse
Open Captioning on February 5th @ 2:00pm

Having a baby is just the beginning…motherhood is for life. In the original play Motherhood the Musical®, four women share their insights, challenges and pleasures at a baby shower. In 90 minutes of fun, you’ll get a peek into the powerful friendship of Amy, a soon-to-be first-time mom; Brooke, a hard-working lawyer; Barb, a stressed-out mother of five; and Tasha, a single mom seeking to balance work, her family and her divorce.

Motherhood the Musical is a funny, yet loving look at being a mom at any age. It’s climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. It’s discovering how powerful your love can be and how quickly they grow up. It’s helping them find their way and not losing yours. It’s about laughing and crying, craziness and calm, smiles and tears . . . and all before breakfast.

The Mouse Trap
Walnut Street Theatre
ASL on February 12th @ 7:00pm

Agatha Christie, the mistress of mystery, brings you her most popular creation, The Mousetrap. When a group of strangers are trapped together at a manor house during a snowstorm, they soon discover one of them is a murderer! Is it the newlyweds whose rampant suspicions nearly wreck their marriage? Maybe it’s the spinster with the curious background. It could be the architect, the retired Army Major or maybe the odd man who claims his car overturned in a snow drift! Walnut Street Theatre will never tell…you would think audiences would know whodunnit by now, but after more than half a century they are still guessing! Currently celebrating it’s 59th year in London, The Mousetrap will have you gripping the edge of your seat!

Hair
Academy of Music
ASL on February 29th @ 7:30pm

With a score including such enduring musical numbers as “Let the Sun Shine In,” Aquarius,” “Hair” and “Good Morning Starshine,” HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60’s and 70’s that changed America forever. The musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the show resonates with an irresistible message of hope more than 40 years after it first opened on Broadway.

Navigating College – A Handbook on Self Advocacy for Students with Autism

Handbook from The Autistic Self Advocacy Network written by adults and youth with autism for current and future college students with autism. Discusses disability and special education laws that apply to students from grades K-12 and how students in college must advocate for themselves. Also includes information on independent living, health and safety, and social issues. You can order a copy or download the book in PDF format from the website. http://www.autisticadvocacy.org

*Thanks to PaRC for sharing this important information.