Free Tax Help!
United Way is partnering with the League to provide free tax help for people and providing interpretation AS LONG AS THEY MEET A COUPLE REQUIREMENTS. For the full info you can go to www.the-league.org, and click the YouTube link at the bottom of the page and view the Vlog about it. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you need to call United Way (not the League) from a landline: 211, or from your videophone: 744-0700.
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FIFTH FREEDOM NETWORK
Fifth Freedom Network (FFN) is an independent
non-profit organization in Fort Wayne. It is directed by Sheri Caveda, an advocate for people with disabilities.
FFN's mission is to teach and train disabled persons to advocate (gain inclusion) for themselves.
FFN's goal is to teach us the steps in learning how to properly advocate for ourselves.
FFN WILL NOT ADVOCATE FOR US!
FFN will help us clarify the different issues we have and organize them.
FFN will help us prioritize our issues.
FFN will help us develop our plan of action.
FFN promotes finding solutions to problems and not fighting battles.
If an organization has good leaders, it will learn from FFN, learn to provide for others.
If an organization is successful and recognized as a good organization in the Fort Wayne area, they can apply for funding and become their own non-profit organization.
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BRYAN ZIMMERMAN, M.Ed.
New Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for residents in
ALLEN COUNTY ONLY. Celia is still VR counselor, but for OTHER counties in Indiana - NOT Allen County.
To contact Bryan for your VR needs:
219 West Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
711-260-424-4653
Toll-free: 1-877-715-5292
Fax: 260-426-3617
E-mail: Bryan.Zimmerman@fssa.in.gov
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Still need a Fire Alarm???
The Fort Wayne Fire Department, League for the Blind & Disabled, and the Delta Gamma Chapter of Psi lota Xi will now be able to provide 120+ Silent Call Fire Alarms for Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals!!!
To find out more information, please attend the press release taking place on Monday, March 29th at 2:30pm. Interpreters WILL be provided. It will be taking place at:
Public Safety Academy
7602 Patriot Crossing
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
You can also apply for a fire alarm online at:
www.fortwaynefiredepartment.org
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ADA CONTACT INFORMATION
To contact Stephanie Buckner
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
312 886 5896 (voice)
312 353 5693 (TTY)
Stephanie.Buckner@hhs.gov
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr
Department of Justice
ADA Information Line
800 514 0301 (voice)
800 514 0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SERVICES (DHHS)
402 W. Washington St., W453
P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 46207
317-232-1143 (voice or tty)
317-233-1566 (fax)
When you have a complaint about places not providing interpreters, you NEED to call the numbers above and REPORT it. Change will ONLY happen in Fort Wayne when YOU make it happen. Furthermore, you MUST do this IMMEDIATELY — the sooner you can document this, the better it is for EVERYONE. Once you have made the call, the Civil Rights office will take it from there. Your Civil Rights — nobody can bully you into NOT calling the Civil Rights office. This is your civil right. Doctors, nurses, office personnel only need to be asked ONE TIME to provide you with an interpreter — if they refuse, then leave — go home and make the call to the number above and report it.
IF THE COMPLAINT IS AT A STATE OR FEDERALLY FUNDED FACILITY, then do NOT call the Civil Rights office — call DHHS. State and Federal funded offices are the only ones governed by DHHS.
Think of it like this — how many times are you going to put your hand in the fire before you realize that you’re going to get burned? The same thing with these places that won’t provide an interpreter. There’s NO EXCUSE WHATSOEVER for businesses that don’t comply! If they tell you “NO”, then call the numbers above — THAT’S ALL YOU NEED TO DO! Nothing more!
BOTTOM LINE — EMPOWERMENT!!
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GRANTS FOR FAMILIES
The United Health Care Children’s Foundation is providing grants to families who have children ages 16 or younger with medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan.
Individuals who receive care via Medicaid, Medicare, or other state or federally subsidized health insurance programs are not eligible.
The amount awarded to an individual within a 12-month period is limited to $5000 or 85% of the final balance, whichever amount is less. Awards to any one individual are limited to a lifetime maximum of $7500.
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Driving Test/Written Test
If you need to take a Driver’s test and or written test, contact your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to set up a date and that you are in need of an interpreter. OR you may contact Madonna Hoover, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Drivers Services Department, phone 317-234-3392 or her email is mahoover@bmv.IN.gov
DHHS gave BMV a list of all the interpreter agencies in the state so that when a request comes in they will contact 2 interpreting agencies (per your request or doesn’t matter – choice is yours). And an interpreter will be provided on your test date.
If you have ANY problems or questions, contact Madonna at the above info.
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AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR DEAF CHILDREN
Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) has joined "The American Society for Deaf Children" as an Education Member, and with this comes a special offer! This entitles you to a FREE one-year membership! To start your free membership, click on the link below, fill out the application, and mail it to:
American Society for Deaf Children
3820 Hartzdale Drive
Camp Hill, PA 17011
American Society for Deaf Children Membership Form
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NEED A TTY?
The League for the Blind & Disabled have TTY's for free, for those that need them. They are older models that have been donated but in working condition. If you (or someone you know) need one, please call:
260-441-7760 (fax)
260-441-0551 (voice/TTY)
260-441-0550 (Sorenson VP-200)