Supported Living - A Day in the Life

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CIS Supported Living - A Day in the Life from Shawn Lloyd on Vimeo.

Besides being a swell couple of guys, Mike and Austin are roommates in the Supported Living department at Community Interface Services. Not only does Austin get paid to hang out with Mike and help with the little things in life that can be challenging for adults with disabilities, but they also go to Padres' games, bowling and lots of other fun activities. Supported Living roommates help CIS realize our fundamental philosophy and belief that people with disabilities belong out in the community where they can can contribute to society, live, laugh and love along with the rest of us. We think Mike and Austin exemplify this ideal and also make a great team!

Action Alert: Affordable, Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities

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Affordable, Accessible Housing for
People with Disabilities

Dear Friends,


We’ve got a historic chance this year to come closer to meeting the need for affordable housing that is accessible to people with disabilities.


The Homes and Jobs Act - Senate Bill 391 - will provide a permanent funding source for affordable housing for all Californians who need it. At least 10% of the units in the new affordable housing are to be mobility accessible, and 4% are to be communications accessible.


Here’s what you can do to help:


1.   Sign the new petition Our allies who originated the petition are shooting for 200 signatures. I think that goal is way too low. With the thousands of people who get this action alert, we should be able to do a lot better than that. Let’s show them what the disability community can do.
 
2.   Call your state assemblymember. We got the bill through the Senate with the needed two-thirds majority last year, and we have to do as well in the Assembly this year. The message is simple: politely but firmly ask your assemblymember to vote for Senate Bill 391, or give you a good reason why not. Here are some other tips for making these kinds of calls: http://thearcca.org/46.html. (If you don’t know who your assemblymember is, he or she probably don’t know who you are, either -- and it’s time for them to find out. Here’s where you can find out: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.)
 
3.   Forward this action alert to anyone you think can be motivated by the need for more affordable, accessible housing in California and the chanced for a big win for the disability community.
 
Thank you, too, to everyone who contacted Assemblyman Kevin de Leon to ask him to pass the bill to double the number of accessible units for all new publicly funded multifamily housing. I’m sorry to report he didn’t do what we asked. But we intend to try again next year – and if we succeed, our win this year with the Homes and Jobs Act will become twice as important.


Thank you for your advocacy.
Greg


Greg deGiere
Public Policy Director
The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration
1225 Eighth Street, Suite 350
Sacramento, CA 95814

Support our annual Angel Gala!

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As many of you know, our Angel Gala is a magical evening full of live entertainment, great food, and best of all, great friends!  We are starting our fundraising early this year in hopes of making our 30th (wow!) a night to truly remember.  Please visit our fundraising link below and help us get to our goal of $1,983 by July 16th. 

Thank you for your support!

 

https://www.crowdtilt.com/campaigns/community-interface-services-30th-anniversary-fundraiser

Dr. Karen Gaffney, first living person with Down Syndrome receives honarary doctorate

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Karen Gaffney became the first living person with Down syndrome to ever receive an honorary doctorate from a college or university when she received one from the University of Portland on May 5, 2013.

Karen is president of the Karen Gaffney Foundation and famous for her distance swimming exploits and public speaking.

The University is incredibly proud to honor Karen and her incredible advocacy work that has inspired countless people worldwide and especially in our Portland community.


 

 

 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHhWdp2qskc 

Earth Day

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Today is Earth Day.  It is the 43rd year that people across the globe have brought awareness to the environment around them and how to best preserve it for future generations.  Some ways that people choose to celebrate is by planting a tree, riding a bike to work/school, and participating in a beach clean-up. 

What are some ways that you are bringing awareness to preserve our home, the Earth?

 

  

April is Autism Awareness Month

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Autism is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder and is mainly characterized through delays in language and social interactions.  It was first used to describe a diagnosis by Leo Kanner in 1943.  Until the 1960's, it was thought to be linked to Schizophrenia.  Back then, about one person in 2,000 were being diagnosed with autism.  In the 80's, that number increased to 1 in 1,000.  In the beginning of the new millenia, that number had increased again to 1 in 150.  Today it is estimated that 1 in 88 are being diagnosed.  Experts are not sure if there is in fact a rise in the actual disability or a rise in awareness so that people who would not have been diagnosed, are now receiving the diagnosis.

Researchers agree that there is a genetic link to Autism, but there is no exact known cause.  They do know what is being affected for those who do have Autism versus those who do not.  The main centers of the brain that are affected by Autism are the Cerebral Cortex (perception and behavioral reactions are controlled by this area of the brain), Amygdala (emotional responses), Hippocampus (short-term memory), Basal Ganglia (regulation of autonomous movement), and the Cerebellum (balance and body movement).  Knowing this helps to indentify the best possible treatment for an individual who has Autism.

The only treatment plan that has been proven to be effective is early behavioral intervention.  Since Autism is such a unique  disability, treatment must be tailored to each individual.  This can become very costly.  Fortunately in July of 2012, SB 946 came into effect in California and this treatment now must be covered under medical insurance.

Some interesting facts about Autism (from Autism Speaks) 

  • Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys

  • Autism prevalence figures are growing

  • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

  • Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average

  • Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases

  • Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism

  • There is no medical detection or cure for autism

 

Tuesday, April 2nd, is Autism Awareness Day.  Supporters are encouraged to "light it up blue" to show that they support Autism.  Hope to see you in blue tomorrow!

  

You click. We earn.

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CIS has joined the Amazon Associates Program which helps us raise funds for the Angel Gala and other events. Use our Amazon link on the “Contribute” page of the website or add this horribly un-memorable shortened URL http://amzn.to/WL2li0 to the bookmarks in your web browser. It costs you nothing and CIS earns a percentage of every sale. Tell all your friends and enemies alike! Big thanks to everyone who has already contributed. 

CIS Potluck Picnic - Live Music, Food & Fun!

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Dig out that tuna casserole recipe and dust off your frisbee. The CIS Potluck Picnic is coming up fast and might just be the last chance to end the summer with a bang.  Enjoy live music, organized games with all your CIS pals. Consumers, staff & families welcome! Bring your own blankets, chairs, picnic paraphernalia and a potluck dish to share.

When: September 10th from 2 - 5 pm

Where: Magee Park, 258 Beech Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008