The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 20 on Monday.

In honor of the occasion, Community Resources for Independence (CRI) hosted a celebration.

Among those speaking was Greg Staub, CRI assistive technology resource coordinator.

He remembers July 26, 1990. Some of the people with disabilities that he had been able to help over the years had made him a gracious invitation.

"I was one of the fortunate ones on the White House lawn as the president signed the ADA," he said. "I was honored to be there 20 years ago and I'm honored to be here today."

He said the ADA has allowed great strides for people with disabilities.

"We all care," he said. "We may have loved ones with disabilities... one day it could be us. Where would we like to be?"

Staub is an assistive technology representative for 10 northwestern Pennsylvania counties and through the years has been "honored to help use" his passion for assistive technology to help make better homes and workplaces - "things we all take for granted" - for people with disabilities.

State Rep. Kathy Rapp expressed her appreciation for the gains made under ADA over the years.

"This truly is a day of celebration," she said. "The ADA is one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the federal government."

She said having laws and rights is not enough. "We have to exercise these rights to open the doors to these opportunities," Rapp said. "There's been a lot of progress from 20 years ago."

CRI's Chuck Giambrone gave statistics outlining some of the progress of the past 10 years.

Unemployment for "people with severe significant disabilities" was 82 percent in 2000, he said.

Now, that number is between 69 percent and 75 percent depending on the study.

He looks to companies to "take that next step and hire more persons with disabilities" and to get the unemployment down to 50 percent" or lower.

"I'd like to say thank you to the folks of Warren," he said. "You've made great strides."

Giambrone said amusement parks, hotels, and recreation are the current leaders in increasing opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives declared the week of July 25 through 31 as "ADA Week."

The state Senate recognized July 26 as the 20th anniversary of the ADA and urged "all residents to take time to note the contributions made by disabled individuals to our communities."

Center for Independent Living Case Manager Beverly Davis-Migliaccio read a proclamation by Gov. Ed Rendell. He declared July 26 the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and "do hereby reaffirm a commitment to work toward full ADA compliance in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

By BRIAN FERRY bferry@timesobserver.com
http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/533620.html?nav=5006

Bay City Thunder & Lightning will be playing a Wheelchair Basketball Game against Conneaut Valley High School (CVHS) Students and Faculty to benefit United Cerebral Palsy.

The game will be held Friday, April 23rd at 6:30 PM in the Conneaut Valley High School Gym. Bay City Thunder & Lightning -vs- CVHS Students and Faculty - $5.00 Adults and $3.00 Children.

Come out and support a worthy cause!

People with Disabilities and older Pennsylvanian’s will face cuts to their State Supplemental Payments (SSP) unless we make the Legislature act now.

• In the state of PA alone, there are 345,000 people who receive SSP, and it is usually those who are elderly and those with disabilities, struggling to live in the community. Of this number, 67,000 are children and many with disabilities. 
• Single Recipient’s receive a maximum $674 federal benefit; couples receive $1011/monthy. Until now, PA provided State Supplemental Payment of $27.40 month/single, $43.70 month/couple. The cuts reduce that by $5.30/single, $10.40/double.

The State has already begun the process of cutting into that supplement, and people have already begun the process of wondering how long they can hold on in the community. The cuts amount to $5.40/single and $10/couple and while that may not seem like much, to these recipients it will mean the difference between one dinner meal, one bus trip to a grocery store or to a child’s school event.

You are requested to contact (call, email, write) your state legislator to urge them to reinstate the SSP. Click HERE for a flyer with additional information.

Below is a link for the schedule for the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) Hearings scheduled in Philadelphia, Erie and Harrisburg. Please pass along this information, we would like to receive as much feedback as possible on the draft of the new SPIL.

Click HERE for the schedule.

It was good to see that some CRI employes made it out to the games this past weekend. The team thanks you!

The Bay City Thunder & Lightning has a Conference Tournament coming-up this weekend, March 20 - 21. The Tournament will be held in Wooster, Ohio.

2009-2010 MAC Conference Tournament
Game	Date	Time	Location	Home		Away
#1	03/20	11 AM	Cornerstone Gym	Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers		Bay City Thunder & Lightning
#2	03/20	11 AM	Grace Church	Western NY Wheels		Lafayette
#3	03/20	1 PM	Cornerstone Gym	Pittsburgh SteelWheelers		Winner of Game #1
#4	03/20	1 PM	Grace Church	Winner of Game #2		Moraine
#5	03/20	3 PM	Grace Church	Loser of Game #1		Loser of Game #4
#6	03/20	3 PM	Cornerstone Gym	Loser of Game #2		Loser of Game #3
#7	03/20	5 PM	Cornerstone Gym	Winner of Game #3		Winner of Game #4
#8	03/20	5 PM	Grace Church	Winner of Game #5		Winner of Game #6
#9	03/20	7 PM	Grace Church	Winner of Game #8		Loser of Game #7
#10	03/20	7 PM	Cornerstone Gym	Loser of Game #5		Loser of Game #6
#11	03/21	11 AM	Cornerstone Gym	Loser of Game #8		Loser of Game #9
#12	03/21	11 AM	Cornerstone Gym	Winner of Game #7		Winner of Game #9

For those of you who want to show your support and make the trip to cheer-on the Thunder & Lightning, the addresses are below:

Cornerstone Gym
101 West Bowman Street
Wooster 44691

Wooster Christian (Grace Church)
4599 Burbank Road #B
Wooster 44691

View our Web page for more details

Sunday March 21st at Rainbow Gardens, beginning at 1:00 PM, is the King Family benefit that CRI has been working so hard in collaboration with Ameridrives and The Wattsburg School District to try and make a success. If you are unfamiliar with this family in need, please look at their Web site, www.kingsfight.com, in which you will find their courageous story and information/details on the benefit.

Event tickets are only $10.00 and that includes food, drink, the chance to win prizes, live entertainment by the M80's & Loose Change, and more.

Purchase Tickets at
Ameridrives International Couplings	1802 Pittsburgh Avenue
Community Resources For Independence	3410 West 12th Street
Wattsburg School District Administration Building	10782 Wattsburg Road
Rainbow Gardens (The Day Of The Event)	Waldameer Amusement Park

The friends of the King family need your help. They are collecting donations for this fundraising event to cover the cost of medical treatments. They need major items, as well as, smaller items. Please help them by offering hope and support to this family by your generous donations. For drop off or pick up information call 814-480-5068.

CRI's Wheelchair Basketball team, the Bay City Thunder & Lightning, will be competing in the EUP Tournament. This tournament will be held at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania from Saturday, March 13, 2010 to Sunday, March 14, 2010.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

9:00 AM	Bay City Thunder & Lightning	vs.	Edinboro University Fighting Scots
11:00 AM	Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers	vs.	Pittsburgh SteelWheelers
1:00 PM	Pittsburgh SteelWheelers	vs.	Bay City Thunder & Lightning
3:00 PM	Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers	vs.	Edinboro University Fighting Scots
5:00 PM	Edinboro University Fighting Scots	vs.	Pittsburgh SteelWheelers

Sunday, March 14, 2010

9:00 AM	Edinboro University Fighting Scots	vs.	Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers
11:00 AM	Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers	vs.	Bay City Thunder & Lightning

Come watch the team and show your support!

News for Immediate Release

Jan. 5, 2010

Governor Rendell: Efficient Management Allows Expansion of Home Heating Program for Low-Income Families

Harrisburg - Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced significant changes to Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - better known as LIHEAP -- that will help keep low-income families warm this winter.

The federally-funded LIHEAP helps income-eligible households pay for heat during the winter months and is administered by the Department of Public Welfare.

"As a result of smart policy decisions and efficient management of LIHEAP resources, we are able to increase cash grant amounts by $100 and extend the program through April 2," said Governor Rendell. "These steps will help to ensure Pennsylvania families can stay safe and warm during the cold winter months.

"These changes will bring needed relief for the many families who continue to struggle to make ends meet," added Governor Rendell. "Should the federal government release additional contingency funds as it has done in previous years, Pennsylvania would be positioned to increase grant amounts to vulnerable households - those over 60, with a disability or with children aged five and under.

"We estimate that by extending the LIHEAP closing date from March 15 to April 2, an additional 80,000 households will receive help paying for their heat," the Governor added.

This year, all LIHEAP applications are run through a new computer system which includes more eligibility checks. As a result, the opportunity for fraud or abuse of the system has been significantly reduced.

DPW expects to assist approximately 600,000 families with cash grants during the 2009-2010 program year. As a result of the Governor's announcement, cash grants for the current season are expected to average $326.

DPW expects to provide LIHEAP crisis grants to 126,000 households this season. Crisis grants are offered to resolve heating emergencies, such as furnace failures or unexpected fuel shortages. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel that they use.

Applications are available at county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP cash grants are available online at www.compass.state.pa.us<http://www.compass.state.pa.us/>.

Residents of the counties listed below are encouraged to contact the agencies that operate the crisis component in their areas:

* Allegheny - Allegheny County Department of Human Services, (800) 851-3838;
* Carbon - Carbon County Action Committee, (610) 377-6400
* Centre - Central PA Community Action Agency, (814) 765-1551 or Millheim Family Service Center, (814) 349-5850 or (800) 822-2610;

* Lackawanna - Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency, (570) 963-6836;
* Lancaster - Community Action Program of Lancaster County, (800) 732-0018;
* Luzerne - Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County, (800) 822-0359
* Wyoming - Commission on Economic Opportunity of Wyoming Co., (570) 836-4090

To ensure they have adequate resources to heat their homes the entire winter, LIHEAP consumers are urged to keep their thermostats at 65 degrees - unless they have young children or older adults living in the home. Visit www.turnsealsave.org<http://www.turnsealsave.org/> to learn about available assistance programs, energy conservation and home weatherization tips.

Media contacts:

Stacey Witalec, DPW; 717-787-4592

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: Household sizes and income limits for LIHEAP's 2009-10 season are listed below.

1 -- $16,245

2 -- $21,855

3 -- $27,465

4 -- $33,075

5 -- $38,685

6 -- $44,295

7 -- $49,905

8 -- $55,515

(For each additional person add $5,610).

CRI's very own Wheelchair Basketball team, the Bay City Thunder & Lightning will be playing two games against the Rochester Wheels on Saturday, December 19th at 12:00 PM. The games will be held at the Waterford Elementary School; 323 Cherry Street, Waterford, PA 16441.

The athleticism that is displayed is one of kind, if you haven't seen a wheelchair basketball game, you don't know what you are missing!

Come Support Our Team! Come Support CRI!

CRI's Wheelchair Basketball team, the Bay City Thunder & Lightning, will be competing in the 3rd Annual Rock and Roll Shootout. This tournament will be held at Kent State University from Friday, December 11, 2009 to Sunday, December 13, 2009. Check out our Schedule.

The other teams that are competing in this tournament are: Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers, Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, Waukesha Thunder, Hill on Wheels, Moraine Minutemen, Detroit Diehards, Forest City Flyers, Western NY Wheels, and Kentwood Rollers.

Come watch the team and show your support!

*** Schedule and event details are subject to change.