CUCIL’s Corner 

July 2010

 A Newsletter for the Central Utah Center 

for Independent Living

What’s new with Information and Referral? 

The Central Utah Center for Independent Living would like consumers and the community alike to know our commitment to providing accurate and useful information. We don’t just answer questions about our services, but can also refer to other agencies and resources that service people with disabilities. 

Information and Referral is one of our core services, which means your satisfaction is important to us. Please let us know how we can serve you better. 

Call 373-5044 and speak to any available staff member. 

Disability Etiquette  

By Cindy Powell of DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center 

   Over 54 million people with disabilities (PWD) comprise the largest American minority group. This is the only minority group that anyone can join, as a result of accident, illness or injury. The longer we live, the more likely we will acquire a disability (6.5% of people under 20 have disabilities while 75% of people over 80 have at least one disability). One of the largest barriers people with disabilities endure is other people’s attitudes - language we use can dehumanize or empower PWD.

   First, when writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to use “people first language”, referring to the person, rather than the disability, first. Secondly, using current terminology is extremely important (rather than “epileptic” or “fit” to identify John and his disability, “seizure disorder” is correct). Abilities, rather than limitations, can be emphasized through language, such as, “Mary walks using a quad cane.”

1. Maintain eye contact and speak directly to the PWD, rather than their companion or sign language interpreter.

2. Treat PWD as their chronological, rather than their developmental age.

3. Inform a person who is blind when you are entering or exiting a room.

4. Do not violate a person’s personal space by touching or leaning over their wheelchair.

5. Allow a person with a speech disability more time to talk.

6. It is acceptable to shake a person’s prosthesis or other hand.  

Provo Library

Did you know that the library offers many classes both in English and in Spanish for our community. There mission statement is:

The Provo City Library provides our community with an inviting center for information, instruction, learning, leisure, and cultural opportunities.

Make sure that you take some classes there:

Computer Classes for March– April; Saturday 10 AM

Clases de Computación:  Marzo– Abril: los Jueves 6:30 pm

Please don’t forget the 2nd Floor Reference Desk or call at 801.852.7631

Porfavor, no se olvide de registrarse en el 2º piso, Recepción o llamando al numero arriba.

Don’t forget to get more involved with the Provo Library. They always have great classes that anyone in the community can take and for free. Go to the library and check out the activities that are going in and get yourself involved!

No se olviden envolucrarse más con la Biblioteca de Provo. Ellos siempre tienen buenas clases que todos en la comunidad pueden tomar y son gratuitas. Vayan a la biblioteca y vayan a la actividades que estan haciendo y participen si pueden.  

Small Steps:

   Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at the age of 30, and disclosed his condition to the public in 1998. He is an actor, author, and an advocate for finding a cure for this disease. He takes small steps every morning to fight his condition:

   - Take your time; don’t think you have to plan everything now.

   - Try to accept it; “You don’t have a choice that you have it, but you have a thousand choices of how to respond to having it”. It does not define you. You are still you.

   - Optimism is essential for good health. The mind-body connection is real. Positive thinking produces endorphins (our natural pain killers) and releases gamma globulin and interferon, which strengthen our immune system.

   People who believe they will get better do better than people who don’t. People who believe a therapy will help them, respond better than skeptics. The “placebo effect” is extremely powerful. The placebo effect has been shown to increase activity in the pre-frontal regions of our brains — the regions most responsible for higher thinking and emotion.

http://www.wowowow.com/entertainment/micahel-j-fox-adventures-incurable-optimism-parkinsons-disease-285479?page=0%2C2   

March: Women's History Month

   Before the 1970’s , the topic of women’s history  was largely missing from general public consciousness, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (in California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978 and choose the week of March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day.

   The celebration was met with positive response, and schools began to host their own Women’s History Week programs. The next year, leaders from the California group shared their project at a Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence  College (in New York). Other participants not only became determined to begin their own local Women’s History Week projects but also agreed to support an effort to have Congress declare a National Women’s History Week. In 1981, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representative Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) cosponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March.

Source: http://womenhistorymonth.gov/about.html   

Barbeque and ADA Celebration

   This is the 20th Year of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA)! We are excited to announce that we will be celebrating it in July, for the week of July 26th –30th.  We will be having our BBQ during  this week.

What is the ADA?

   ADA is the most comprehensive civil rights law protecting people with disabilities. It established equal rights for people with disabilities and led to changes throughout our communities ranging from employment opportunities to accessible public buildings, transportation, etc. The ADA prohibits discrimination in employment, state and local government, privately owned businesses, telecommunications, and other miscellaneous provisions.

(Source: Cindy Powell of DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center)

   We will have an Art Gallery set up at the CUCIL Office for the week of July 26th-30th with consumer art pieces. Please participate and share with us your talent!! The art will be at CUCIL for the whole week. Visual art including but not limited to the following will be on display: paintings, pencil drawings, poems etc...Any questions, please call Veronica Anaya 801.373.5044

Assistive Technology

   The year 2010 is here and 2009 is over.  As hard as last year was for funding and getting resources, this year will hopefully be better.  We may not get more money from the legislature.  We may not have any more resources than we did last year.  But we can be smarter and work closer as a team to accomplish our goals.  CUCIL wants you to know that your ideas are valued and wants to help accomplish your goals.  I am going to talk about an example of this positive feedback that we get from you - the Consumer.  I went and visited a family about a month ago.  They told me that they had been able to find a lift chair for about half the price that we usually buy them at.  They really seemed to be decent chairs and I am currently working on checking the quality on them to make sure they meet our standards.  The Pride Mobility and Golden Technologies chairs that we usually get are specifically made for people with disabilities and we are checking to make sure these fit the same specifications.  If they do then imagine how many more people we could help with the money we do have.  Remember smarter starts with you and if you have any ideas let us know.  

A Blind Man Gives Vision

   Patrick Henry Hughes was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk. His parents were devastated.  When Patrick was old enough to sit up, they put him on a piano stool and he began to learn the notes. At age two, he was taking requests. By grade school he was playing old standards and by high school he was playing the blues. When he got to college he was an accomplished pianist and trumpet player.

   Recognizing his tremendous gift, the college band director asked Patrick to play in the marching band which entertained thousands at the University of Louisville football games, etc. In order for this happen, his father gave up his day job and worked the graveyard shift at UPS so he could be at every practice and wheel his son in formation, spinning and turning with the rest of the band while his son blew the trumpet with gusto.

   What happened with Patrick is truly amazing, how he developed a gift God gave him that could easily have been missed. What also occurred was that a blind boy inspired vision in his parents. His mother "saw" the potential in him as she taught him piano. His father, instead of mourning the fact they could never play ball together, got a vision to play music together. The band director received vision when he "saw" the gift inside this young man. The gift that was far more than a music ability. As much as anything, it was how Patrick interpreted life. When asked to describe his disabilities, he said, "Not disabilities at all, more abilities." We tend not to see things the way they are but rather we see things the way we are. That should tell you a lot about Patrick and about yourself.

Source: http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/general-college-sports/30158-gameday-story-blind-man-louisville-marching-band-must-see.html

Community Integration

Fishing Trip

   Our annual fishing trip will be August 19th at the Jordanelle Reservoir.  This will be a one day retreat.  So bring all your gear and be ready at 7:00 AM to be picked up by our friendly bus driver.  Prizes will be given for the biggest fish caught and the most fish caught.  There will be music, fishing, BBQ and games!!!  All will have loads of fun.  Don't forget to bring sun screen protection and some aloe vera incase you do get sunburned.  Keep yourself hydrated and bring- some of your favorite games.  Please RSVP to Veronica Anaya at 801-373-5044 by August the 12th so pick up times can be arranged and supplies bought.  The Center will provide the lunch and dinner.  If you need a fishing license, we can provide you with the know-how to get a free fishing  license if you have a disability.  So come and have a great time!!!

LA ESQUINA EN ESPAÑOL

El lugar donde hablamos su idioma  

Consejos para una Vida Ecológica —

En parte: www.cadenaverde.tk

Un mundo limpio es la mejor herencia…

Nosotros podemos hacer MUCHO más de lo que creemos. Aquí, proponemos una serie de consejos simples, que pueden hacer con sólo proponérselo.

AGUA: Consuma la justa. 

- Beba agua del grifo, si puede: El agua en botella gasta envases y mucha energía en su transporte.

- Cierre bien los grifos (GOTEOS consumen mucho) y utilice bocas en grifos y duchas de las que ahorran agua (de venta en cualquier ferretería). Aproveche como agua limpia el agua que se tira hasta que sale agua caliente (use un balde...).

- CIERRE el GRIFO al cepillarte los dientes, afeitarte, enjabonarte en la ducha o enjabonar los platos.

- Una DUCHA gasta menos que un baño: Procure no tardar mucho, y no le dé muy fuerte al agua: NO hace falta.

BASURAS: Más de la mitad son RECICLABLES ¿Por qué no las RECICLAMOS?

- Un 20 % de lo que gastamos es para envases, que luego tiramos. Use los contenedores de reciclado que existan.

- No compre artículos de usar y tirar. Use RETORNABLES. No derroche servilletas, pañuelos u otra forma de papel. ¡Entre todos podemos!

ENERGÍA:

- Cocinas eléctricas: Apague antes de terminar (retienen el calor). Para cocinar es más barato el gas.

- Use y regala ollas a presión (son rápidas y ecológicas).

DESCONGELE el frigorífico regularmente. El hielo reduce eficacia, consume más y produce más averías. Baja el nivel de frío del frigorífico: No hace falta muy fuerte. Evita abrirlo muchas veces y mucho tiempo.

- APAGUE: "totalmente" la TV, radio, luces... si no los está usando.

- Hay bombillas que consumen menos, ahorran y alumbran más.

- No use bolsas de plástico. Llévese un bolso a la compra o un carrito y pida que no le den bolsas.

El ecologismo es más que una tendencia, es una necesidad y un estilo de vida!