Come, everyone, to Holy Cross Lutheran Church on January 31, 2009 from 12:00-2:00 PM. Join your friends, acquaintances and unmet neighbors for lunch!
Our speaker this month is going to be Peggy from Audio Reader. She also does audio description for live plays around town.
Her most recent speaking engagements with the blindness community include a presentation to First Steps for the Bli, another grassroots blindness support network in Kansas City.
Our menu will include chili and sandwiches along with cookies for dessert.
Hey, yo may even get to ask a pastor any question that's been on your mind about the Bible. You might see someone you haven't seen in years. You will have a great time!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Do You Write Or Do you want to?
You have, perhaps, published an article or story. You may have wanted to get yourself better acquainted with writing. Perhaps, you wanted to improve your own style. You've got the idea, but you don't know where to run with it or who would read it.
Never fear! Here's an opportunity to form a critique group so we in Progressive and elsewhere in the blindness community can help each other write. I've talked to Mark Littleton, the director of the Heartland Association of Christian Writers' Network. He has said he would work with us to start a blind community critique group for those who would like to participate.
If interested, call me, David Rosenkoetter, at (816) 805-7333. You can email me at:
hoosierinex@yahoo.com
Whether you have an article for THE MISSOURI CHRONICLE, a legislative idea, a pem, or story idea--you can bring it be improved and published!
Never fear! Here's an opportunity to form a critique group so we in Progressive and elsewhere in the blindness community can help each other write. I've talked to Mark Littleton, the director of the Heartland Association of Christian Writers' Network. He has said he would work with us to start a blind community critique group for those who would like to participate.
If interested, call me, David Rosenkoetter, at (816) 805-7333. You can email me at:
hoosierinex@yahoo.com
Whether you have an article for THE MISSOURI CHRONICLE, a legislative idea, a pem, or story idea--you can bring it be improved and published!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Transportation: KCATA Contact
Here is the, or should i say, a contact we have with KCATA. He was at the meeting on January 13 and is in charge of each month's public meeting.
Demus Holmes816 346 0314His e mail address isdholmes@1cata.org
Demus Holmes816 346 0314His e mail address isdholmes@1cata.org
Announcement: Legislative Days
Missouri Council for the Blind will be holding its annual legislative days this year on February 17-18. If you are interested in going, you will need to get your train ticket arranged. Speak with Mary about how to get expenses reembursed.
We will be staying overnight, which will also be covered. The days will include meetings with our State senators, planning sessions, and meals at the motel and at the Capitol.
Be keeping your ears open on Saturday for more information and at next month's meeting when we will be sharing the results and follow-up to legislative days.
We will be staying overnight, which will also be covered. The days will include meetings with our State senators, planning sessions, and meals at the motel and at the Capitol.
Be keeping your ears open on Saturday for more information and at next month's meeting when we will be sharing the results and follow-up to legislative days.
Blind Pension Back Pay--More Possibly Coming
This article speaks to the fact that millions of dollars in back Blind Pension pay are laying somewhere out there. Read and see how I think this is only the beginning of this case.
KSDK -- The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the Misosuri Family Support Division illegally calculated theBlind Pension benefit for thousands of people.Read a copy of the rulingThe Missouri Council of the Blind joined with seven blind Missourians to bring alawsuit challenging the method used by the state to calculate the pension. The plaintiffswere represented by the Law Offices of Thomas E. Kennedy and theSaint Louis University Legal Clinic.The case will now go to the Circuit Court of Cole County to be consider conducting an accounting with regard to back benefits blind Missouriansare owed. The estimated amount could be between $14 and $40 million.Approximately 3,000 Missourians collect the pension.
KSDK -- The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the Misosuri Family Support Division illegally calculated theBlind Pension benefit for thousands of people.Read a copy of the rulingThe Missouri Council of the Blind joined with seven blind Missourians to bring alawsuit challenging the method used by the state to calculate the pension. The plaintiffswere represented by the Law Offices of Thomas E. Kennedy and theSaint Louis University Legal Clinic.The case will now go to the Circuit Court of Cole County to be consider conducting an accounting with regard to back benefits blind Missouriansare owed. The estimated amount could be between $14 and $40 million.Approximately 3,000 Missourians collect the pension.
Let's Get the Pay Right!
This article wdiscusses the possible passage of a bill which may insure that people with disabilities get the same pay at work as anyone else. I urge all of us to call our Congress folks and urge them to vote for this!
Here's the article and where it is from.
> ADA Watch/NCDR>>>>> In partnership with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights:>> Tell Senators to Restore the Rights of Workers to Sue for Pay Discrimination>> Take Action Now:> Call your senators today at 202-224-3121 and urge their support for the Lilly LedbetterFair Pay Act (S.181).>> As early as this Thursday, January 15, the Senate could consider the Lilly LedbetterFair Pay Act (S.181). Last year, the bill was filibustered by a handful of senators,thereby preventing a full vote in that chamber. As the bill will likely come to theSenate floor this week, now is the time to call senators and urge them to pass S.181so that all American workers who suffer from pay discrimination get their day incourt.>> The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is an important legislative "fix" to a May 2007U.S. Supreme Court decision (Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.) which severely limits the ability of workers who suffer from pay discriminationto sue and recover damages under Title VII of theCivil Rights Act of 1964. Without this "fix," the impact of the Court's decision will be widespread, affectingpay discrimination cases involving women and racial and ethnic minorities, as wellas cases under theAge Discrimination in Employment Act and under the Americans with Disabilities Act.>> Call you senators today at 202-224-3121. Tell them to support S.181 and reaffirmthat pay discrimination has legally enforceable remedies.>> Learn more about the <http://m1e.net/c?85473591-f9ZE1EDpoafps%403893830-QVM3BSAECICu%2e>Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.>>> To unsubscribe/change profile: <http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=85473591h-9e3ca225>click here.> To subscribe: <http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=12501t>click here.>> National Coalition for Disability Rights> 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300> Washington, District of Columbia 20006
Here's the article and where it is from.
> ADA Watch/NCDR>>>>> In partnership with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights:>> Tell Senators to Restore the Rights of Workers to Sue for Pay Discrimination>> Take Action Now:> Call your senators today at 202-224-3121 and urge their support for the Lilly LedbetterFair Pay Act (S.181).>> As early as this Thursday, January 15, the Senate could consider the Lilly LedbetterFair Pay Act (S.181). Last year, the bill was filibustered by a handful of senators,thereby preventing a full vote in that chamber. As the bill will likely come to theSenate floor this week, now is the time to call senators and urge them to pass S.181so that all American workers who suffer from pay discrimination get their day incourt.>> The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is an important legislative "fix" to a May 2007U.S. Supreme Court decision (Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.) which severely limits the ability of workers who suffer from pay discriminationto sue and recover damages under Title VII of theCivil Rights Act of 1964. Without this "fix," the impact of the Court's decision will be widespread, affectingpay discrimination cases involving women and racial and ethnic minorities, as wellas cases under theAge Discrimination in Employment Act and under the Americans with Disabilities Act.>> Call you senators today at 202-224-3121. Tell them to support S.181 and reaffirmthat pay discrimination has legally enforceable remedies.>> Learn more about the <http://m1e.net/c?85473591-f9ZE1EDpoafps%403893830-QVM3BSAECICu%2e>Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.>>> To unsubscribe/change profile: <http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=85473591h-9e3ca225>click here.> To subscribe: <http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=12501t>click here.>> National Coalition for Disability Rights> 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300> Washington, District of Columbia 20006
SSI GETS INCLUDED THIS TIME!
Okay, now, the following article is going ot make you think. I'm sure we all are in agreement that the slumping economy needs fixed. Is this solution, however, part of the best way to fix it? Does it really help or or simply placate the blindness community who get SSI payments? See this article:
Possible OneTime SSI Payment as Part ofStimulusPackage>> Obama Increase likely for> low-income elderly>> By ANDREW TAYLOR - 16 hours ago>> WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 7> million poor people who are> elderly,> blind or disabled and receive> cash benefits averaging $477 a> month> could get an extra monthly> payment as part of> President-elect Barack>> Obama's $800 billion economic> recovery plan.> Democratic congressional aides> said the idea of an extra> Supplemental> Security Income payment is> gaining traction on Capitol Hill> as> lawmakers and staff aides hold> daily meetings to work out> details of> the upcoming stimulus bill. The> aides spoke on condition of> anonymity> to discuss the closed-door> negotiations.>> Democratic lawmakers hope to> have an economic stimulus bill> ready for> Obama's signature by> mid-February, although officials> indicated Monday> night that numerous provisions> are unsettled.>> Several said the emerging> legislation likely will provide> at least $70> billion over the next two years> to help states meet the demand> for> Medicaid, which provides health> care for low income people, and> another $25 billion more to help> individuals who cannot afford to> pay> for private, post-employment> health benefits.>> An estimated $35 billion is> tentatively ticketed for> additional> unemployment benefits.>> The tax provisions remain in> flux, with Obama's call for a> break for> companies that create new jobs> described by Democratic> officials as> all but dead. Several Democrats> prefer to use the funds to make> sure> upper middle class families are> not ensnared by the alternative> minimum tax.>> Democrats are more favorably> inclined toward Obama's proposal> for a> tax break for lower-paid> individuals and couples, of up> to $500 and> $1,000.>> The officials who described the> provisions did so on condition> of> anonymity, saying they were not> authorized to discuss the> details.>> The idea of a one-time,> additional SSI payment this year> would cost> about $4 billion, which would go> to more than 7 million poor> people> enrolled in the program. Most of> them are disabled, though about> 2> million poor seniors would also> benefit.>> The relatively low cost of the> idea seems to help its chances,> though> it's not a sure bet to be> included in the final economic> recovery> package, which will blend tax> cuts for individuals and> businesses with> huge spending initiatives such> as aid to state governments, an> increase in local school aid,> and infrastructure projects such> as road> and bridge construction and> repair.>> "It's in the package as of now,"> said an aide to a top House> leader.>> The idea meets one of Obama's> key criterion for the stimulus> bill,> which is to speed money into the> hands of people who are likely> to> spend it. One criticism of last> year's $600-1,200 tax rebate> checks to> individuals and couples was that> many people simply saved the> money or> paid down debt instead of> injecting it into the economy> through spending.>> Even with their monthly checks,> SSI recipients remain in> poverty, and> they're more likely to spend the> money quickly.>> "These people are extremely> poor," said Bob Greenstein,> founder of the> liberal Center on Budget and> Policy Priorities. "I certainly> think,> and I think the Obama people> have thought that this is a very> sound> stimulus idea. It would have one> of the highest bangs for the> buck.">> Obama transition spokesman Nick> Shapiro would not confirm that> Obama> supports the idea. The> transition has been tightlipped> about many> elements of the economic> recovery package as it is being> negotiated.>> Supplemental Security Income> delivers payments of up to $637> per month> to individuals and $956 to> couples. About one-fourth of> recipients are> 65 or older.>> Associated Press writer David> Espo contributed to this story.>
Possible OneTime SSI Payment as Part ofStimulusPackage>> Obama Increase likely for> low-income elderly>> By ANDREW TAYLOR - 16 hours ago>> WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 7> million poor people who are> elderly,> blind or disabled and receive> cash benefits averaging $477 a> month> could get an extra monthly> payment as part of> President-elect Barack>> Obama's $800 billion economic> recovery plan.> Democratic congressional aides> said the idea of an extra> Supplemental> Security Income payment is> gaining traction on Capitol Hill> as> lawmakers and staff aides hold> daily meetings to work out> details of> the upcoming stimulus bill. The> aides spoke on condition of> anonymity> to discuss the closed-door> negotiations.>> Democratic lawmakers hope to> have an economic stimulus bill> ready for> Obama's signature by> mid-February, although officials> indicated Monday> night that numerous provisions> are unsettled.>> Several said the emerging> legislation likely will provide> at least $70> billion over the next two years> to help states meet the demand> for> Medicaid, which provides health> care for low income people, and> another $25 billion more to help> individuals who cannot afford to> pay> for private, post-employment> health benefits.>> An estimated $35 billion is> tentatively ticketed for> additional> unemployment benefits.>> The tax provisions remain in> flux, with Obama's call for a> break for> companies that create new jobs> described by Democratic> officials as> all but dead. Several Democrats> prefer to use the funds to make> sure> upper middle class families are> not ensnared by the alternative> minimum tax.>> Democrats are more favorably> inclined toward Obama's proposal> for a> tax break for lower-paid> individuals and couples, of up> to $500 and> $1,000.>> The officials who described the> provisions did so on condition> of> anonymity, saying they were not> authorized to discuss the> details.>> The idea of a one-time,> additional SSI payment this year> would cost> about $4 billion, which would go> to more than 7 million poor> people> enrolled in the program. Most of> them are disabled, though about> 2> million poor seniors would also> benefit.>> The relatively low cost of the> idea seems to help its chances,> though> it's not a sure bet to be> included in the final economic> recovery> package, which will blend tax> cuts for individuals and> businesses with> huge spending initiatives such> as aid to state governments, an> increase in local school aid,> and infrastructure projects such> as road> and bridge construction and> repair.>> "It's in the package as of now,"> said an aide to a top House> leader.>> The idea meets one of Obama's> key criterion for the stimulus> bill,> which is to speed money into the> hands of people who are likely> to> spend it. One criticism of last> year's $600-1,200 tax rebate> checks to> individuals and couples was that> many people simply saved the> money or> paid down debt instead of> injecting it into the economy> through spending.>> Even with their monthly checks,> SSI recipients remain in> poverty, and> they're more likely to spend the> money quickly.>> "These people are extremely> poor," said Bob Greenstein,> founder of the> liberal Center on Budget and> Policy Priorities. "I certainly> think,> and I think the Obama people> have thought that this is a very> sound> stimulus idea. It would have one> of the highest bangs for the> buck.">> Obama transition spokesman Nick> Shapiro would not confirm that> Obama> supports the idea. The> transition has been tightlipped> about many> elements of the economic> recovery package as it is being> negotiated.>> Supplemental Security Income> delivers payments of up to $637> per month> to individuals and $956 to> couples. About one-fourth of> recipients are> 65 or older.>> Associated Press writer David> Espo contributed to this story.>
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Paratransit Meeting Held Today
Kansis City, MO--The Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) hosted a meeting for everyone involved with Veolia/Share A Fare's services. After Mr. Rick Levitt Mr. Mark Huffer, and Ms. Sharon Bryant, et al presented the accommodations and a accomplishments Share A Fare has made with its new technology, we the riders had our chance to ask many questions.
AReas covered included drive etiquette, poor customer service on the phone, missed and late rides, and poor scheduling. For more information as to the actual discussion and quotations spoken, please see me, David Rosenkoetter, when I have a chance to make and edit a complete, printed transcript of the meeting.
From virtually the back of the room, I heard everything that both sides presented. I am thankful for the cordial conversations which I have had with KCATA and Veolia personnel and hope to have with them in the future. However, no one can overlook the manner in which those same administrators put up their teflon shields. Without a doubt, they had read and conferenced about the concerns which I, along with other Progressive members, sent them in the previous few days
In my humble estimation Share A Fare/Veolia played dodge ball today with regard to the serious concerns we presented.
It is unexcusable how a driver did not let one of our members ride because he had a guide dog. Given the opportunity to view the camera shots of that incident, I can guarantee that driver was simply uncomfortable with dogs and let her panic take priority over common sense and guide dog access laws. Yet, in no way, should we approach this incident as a "one-time occurrence" as Mr. Brad Wittle so called it in our meeting today.
In addition, we cannot just let the KCATA tell us an email address will come available for us to use when ordering trips. It may help a bit, clearing up a few phone lines. However, the email address sounds to me like a practice of covering up what otherwise is Share A Fare's undeniable ilpreparedness as of January 1, 2009.
The mission of ACB was clearly in our words and passion this morning. We were there to improve our independence, quality of life, and equality of opportunity. We pointed out time and again how late or neglected rides make us stand out. We declared how incidences such as happened at Union Station and at the Herndon residence hurt, not help, our image in the public. We are not victims. W do not simply want handouts. Our desire is for respect and to be treated eqully and to have the same benefits of life as do our sighted counterparts.
I guess, normalcy--as it is--has no definition on paper. No paratransit manual can codify our desire for eye-to-eye interactions with society on mutual terms. The issues we face in regard to Share A Fare Veolia will not go away by virtue of the system improving. Better training for drivers with regard to guide dog awareness, courtesy, adaptibility and timeliness will need to take place for drivers.
As members of Progressive Council for the Blind, we have the responsiblity, along with PAWS--the Paratransit Advocacy Watchdog Service, to keep an eye on KCATA's activity. Not that we want to suspect everything around each corner, but we do realize the challenge that paratransit inequities have dished out to us who simply desire real independence in mainstream society.
AReas covered included drive etiquette, poor customer service on the phone, missed and late rides, and poor scheduling. For more information as to the actual discussion and quotations spoken, please see me, David Rosenkoetter, when I have a chance to make and edit a complete, printed transcript of the meeting.
From virtually the back of the room, I heard everything that both sides presented. I am thankful for the cordial conversations which I have had with KCATA and Veolia personnel and hope to have with them in the future. However, no one can overlook the manner in which those same administrators put up their teflon shields. Without a doubt, they had read and conferenced about the concerns which I, along with other Progressive members, sent them in the previous few days
In my humble estimation Share A Fare/Veolia played dodge ball today with regard to the serious concerns we presented.
It is unexcusable how a driver did not let one of our members ride because he had a guide dog. Given the opportunity to view the camera shots of that incident, I can guarantee that driver was simply uncomfortable with dogs and let her panic take priority over common sense and guide dog access laws. Yet, in no way, should we approach this incident as a "one-time occurrence" as Mr. Brad Wittle so called it in our meeting today.
In addition, we cannot just let the KCATA tell us an email address will come available for us to use when ordering trips. It may help a bit, clearing up a few phone lines. However, the email address sounds to me like a practice of covering up what otherwise is Share A Fare's undeniable ilpreparedness as of January 1, 2009.
The mission of ACB was clearly in our words and passion this morning. We were there to improve our independence, quality of life, and equality of opportunity. We pointed out time and again how late or neglected rides make us stand out. We declared how incidences such as happened at Union Station and at the Herndon residence hurt, not help, our image in the public. We are not victims. W do not simply want handouts. Our desire is for respect and to be treated eqully and to have the same benefits of life as do our sighted counterparts.
I guess, normalcy--as it is--has no definition on paper. No paratransit manual can codify our desire for eye-to-eye interactions with society on mutual terms. The issues we face in regard to Share A Fare Veolia will not go away by virtue of the system improving. Better training for drivers with regard to guide dog awareness, courtesy, adaptibility and timeliness will need to take place for drivers.
As members of Progressive Council for the Blind, we have the responsiblity, along with PAWS--the Paratransit Advocacy Watchdog Service, to keep an eye on KCATA's activity. Not that we want to suspect everything around each corner, but we do realize the challenge that paratransit inequities have dished out to us who simply desire real independence in mainstream society.
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