	July 1999

Announcements

Maryland's Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program Survey

Dear Assistive Technology User,
Thanks to Governor Glendening's commitment to making assistive technology available to every Maryland citizen who needs it, the state will soon be offering a special loan program to individuals with disabilities. The program will enable people with disabilities, their families and caregivers to receive low interest loans to buy assistive technology. This loan program will accommodate borrowers who do not meet standard underwriting criteria for bank loans because of credit, income or debt issues. The program will offer loan guarantees to participating banks and credit unions for loans that would not ordinarily be approved.
Not every applicant will receive a loan. Loans will only be approved for borrowers who have a good chance of repaying them. But the program will make loans available to many people whose banks would otherwise turn them down. Presently, the loan program is scheduled to begin making loans by the year's end (1999).
In order to assist us with making this loan program a reality for Maryland residents with disabilities, we will need your help. Please take a moment to complete the enclosed survey and use the information provided to either mail or fax your responses to us no later than August 6, 1999. The information gathered from this survey will enable us to ensure that all Maryland residents have an opportunity to fully benefit from the loan program.
Thank you again for your help.
Sincerely,
Paul Rasinski
Executive Director
Enclosure
Maryland's Assistive Technology Guaranteed
Loan Program Survey
Please take a moment to complete the questions listed below. (Note that information given will be held in strict confidentiality).
"Assistive technology" is any device that enables a person with a disability to function more independently. It may include wheelchairs, scooters, communication devices, hearing and vision aids, Braille equipment, telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD), adapted computers, motor vehicles and vehicle modifications, wheelchair lifts, ramps, and numerous other devices.
1) Do you:
A) Use assistive technology?

Yes___
No___
B) Use assistive technology as a parent, relative, caretaker or friend of a person with a disability?
Yes___
No___
2) What kind of item(s) or modification(s) do you currently need for which you would consider using a low interest loan?
Please list- __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3) What is the average cost of the equipment that you will need?
$0-$500 ___
$500-$1,500 ___
$1,500-$5,000___
$5,000-$10,000 ___
$10,000-$20,000 ___
$20,000-more___
Unsure___
4) Are you affiliated with any disability related organizations?
Yes___
No___ If yes, please list- ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The following questions should only be answered by/for the individual with a disability who intends to use the assistive technology.
5) Age:
0-36 months___
3-14 years___
15-21 years___
22-50 years___
51-70 years___
6) Gender: Male___
Female___
7) Race/Ethnicity:
African-American___
Asian-American___
Caucasian___
Hispanic__________
Native American___
Pacific Islander___
Bi-racial________
The following questions should only be answered by the individual who will be applying for the assistive technology loan.
(An applicant may be a person with a disability, parent, relative, caretaker or friend).
8) Full Name:_________________________________

9) Address:________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

10) Home Phone:_________________________

11) Work Phone:_________________________

12) Fax No.:____________________________

13) E-mail:_____________________________

14) Are you currently employed?
Yes___
No___
If yes, are you
full-time___
or part-time___
15) What is your average annual income? (Please include wages, SSI, Social Security, and any other sources of income)
$0-$5,000___
$5,000-$10,000___
$10,000-$20,000___
$20,000-$30,000___
$30,000 and over___

16) Would you like to learn more about the Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program? Yes___
No___
If you have any questions, you may phone
Michael Dalto toll free at 1-800-832-4827.
Please return your completed survey by mail, fax or e-mail to:
Michael Dalto
Maryland Technology Assistance Program
2301 Argonne Drive, Room T-17
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Fax no. (410) 554-9237
E-mail: mpdalto@yahoo.com
We greatly appreciate your prompt reply in filling out this survey. Thank you!

Classified Ad: Modified Van for sale

Handicapped Modified van for the state of Maryland and Delaware for sale. 1996 Ford Windstar IMS Conversion Rampvan...V-6, Ezlock, Power Windows, Mirrors, Locks. Keyless Entry and Start, Stereo Cassette, Removable Passenger seat. Handcontrols. Green, 30,000 miles , Excellent Condition, $27,500. Contact:
Chuck Prahl
8 Nanticoke Road
Cambridge, MD 21613
cprahl@shorenet.net
HomePage
Chesapeakelife.com

Americans with Disabilities Act: Assistance at Self-Serve Gas Stations

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Assistance at Self-Serve Gas Stations
People with disabilities may find it difficult or impossible to use the controls, hose, or nozzle of a self-serve gas pump. As a result, at stations that offer both self and full service, people with disabilities might have no choice but to purchase the more expensive gas from a full-serve pump. At locations with only self-serve pumps, they might be unable to purchase gas at all.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires self-serve gas stations to provide equal access to their customers with disabilities. If necessary to provide access, gas stations must -
o Provide refueling assistance upon the request of an individual with a disability. A service station or convenience store is not required to provide such service at any time that it is operating on a remote control basis with a single employee, but is encouraged to do so, if feasible.
o Let patrons know (e.g., through appropriate signs) that customers with disabilities can obtain refueling assistance by either honking or otherwise signaling an employee.
o Provide the refueling assistance without any charge beyond the self-serve price.
If you have additional questions concerning the ADA, you may call the Department of Justice's ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD) or access the ADA Home Page at: (wwwusdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).
Reproduction of this document is encouraged. May 1999

Helen Keller National Center's (HKNC) 1999 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Helen Keller National Center
For Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
111 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
516 944-8900 (Voice), 516 944-8637 (TTY)
516 944-7302 (Fax)
News Release
for release: IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: BARBARA HAUSMAN
516-944-8900 EXT. 325

CONSIDER HIRING A SKILLED AND HIGHLY
MOTIVATED EMPLOYEE.....WHO IS DEAF-BLIND
SANDS POINT, NY.... SHARE HELEN KELLER'S VISION by participating with agencies and organizations worldwide in the Helen Keller National Center's (HKNC) 1999 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN which focuses on the EMPLOYMENT of PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND WHO ARE SKILLED, HIGHLY MOTIVATED, HARD-WORKING AND RELIABLE EMPLOYEES.
This year's campaign features a young married woman, Cindy Gagnon, who was born deaf-blind and has mild cerebral palsy. She works full-time assisting with floral design and package assembly at one of the retail shops owned by the world's largest florist, 1-800FLOWERS. After completing a year's training at HKNC, she moved to a supportive residence where she met her husband. They live in their own apartment, and Cindy shops, cooks and cares for their home. Though she was an independent traveler, she had to learn a new route to work, including boarding a bus and crossing seven streets. Isaiah Brown, 1-800-FLOWERS district store manager, said, "Cindy doesn't goof off, she's on top of her work and sometimes I think we're too slow giving her assignments. She's part of the TEAM here, no one sees her as deaf-blind and everyone communicates with her."
When asked about her job, Cindy smiled and replied, "I like it very much. I pack the flowers. I make good money there, and I like my boss."
The unemployment and underemployment of America's citizens with disabilities remain an ongoing problem, according to a Training Resource Network newsletter (Dec.'98/Jan.99). Data from the US Census Bureau, FY 1996, indicate that less than 33% of adults with disabilities were in the labor force. Also, a large gap in earnings exists between the median monthly wages of people without disabilities and workers with disabilities."
Fifteen years ago, people with SEVERE disabilities, such as deaf-blindness, were considered unemployable. "Providing support to individuals with disabilities in community employment has produced tremendous success for many," notes Kathy Mezack, HKNC vocational services coordinator. "The growth of supported employment has been unprecedented the past few years. Starting with only a small number of people in the early 80's, approximately 150,000 individuals previously not given a chance at any job, now hold one. A 30-year study by DuPont found that loyalty is high and turnover rates are low among people who are disabled. 86% of employers say that the attendance of these workers is above average. Today, more deaf-blind people are receiving educational and vocational training in preparation for employment. We know that matching an individual's work skills and preferences with the proper job is critical in achieving mutual success for employee and employer, and building a career is a personal choice. But, outdated organizational, societal and employer attitudes and policy barriers still limit employment, NOT THE CAPACITIES OF DEAF-BLIND PEOPLE. Like Cindy, deaf-blind people do work at a host of jobs from computer/data entry to food service, teacher, retail clerk, attorney, electronic assembler, chef and more."
Originally proclaimed by Congressional resolutions and Presidential signature 15 years ago, AWARENESS activities and events featuring information about significant vision AND hearing loss, or deaf-blindness, now occur THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BEGINNING IN JUNE, the month of Helen Keller's birth date.
All citizens, health organizations, civic groups, libraries, schools and agencies are encouraged to plan state and local activities DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, and ESPECIALLY DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 27-JULY 3. A sample proclamation, a radio public service script, list of activities, 1999 poster, ad slicks, and this press release are available at no cost from the Public Relations Department, Helen Keller National Center, I I I Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY I 1 050, or by calling Barbara Hausman, 516-944-8900, ext. 325 (Voice), 516-944-8637(TTY), taxing 516-944-7302, or e-mail: hkncpr@aol.com.
The Helen Keller National Center is the ONLY national program which provides short-term comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and assistance with jobs and residential placement for ALL AMERICANS who are deaf-blind. Local services and training are offered nationwide to these individuals, their parents and professionals in the field through HKNC's ten regional offices, some 44 affiliated agencies, a National Training Team, Older Adult Program, National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children & Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind (NTAC) and D-B Link. The Center partially funds a National Family Association for Deaf-Blind.
February 1999

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