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MCIL Peer Support Group
September 12, 2013 Volume 1 Issue 34
Important Dates:“We Are Marin” — Civic Center Lagoon Park—September 21 (12-5) Free “Reasonable Accommodations” — Fair Housing of Marin—Oct. 23rd
Possibilities not Disabilities
Interest in Affordable Housing Wanes
Peer Support Group meets Fridays at the Red Cross 2-4 p.m.—join us
Phil Shepard, Editor
A s the preparation for the SMART train reaches Marin and with it the accompany‐ing affordable housing, NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) are expanding their protests.
Many are not against the concept of affordable hous‐ing, but have a strong aversion to it occurring in their neighborhood. Certainly, they have found fault with the choice of the 101 corridor as well.
The protests came on the heels of a blue ribbon panel who approved the Bay Area Plan. Many of the members were residents who volunteered to review all of the facts in the proposals and gave their approval.
The outcry from some parts of the public was so strong that politicians, originally in favor of the project have withdrawn their support. This was not merely because they hadn’t con‐sidered all of the issues thoroughly, but in some cases because their political futures were in jeopardy. One of the Marin County Supervisors faced a petition for a recall election because she was in favor of affordable housing. Plans by Whistle Stop to build a 5 story affordable housing complex above their present site may also be at risk (pictured above). People with low income and people with disabilities really need mass transit and affordable housing. Resolution of these issues is still in limbo.
Proposed Whistle Stop Construction
Sykes and Green Pic of the Week
Green Sykes
Instructions Not Included— A man who has made a new life for himself and the daughter left on his doorstep 6 years ago finds his family threatened when the birth mother resurfaces. Starring: Eugenio Derbez, Karla Souza, Jessica Lindsey
Sykes & Green 1/2
Closed Circuit— A high‐profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds to‐gether two ex‐lovers on the defense team ‐ testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeop‐
ardy. . Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Jim Broadbent.
Green 1/2
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Can you name the PSG mem‐bers in this archive photo?
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A report was released this past week from the US Geological Survey that projected a hypothetical tsu‐nami generated in Alaska that would hit Marin County hard in coastal and low‐lying areas. Unlike earlier pro‐jections in the Bay Area Inundation Response Plan, which projected waves averaging a maximum 7 feet in height, a tsunami in a 9.0 magnitude earthquake would generate waves between 15 and 20 feet in height.
Oceanographers are warning the public that it may not be a single wave but what is called a siech – which is a series of waves that will be coming in rapid suc‐
cession. It can best be characterized like a rock that drops into a pool of water creating suc‐cessive ripples.
In the USGS projection, downtown Tiburon and areas of Sausalito will be underwater after waves as high as 7 feet hit the Marin coast. Parts of Point Reyes, Bolinas, Muir Beach and Stinson would be completely submerged. Parts of low‐lying areas of Larkspur would also be underwater and the inundations would reach into San Rafael as well. Segments of 101 would also be submerged.
To better prepare for this possibility, start by going to : http://www.noaa.gov/ . NOOA is the National Oceanographic and At‐mospheric Administration. The Marin County Office of Emergency Services has a very useful publica‐tion entitled “How to Survive a Tsu‐nami”. OES has provided signs along coastal areas designating to residents where there is an area vulnerable to tsunamis. The signs also indicate evacuation routes. Fortunately, with a tsunami there could be sufficient warn‐ing time to evacuate—30 minutes to 2 hours. (continued on next page)
US Geological Survey Explores a Tsunami Generated in Alaska
Siech—note the length of the wave
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Richardson Bay Underwater During King Tides
“King Tides” are high tides that occur when the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon are in alignment. When these tides happen at the same time as stormy weather (as is of‐ten the case during California’s winters), water levels can rise even higher. These high wa‐ter levels can show us how higher sea levels due to climate change might impact our com‐munities in the future. King tides occur regularly in Marin County. These are clear indica‐tors of our vulnerability. Imagine what could happen if a tsunami followed the same path.
Persons with disabilities should become acquainted with the hazards where they live and create an effective evacuation plan. This would include a stockpiling of medications for at least a 5 day supply and a Go Kit of items and clothing that you will need while in a shel‐ter. Consideration should also be given to store water and food in the event that you are isolated and unable to evacuate. A plan should be in place where you can contact rela‐tives outside this area who would be able to coordinate notification of your status to all family members or call for help. This is because phone lines locally may be crowded.
California is historically vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. The best way to cope with such an event is to prepare in advance. Once it occurs your options for getting sup‐plies may be extremely limited or non‐existent.
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L ast month, The Department of Labor (DOL) released final updates to regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 503 prohibits fed‐eral contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities, and requires these employers to take affirmative ac‐
tion to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. For the first time in 40 years, federal contractors and subcontractors will be required to meet the goal of ensuring that 7 percent of each job group in their workforce be qualified individu‐als with disabilities. The rule sets out required ac‐tivities that contractors and subcontractors will need to take in recruitment, training, record keep‐ing, and policy dissemination. The new rules are similar to those that have long been required to protect women and minorities against discrimina‐tion in the workplace.
The unemployment rate among people with dis‐abilities is unacceptably high. The DOL has been urged for years to hold federal contrac‐
tors and subcontractors to the same non‐discrimination standards for hiring people with disabilities as it does concerning women and minorities.
Federal contractors employ about 25% of the workforce in the US and employ millions of workers. MCIL is pleased to see these rules which open new doors to employment for people with disabilities.
The DOL is hosting a webinar about the new rules on Sep‐tember 18. To see these go to:
Section 503 rules: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/section503/503_rule_qa_508c.pdf
Employment – The Department of Labor Releases Final Updates to Regulations Implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
Answers to Page 2 photo From left to right: Kevin R., Steve N., Laura H., Brendon W., Dan W., Nicole S., and Wayne R. Missing from the photo are Doug G., Sharon W‐H., Anthony L. and Phil.
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At the National Governors Association (NGA) meeting on August 2, 2013, outgoing NGA Chair Governor Jack Markell (DE) wrapped up his year‐long Chair’s Initiative, “A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities.” The initia‐tive focused on “the employment challenges that affect individuals with intellectual and other significant disabilities and the role that both state government and business can play in facilitating and advancing opportunities for these individuals to be gainfully employed in the competitive labor market.” At the NGA meeting, Governor Markell released a final Blueprint for Governors summarizing the initiative’s activi‐ties, findings, and recommendations. The blueprint presents five topic areas with examples of actions governors can take in each area: Make disability employment part of the state workforce development strategy.
Find and support businesses in their efforts to employ people with disabilities.
Be a model employer by increasing the number of people with disabilities working in state government.
Prepare youth with disabilities for careers that use their full potential, providing employers with a pipeline of skilled workers.
Make the best use of limited resources to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Additionally, incoming NGA Chair Governor Mary Fallin (OK) has announced that her Chair’s Initiative will also focus on employment: “America Works: Education and Training for Tomor‐
Employment ‐ National Governors Association Issues Report on Em‐ployment for People with Disabilities
To get more information or see our Newsletter online go to: marincil.org