What IS Working at YOUR Job? By: Bethany M. Brown, M.Ed, Employment Practices Research Project Coordinator

35% of persons with disabilities living in Pennsylvania were employed full- or part-time in 2009. While that percentage has risen in recent years, there are many more people with disabilities who want to join the workforce and contribute to their family and community.

LVCIL, in conjunction with the Lehigh Valley Research Consortium (LVRC), is currently conducting a statewide research study on best employment practices for people with disabilities. Where other studies in the past have concentrated on deficits regarding employment for individuals with disabilities, we are focusing on what is working for these employed individuals. Through the research, we will be looking at the employer’s practices, policies, and attitudes that have led to the successful hiring of, and continued employment for, people with disabilities.

To accomplish this task, we are seeking to gather information from both employees and employers across Pennsylvania. Our process will include a series of interview and focus groups with employees with disabilities and, in the later stages of the project, with employers as well. With the help of the LVRC, we will be conducting these meetings through in-person interviews, phone interviews, phone conferencing, and online meetings. The data and results gathered will be developed into an informational DVD and other materials to educate and direct future employment practices.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Livin’ Spring 2013 — 1

In This Issue:

What IS Working at YOUR Job? . . . 1

Living Well Conference & Expo . . 2

LVCIL.org Has a New Look! . . . . . . 2

Building Fund Update . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Let’s Talk About... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

S2L: A New Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Livin’ Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Town Hall Meetings Recap . . . . . . 7

Official newsletter of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living

Spring 2013

2 — Livin’ Spring 2013

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

This research is extremely important in helping people with disabilities not only find a job, but also stay employed. The research will impact the way in which employers view persons with disabilities and will help to break down many barriers!

If you are interested in participating in our project, please take note to the following information:

• Participants are to be diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22-years old

• Employed with current employer for 2 or more years

• Understand that their participation is voluntary

• All results and responses are confidential

• A $25 stipend will be provided for participation

• Phone and/or online interviews will be provided to accommodate your busy schedule

For more information, contact Bethany M. Brown, M.Ed., Employment Practices Research Project Coordinator, at 610-770-9781 ext. 144 or email bethanybrown@lvcil.org. This project is supported through a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

LVCIL.org Has a New Look! By: Ian Brown

We are very excited to announce the launch of the new LVCIL.org! Our new website offers a lot of great new features, improved navigation, updated information, and more! Here are a few highlights of our new site:

Online Donations: Donating to LVCIL is now easier than ever! Just click the “Donate Now” button and you’ll be redirected to PayPal to make a donation. All major credit cards are accepted, and, don’t worry, a PayPal account is not required to donate.

Events Calendar: Click on “Calendar” and you’ll have access to all the great events going on at LVCIL. You can click on each listing to get more event information and also copy the event to your own personal email calendar.

News & Blog: On our home page, you’ll find a News section that will be updated regularly with important LVCIL happenings. Also, check out the new “Let’s Talk About...” and other blogs on independent living and disability topics.

Social Media: Connect with LVCIL via Facebook and Twitter! Click on the icons on our home page or check out our up-to-date Twitter feed.

Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer right from our home page. Just fill out the volunteer form and you’re well on your way to giving back to LVCIL!

There are so many updated features of the new LVCIL.org that you really just need to check it out for yourself. We will continue to update and add new content as we go along, so be aware that the site is a work in progress. However, accessibility is paramount. So, if you find an accessibility problem, please contact Greg Bott at 610-770-9781 ext. 120 or gregbott@lvcil.org to report any issues you come across.

We hope you enjoy the new LVCIL.org!

Living Well with a Disability Conference & Expo

The Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP), PA Statewide Independent Living Council (PASILC) and Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) are proud to present the Living Well With A Disability Conference & Expo on August 23-26, 2013 at the Lancaster Marriott and Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, PA.

Check out the latest assistive technology, gain knowledge from national speakers, dive into the action of adaptive sports, explore arts and cultural opportunities and much more. Guest speakers will include: Tiphany Adams, a fitness and wellness advocate and star of Sundance Channel’s original docu-series “Push Girls.” Josh Blue, a famously witty and dynamic stand-up comedian with cerebral palsy, and winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

For more information, please contact the PA Statewide Independent Living Council at 717-364-1732 or email expo@pasilc.org.

Building Fund Update By: Greg Bott

In January, LVCIL launched its annual fund to help support its move to 713 North 13th Street in Allentown in late-2013. So far, we have raised a little more than $11,000, and we’re still a ways off from our goal of $50,000.

As we continue to seek additional sources of funding to support our move, we’re also looking for your help. Here are just a few ways that you can help support our move:

Donate Online: Visit www.lvcil.org and click Donate!

Donate by Mail: Send a check made payable to LVCIL, 435 Allentown Drive, Allentown, PA 18109

Donate an Item: Donate new office furniture, chairs, file cabinets, and other office supplies

Donate Your Time: Become a volunteer!

With your support, we will be able to grow and continue to meet the needs of our consumers!

*Income limits and resale restrictions apply. See sales

associate for details.

DIRECTIONS: From Downtown Easton – Take Rt. 22 Easton exit to N. 3rd St. Go south on N. 3rd St. toward Spring Garden St. Enter roundabout and take second exit onto S. 3rd St. Cross bridge and turn left immediately onto Delaware Drive South (Rt. 611). Take first right onto E. Nesquehoning St. Take first left onto Frederick St., right onto Kleinhans St. Turn left onto Ann St. to 510 Ann Street. From I-78 (Easton Exit 75) – North on Morgan Hill Rd. toward Easton. Turn slight right onto Philadelphia Rd. Continue on Philadelphia straight at CVS Pharmacy 1 block to right onto Kleinhans St. Turn right onto Ann St. to 510 Ann Street.

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Livin’ Spring 2013 — 3

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4 — Livin’ Spring 2013

“Empowering persons with all types of disabilities to choose independence.”

Let’s Talk About... By: Everett Deibler

Let’s Talk About... is LVCIL’s new disability-focused blog. Just about every week, I’ll talk about something that has happened in my life and relate it back to a disability topic or issue. Here’s my first blog article from late-February. It’s been updated a few times since then, so be sure to check www.lvcil.org for more blogs, disability news, and other great information. I hope you enjoy Let’s Talk About...

Our first topic to cover is... “Independent living.” Now, if you are a person with a disability it’s almost a guarantee that you will hear this term at some point in your life. But, what is independent living? How can such an important term have such a broad meaning? Let’s take a look at what independent living is really all about.

At its face, independent living sounds like you must be living on your own, in your own house or apartment, to truly experience independence. Being a person with a disability myself, and working in the field of disability services for almost eight years, I have found that many people with disabilities and their families are under this impression, and many feel that living on their own, or “independent living,” is not an option for them. Therefore, many people just give up.

BUT, independent living is always an option! You just have to understand what it really means…

Ed Roberts, the father of the Independent Living Movement (if you don’t know who Ed is, Google him… He is a pretty awesome guy!), once said that independent living is a “state of mind...a philosophy.” His idea of independent living is simple: everyone deserves the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer. Ed’s idea of independent living does not necessarily mean that a person must be living on their own, or in their own house, but, rather he believes that independence is something we can all achieve when we put our minds to it.

Judith Heumann, from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (also a great disability advocate to research), said that independent

living “is not doing things by yourself, it is being in control of how things are done.” From her perspective, independent living is the ability to control your environment to ensure you can do exactly what you want to do. An example of this might be taking charge of your transition plan or IEP while in high school, or being able to control your attendant care services.

There are many definitions, thoughts, and ideas out there about independent living, but one thing is for sure… Independent living is what you make of it! It can be many different things to many different people, and that is true meaning of independence. Independent living offers you the freedom to choose how you want to live your life and who can help you achieve your goals. It’s not just about having a physical location to call your home, it’s about the choices you make, the relationships you build, and living the life you’ve always wanted.

In summary, independent living is all about YOU! Make the most of it!

LEHIGH VALLEY DINING DISCOUNT CARDS ARE BACK!10% off many area restaurants: Applebee’s, Pickles,

Domino’s Pizza, Taste of Italy, Louie’s, PrimoHoagies, Pizza Hut, SaladWorks, Parkland Restaurant,

Cali Burrito, A-1 Japanese Steak House & more!

Just $10! Good until January 2014!

To get your card, call 610-770-9781 ext. 120.

Livin’ Spring 2013 — 5

“Empowering persons with all types of disabilities to choose independence.”

S2L: A New Beginning! By: Seth Hoderewski

Huge thanks to the Pennsylvania Development Disabilities Council (PADDC) for supporting the S2L program for the past four years. Time certainly flew by but, boy, did we get stuff done! A lot of incredible things have come out of the original S2L program, including the Career Path program and hosting two successful “Have you thought about… LIFE?” Transition Conferences. We’ve also been fortunate enough to present about transition on both the statewide and national levels, and we’ve developed some great partnerships around the state and country. But, most importantly, we’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth from each and every young adult that has taken part in the program. Once again, thank you to the PADDC for the change you’ve been able to create. We look forward to working with you on other projects in the future!

Although we are sad to no longer be working with the PADDC on the original S2L program, we see this moment as an opportunity for growth. New for 2013, the original S2L program will be splitting into two separate programs: the “S2L Group” and the “Real World Lehigh Valley Summer Program.” Both programs are for young adults with disabilities ages 14-25 and we will be opening up the program to young adults from the community. The S2L Group will be meeting at least two times a month throughout the entire year, and it will feel more like a leadership group with officers, such as a president, vice president, treasurer, etc. The group will also take a real focus on things like volunteering and service projects that can help other young adults who are making that transition to the adult world. Don’t worry, we will continue to do things like work on team building skills, have guest speakers, and find time to do fun, social activities.

This summer’s “Real World Lehigh Valley Summer Program” is once again going to be held for six weeks. This summer will take an employment theme, and there will be guest speakers, volunteer opportunities, team building, employment related

skills building, fun, and much, much more!

Applications for the S2L Group and Real World Lehigh Valley Summer Program are currently being accepted—check www.lvcil.org for the application. Interviews will begin in April. Program fees apply for both programs, and we are willing to work with any funding source. For more information, please call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or Micha Cecere at 610-770-9781 ext. 130.

The original group of young adults has been very dedicated and wants to see the program continue to help more young adults in the Lehigh Valley. To do this, the young adults have started working on fundraisers to help offset program costs or to help those who may need some assistance in paying for the program. Recently the group did a successful Five Guys burger fundraiser (thank you to Five Guys for their support!) and there are many more fundraisers coming up. Check out www.s2lrocks.com for more information on S2L fundraisers. It’s a pretty cool website, and one of our S2Ler’s parents put it together for us!

Upcoming S2L FundraisersMonth of May—The S2L Group will be doing a lottery calendar with a chance to win every day! Prizes include gift cards to Weis, Ehmers Meats, Dunkin Donuts, and Panera Bread as well as IronPigs tickets and more. Tickets are only $5 and all proceeds go back to the S2L Group. Winnesr are based on the three digit evening lottery number.

May 11th—Applebee’s FlapJack Fundraiser @ Applebee’s on Cedar Crest Blvd. Enjoy some flapjacks and sausage and show your support for the S2L! Tickets are $7.00.

June 15th—The Knights of Fire MC PA Chapter 1 Motor Cycle Club is sponsoring a motorcycle run and other activities to benefit S2L @ Apple Blossom Village in Mt. Bethel. Activities to include a motorcycle ride, poker run, tricky tray, food, music, and more. For more information, please call Seth Hoderewski at 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or email sethhoderewski@lvcil.org.

6 — Livin’ Spring 2013

Michael ArtimDr. Scott BermanDenise Brown

Cynthia Davis (S)Jean FeldmanGlenn Firman

Cindy A. Leonard

Ham Malek (VP)Dr. Lisa Marie McCauley (T)

Michelle L. MitchellAngela Uliana-Murphy, Esq.

Wilhelmina WrightRev. Joy Lynn Wyler (P)

LVCIL Board of dIreCtors:

Livin’ Life By: Rebecca Dubin

All too often, people fall into a routine and do the same thing day-after-day. It’s tough to break that cycle, but it can be even harder for someone with a disability. I know this from my own personal experience, and that’s why I’m starting this column. With each newsletter, I will highlight something new focusing on activities both locally and within the surrounding states aimed at going out, trying new things, and… Livin’ Life!

There are many places in the Lehigh Valley to go out and have fun. For example, did you know that Bethlehem is a city rich with culture and history and has many things to do? If you’re new to the area, Bethlehem is a great place to start exploring. I recently went out with a friend to the Godfrey Daniels Coffee House, a non-profit music venue that hosts a variety of artists, located in downtown Bethlehem. It’s small but accessible, with tickets costing around $20 or less. They feature local and traveling artists and the shows are great. The volunteer staff is also very helpful! Overall, my trip to Godfrey Daniels was a great experience and I highly recommend checking it out.

Before you visit Godfrey Daniels, be sure to check out one of the great restaurants in downtown Bethlehem as well. From coffee houses with small menus to traditional restaurants with lots a great cuisine, there’s truly something for everyone.

If you are more interested in learning new things, such as hobbies or crafts, look no further than the Lehigh Valley’s local community colleges. Both Northampton Community College and Lehigh Carbon Community College offer non-credit classes on topics including pottery, photography, yoga, calligraphy, various computer classes, and even a wine tasting class. There is truly something for anyone’s interest. Some may be one day classes, others may be eight week classes, and it all depends on the course you select. I recently finished an eight week class on oil painting, which was incredible. It was a small class held for two hours every Saturday. It was something I’d always wanted to try, so I went for it! In a few weeks I’m taking a glass fusing class with a friend. Most class materials are included in the cost and both campuses are accessible and are easy to get to, even with public transportation.

So if you’re feeling bored and looking for excitement, just try something new and out of the box right here in the Lehigh Valley. That’s what makes life interesting and worth living. Every newsletter I will cover a few activities that can be done both locally and within the surrounding states. Look in the next newsletter for an article on a fully wheelchair accessible vacation just a few hours from here!

If you’re interested in anything I discussed in this article, check out these great resources:

• For information on Godfrey Daniels Coffee House, including shows, open mic nights, and workshops, please visit: www.godfreydaniels.org

• For downtown Bethlehem info, check out the Downtown Bethelehem Association’s website at www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com.

• For a listing of non-credit courses at LCCC, call 610-799-11997 or visit: www.lccc.edu/continuing-ed-noncredit/personal-interest

• For information on non-credit and personal enrichment courses at Norhampton, call 610-861-5300 or visit: www.northampton.edu/Personal-Enrichment/Personal-Enrichment-Classes.htm

If you have any suggestions for fun activities or places to go, or if you have any questions about Livin’ Life, feel free to contact Rebecca Dubin at 610-770-9781 ext. 115 or email rebeccadubin@lvcil.org.

The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) empowers individuals with disabilities to choose independence and live life to fullest potential. LVCIL also promotes the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life and educates the community on disability rights, issues, and awareness.

LVCIL provides four core services for its consumer: Information and Referral, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Peer Support, and Independent Living Skills Education. The organization also provides Specialized Housing Search and Support, Landlord Education, a 24-hour Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service, Youth Transition Services, both school- and community-based, Vocational Training for Youth in Transition, ADA Accessibility Site Surveys, Disability Sensitivity Training Programs, and Community Outreach in addition to hosting social groups and specialized programs for individuals with disabilities.

Livin’ Spring 2013 — 7

Town Hall Meetings... Recap!Through a grant from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabiliation

(OVR) and Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PASILC), LVCIL had the opportunity to host several town halls at the beginning of this year. Here’s a recap of a few town halls held in January.

By: Nadia SantiagoOn January 23rd, LVCIL was pleased to host a town hall meeting at the

Monroe Country CareerLink. There were eighteen people in attendance at the meeting.

The topics that were covered were: Housing, Home and Community Based Services, Transportation, Assistive Technology, Voting, Employment, Medical/Dental Coverage, and Emergency Preparedness. Out of those eight topics, transportation and employment were the topics that evoked the most response from those in attendance.

In Monroe, consumers strongly feel that transportation is poor. They stated that the buses in the area need to run more frequently. Since the buses are not running as much, it is hard for people to get to work, which leads into their concerns about employment in their area. Society has the perception that applying for a job online is easier for everyone. Wrong! Consumers feel that it is harder to apply for a job since most of the applications are online. They feel this way because many people with disabilities do not have access to the internet on a regular basis.

By: Bethany M. Brown, M.Ed.On Friday, January 25th, LVCIL hosted another successful town hall meeting

at the Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). Consumers and providers came to voice to their opinions on various topics, including: Housing, Home and Community Based Services, Transportation, Assistive Technology, Voting, Employment, Medical/Dental Coverage, and Emergency Preparedness. Of special note, Ryan Mackenzie (R) from the 134th Legislative District, serving areas of Berks and Lehigh counties, was in attendance.

During this two-hour event, consumers and providers shared their views on the disability issues affecting them in the Lehigh Valley. Once again transportation and employment came out on top. According to attendees, the current system needs to be updated to meet their needs and goals to attain employment and, most importantly, get to work! This has been a common trend throughout the town hall meetings.

The issues of money and connecting with service providers came up as the underlying concern for all of the topics covered. As one participant stated, “It is important to have equal choice.”

Lastly, education and awareness was one of the other underlying issues affecting people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley. Many attendees voiced their need for additional information on the programs and services available in their community.

LVCIL staff Directory:�•�����������Bob�Amelio

Community Accessibility Program Assistantbamelio@lvcil.org, ext. 111•�����������Joseph�Artiaco

Community Building Coordinatorjosephartiaco@lvcil.org, ext. 146•�Amy�Beck

Executive Directoramybeck@lvcil.org, ext. 114•�Carly�Beck

Vocational Coach (S2L: Career Path)carlybeck@lvcil.org, ext. 125•�Greg�Bott

Development Coordinatorgregbott@lvcil.org, ext. 120•�Bethany�Brown

Employment Research Program Coordinatorbethanybrown@lvcil.org, ext. 144•�Ian�Brown

Community Accessibility Program Coordinatorianbrown@lvcil.org, ext. 123•�Micha�Cecere

Independent Life Coachmichacecere@lvcil.org, ext. 130•�Everett�Deibler

Community Building Coordinatoreverettdeibler@lvcil.org, ext. 137•�Rachel�Diez

Vocational Coach (S2L: Career Path)racheldiez@lvcil.org, ext. 145•�Annette�Drobil

Community Support Coordinatorannettedrobil@lvcil.org, ext. 127•�Rebecca�Dubin

Administrative Assistantrebeccadubin@lvcil.org, ext. 115•�Kristy�Gehman-Brown

Director of Core & Housing Serviceskristygehman@lvcil.org, ext. 129 •�Chris�Gonella

Fiscal Assistantchrisgonella@lvcil.org, ext. 112•�Eladio�Gonzalez

Community Support Coordinatoreladiogonzalez@lvcil.org, ext. 118•�Heather�Hilliker

Community Support Coordinatorheatherhilliker@lvcil.org, ext. 126•�Seth�Hoderewski

Director of S2L Transition Services sethhoderewski@lvcil.org, ext. 119•�Jodi�Jones

SLIRS Program Assistantjodijones@lvcil.org, ext. 116 •�Theresa�McCormack

Vocational Coach (S2L: Career Path)theresamccormack@lvcil.org, ext. 143•�Joe�Michener

S2L: Career Path Coordinatorjoemichener@lvcil.org, ext. 131•�Karen�Minnich

Fiscal Assistantkarenminnich@lvcil.org, ext. 112•�Debbie�Rozear

Community Support Coordinatordebbierozear@lvcil.org, ext. 124•�Nadia�Santiago

Community Building Coordinatornadiasantiago@lvcil.org, ext. 138•�Cara�Steidel

Fiscal Coordinatorcarasteidel@lvcil.org, ext. 113•�Taylor�Sukanick

Vocational Coach (S2L: Career Path)taylorsukanick@lvcil.org, ext. 136•�Ryan�Tatu

Vocational Coach (S2L: Career Path)ryantatu@lvcil.org, ext. 140•�Kadie�Trauger

SLIRS Coordinatorkadietrauger@lvcil.org, ext. 121•�Julie�Zelena

Community Support Coordinatorjuliezelena@lvcil.org, ext. 133

8 — Livin’ Spring 2013

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDLehigh Valley, PA

18002Permit No. 233

For More Information:

Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living

435 Allentown DriveAllentown, PA 18109

Phone: 610-770-9781Fax: 610-770-9801TTY: 610-770-9789

Email: info@lvcil.orgWebsite: www.lvcil.org

Editor: Greg Bottgregbott@lvcil.org

Logo Design: 2007 Kutz-town University Designa-

thon Team Members

Layout: Greg Bott

Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109

“Providing services to persons with all types of disabilities” A member of

the PA Council on Independent Living (PCIL), a consumer controlled state

association of Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s)

LIVIN’ is a quarterly publication of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Inc. LVCIL provides information and services to people with disabilities,

and other service organizations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Businesses or individuals may sponsor issues of LIVIN’.

April 2013–June 2013 Edition • Volume 63

online

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