The Advocator ~NOVEMBER 2015

Advocating for the Rights of People With Disabilities in the

Cape Fear Region

Located at 140 C Cinema Drive Wilmington, NC

910-815-6618 www.drc-cil.org

Hours of Operation Monday—Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday: CLOSED

Serving the counties of~ New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Onslow & Pender

CELEBRATE NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH

Over 50 million Americans are recognized this month. The estimated value of the “free”

services provided by these family members caring for loved ones who are frail, chronically

ill or disabled is conservatively estimated to be $306 billion annually.

Sponsored each year by the National Family Caregivers Association it focuses on the

challenges facing family caregivers. They provide a vast array of emotional, financial,

nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily basis. Family caregiving can ex-

tend for a few years or a lifetime. And it’s time to thank, support, educate and celebrate

family caregivers who are literally America’s primary long-term providers. Eighty percent

of these providers are family or friends.

* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their

friends, or simply relax.

* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s day.

* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the month

of November.

* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-

lopes for their holiday cards.

* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your

favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.

WAYS TO CLEBRATE NATIONAL

FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their

friends, or simply relax.

* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s

day.

* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the

month of November.

* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-

lopes for their holiday cards.

* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your

favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.

* Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with their

friends, or simply relax.

* Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s

day.

* Encourage local businesses to offer free service for family caregivers through the

month of November.

* Help a family caregivers decorate their homes for the holidays or offer to address enve-

lopes for their holiday cards.

* Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give family caregiver’s your

favorite funny movies to view, or provide them with a book on tape.

* Find 12 different photos of the caregiver’s family and friends. Have a copy center cre-

ate a 2015 calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments

and events.

* Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so

they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.

* Take a few minutes to write a letter. Encourage your faith community to ask for

prayers not only for those who are ill, but also those who care for them.

* Encourage family caregiver’s to become a part of the National Family Caregiver Story

Project. It’s a great place to not only share but read about others in like situations.

* Help a family caregiver find new educational materials and support through family

caregiving web sites.

Continued….. Ways To Celebrate

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts denied a request from

industry groups who wanted a new rule establishing minimum wage

and overtime protections for home care workers to be delayed. This

has paved the way for an Obama administration rule mandating min-

imum wage and overtime caregivers assisting those with disabilities to

be implemented.

Under the 2013 rule from the U.S. Department of Labor, most home

care workers must be paid at least the federal minimum of $7.25 per

hour and earn time-and-a-half for working more than 40 hours per

week.

Last September, the groups challenging the rule asked the Supreme

Court to postpone implementation of the changes so that they could

further appeal the decision. With Roberts’ order on 10/6, however, the

rule is set to take effect October 13th, 2015.

However, the Labor Department said it will not begin enforcement of

the new rule until November 12, 2015 and will use “prosecutorial dis-

cretion” through the end of the year to assess whether to bring en-

forcement actions based on how much effort states and other relevant

entities have put toward ensuring compliance.

LONG-DELAYED

CAREGIVER WAGE

PROTECTIONS TO

TAKE EFFECT !

Finding reliable disability-related information and resources can be

time consuming. That’s why Disability.gov has developed a series

of14 guides about topics such as disability benefits, housing assis-

tance, job training programs and financial help for families with low

incomes. Other guides cover services that promote independence

for people with disabilities such as home health care, programs for

caregivers, assistive technology and more.

Each guide begins with a series of “quick links” that answer many

frequently asked questions. Disability.gov’s Guides to Information

and Resources also connect you to information about local organi-

zations that offer programs and services that promote the inclu-

sion and full participation of people with disabilities in their com-

munities. To lean more, visit disability.gov.

Disability.gov - Offers

Information Guides on

Disability Benefits,

Programs and Services.

The Recovery Resource Center, Inc. is a safe gathering place

and resource center serving those with mental health and/or

substance use issues as well as their supporters and advo-

cates. They provide free education and empowerment to the

community in a safe, stable and supportive environment.

They are located in the Harrelson Center; 20 N. 4th Street;

suite 420; Wilmington, NC for further information call (910)

769-7064, recoveryresourcecenter@outlook.com

RECOVERY RESOURCE

CENTER, INC. (RRCI)

HOUSING CRISIS HOTLINE

(910) 444-4998

Out of Darkness Walk – Sunday, November 15 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm

at Wrightsville Beach Park. In the United States, a person dies by sui-

cide every 13.3 minutes. Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in the

U.S. among adults 18-65, second leading cause of death among teens

and young adults and individuals over 65 account for 16% of all sui-

cides. If you are interested in participating please contact Louise Rip-

py Lane at (910)471-9393 or by email: wilmingtonOOTD@gmail.com.

Receive 1 on 1 consultation on how you can

potentially reduce the costs of your medica-

tions. You MUST call Dorothy Dale to

make an appointment -(910) 442-6044.

dRC’s PRESCRIPTION

CLINIC

dRC’S

COMPUTER LAB

Monday—Friday

9:00am - 4:00pm

NEED 1 ON 1 ASSISTANCE ?

*For the beginning user to the

Technologically challenged.

* Resume development

*Career Assessment & job searching

*Personalized training in using the web,

Facebook, Twitter & more!

*Demonstration and use of Low Vision

Equipment.

*Demonstration & Use of devices for Hard of

Hearing.

Please Call Teresa Cheney For An

Appointment– Monday - Thursday -

10:00am - 3:00pm

No Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an increase in the benefit amount people receive

each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and SSI federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in

the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s

Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI has not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment in 2015. As a result, your SSI benefit rate and,

for most people, your Social Security benefit amount will stay the same in 2016.

This news isn’t necessarily bad. When inflation stays at the same rate, your cost of living also stays the same.

Prices for goods and services, on average, haven’t increased enough to affect the COLA.

Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also won’t

begin in January 2016. Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of

earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts. These

amounts will remain unchanged in 2016. The new fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Securi-

ty and SSI changes.

For additional information about the 2016 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/

OACT/COLA/AWI.html.

NO COST OF

LIVING ADJUSTMENT

TRIPS, INC. Special Adventures

ALL INCLUSIVE vacation packages for

travelers ages 16 and older with

Intellectual and developmental

Disabilities.

June - December 2015

www.tripsinc.com

1-800-686-1013

Step up For Soldiers is a volunteer group providing renovations, recre-

ation and recognition for recently disabled veterans. They are not a

government organization and do not receive government assistance.

Their mission is to provide disabled veterans, who have experienced

loss of limb & mobility problems, with the resources necessary to ad-

just in a post-war environment. For further information go on line to

www.stepupforsoldiers.org.

“STEP UP FOR

SOLDIERS”

NOVEMBER 7TH, 2015

3:00 pm To 5:30 pm

Division of Services For Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Professional Deaf-Blind

Q & A Panel

DSDHH is hosting a panel of various DeafBlind individuals to share

their experience. The event is open to the public. Get to know a few

local members of the Deaf/Blind Community and learn about their

daily experience and interaction with the world from their

perspectives. The discussion will include addressing common miscon-

ceptions and stereotypes and will also provide plenty of informational

materials. ASL/English interpretation will be provided.

Where: Cape Fear Community College

415 N. 2nd Street

Building L, Room #107

Wilmington, NC

Contact: Daisy Rivenbark

Videophone: 910-795-2714

Daisy.rivenbark@dhhs.nc.gov

November Events

November 7 – Oyster Roast Fundraiser; 1:00pm to 6:00pm at The Beach House Bar & Grill;

7219 Market Street; Wilmington; Admission $25.00 and proceeds help The Cape Fear Volun-

teer Center. For further info contact Gina at (910)686-7219.

November 7 – Walk To End Alzheimer’s; 8:00am at Mayfaire Town Center; 6835 Main St.;

Wilmington. Register on line http://act.alz.org or contact Amy Julian (919)803-8285.

November 7 – Run, Roll & Stroll 5K, 10K, 9:00am for Veterans fundraiser. Downtown Wil-

mington at the Riverfront Park; admission is $25.00 to $40.00 and proceeds benefit the Pur-

ple Heart Homes nonprofit organization. Register on line https://its-go-time.com/

runrollstroll/. Further info: Zach Hunt (910)232-7532.

November 14 – Step Up For Soldiers annual chili cook-off at 1:00pm, High Tide Lounge,

North End Pier, Carolina Beach, NC. Admission is $10.00. Proceeds go to veteran Justin

Crabbe.

November 15 – 4th Annual Walk For Suicide Prevention, 2:00pm at Wrightsville Beach Park,

321 Causeway Dr.; Wrightsville Beach, NC. Further info contact Louise Rippy Lane (910)

471-9393 or email wilmingtonOOTD@gmail.com.

November 18 – Cape Fear Disability Commission meeting 10:30am at the New Hanover Gov-

ernment Complex – HR Room; Wilmington. Request for bus/dart vouchers should be made

to John Russ at (910)264-6158.

November 20 – 22 – Wilmington Riverfest; downtown Wilmington, Riverfront Park. Admis-

sion Free. For more info: www.wilmingtonriverfest.com

November 21 – Holiday Market 9:00am – 3:00pm at Ocean Front Park; 105 Atlantic Ave;

Kure Beach, NC. Admission Free. For further info: (910)458-8216

November 26 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING

November 28 – NC Holiday Flotilla 6:00pm at Wrightsville Beach (Banks Channel). Admis-

sion is free. For further info: www.ncholidayflotilla.org or (910) 256-2120.

140 C Cinema Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

Wilmington, NC 28403

Phone: 910-815-6618

Fax: 910-815-6658

www.drc-cil.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is disAbility Resource Center? dRC is a Center for Independent Living

(CIL). Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to become and

maintain their independence within their community. Inclusion and Inde-

pendence is accomplished through education, employment, access to afforda-

ble housing, access to services and activities that allow the opportunity and

possibility of a full life for all those with a disability.

To achieve our common mission and purpose the dRC focuses on four core

services to empower individuals with a disAbility, their families and caregivers:

1) Peer to Peer Counseling 2) Independent Living Skills and Training 3) Sys-

tems and Individual Advocacy 4) Information and Referral.

A few Examples of Services: We provide individuals with the information

and tools they need to live freely and independently. We can help with pre-

paring a budget, creating a resume, teaching job searching skills, computer

training, and peer mentoring. We also provide information about who to con-

tact if you need a ramp, home modifications, assistive technology, problems

with your social security benefits, utility assistance, searching for affordable

housing, support groups, disAbility rights advocacy and more!!

Do I need to make an appointment? Appointments are highly recommended,

but we do accept walk-ins and will do our best to accommodate you at that

time.

Do I need a referral? No

Do we charge a fee? No, our services are provided at no cost to consumers.

We are a non-profit organization that is funded through the generous support

of individuals, local organizations and the State of North Carolina’s Division of

Rehabilitation Services.

Is dRC a part of Vocational Rehabilitation? No, Vocational Rehab is a State

Agency and we are a nonprofit agency.

Do we provide funding or financial assistance to individuals? If dRC has

received donations designated specifically for consumer assistance we can

provide some financial assistance on a very limited basis for very specific

circumstances and needs. However, if dRC is unable to financially assist we can

refer individuals to the right agency or organization that can provide financial

assistance specific to your needs.

Where are we located? dRC is located near the intersection of Market Street

and Kerr near the Carmike Theaters in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Important Websites:

http://www.adacompliance101.com

http://www.disability.gov

disAbility Resource Center