Third Edition
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SAVE THE DATE
Freedom Month
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”
1775 - 2007
Still Waiting”
Call your local Independent Living Center’s Systems Change Advocate to find out how you can get involved in Freedom Month.
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Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, Releases Top-to-Bottom Review of Electronic Voting Systems
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, conducted a “Top to Bottom” review of electronic voting systems used in the last few elections. The process was extremely rushed and did not include a full review of all voting systems used in California
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) I was honored to represent individuals with disabilities from Placer County and across the nation at this year’s National Council on Independent Living Conference. What a wonderful and enlightening experience to meet so many hard working advocates all in the same place working towards the same goal…independent living! The theme of this year’s conference focused on the unmet needs and leadership of our ever growing population of youth with disabilities.
Its All About Youth
The California Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities is a powerful five-day experience that leaves many youth wanting more! The forum targets high school students in 11th and 12th grade from across California
Give us Access! Last December, Systems Change staff, consumers, and other people with disabilities sent holiday cards to local homeless shelters. The cards included photos of people with disabilities living on the streets, with the caption “No Home for the Holidays.”
Freedom Day 2007 The Systems Change Network is launching a month long Freedom Day 2007 plan to educate and empower community members to join the ongoing battle to “Free Our People” from institutions and prevent individuals from being sent away to Skilled Nursing Facilities
Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, Releases
Top-to-Bottom Review of Electronic Voting Systems
By: Diane Rovai, ILRC-San Francisco – Policy Manager
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, conducted a “Top to Bottom” review of electronic voting systems used in the last few elections. The process was extremely rushed and did not include a full review of all voting systems used in California. Only three electronic voting systems were reviewed under laboratory conditions that included unfettered access to the machines and their programming. This Top to Bottom review failed to examine the policies and procedures used to secure voting systems by local election departments across the state, Given these circumstances, it was no surprise when Secretary of State Bowen decertified and conditionally recertified the three voting systems.
In past years, Los Angeles and San Francisco have used systems manufactured by ES&S. These systems failed to be examined during the top-to-bottom review because they were not given to reviewers within the specified timeframes. This leaves San Francisco with no equipment certified for upcoming elections. The system used in Los Angeles county will soon be reviewed, but for now has been decertified.
The result of the Secretary of State’s review leaves 22 counties in California with all electronic voting machines in a tough financial situation, not to mention the nearly impossible timeline of getting a new voting systems between now and the next election. If voting machine companies and counties can meet the new stricter security requirements placed on them, they will be allowed to use one electronic voting machine per polling place and for early voting.
What does all of this mean to people with disabilities? Our right to vote independently has yet again been compromised. Before the next election counties will have to print paper ballots that we know are not accessible to all people with disabilities. Counties will also be forced to invest in the machines to count ballots.
First Time Perspective
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
25th Annual National Conference
By: Karon Cave, PIRS – Systems Advocate
I was honored to represent individuals with disabilities from Placer County and across the nation at this year’s National Council on Independent Living Conference. What a wonderful and enlightening experience to meet so many hard working advocates all in the same place working towards the same goal…independent living! The theme of this year’s conference focused on the unmet needs and leadership of our ever growing population of youth with disabilities. There were a variety of different topic workshops to choose from. The workshops I attended were wonderful! Topics included youth leadership opportunities, physician assisted suicide, fundraising, and innovative programs.
The conference includes a day on Capitol Hill, which begins with a march and rally at the reflection pool below the capitol steps. The thunder and lightning made it challenging, but it didn’t stop us! One by one, soaking wet we entered into the Congressional offices for long awaited appointments. There was much to be discussed during every meeting. For the most part I focused on the following policies:
Community Choice Act of 2007
ADA Restoration Act of 2007
Mental Health Parity Act of 2007
Affordable/Accessible Housing
Voting Access for People with Disabilities
Visiting the Capitol and meeting with U.S. Senators and Representatives was very exciting. I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, during a breakfast at which time I was able to get a personal photograph taken with her. Meeting with our Congressional members to discuss disability issues was profound in the sense that it isn’t just a random minority issue, but rather an inclusive systems change issue that requires national attention. If you ever get a chance to attend the NCIL Conference, it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Its All About Youth
By: Cynthia Cadet-Garcia, CFILC – Communications & Outreach Specialist
The California Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities is a powerful five-day experience that leaves many youth wanting more! The forum targets high school students in 11th and 12th grade from across California. Student “Delegates,” are selected based on their leadership potential, academic achievements, involvement in extra curricular activities and overall community participation.
For the most part, students who attend YLF have hardly been away from their parents for a day, let alone an entire five days. As young people with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to college, living on their own, or entering into employment for the first time, YLF presents students with the reality of choice and independence.
Delegates learn about Disability History and Culture, and community resources like Independent Living Centers, the Department of Rehabilitation, AT Network, World Institute on Disability often for the first time. Delegates learn and are motivated by presentations from a diverse group of individuals with disabilities, how to live, thrive and advocate as a person with a disability.
The trip to the State Capitol gives the student delegates an opportunity to meet with members of the Systems Change Network and discuss policy issues that they feel need to be addressed with members of the Legislature. SCNetwork Advocates assist the students in organizing their thoughts around the policies they want to see changed in their local communities. Policy topics include physical access, high school exit exam requirements, and the need for disability awareness training for teachers and administrators. One student described her legislative meeting as, “A great experience that is scary at first, but gives you sense of power.”
Give us Access!
By: Jessica Lehman
Last December, Systems Change staff, consumers, and other people with disabilities sent holiday cards to local homeless shelters. The cards included photos of people with disabilities living on the streets, with the caption “No Home for the Holidays.”
The cards kicked off the Housing Committee’s campaign to improve accessibility to homeless shelters. The committee recognizes that affordable housing is a continuum: from shelters, through transitional housing and supportive housing, to long-term housing. We are working to make sure that every person, regardless of their disability, has a place to stay in an emergency.
The Shelter Access Campaign is about full access. Access first brings to mind physical access, including ramps, roll-in showers, and beds on the first floor. Full access also includes accommodating people with service animals and with personal assistants of the same or opposite sex. People with disabilities must also have good access to medications, not blocked due to “drug-free” policies.
The Housing Committee is currently working to gather information on shelter access. Advocates are visiting shelters in their community and gathering information about all types of access, using an informal checklist. Once committee members gather basic information and get an idea of what needs to be done, advocates will then work with shelters and government bodies to improve physical access and to create strong policies for programmatic access.
In addition to collecting information about local shelters, housing committee members are investigating how shelters can use funds from Proposition 1C to pay for modifications. Committee members will collect the information and pass it on to shelter staff.
The time is right for improved access to homeless shelters. Prop 1C funds may make modifications possible, and interest from government agencies in the ADA’s impact on shelters may make it a necessity for shelters to make changes. By building relationships with local homeless shelters and helping them understand how important and easy access can be, advocates will ensure that shelters truly open their doors.
Freedom Day 2007
By: Shannon McCroskey
 The Systems Change Network is launching a month long Freedom Day 2007 plan to educate and empower community members to join the ongoing battle to “Free Our People” from institutions and prevent individuals from being sent away to Skilled Nursing Facilities.
In November local Independent Living Centers (ILC) will engage in outreach activities to educate the community and stop unnecessary institutionalization. Activities will focus on key components such as the need for more accessible, affordable, and integrated housing as well as the need for people with disabilities to live freely and independently by choice.
If you would like more information on the upcoming Freedom Day 2007 or would like to offer your support, please contact Christina Mills-Hovious (christina@cfilc.org) at the California Foundation for Independent Living Center (CFILC) at (916) 325-1690 V (916) 325-1695 TDD for your local ILC.
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