A   QUARTERLY   NEWSLETTER   FOR   THE   DISABILITY   COMMUNITY

New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. (NHU) is a non-profit organization serving individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers since 1994. To empower people with disabilities, we provide accessible information, promote accessible communication and encourage the exchange of ideas and solutions to common problems. In support of our mission, we have developed specific programs and projects that serve to further our ultimate goal of removing barriers and promoting the full realization of independence.

To learn more about our mission and activities, please visit the New Horizons Un-Limited website at: http://www.new-horizons.org. You may also contact us by e-mail at: horizons@new-horizons.org.

CommunicAbility is intended to bring timely information on such topics as housing, employment, education, independent living and legislation into the lives of people who have been affected by disability. It is our hope that this information may affect change within their lives and the lives of others.

Giving back to your community has never been easier!

Calling all Pick 'n Save Shoppers

What would you say if we told you that you could give back to your community without spending an extra dime and without expending any extra energy?

While we certainly encourage you to get out into your community and do, it's true, you can give back to your community by doing nothing out of the ordinary at all. All you have to do is purchase groceries and swipe your Pick 'n Save Advantage Plus Savers Club Card. Something that you would do anyway right!

OK, there is one simple catch! To ensure a percentage of your purchase dollars are put to good use in your community, add NHU's organization number (542100) on your Pick 'n Save Advantage Plus Savers Club Card application and use your card every time you shop. The more you use your card, the more you will earn for NHU and your disability community!

Stop by your local Pick N' Save service desk and ask for your Pick 'n Save Advantage Plus Savers Card application or change form today! Add NHU's organization number (542100) to your card, shop Pick 'n Save, swipe your card, save on your groceries and earn dollars for NHU!

It's just that simple!

For more information on this and other ways in which you can help NHU, call (414) 299-0124 or e-mail horizons@new-horizons.org.

Volunteerism and You

Give a gift of time during this year's Make a Difference Day

Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, "Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors."

If you have been searching for a purpose in your life, now is the time to discover it through volunteerism. Big or small your effort will make a difference in your life and others'. Discover the benefits of volunteering today. Just look around, what can you do to help your community?

Focus on Employment

Finally! Legitimate "home business" opportunities revealed

Realizing the rising trend of work from home scams, the World Association for Persons with disAbilities (WAPD) has set out to identify premium work from home opportunities that an individual with a disability can easily and confidently pursue from the comfort of their homes.

Via their web section Financial Freedoms, WAPD presents "Home Business" opportunities that only offer honest and fair business dealings. You are encouraged to browse this list of opportunities and find one that best suits your interests and circumstances.

Your search for legitimate work may be over, thanks to WAPD! For more information, call WAPD at (405) 672-4440. You may visit Financial Freedom on the WAPD website.

Wisconsin News

Family Friends… A Unique Look at Volunteerism

Meet Tammy. She is a single parent to an eight-year-old son, Noah, who has high functioning autism. Tammy works part-time and is currently going to school at UW-Milwaukee to become a special education teacher.

Noah is a great kid who loves music, word searches and computers. He is very friendly and interacts quite well with adults. Noah was very attached to his grandparents who, unfortunately, passed away within the last few years. He misses a relationship with a senior and Tammy would be thrilled to find someone to help fill this void.

Tammy would appreciate the support of another adult to interact with Noah on a regular basis. She also misses the support that her parents used to offer and the friendship and camaraderie between adults. Tammy and Noah are eagerly awaiting a senior volunteer to become a friend to their family.

Enter Sue, a Family Friend volunteer. Sue has been retired from working in the human service field for several years. Since the events of September 11th, she has wanted to find something to do to continue giving back to her community. Sue decided that the Family Friends program was a wonderful way to do just that and to help a family in need. For the past four months, Sue has been making weekly visits to Noah and Tammy in their home and they can hardly believe what a great success their relationship has become.

While Sue and Noah keep busy working on the computer, doing word searches and planning a garden that they hope to plant in the spring, Tammy has been able to devote more time to her studies which have been reflected by increased high praise from several of her professors. Additionally, Tammy and Sue have made a wonderful connection and have started a great new friendship.

If you are interested in getting involved with such a program, please contact Becky Hipp, Project Director of the Family Friends program at (414) 329-4500. Families and volunteers are currently being sought in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties to make more connections and friendships. Join the fun!!

Introductory computer classes available at UMC of Whitefish Bay

The church and computer lab are wheelchair accessible. Students however, must be able to use a keyboard or mouse and read a computer screen, as there are few assistive devices available at this time. Classes are open to those with physical and developmental disabilities.

Beginning in late October, classes will meet once a week for five weeks on either Wednesday or Sunday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. for a nominal fee of $25.00.

If you are interested in participating in this training, please call New Horizons Un-Limited (NHU) at (414) 299-0124. You can also e-mail, NHU at horizons@new-horizons.org.

Volunteers are currently being sought for assistance in developing curricula for future courses, including Internet and e-mail basics. If you have knowledge of these areas, please contact New Horizons Un-Limited at the above contact information.

Assistive Technology Assessment Center - your path to career success

On a fee-for-service basis, the center identifies tools and assistive devices that enable individuals with disabilities to interact with a phone and computer, thereby better preparing them for a variety of employment positions. The center further offers an assessment by a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR), a written report that provides technology recommendations, training on assistive technology and job placement.

If you have found that your career options have been limited due to your need for assistive technology, contact UCP to learn more. You may reach UCP by calling (414) 329-4500 (Voice), (414) 329-4511 (TTY) or by e-mailing atac@ucp-sew.org.

Experience Ozaukee County

For transportation to Welcome H.O.M.E., the Ozaukee County Taxi, Transportation Services offers Ozaukee County wide transportation available for persons of all ages and abilities. People with disabilities may pay a reduced one-way fare of a maximum of $4.50 to travel to the outer extent of the four zones of the county.

You do not need to be an Ozaukee County resident to ride this taxi or participate in the disability reduced fare rates, however, this transportation is only available for pick up and delivery within Ozaukee County limits.

Trips can be arranged several days ahead or on the day of travel and taxis will arrive within 45 minutes in urban areas. When scheduling a ride, make certain you note the size of your wheelchair, as the taxis can only accommodate wheelchairs up to 30" wide including wheels and handrails and 48" in length from tips of the toes to furthest point of the back. Electric wheel chairs can only be 40" in length. For more information, call (800) 925-9590.

We would like to see more people with disabilities have greater opportunities within southeastern Wisconsin, however, lack of affordable transportation may be a huge obstacle for some when traveling across county lines. If you know of a way in which Milwaukee County residents can find transportation to another county in southeastern Wisconsin at a reasonable rate, please contact us at horizons@new-horizons.org.

Voting in Wisconsin: Your Right - Your Responsibility

The voting season is upon us! Your opportunity to make your voice heard is now! Are you up to par on the legislative issues affecting you? Are you aware of each candidate's priorities and stance on issues that will affect you and your community? If not, it's time to get going on your research!

To learn more about the candidates of this year's general election, visit Wisconsin Vote on-line. If you do not have Internet access in your home, visit your local library.

To learn more about the legislative issues that can affect you and your community, visit Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network (DAWN) online or call WCDD at (608) 266-7826.

Wisconsin's general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2002. If you are a US citizen and at least 18 years of age, it is your responsibility, as a contributing citizen to vote and participate in the democratic process of our country. If you are one of those stuck on the notion that your vote really doesn't count, or that it can't possibly make a difference, here are a few examples of the significance that individual votes have had throughout history:

Now that you have been snapped from your cynicism, following is information that can ensure your voice be heard on Election Day:

Voter Registration - To vote in Wisconsin you must be a registered voter. Registration is simple. You may either register right at the polling place on Election Day or register with your municipal clerk's office. You must complete a Voter Registration Form complete with your full, legal name, permanent address, date of birth, telephone number and signature. You must also provide proof of residence via a valid ID.

Casting Your Vote - You may cast your vote at numerous polling places throughout your municipality. If you find that your local polling place is inaccessible, you may request, in advance, that a poll worker bring a ballot to you for completion at the building entrance. You may also request assistance in completing a ballot.

Absentee Ballots - If for any reason you cannot go to your polling place on Election Day you may complete an Absentee Ballot up to one day before the election. You may do so by requesting that your city, town or village clerk's office mail an absentee ballot to your residence for completion. Your request must include your full, legal name, your legal voting address, your mailing address and your election district. Your ballot must be received by your clerk's office on or before Election Day.

If you experience difficulty at any time during the voting process or believe that your voter's rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the State Elections Board, P.O. Box 2973, Madison, Wisconsin 53701. (608) 266-8005. For assistance with filing a complaint you may contact Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (WCA) at (800) 928-8778 (V/TTY).

To learn more about voting in Wisconsin with a disability, contact the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers toll-free at (800) 690-6665 to request the publication, Voting in Wisconsin - A Guide for Citizens with Disabilities.

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