Independent Living Center of Kern County

🎃 Spooky season is in full swing at the office! From iconic movie characters, we took Halloween spirit to the next level! Nothing like a little costume creativity to make the workday a whole lot more fun. Can you spot your favorite character? 👻

Consider joining next month’s sessions! More information >> Team Advocacy session, Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training session, Removing Barriers Peer Support group session, and observed holidays! >> Also, how to join in-person or online!

Monday, November 4th - Team Advocacy session on Regional Center Fair Hearing from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Wednesday, November 13th - ILS Training session on Social Security Income (SSI) Eligibility & Appeals from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday, November 27th - Removing Barriers Peer Support group session from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Observed Holidays:
Veterans Day observed on Monday, November 11th - office will be closed all day in observance of Veterans Day.

Thanksgiving Holiday observed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th - office will be closed both days in observance of Thanksgiving.

Ways to join:

In-person -
Office location: 5251 Office Park Drive, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Online-
Zoom ID: 256 654 8249 & US Dial-In +1 669 900 9128
Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2566548249

Election day is almost here!

Learn more: Voting Resources for Voters with Disabilities (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities)

Disability Rights California Election Hotline: 888-569-7955 (Legal assistance)
California Secretary of State Voter Hotline: 800-345-VOTE (Reporting barriers and inaccessibility).

Voting is a right for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. California offers various accessible options to ensure voters can participate independently and privately. Voters with disabilities can use curbside voting, remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems, or accessible voting machines at polling places. You also have the right to assistance in marking your ballot. Explore your options and make your voice heard!

Are you registered to vote in California? Did you know the last day to register to vote in any election is 15 days before Election Day?

The last day to register to vote for the November 5, 2024, General Election was October 21, 2024.

Eligible citizens who missed the October 21 deadline to register to vote may complete the "Same Day" voter registration process through Election Day on November 5, 2024, at their local county elections office or any in-person voting location within their county. (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california)

Join our sessions - two more this month after today!

Today, October 21st: Team Advocacy session on Emotional Support Animals (ESA) vs. Support Animals from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Tomorrow, October 22nd: Removing Barriers Peer Support session from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Wednesday, October 23rd: Empowerment Training session In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Basics from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Office location: 5251 Office Park Drive, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Zoom ID: 256 654 8249 & US Dial-In +1 669 900 9128
Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2566548249

Join our peer-led support group for people with disabilities, Removing Barriers!

This group is all about coming together, lifting each other up, and breaking through the challenges we face. Open to anyone with a disability—no need to be a consumer to join. Let's support each other and make a difference together!

If you would like more information, please feel free to call us at 661-325-1063, send an email to [email protected], connect through Video Phone at 661-369 – 8966 or Toll-Free at 1-800-529 – 9541.

Election day is almost here!

Voting is a right for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. California offers various accessible options to ensure voters can participate independently and privately. Voters with disabilities can use curbside voting, remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems, or accessible voting machines at polling places. You also have the right to assistance in marking your ballot. Explore your options and make your voice heard!

Learn more: Voting Resources for Voters with Disabilities (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities)

Disability Rights California Election Hotline: 888-569-7955 (Legal assistance)
California Secretary of State Voter Hotline: 800-345-VOTE (Reporting barriers and inaccessibility).

🌟 Get Ready, Stay Safe! 🌟

Join us for an Emergency Preparedness Workshop designed specifically for people with disabilities! We're teaming up with the Kern River Valley Senior Citizens, Inc. to provide crucial tips, first aid kits, and even Goal Zero Yeti backup battery eligibility assessments ⚡️

Mark October 23 on your calendars for 10:00 AM at the Kern River Valley Senior Center in Lake Isabella! Let’s empower each other to be prepared and resilient!

📅 RSVP at 661-325-1063

Voting is a right for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. California offers various accessible options to ensure voters can participate independently and privately. Voters with disabilities can use curbside voting, remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems, or accessible voting machines at polling places. You also have the right to assistance in marking your ballot. Explore your options and make your voice heard!

Learn more: Voting Resources for Voters with Disabilities (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities)

Disability Rights California Election Hotline: 888-569-7955 (Legal assistance)
California Secretary of State Voter Hotline: 800-345-VOTE (Reporting barriers and inaccessibility).

Voting is a right for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. California offers various accessible options to ensure voters can participate independently and privately. Voters with disabilities can use curbside voting, remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems, or accessible voting machines at polling places. You also have the right to assistance in marking your ballot. Explore your options and make your voice heard!

Will you or someone you know be voting for the first time in California this election season? Head over to this new resource to learn how! In this resource we share FAQs on voting, and how to contact our voting hotline ahead of election day.

Learn more: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/voting-for-the-first-time-heres-how

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

Let's celebrate organizations like Bakersfield ARC that empower individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities. Thank you, Bakersfield ARC, for your dedication and support!

At the Independent Living Center of Kern County, we proudly reflect this mission. 51% of our staff and 51% of our Board of Directors live with a disability, highlighting our commitment to inclusion and representation.

Learn more about NDEAM at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam
# Bakersfield

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! At Bakersfield ARC, we celebrate the unique talents and contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. 🌟 This month, let’s advocate for inclusive hiring practices and work towards creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. Together, we can make a difference! 💪💙 Shoutout to David, who is working at ! Community Action Partnership of Kern

It's , and is showing support with many events planned throughout October, beginning today! 💙💛

🔹Disability Awareness Pledge Days;
🔹Breaking Barriers Trivia - Antelope Valley;
🔹Film Screening: The Ride Ahead;
🔹UCLA Tarjan Center Forum (Free online conference in neurodevelopmental disabilities - Scan the QR code for the link);
🔹Breaking Barriers Trivia: One Bite at a Time; and
🔹Pumpkin Painting

See the flyer below for the complete list of activities, dates and times!

Easterseals Disability Services Celebrate disability pride. Explore empowering stories, resources, and stylish apparel that showcase the strength and diversity of the disability community.

We're thrilled to launch Removing Barriers, a peer-led support group for people with disabilities!

This group is all about coming together, lifting each other up, and breaking through the challenges we face. Open to anyone with a disability—no need to be a consumer to join. Let's support each other and make a difference together!

If you would like more information, please feel free to call us at 661-325-1063, send an email to [email protected], connect through Video Phone at 661-369 – 8966 or Toll-Free at 1-800-529 – 9541.

Would you like to learn American Sign Language (ASL)? Here is your chance to join a FREE Beginning ASL Class >>

Send a message to learn more

Deaf Community Day is happening tomorrow!

Special thanks to the ILCKC Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services for the hard work in planning the event!

Peer Support Paint & Social Day for ILCKC consumers!

20 spots available for consumers – contact your case manager! All RSVPs must be received by September 18th or until all 20 spots are filled. If you are an ILCKC consumer, please RSVP by contacting our office.

Contact Information
Phone Number (661) 325 – 1063
Video Phone (661) 369 – 8966
Toll-Free 1(800) 529 – 9541
Email [email protected]

ILCKC Paint and Social Day is next week! Register to save your spot >>

Peer Support Paint & Social Day for ILCKC consumers!

20 spots available for consumers – contact your case manager! All RSVPs must be received by September 18th or until all 20 spots are filled. If you are an ILCKC consumer, please RSVP by contacting our office.

Contact Information
Phone Number (661) 325 – 1063
Video Phone (661) 369 – 8966
Toll-Free 1(800) 529 – 9541
Email [email protected]

This year’s "Special Friends Day" is Thursday, September 19th, from 9AM – Noon. The fair will have the nation’s first fully accessible and universally designed mobile restroom!

The presence of an accessible restroom signifies a significant step toward creating a more inclusive society and highlights the importance of prioritizing accessibility in all public spaces.

https://www.kerncountyfair.com/events/2024/special-friends-day



Momentum Refresh is revolutionizing accessibility at the Kern County Fair this year as the nation's first fully accessible and universally designed mobile restroom.

Make One Last Push for Safer Air Travel with U.S. Department of Transportation ->

The Department of Transportation’s new proposed rule, Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs, concerns safe and dignified enplaning and deplaning assistance, prompt return and repair of your wheelchairs, mishandling violations and more.

Let’s make air travel safer for all of us Together, we are making real progress in our fight for wheelchair users to fly safely and with dignity.

ILCKC will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Disability Rights California, the disability community, and fans around the world are so excited that the Paris Paralympic Games start this week on Wednesday, August 28! The Paralympic Games bring together the most talented and competitive athletes. We are thrilled to cheer on all of the athletes, especially rooting for Team USA and the athletes from California!

The Paralympic Games are a great opportunity for fans around the world to see the best athletes in the world in adaptive sports.

"As someone, who used to compete in wheelchair basketball at a high level with and against many of the players on the Paralympic men's and women's teams, I am so proud of all of them and rooting for them all! Go USA!" - Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director of External Affairs at Disability Rights California.