Bucks County Center for Independent Living

Questions about the recent decisions regarding the Age Out Policy? Join PEAL and the Public Interest Law Center on June 25 at 12:00 PM to get clarification.
Register here for the online event: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuceGhqTItEt2_mq1-8ZDHn5KrL2vpyIZG #/registration

Join us on July 11th, 2024, at the Gene and Marlene Bucks County Community College - Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks from 10 am to 1 PM for a Voter Education Event.

In person peer support this Tuesday at 1 PM. Call 215-781-5070 for details.

Voces de Familias
Transicion a la vida adulta
Miércoles, 26 de junio, 2024 de 12:00 PM a 1:00 PM
Inscribase https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwudOqtqD8sGtDqRpTZswQQJDtSCgNtzzh- #/registration

Únase a nuestra mesa redonda para conversar sobre cómo garantizar que las voces de las familias y de nuestros jóvenes sean presentes e incluídas en el proceso de transición. Discutiremos la importancia de ser participantes activos en la planificación de la transición; identificaremos componentes clave de
la transición en educación y a la edad adulta y compartiremos información básica sobre la transición.

¡Los esperamos con entusiasmo a que se una a esta conversación y analice su papel en la transición de su joven!

The Allentown Bilingual Disability Resource Fair is fast approaching! Join us for the event on Sat., June 22nd, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCK15kZHVauYgoiDcPA8IjbQ0ZlH43vML5l2O1rnapNOuItQ/viewform

Event Highlights:

• PATF information on identifying and accessing funding resources for assistive technology

• PATF financial education resources: Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management and A Family Companion to Cents & Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management. Both publications are available digitally and in print, in Spanish and English

• Bilingual presentations on valuable services from Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, Good Shepherd Rehab, and the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living

• Accessibility accommodations including captioning and ASL interpreters

• Free bilingual hearing screenings from Hearing the Call

• Free bilingual vision screenings from Sights for Hope

• Plan 504 podcast which connects families with resources

• Autism advocacy and educational groups including ASERT and Corazones Unidos para el Autismo

• Disability organizations and service providers including Disability Rights PA, Transition Consults, All American Home Care, and OneWell Health Care

• Assistive technology vendors including CaptionCall phone captioning

• Representatives from PA Migrant Education Program and Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services will be available to answer questions about their services

You can register for the fair by scanning the QR code in the bottom right corner of the flyer above. The purpose of the registration is to track the count of the lunches needed for the event, and also for people to request accommodations, (i.e. ASL interpreters or special dietary restrictions.)

If you have any questions or require any accommodations, contact Wendy Davis at [email protected].

The Virtual Youth Leadership Academy is less than two weeks away! Is your teen/young adult attending?
Join us for virtual sessions on June 18 and 20 from 10:00AM-1:30PM
Haven't registered yet? Sign up here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5114246

Welcome to Summer. June 2024 calendar.

This month we're putting a spotlight on accessible, equitable healthcare for people with disabilities. Each month we “shine a spotlight” on an issue related to one or more of the advocacy priorities or goal areas of top concern to the Council. Read about our efforts, projects, news, and events related to healthcare equity. Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotlight-on-healthcare

Don't forget to join us tomorrow for Unlocking Inclusivity: Understanding Intersectionality in Working with Youth with Disabilities. The PEAL Youth Team will explore intersectionality's role in supporting youth with disabilities.
June 4 at 12:00 PM
Not registered yet? No problem. Sign up to join us for this virtual event: https://www.tfaforms.com/5114233

Join our friends at Pennsylvania Family Network / Vision For Equality for a Zoom workshop on Safety in the Community! Visit the link below to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ucOCrqjkjHtGHdg3ao1US7416jIBaVgfQ #/registration

ID: Flyer with black, blue, and burgundy text. The orange PA Family Network logo is in the upper left corner. The blue vision for equality logo is in the upper right corner. A graphic of a group of people gathered together is on the right side of the flyer. Text reads: "Safety in the Community Tuesday, June 4th 6:30pm- 8:30pm. Join the PA Family Network as we share practical strategies to: Build skills to increase safety at home, work, and in the community, Mitigate risk while living a meaningful everyday life. People with disabilities and their families are
welcome to join a 30 minute networking
opportunity after the presentation.
Click Link Below or Scan QR Code to Register for the the Zoom Meeting
-Free Workshop- Registration is Required.
Tuesday June 4th, 6:30pm-8:30pm. pafamilynetwork.org/3URzYjU. Reasonable accommodations as identified under the ADA must be requested 2 weeks in advance.
For more information: https://www.visionforequality.org/programs/pa-family-network/ or 1-844-PAFAMILY
The PA Family Network is a program of Vision for Equality and funded through the Pa Office of Developmental Programs. "

In order to ensure as many Pennsylvanians receive the relief they are entitled to, the deadline for older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2023 has been extended to December 31.

Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The maximum household income is increased from previous years to $45,000 for tax year 2023. Only half of the accrued Social Security dispersals count toward the $45,000 cap. Application booklets are available at my office. We also offer in-person assistance in submitting the application; please call my office at (267) 580-2660 to set up an appointment.

BCCIL will be closed in observance of Memorial Day 5/27/2024.

Talking About Sexuality: A Virtual Training for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Date / Time / Location: May 29, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Zoom

Parents of young and grown children with developmental disabilities are invited to join us for a free training designed to enhance skills and knowledge with relevant sexual health and human sexual development information. Barriers to communicating and tips for talking will also be covered. The session will be presented by Temple University Harrisburg and the Temple University Institute on Disabilities.

Registration is required. Space is limited. A link to the training will be sent by email to registered participants the day before the event.

⭐ Presenters: Fern Gilkerson, Temple University Harrisburg; Phebe West, Temple University Harrisburg; and Nova McGiffert, Temple University, Institute on Disabilities

Questions? Please contact Fern Gilkerson at [email protected].

Register: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=171957348&utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=qr+code&utm_campaign=spring24

Virtual Workshop:
A Lifetime with AAC (Birth to School-Age)

Wednesday May 22nd
5:00 PM EDT

Learn about:
Communication needs while transitioning to school
Including AAC on an IFSP and IEP
Supports available when transitioning from early intervention to school

RSVP at bit.ly/NightOwlAAC

Cartoon from of a kid using a wheelchair and asking for help with their coat using their communication device.

Thank you to Foundations Community Partnership for the support.

to award a to the Center for Independent Living of Bucks County to host an independent living conference and post-secondary education fair that will focus on providing information and workshops for young adults with disabilities.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual conversation with ODP’s policy team on June 12 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. These meetings are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the meeting starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The meeting will be held through Microsoft Teams.

This next meeting will consist of policy members from ODP providing an overview of two topics: the philosophy and framework used by ODP, which is called Everyday Lives, as well as what a Supports Coordinator is and what their role is.

This free webinar/conversation is not for professionals, it is specifically for individuals, caregivers, and families and/or legal guardians but professionals are encouraged to please share with their networks. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/ymwv3amz

Take Your Seat at the Table! Virtual Community Listening Sessions

We want to hear about your experiences with the systems in place to support our families across the lifespan.
Who should attend: Individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

Southeast, PA
May 29th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Register Here- bit.ly/3WxvzFk

Northeast, PA
May 30th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Register Here- bit.ly/4bsQIoh

These Community Forums aim to pinpoint key topics and themes that will contribute to the development of a unified Family Advocacy Agenda across the Commonwealth.

We will not be able to hold Virtual Peer Support this Wednesday 5/15/2024. We will see everyone next week.

The Young Adult Group meeting has been changed to 5-23-2024 at 7-8 PM. Please RSVP to attend.

Sunday May 19th 2:00-4:00 PM
Wheelchair repair workshop

at Neighborhood Bike Works
3939 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Register at bit.ly/WheelchairRepairMay

Wheelchair drawing by Julian Roach at

🎉 The Statewide Advocacy Group (SWAG) is excited to share the "Keystones of PA: A Virtual Collection" Independent Living History of PA project.

🤝Keystones of PA will collect and maintain a virtual library of disability rights and Independent Living unique to Pennsylvania.

There are three areas of the Keystones of PA project:

🟢Independent Living History: Asking for materials that can be contributed to a digital collection.

🟢CIL History: Asking for information about the individual CILs and their development and origins.

🟢Advocate Stories: Asking for YOUR voice! Why are you an advocate? Why is advocacy important?

Stay tune to this page for information on how to add your story to the collection of many other advocates.

Join our special guests Gregory Cherpes MD, NADD-CC (Medical Director/ODP) and Joseph Hart, BSN, RN (Nursing Administrator/ODP) as they explain the New Waiver Service: STAT (Specialty Telehealth and Assessment Team).

Everyone who has a waiver is eligible for STAT Services (budget dependent)

Wednesday, May 15th
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Register Here- https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpc-CrrTIjH9zyjet9V_GgaqdoTml6OnY1 #/registration

Assessment Team)
The goal of the STAT service is:
• Provide telehealth assessments when the individual’s primary care physician is unavailable or unable to determine the best clinical course of action
• Avoid unnecessary emergency room visits

Learn more about: Adding STAT to an ISP and accessing STAT services when needed.