In 2002, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act to make the voting process more inclusive and accessible. That means that if you are a person with a disability, you have specific legal rights regarding voting.
Advocacy
Free Local Help with Tax Preparation
Well, well, if it isn’t Uncle Sam’s favorite time of year again! It’s frustrating enough if you have to pay ol’ Uncle Sam, but wouldn’t it be nice not to have to pay someone to do the paperwork? Well, YES!
We are very fortunate here in the Brazos Valley to have FREE local tax prep help available courtesy of AARP Tax-Aide. And no, you don’t have to be over 65.
TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Clara Mounce Library, Bryan
201 East 29th Street, (979) 209-5600February 1 – April 15
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 1-5 PM
Thursday 2-5 PM
Larry Ringer Library, College Station
1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway, (979) 764-3416
February 1 – April 15
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 1 PM
Workforce Solutions
3991 East 29th Street, (979) 595-2800
February 4 – April 15
Tuesday 5:30 – 8:0 PMSaturday, 9 AM – 1 PM
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Brenham701 Church Street, (979) 836-4441
Thursday, February 5, 13, 20, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
April 3 and 10, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Appointment Preferred, call (979) 836-4441
WHAT TO BRING
- Picture ID, such as driver’s licenseSocial Security/Medicare cards or other official documentation for taxpayers and ALL dependents
- Copy of last year’s tax return, if available
- W-2 forms from ALL employers
- Unemployment compensation statements
- SSA-1099 forms for ALL taxpayers and dependents who received Social Security benefits
- ALL 1099 forms from other sources
- Documentation for real estate interest and taxes paid
- ALL forms indicating federal income tax paid
- Dependent care provider payments and information (name, employer ID, social security number)
- ALL receipts and/or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions
Living Without Limits Panel Discussion This Tuesday, February 4
February is Low Vision Awareness Month!
Come join Insightful Connections, the organization of Texas A&M students who are blind or visually impaired, to learn more about the challenges and triumphs of those who have low or no vision. Topics will be Braille, independent travel, assistive technology, and life experiences, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Logistical details are:
When: Tuesday, February 4th
Location: Koldus 111
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
National Disability Employment Awareness Mnth (NDEAM) Poster Art Contest 2014
Even though we just finished National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, it’s already time to start thinking about this year’s initiative and the poster art. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is March 15, Here’s the heads-up on a little healthy competition from the official announcement:
“Each year in October, the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities produces a Texas poster for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which is distributed free of charge to businesses all across the State.
The art featured on the poster each year is an original piece created by a Texas artist with a disability. The winning artwork is incorporated into the national theme announced each year by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The design of our Texas posters has become so popular that, in addition to our statewide distribution, we frequently have requests from other states. In 2013, we distributed more than 2,500 posters.
Submissions from Texas artists with disabilities can be sent to us as a photo of the original work in a digital format, ideally a JPEG or PDF, attached to an email (this is the preferred method), OR as a color photocopy OR with the image on a CD sent by postal mail. The original artwork does not need to be submitted with the entry. There is NO FEE for entries. All entries must be accompanied by a signed Entry Form, which is available on our website along with the Submission Guidelines. Entries must be received by email or postmarked by March 15; the winner will be announced by April 15. Artwork in any media is accepted; there is no specific theme required.
Once the panel of judges has determined the winner, we will make arrangements to receive the original artwork, which will be designed into the 2014 Texas NDEAM poster. The original art and the poster will be on permanent display in the Office of the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, and will be featured in offsite exhibits from time to time. The winning artist is also invited to be a featured guest at the annual Lex Frieden Employment Awards ceremony in October.
For Submission Guidelines, Entry Form, a view of the past NDEAM posters, and more information, please visit our NDEAM page on our website or contact us directly. Contact information is listed on the website.”
Wow! What a great opportunity for a new or developing artist who has a disability to get discovered! Take a look at the great winners from the past two years.
Here’s 2012’s poster:
And this one is from last year. Inspiration, anyone?
Advocacy Update: What did we learn?
Thanks to The Arc of BCS, Family Support Network, & Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living for hosting speakers from The Arc of Texas last night (11/14/13). Speakers from the Arc’s Governmental Affairs division discussed the impact of recent legislation on issues important to people with disabilities.
The purpose of this web post is to provide some links to the information and resources that were discussed — starting with links to the individual organizations that were part of the presentation (those are linked above). Thank you all for your attendance at the event.
Get Involved!
- Sign up for action alerts on the Arc of Texas website by clicking here
- Meet your local legislators and let your voice be heard! The Arc of Texas has training to help you learn how to do this effectively. Locally, one of the core services at BVCIL is advocacy, we can help you learn advocacy skills and organize local legislative visits. You can email info@bvcil.org to request this.
- US Congressional members from Texas
- Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz
- Representative Bill Flores (District 17)
- TX State Legislative Representatives (NOTE: Listed below are the reps based on BVCIL’s address in Bryan. To find your specific representatives, you can enter your address.
- TX State Senate District 5, Senator Charles Schwertner. His local office is on Briarcrest.
- TX State House District 14, Representative John Raney. His local office is on Texas Ave.
- US Congressional members from Texas
Topics Discussed
- Medicaid Waivers — What are they? How do I get them? Here are some resources:
- Comparison of waivers
- Video overview of waivers
- Handout: Home and Community-based Services in Texas (7/1/13)
- Employment Issues
- Social Security Work Incentives
- Employment First legislation (SB45)
About your presenters:
Jeff Miller, J.D., Director of Government Affairs
1-800-252-9729 or (512) 454-6694, ext. 7732
jmiller@thearcoftexas.org
Jeff directs all public policy efforts for The Arc of Texas. He plans, organizes and directs the implementation of The Arc’s governmental affairs and advocacy efforts to advance its mission and policy positions at the state and federal level. Jeff also represents The Arc of Texas before volunteers, local chapters, elected officials, state agency staff and other policy makers. In addition, Jeff works to support and coordinate volunteers to facilitate their involvement in advocacy activities and networks with allied organizations and coalitions to advance high priority issues that impact persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ginger Mayeaux, MSSW, Advocacy Specialist
1-800-252-9729 ext. 7760 or (512) 454-485-9746
gmayeaux@thearcoftexas.org
Ginger establishes positive working relationships with The Arc of Texas staff and volunteers to assist them in understanding and promoting full participation in the community for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, she assists in issue development; supports and empowers volunteers to participate in advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels; provides research on issues effecting the IDD population; represents The Arc of Texas at meetings hearings and visits with legislative and agency leaders or staff. Ginger aslo works will allied organizations and coalitions to promote collaboration on high priority issues.
FREE Web Seminar on Accessibility of Long Term Services and Other Community Supports
Heads up, everybody! We apologize for the very short notice, but this event looks to be very informative.
At 3:00 – 4:30 Eastern time TOMORROW, Thursday, August 29, 2013, The Aging and Disability Partnership for Managed Long Term Services and Supports is offering a FREE webcast on health care providers being both “physically and programmatically accessible” to people who have disabilities. The webinar presenters will discuss applicable laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation act of 1973, and the new Affordable Care Act.
This webcast is open and FREE to everyone, but preregistration is required. Please visit http://app.certain.com/