AARP Helping Seniors Get Food Assistance

AARP, an organization which is devoted to improving the lives of seniors, has recently helped many senior citizens sign up for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  SNAP is also known as the food stamp program.

Many seniors do not realize they qualify for food assistance benefits, but anyone can apply.  The program can even help those who can afford some food, but not necessarily fresh produce.

If you would like to learn more about applying, please call AARP at 1-877-957-7627. 

To read the Athens Banner-Herald article, please visit http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-04-29/aarp-helping-seniors-apply-food-stamps.

TBC Closed Today

The Talking Book Center is closed today, Monday May 28.  We will reopen tomorrow at 9:00am.  You are welcome to leave a message at 1-800-531-2063 or email us at talkingbooks@athenslibrary.org.  Have a great holiday!

Legacy Link Has a New Phone Number

Legacy Link serves Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties as an Area Agency on Aging. They provide 15 different programs such as senior centers, Ombudsmen, Senior Volunteer Programs, SOURCE, Georgia Cares, and wellness programs. They are a referral and resource center.

Legacy Link now has a new phone number - 1-855-266-GATE (4283). Use this number or look them up online at http://www.legacylink.org/

TBC Closed Monday, May 28

The Talking Book Center will be closed Monday, May 28.  Please order extra books so you will have enough for the long weekend!  You are also welcome to leave requests on our voicemail at 1-800-531-2063 or email us at talkingbooks@athenslibrary.org while we are closed.  Talking Books will resume normal business hours Tuesday, May 29 at 9:00am.

The online Talking Books catalog located at http://webopac.klas.com/glass will once again undergo maintenace this Wednesday, May 23.  From 8am - 10am EST you will not be able to access the site.  If you need help finding books during this time frame, please contact the Talking Books Center at 1-800-531-2063.

Tools for Life Webinar

The following is an announcement from GA Tools for Life:

For questions, please contact: Liz Persaud - Liz@gatfl.org




Join Us for a Webinar Focused on:

How to Fund Assistive Technology:

Navigating through the Complex Funding Streams


Wednesday, May 30, 2012
2:00pm to 3:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)


Presenters:

Liz Persaud, Training and Development Coordinator, Tools for Life,

Martha Rust, AT Specialist, Tools for Life,

Jackie Wilks, Executive Director, The Center for Financial Independence and Innovation (CFII)


Assistive Technology (AT) is often the key to success for individuals with disabilities in their daily activities whether at home, school, work, or community living. Many times the struggle to obtain needed AT solutions is in navigating through complex funding systems. This webinar will focus on finding and understanding funding solutions for assistive technology. Join us as we explore Credit Able, Georgia's Alternative Financing Program for AT.

Nationwide, there are 33 Alternative Financing Programs. These programs are federally funded and are designed to make loans for AT more affordable. Community-based organizations partner with financial institutions to offer low-interest loans, often with extended terms, to purchase AT. Don’t know where to start finding funding solutions? This webinar will demonstrate the key features as well as funding resources included in the online Tools for Life Dollars & Sense Funding Guide. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn about specific details on funding resources, application processes and how to successfully get AT into the hands of Georgians with disabilities.



CEU & CRC Credits have been Requested!
More Details Coming Soon

Instructions on how to Access the Tools for Life Webinar

To join the meeting: http://atia.adobeconnect.com/tflfund0530/

If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, test your connection:

http://atia.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm



Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview



For more information about this and other webinars,

please contact LizPersaud - Liz@gatfl.org.


http://www.gatfl.org/

 

Geri-Ed

Mount Sinai Hospital recently opened a "geri-ed", or an emergency department designed specifically for older patients.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 25% of an emergency deparment's patients are elderly, and these patients have special needs.  These geri-eds have thicker mattresses to protect against bedsores, skid-proof floors, or fake skylights that tell patients if it's day or night.

More than 50 hospitals in the United States have plans to open similar departments.

Read the MSNBC.com article:  http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/22/11313904-emergency-rooms-designed-for-the-older-set?lite 

Flagpole Magazine articles

This weeks' Flagpole magazine, a local and independent publication in Athens, has two interesting articles.   The first is about the accessibility of the University of Georgia Campus to both students and faculty:  http://flagpole.com/news/2012/may/09/no-wheelchairs-arch-please/.    The second article is an interview with the director of Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living:  http://flagpole.com/news/2012/may/09/everyday-people/.

Book Flash Mobs

A creative way to bring books to the community is a book flash mob. A local Friends of the Library group in Oregon recently held one. Participants each brought books they found meaningful or inspiring, with a flier asking the reader to pass it on tucked inside. All the participants wore yellow hats and sat together on a public street, reading. Anytime a passer-by asked what was going on, they were given a book.

Read the article in the Gazette Times: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/book-flash-mob/article_6f68f090-7936-11e1-8470-0019bb2963f4.html.

Georgia Council of the Blind State Convention

Here is some information about the Georgia Council of the Blind state convention, from an email:

2012 GCB State Convention



We are hoping you can join us as we celebrate our 56th anniversary.

The dates of the convention are August 3, 2012 through August 5, 2012. The location for this year’s conference is the Inn At Ellis Square, 201 West Bay Street, Savannah, Georgia. You can make hotel reservations by calling 1-(912) 236-4440 and ask for extension 147. Request rates for the Georgia Council of the Blind. Reservations must be made at least one month before the convention. When you call to make hotel reservations, let them know you are with the GCB convention.

If you have any questions or need any additional information contact the GCB office at 1 (706) 208-7132 or 1 (888) 519-3988 . You may send an e-mail to info@georgiacounciloftheblind.org



Early Bird Special REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The early bird registration special fee this year is $25.00 before May 15th, after May 15, 2012 the registration fee will be $30.00 and $35.00 after July 15th.


We look forward to seeing you in Savannah.

GCB 2012 State Convention Committee

Transportation Forum

The following is an annoucement from Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living:

Northeast Georgia Regional Transportation Forum



The Northeast Georgia Self Advocacy Network in cooperation with the MULTIPLE Choices Center for Independent Living, Inc. is hosting a Northeast Georgia Regional Transportation Forum. The intent of the forum is to provide an opportunity for citizens in the communities affected by the proposed transportation service plan to voice their opinion.

This is an open discussion forum which will allow individuals to share information and express themselves. We encourage our state and local Representatives to attend this important event.


Date: May 8, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: MULTIPLE Choices Center for Independent Living, Inc. 
          850 Gaines School Road, Athens Georgia 30605

* If you need further information please contact (706) 549-1020 *




Transportation Facts Sheet


The Georgia Department of Transportation will administer a 1% statewide sales tax to administer expansion of transportation services according to the request of individual regions. In region 5 the county commissioner's submitted a plan to expand services with over 50 to 70 % going to improve highways, roads and bridges. Only 0 to 10% was allocated for transit operations and maintenance.

What this really means for citizens in region 5 including Barrow, Clarke, Elberton, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton county is no significant change in transportation services.


Barrow got no operating funds which means no change in transportation services for civilian population:

Clarke got some capitol funding 0 to 10% with no operating or maintenance funds which means no change in current transportation services.

Elberton received a small amount of operating funds 0 to 10%.

Greene got no operating or maintenance funds.

Jackson got no operating or maintenance funds.

Jasper got no operating or maintenance funds.

Madison got no operating or maintenance funds.

Morgan got no operating or maintenance funds.

Newton got no operating or maintenance funds.

Oconee got no operating or maintenance funds.

Oglethorpe got no operating or maintenance funds.

Walton got no operating or maintenance funds.



This means no transportation services in or between these counties and we will pay a 1% sales tax for no transportation services. We want and need transportation services to get to doctors appointments, food shopping, church, recreation, schools, hospitals, etc.



Transportation Investment Act of 2010(TIA 2010) Highlights

(AKA T-SPLOST, HB277)

Allows 1% sales tax for 10 years to fund transportation projects in each of 12 special tax districts

Boundaries of special tax districts are same as those of the Regional Commissions

Statewide vote: August 21, 2012 by citizens

If passed, funds will begin to flow during the first quarter of 2013


Estimates from GDOT for NE Georgia Region:

76.5 million annually

The latest information posted on:  http://www.it3.ga.gov/

WebOPAC Upgrade

KLAS, the company that provides our WebOPAC, will be doing some upgrades tomorrow.  Therefore, WebOPAC (located at webopac.klas.com/glass) will be unavailable Thursday, May 3 from 8am - 11am EST.  If you need to look up any books during that time, you may call the Talking Book Center at 1-800-531-2063.