Nice to talk to you again!

I want to welcome you to the first issue of Connections, our new newsletter of the Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County (DRCFC). Connections is the successor to our first newsletter, Forum. The Forum existed in print for many years, with a mailing list that expanded to over 2300. Several years ago, finances dictated going to an online format so that we could accommodate the increasing mailing list.

The move was positive for some readers and not for others, especially those who lacked computer access or lack of familiarity with the new format. This disconnect left a number of people with or without disabilities without timely information.

A while ago, therefore, we decided to remedy this situation by offering two media for our Newsletter:

1. The updated Newsletter on our website, www.drcfc.org; and

2. A hard-copy, mailed version with new name and logo. We are dealing with finances by severely cutting our mailing list. Of course all DRCFC Members will receive a printed copy.

The new name indicates the purpose of the Newsletter—to make connections between the reader and many current disability-related news. We have added a new feature, Making Waves, which will address special advocacy
issues.

We hope that you will find this format interesting and more accessible.
If you have any suggestions, call Matt or Susan at 203-378-6977.

                                                                        Anthony LaCava
                                                                        Executive Director

Jennifer Simon is now Jennifer DeCaprio….the longtime worker and volunteer married Paul DeCaprio on April 24, 2004….The Center has produced a quality video, All Things Are Possible, a video funded by the Workplace, Inc., encouraging competitive employment for people with disabilities. We regret that Carl E. Opdyke, one of the presenters, died October 6, 2004, at the age of 39. He made an invaluable contribution to the video….Laura Micklus facilitates a Transition Support group at Bridgeport Healthcare Center….Walt Valites facilitates a Brain Injury Support Group....The Center has renewed its Peer Mentoring contract with the Bridgeport and Stratford schools….The Young Adult Pilot program will continue the employment-related work of the Peer Mentoring program to age 25….Fred Frank was elected Lieutenant Governor of the New England Kiwanis….VISTA has approved Matthew Cohen for a second year of service….Two residents of the Transition House in Stratford have relocated to their own apartments. Two more persons are moving from institutions to the Transition House in November.

During the summer, two high-school students received instruction at the Disability Resource Center, as part of their extended school-year program.

D.P. received instruction in reading, math, and an assistive software called "Dragon Naturally Speaking.” This program allows him to translate words into type in a computer by talking into a microphone. D.P. participated in this training from July 5 to August 4, 2004.

Meanwhile, R.J. re-started his training in the use of adaptive equipment called “Closed Circuit Television” (CCTV). This allows him to see printed material magnified 60 times, so he could read and write using this device. R.J. will continue training at the Center until November.

K.T. has been participating in the Disability Resource Center’s Pre-Vocational Training Program for the past three years. She currently attends two classes at Housatonic Community College and participates at the Center one day per week. Her training largely involves the following:

With her training and education, K.T. is achieving skills for future employment.

The Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County (DRCFC) is always grateful and appreciative for its benefactors.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. David DeCaprio. Sheryl and David, who were married on July 31.2004, requested that their guests make a donation to DRCFC in lieu of a wedding gift to themselves. This action was a wonderful gesture and a great way to start a life together. We wish them both the best of everything.
Making donations to our Center can be done in many different ways. They can be made outright or as anonymous gifts; donation requests for events such as weddings, other types of parties, or as an expression of condolence. Many people are also bequeathing funds to causes they believe to be worthy and in need.

Whichever form of donation you would like to make, the Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County applauds your generosity and assures you that we will continue with our work of advocating for people with disabilities.

The purpose of the grant was twofold. It was to deinstitutionalize 150 people (statewide) within three years. Five transition coordinators were hired to work with nursing homes within the Center’s fourteen-town service area to assist individuals who wish to re-enter the community. The second purpose of the grant was to examine policies and procedures surrounding transition, and consequently remove the barriers to make it easier for transition with proper supports.

According to figures presented by the Department of Social Services at the time of this article: Over the past three years the nursing facilities transition grant has saved the state of Connecticut over $two million!! The five Centers in the state were recently notified that the nursing home facilities transition grant was put into the budget to be extended for another three years because of its overwhelming success.

In the fourteen cities and towns served by the Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County—from Fairfield to Greenwich—there are 104,831 individuals with disabilities, of whom 54,866 are females and 49,965 are males.
People with mental disabilities number 19,363. There are 16,354 people with sensory disabilities. A total of 39,284 people have physical disabilities and 29,830 have other types of disabilities.

Source: Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center Demographic Analysis of individuals with Disabilities (2000 US Census Long Form)

Why this title for this article? I could have written in calisthenics, amusement, diversion, exercise, or a litany of adjectives instead of “Pain-in-the-Neck,” and the results would be the same. But, whom am I speaking about? A very close neighbor and “melting pot” of the Stratford community, Regal Stratford Movie Theatre. This movie house is beautiful and clean and holds the distinction of being a “stadium seating only,” movie theatre.

But what the community that spends their money at this “stadium seating only” movie theatre? Of course, we are talking out our “Disability Community.”

A while ago Andy Sinish, DRCFC Board member, teamed up with Michael Boyce, home on break from Georgia Tech. They performed an assessment of this entertainment center. These two young adults with disabilities maneuvered their wheelchairs into this theater. A paraphrase of their recorded results follows.

When Mike and Andy entered the theatre they found that the ATM was perfect. Mike commented that t this the only one he had ever been able to use. There where he inserted the card was low enough, also the slit the money came out.

When we went to get some junk food, there were two lines open. E stayed in line but had some trouble reaching the counter. There was a lower counter on the far right, but I’m sure it would have taken way too long to shut down one cash register and open up another for just two “kids” in wheelchairs. Andy and Mike commented that it wasn't worth it.

Next we went into the bathrooms to see if they were accessible. The movie house had one big stall in each of the bathrooms we inspected. WE WERE PLEASED. We then proceeded to our theatre to watch the movie. Andy assumed the door would be heavy. Andy commented, "I was so wrong!” I went to grab the handle and pulled. It was very easy for me to open the door. I was so surprised. You see, I cannot lift more than a pound.

When we got into our theater, we were shocked at the designers, who in 2004 still don’t realize tat people use wheelchairs. CARE ABOUT OUR NECKS? We had to sit 6 rows back from the screen. IT WAS HORRIBLE! So we decided to see if the other theatres were also designed with “so little” care for the people with disabilities who use wheelchairs. Of the 12 theatres in the complex, we found three different set-ups for the customers with wheelchairs. One situation was what we just mentioned. Another set-up had an area 12 rows from the screen. The best scenario was where the wheelchair seat spaces were about 20 rows back from the screen..

Most people have trouble deciding what movie they want to go to. I guess the only decision people in wheelchairs have to think about when they go to the Regal Stratford Stadium Sating, Is the move you want to see worth the aches and pains during the movie!

We can speak only for ourselves. But we don’t think we will be going to the movie theatre again. It’s too much of a “pain in the neck!”

Andy Sinish and Michael Boyce, Consumer Reporters