OIL’s Newsletter for November 1999

THIS IS MY STORY

I am Sandy McClintic, a Special Olympics athlete. I use a wheelchair and compete in the 25 meter wheelchair race and the 30 meter wheelchair slalom. I have competed during the last two years with the OIL Free Spirits, an adult Special Olympics team. I have won 3 gold medals, during the past two years at the state meet.

I first became involved with the Special Olympics to help improve my self- confidence. I am 43 years old and began this sport at this age in my life. About 2 ½ years ago I started practicing for the Special Olympics.

I found a good place to practice and be safe. I practice at the McAlester Wal-Mart Store. From January to April, I start getting ready for the April meet. I get the OIL bus to give me a ride to Wal-Mart three times a week.

I practice by wheeling around the inside of the store. I start by the jewelry case and end there. I go around the store 8 times, that equals 2 miles.

Many people stop and talk to me. I tell them about what I do in the Special Olympics. They give me encouragement. I enjoy the people out there.

I will keep practicing out there, if it's OK with Wal-Mart. I have been practicing now for 3 years. Thanks Wal-Mart and OIL. Sandy McClintic.

TAX CREDIT FOR BUSINESS

OWNERS

Four federal programs exist offering financial incentives to businesses that hire low income or welfare recipients. The program, touted as the Welfare to Work Initiative, is designed to help manufacturers gain access to a new pool of workers.

“Manufacturers provide a significant source of jobs for individuals leaving public assistance, said Karla Graham, director of business development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “By hiring former welfare recipients, manufacturers can tap into considerable wage subsidies and tax breaks.”

The Initiative, provided through the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers the following incentives:

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): A federal tax credit designed to offset the cost employers incur in hiring and training certain low income, entry-level workers. The tax credit can reduce employer federal tax liability by as much as $2,400 per eligible worker. The tax credit is based on 25 percent of the employee’s qualified first year wages up to $6,000 provided the employee has worked at least 120 hours. The credit increases to 40 percent after 400 or more hours.

Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit: To be eligible for the WOTC program the employer must hire a long-term family assistance recipient. A long-term family assistance recipient is identified as an individual who has received Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) for at least 18 months. An employer can receive a maximum savings of $8,500 per new hire.

Work Supplementation Program: A subsidized employment opportunity through which a TANF participant is hired as a full-time employee. The Department of Human Services will reimburse the employer for wages paid at a maximum of $250 per month for up to six months.

Work Experience Program: Employers may train and evaluate an employee’s performance for 90 days before hiring. If the employee’s work is deemed unsatisfactory at any time during this 90-day period, the employer can contact DHS, who will assist in resolving the problem or replacing the worker.

For more information on the programs listed, contact U.S. Small Business Administration, 210 Park Avenue, Suite 1300, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 231-5521, ext. 247.

FREE CANINE ASSISTANTS

Applications are being accepted from qualified disabled people to receive a free canine assistant, including full training for both the person and he dog, as well as lifetime veterinary care and feeding. To receive an application all, 770-664-7178.

DRS NEWS

The following information was taken from The Council Connection, a monthly newsletter of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council.

The Department of Rehabilitation Services announced that the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Office has moved to Shepherd Mall, Suite 51, 2401 NW 23rd.

The Interpreter Services Program provides sign language, oral and tactile interpreters to assist deaf or hard-of hearing clients in various critical or emergency situations.

The Okla. Telecommunications Program provides TTY’s, or teletypewriters, and other Tele-communication Devices for the Deaf, or TDD’s to assist consumers with hearing or speech disabilities.

The Department of Rehabilitation may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.onenet.net/

~drspiowm/.

For more information, call Services to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Office at (405)917-7700, for voice callers. For those who use TTY’s or other devices, call (405)917-1869. The statewide toll-free number, (800)833-8973, also is accessible by TTY or other communication aids.

DOT GIVES RULING

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), in a new and final rule, said that airlines couldn’t limit their liability for loss or damage to passengers’ wheelchairs and other assistive devices. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater stated that the new rule ensures that passengers with disabilities can recover burdensome repair or replacement costs if their wheelchairs are lost or damaged in flight. Previously, airlines could limit to $2,500 their liability for wheelchairs and other devices that assist passengers with disabilities. DOT noted that while most loss or damage claims for wheelchairs are less that $2,500, replacement costs for power wheelchairs can cost as much as $13,000 or more.

(Reported from information & Resources Bulletin dated August 24, 1999, President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities).

HIRING & PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

Changes in federal hiring provisions for individuals with psychiatric disabilities - a Presidential Executive Order requiring the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to change its rules regarding the hiring of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Executive Order #13124, signed on June 4, 1999, requires the OPM to apply the same hiring guidelines to individuals with psychiatric disabilities as apply to individuals with mental retardation or severe physical disabilities---(Excerpt reprinted from RSA Information Memorandum (RSA-IM-99-27).

OIL THANKSGIVING DINNER

The Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Monday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. We will meet at the Choctaw Community Center, 1636 S. George Nigh Expressway. Turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings will be provided but you are asked to bring a store bought dessert. Call early to reserve a spot on the lift-equipped bus.

CHRISTMAS HELP

The OIL Social Club presently has two fundraising activities going to raise money for our Annual Children with Disabilities Christmas Party.

For the Men, a “Primitive Rifle & Modern Archery Hunters Christmas Package” has been put together for a drawing to be held at Noon on November 12. A $1.00 donation places your name in this drawing.

For the Women, The Kiamichi Quilter’s Guild donated one of their quilts showing their great talents, to be given away by OIL. A $1.00 donation places your name in a pot to be drawn for the quilt. The drawing will be November 30.

Your help is needed to help make these activities a success. Call OIL if you can help.

CHRISTMAS PARTY REGISTRATION

The Christmas Party for Children with Disabilities will be on Saturday, December 4. It will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the McAlester High School Cafeteria, 1 Buffalo Drive. All children with a disability (and/or an Individualized Education Plan, IEP) and their siblings, 15 and under who registered, will receive a gift from Santa. Registration must be made no later than, November 29. If you need a sign language interpreter, please let us know, so arrangements can be made. Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings will be served, but you are asked to bring a store bought packaged dessert. For transportation on our lift-equipped bus, please call, no later than, Wednesday, December 1. If you and/or your children are interested in attending, call right now. REMEMBER, AN RSVP IS REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE A GIFT.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The OIL Special Olympics Team competed Oct. 1st in Bowling competition. The team did great. Everyone won a trophy and had a great time. The team would like to express a special “Thank You” to Mr. Jim Langley who gave his time and talents to all the teams with his clown performance.

TRANSPORTATION PASS

The Pass cost $10 and covers 5 round trips or 10 one-way rides. Kenetha will mark off the cost of your trip until you have used your $10. The cards are available at the office or, from Kenetha on the bus.

OIL’s demand response, first come first served transportation program is open to the public. Prior day notification is required and the bus is lift equipped to help meet your needs. The hours of operation are from 8:45 am to 4:45 pm, Monday thru Friday. For more information, call Kenetha.

OIL would like to thank Pat Leeper for her generous donation to our transportation program.

OIL OFFERS TRAINING

As a person with disability, do you know of any type of training that you would like to see OIL offer that would help you in your everyday life to be more independent? This could be any one of many skills such as budgeting/check writing, reading, improve math skills, tips on cooking or house cleaning, either standing, or from a wheelchair, or maybe some basic word processing on a computer.

If you know of anything that might be of benefit, call Terry.

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP

The Diabetes Support Group will meet Thursday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m. The group will meet at the McAlester Regional Health Center in the conference room behind the cafeteria. Nancy Jefferson, a diabetes educator will facilitate the meeting. Dr. Stacie Hardy will be the guest speaker. A nutritionalist and a podiatrist will also speak. Ms. Jefferson has agreed to take over the group and try to fill Harvey’s shoes. The hospital is the meeting place for Diabetes Support. If you have any questions or problems, call Terry at OIL.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM

THE OIL STAFF