July 2017 Newsletter

Sonoma County SCI in Action!            July 2017 Newsletter                    

Happy 4th of July!

The signing of our Declaration of Independence is celebrated on the 4th of July, and its meaning has direct relevance for people with disabilities. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. That includes us! But when these words were written, it was taken by the men of that time that the term “all men” did not include slaves and Native Americans, nor did it include women. I don’t think they gave much thought to disability either. But as the years went by more and more of us were brought under the American tent, so that now our nation’s rights protections are all-inclusive. Unfortunately for some of us full rights exist only on paper and not in fact – but we will get there someday. As Americans with disabilities, we are one of those classes of people who have our rights protected on paper (see the Americans with Disabilities Act) but still have far to go to make those protections happen in real life. But we must carry on - we will get there!

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Local Resource

There are a number of organizations and resources that offer events and activities in the Bay Area.  Here are some of them that you might want to check out.

Santa Rosa Blazers (wheelchair basketball)                    contact Brent at(707) 495-1836
Access Leisure: City of Sacramento                                           accessleisure@cityofsacramento.org 
AXIS Dance Company  (Oakland)                                               www.axisdance.org 
Bay Area Outreach Recreational Program (Berkeley)            www.borp.org 
Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (San Francisco)      www.baads.org 
Environmental Traveling Companions  (San Francisco)          www.etctrips.org 
No Limits Tahoe (Truckee)                                                           www.nolimitstahoe.com 
Shared Adventures Santa Cruz                                                    www.sharedadventures.org 

Santa Rosa Junior College Disability Resource Department and the Adapted Physical Education Program - offers accommodations that enable students with disabilities to participate in Junior College courses, and also administers courses designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities – programs that enhance strength and flexibility for students with a ride range of disabilities are also available - http://drd.santarosa.edu/disability-resources-home .

Canine Companions – a private, non-profit agency that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and on-going support to ensure quality partnerships between the human and the dog – the organization does not charge for the dog, nor does it charge for any of the costs associated with breeding, raising, and training each assistance dog – located at 2965 Dutton Avenue in Santa Rosa – phone: 707-577-1700 - http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4011067/k.A771/Northwest_Region.htm 

The Bergin University of Canine Studies – provides service dogs to assist individuals with tasks that make daily living activities possible – individuals eligible to receive service dogs include those with mobility limitations, cognitive challenges, and veterans with PTSD -  located at 5860 Labath Avenue – Rohnert Park – phone: 707-545-3647 – www.berginu.edu 

Other News

Medicaid is the key to an independent life for many people with disabilities, including people with spinal cord injuries. It means being able to live in the community, go to school, have a job, and much more. The health care legislation proposed in the U.S. Senate, and passed last month in the House of Representatives, threatens it all. It includes MASSIVE cuts to Medicaid that will be devastating to people with disabilities and their families. The Congressional Budget Office determined that if enacted, the Senate bill will mean that Medicaid spending will be 35% less in 2036 than under current law. We can’t let that happen.

 If you are a disability activist, or want to get involved, call your Senators and tell them Hands Off Medicaid! Tell them to keep working hard to protect our future independence.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein - Phone: 202-224-3841 (DC office)/415-393-0707 (SF Office)

Sen. Kamala Harris - Phone: 202-224-3553 (DC office)/415-355-9041 (SF Office)