August 2018 Newsletter
Local Activities
This month’s meeting of the Sonoma-Marin SCI Support Group will be held on Monday, August 20th from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Clubhouse at the Azure Apartment complex in Petaluma (5 Indigo Drive). Newcomers are always welcome.
9th Annual Outdoor Disability Film Festival
Consider joining the Disability Services and Legal Center (DSLC) and the Earl Baum Center (EBC) on Saturday, August 25th from 6-10 PM at the 9th Annual Disability Outdoor Film Festival at the Earle Baum Center's campus (4539 Occidental Road - Santa Rosa, CA 95401).
Among short films highlighting various aspects of life with a disability, the festival will feature the documentary “States of Grace,” the winner of multiple Audience Awards, which intimately captures the profound transformation of a revered physician and her family in the wake of a life-changing accident. Special guests will also be present - Dr. Grace Dammann, the main character of "States of Grace" and Mark Lipman, Filmmaker.
Ticket are $10 and you may pay at the door. A concession stand with snacks, wine and refreshments will be available. All proceeds will go to DSLC and EBC to support services they provide to the disability community. http://mydslc.org
Know Your Rights!
People with disabilities are often mistreated and silenced. Often they are not even aware that their rights have been violated because they don’t know what their rights are. On Thursday, September 13th from 6-8 PM persons with disabilities and their families are invited to attend a free workshop “Know Your Disability Rights” which will be held at DSLC office (521 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA). At the workshop, Handy Potter, LLP attorneys will inform you of your rights to an accessible environment, housing, reasonable accommodations on the job, and other rights that have been passed over the last forty-plus years.
Potter Handy LLP makes an enormous impact on disability access law in California. The Center for Disability Access (CDA — a division of Potter Handy, LLP) has represented hundreds of persons with disabilities who have been discriminated against on the basis of their disability.
Please RSVP to reserve a seat and to submit any specific question you may want the speaker to answer. Contact Lake Kowell 707-636-3063 or Lake@myDSLC.org.
Another Film Festival, This One in Berkeley!
Superfest 2018 will be held on Saturday, August 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Claremont branch of the Berkeley Public Library (2940 Benvenue Avenue in Berkeley). There is no charge to attend. Filmfest provides a platform for disabled filmmakers, actors, creators and visionaries to share their stories with the world. http://www.superfestfilm.com/berkeley
Superfest’s jury is made up of a diverse group of filmographers, disability rights advocates, scholars, community organizers and award-winning creatives. The members of the jury watch the submissions and collaborate to choose Superfest’s diverse lineup and awards based on Superfest's standards of artistry, portrayal of disability and ingenuity.
What??? Home Visits to Get Your Van Fixed?
Michael Murphy is now providing home visits to service adapted van problems you may be having – a much needed service in Sonoma-Marin. He has a “first hour” fee and then an hourly fee after that based on how long it takes to fix your vehicle. Mike’s phone # is 707-820-4226 and his email address is mobilemobilitymx@gmail.com .
United Spinal’s Directory of Products and Services
Search the United Spinal Association’s Disability Products & Services Directory to discover providers and organizations that specialize in optimizing the health, independence and quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury or disease. The Directory includes a section highlighting products and services that are available in California. https://unitedspinal.org/category/disability-products-services/california
Mission of the Sonoma-Marin SCI Support Group
To assist those newly injured with spinal cord injury or disease as well as those who continue to be affected by long-standing disabilities. We meet the third Monday of the month at the Azure Apartments Clubhouse, 5 Indigo Drive - Petaluma from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.
We are here to support each other in every way possible by providing useful, up-to-date information about services and products as well as an atmosphere that allows for discussion of personal challenges and solutions to everyday problems.
Contact person: Stan Kosloski – 707-774-6466 or stankosloski@gmail.com