an event to schedule transportation; and

(2)      If you need a special accommodation (assistant, interpreter, Braille, etc.), please inform us at least two weeks prior to an event.

(3)   Call your county's transportation department two days prior to 

an event to establish your pick-up time. 

(4)   To assist the scheduler and to show consideration for your fellow travelers, if you need to cancel pick-up, call transit at least two (2) days in advance, or as soon as possible.

D.A.W.N.’s Membership Notice

October - November - December 2002

If you would like to receive this notice on tape or via e-mail, please call the office   (973 361-5666 or  TTY 973 361-6032) with your request, or e-mail your request to (info@dawncil.orget).

Wednesday, October 2^nd

Member's Meeting

Consumer's Rights / Product Liability

NJ State Bar Foundation's Speakers Bureau

See last page of newsletter for complete schedule.

Reminder:  In order for us to make the necessary arrangements for special accommodation needs (interpreter, personal assistant, Braille, etc.), it is essential that you notify the office (973  361-5666) of your needs at least two weeks prior to an event

.

DDC Grant Received:   Through a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council, DAWN has been awarded a grant in collaboration with the Monday Morning Groups from Morris and Sussex Counties to provide:

·         Disability etiquette to polling place workers.

·         Technical assistance and resources to local municipals on voter accessibility. 

·         Training for consumers on the election process including how to read a ballot and information on candidates. 

All of these activities will take place prior to Election Day.  Site review at polling places will take place on Election Day.  If anyone is interested in providing assistance with the site reviews please contact us at (973) 361-5666 or 1-888-383-3296 (voice), 973 361-6032 (TTY)

ASL Volunteers Needed:   Avaya Research Labs is conducting research involving American Sign Language.  Volunteers are needed to record basic ASL vocabulary using advanced 3-dimensional mapping technology.  Volunteers will help create a very unique database of ASL in 3D.  This database will aid in the developing of new innovations, such as ASL to text and vice versa.  For more information please e-mail:   Dr. Mourad Bouzit mbouzit@avaya.com or Joey Garth  jgarth@avaya.com

Funding Available:   The Home Modification Program is for individuals with disabilities and frail elderly living in Sussex, Morris, and Warren Counties.  DAWN is pleased to announce that we have received a grant from the County of Sussex and the Henry H. Kessler Foundation.   To qualify for the program you must:

·         Be at risk of institutionalization

·         Show a medical and financial need.

·         Provide three cost estimates.

For more information, please contact Roberta Schwartz at (973) 361-5666 or (973) 361-6032 TTY.

Helpline:   Know your options in community living!  Contact the Developmental Disabilities Family Support and Information Project for answers to questions such as:

·         What are my options in community residential living?

·         How long will this take?

·         What if it doesn’t workout?

·         What financial obligations do I have?

        Helpline:  (732) 235-3277     Toll Free:  (866) 235-4567     Fax:  (732) 235-4569

DDD Eligibility:   You may be eligible for DDD Services if you have onset of Multiple Sclerosis before the end of your 21^st year.  Contact the Division of Developmental Disabilities for further information:  (800) 832-9173 or (609) 292-7260 The number for the Northern Regional Office is (973) 927-2606

NJWINS (New Jersey Work Incentive Network Support) program:  Is fear of losing SSI or SSDI benefits holding you back from working?  Are you afraid to take a job or increase your work hours because you think you might lose your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or medical benefits?  NJWINS can help you with free information and technical assistance to enable you to make these decisions and possibly change the direction of your life.  Get answers to your questions.  Call (877) 659-4672 voice/TTY for Warren and Sussex Counties

(866)946-7465 voice/TTY for Morris County.

Wheelchairs & Invacare Corp:  The world's largest maker of battery-operated wheelchairs, Invacare Corp.  Settled a lawsuit last month after defective wiring on one of its wheelchairs sparked and caught fire.  This was the latest lawsuit the company faced.   The flaw is also the source of an ongoing recall of the wheelchairs that Invacare quietly began in April 2000.  The recall covers all powered wheelchairs Invacare made from 1985 to 2000.  Because someone who needs an electric wheelchair is unable to get up and walk away if that machine ignites, product defects that can spark fires are particularly dangerous for those customers.  The company "initiated a field correction involving certain Invacare power wheelchairs manufactured from 1988 through June 2000."  Consumers who purchased a wheelchair within that 12-yearspan are encouraged to contact their "provider for details on how to have the new components installed."

Skin Cancer:  Regular checkups with a dermatologist can catch cancer, but do you know how to recognize the signs of skin cancer?  With early detection skin cancer can be treated and even cured if caught early enough.  There are three main types of skin cancer.  Following is information on how to recognize them:

MELANOMA Look for:  A mole that changes in appearance.  Typically, it will be larger in diameter than a pencil eraser, irregularly shaped, and a mix of colors such as tan, brown, and black, possible with a hint of red, blue, or white.  Where it appears:  Anywhere.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA Look for:  A sore that bleeds or doesn't heal for three weeks;  a shiny bump or nodule that may be black, white, or any shade in between;  or a pinkish growth with a raised, rolled border or a scar-like white or yellow area.  Where it appears:  Any area that has been exposed to the sun;  may also show up as red patches on the torso.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA Look for:  A wart-like, crusty growth that may bleed;  a non-healing red patch with irregular borders that may bleed;  a bleeding or crusty sore;  or a growth with a sunken center that bleeds intermittently.  May be preceded by rough, scaly growths or patches.  Where it appears:  Primarily the ears, face, lips, or mouth.

Good Housekeeping, August 2002

Your Health, Page 66

Heart Attack:   Many women who are at risk of a heart attack do not know the symptoms.  The commonly known symptoms are the chest pain, shortness of breath, or numbness running down the left arm (could be right – although not as common).  The symptoms for females could be:  nausea, dizziness, indigestion, gas-like pain, fatigue, pain between the shoulder blades and even a sense of impending doom. 

Quality Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (QPS):   QPS has negotiated an arrangement with the National MS Society to enable members to purchase discounted medications.  Chapter members and their families can save 10-30% off the usual retail price of brand name pharmaceuticals.  Greater savings are available on generic medications.  There are no costs, enrollment fees, annual fees, or shipping and handling fees.  For more information, call QPS at (866) 500-3680.

Accessibility Policy for Doctors Offices/Hospitals: US Department of Justice wants to create a new policy to make the inside of hospitals/doctors' offices accessible to people with disabilities / physical limitations especially women who use wheelchairs, who have: 

·         Been unable to enter doctors' offices

·         Unable to have gynecological or other medical examinations

·         Unable to get close to a mammography machine

·         Unable to have x-rays or other imaging procedures (MRI< CT scans)

Send your experiences and your request for a new policy and expeditious enforcement of "internal accessibility" to:  Amanda.Maisels@USDOJ.GOV and aswweinberg@njleg.org 

New Medical and Dental Center:  Matheny School and Hospital began the construction of a new medical and dental center, the Comprehensive Continuum of Care (CCC). This center will serve both in and out patients and will provide state of the art care to individuals with complex medical diagnoses.  The rooms are designed for full accessibility.

www.hearingexchange.com  Debuted online on September 14, 2000.  It delivers timely news, information and articles to people with hearing loss, parents and professionals, as well as to provide a supportive community.

www.njliving.com   Offers help with the fundamentals—finding a book at the county library (Education page), sports activities (Bulletin Boards), post your next meeting, lecture, school events (Community Calendar), and bad weather check out "School Closings" (Kids Corner).

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/chcaflyr.htm  Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act

http ://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahoml.htm   Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA Home Page

http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/.  State of NJ Department of Human Services

Work Incentives A to Z:  For people with disabilities, who are interested in working.  Sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, these forums are designed to provide information on State and Federal Work Incentive Programs for individuals with disabilities who are interested in returning to work or staying employed.  They will provide an overview of available employment-related services and permit ample time for you to discuss specific questions with the panelists, during the breakout sessions.

The forums are being held: 

Northern NJ - Friday, October 4, 2002 - Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel in Newark

Central NJ - Thursday, October 10, 2002 - Rutgers University's Busch Campus

Student Center in New Brunswick

Southern NJ – Friday, October 18, 2002 - Atlantic City Convention Center in

Atlantic City

Morris County Polio Network:  The MC Polio Network meets on the third Saturday of the month at the United Methodist Church, 50 Park Place, Morristown, NJ.  For information call Kathy (973) 334-0624 or e-mail mcppskath2aol.com

Multiple Sclerosis:   Newly Diagnosed Series Seminars. The seminars start at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at the Presbyterian Parish House in Morristown.

Session 1:  October 8, 2002  Medical Overview of MS

Session 2:  October 15, 20002  Exercise and MS

Session 3:  October 22, 2002  Coping with MS

"You're Not Alone" an at-home educational program about many aspects of caregiving for someone with MS.  Once you register for this program, you will receive eight articles that provide information, encouragement, and helpful suggestions, and they will be mailed to you in two convenient sessions.  Article topics include:  Adjusting, Burnout, Frustration, Equipment, Planning, and Home Health Care.

For more information on these and other MS programs and services, call Pat Evertz at (800) 833-0087 or e-mail her at pat@njb.nmss.org

Workshop: "Morris County Services for Adults with Disabilities" is being sponsored by the Community Partnership for Persons with Disabilities of Rockaway Township The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2002 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  (Luncheon will be included.) 

3

This workshop will be held at the Rockaway Township Senior Citizens Center on Mt. Hope Road in Rockaway, NJ. 

Pre-registration is required by October 15.  Please call (973) 983-8922 or www.rtspecialneeds.4t.com  

IDEA 2003 Summit:   Parents, professionals, and other special education stakeholders are reminded to save the date, June 19-21, 2003, for the second National Summit on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) in Washington, DC.  For information about the summit see the IDEA Partnerships website at www.ideainfo.org or link to it through the FAPE website at www.fape.org

The House Education Reform Subcommittee has also begun a new website asking for recommendations from parents, teachers, and others on how to strengthen and improve the IDEA.  A link to the website can be found at http://edworkforce.house.gov/

DAWN's Board Meeting:   This meeting is held monthly and anyone may attend. The meeting is held on the last Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., at the DAWN office.  Please call to confirm the date, time and location of meeting  (973) 361-5666 Voice (973) 361-6032 TTY or (973) 361-7086

Thank you for your continued support!

Picnic / Thank You:
Many requests for contributions are placed upon companies by non-profit organizations. That is why the consideration that was given to DAWN’s requests is so greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your continued support and for helping us make this day a success.  

Costco Warehouse

The Great A & P Tea Company, Inc.

Indian Spring Water and Coffee Company

Master-Foods USA

Pathmark Stores, Inc.

Shop Rite Glass Gardens Inc.

Sussex Meat Packing

Our picnic was once again held at   Heddon Park as it has the pavilion in case of stormy weather and it is accessible.  Although there is plenty of room to move around under the pavilion, we didn’t need to worry because it turned out to be another dry, sunny day.

This year in addition to the standard croquette, bocci, volleyball, and board games (besides good old camaraderie and plenty of food), we also had Karaoke. 

REMINDER(S):   (1)  Call the office (973 361-5666) no later than one week prior to