The 2017 Montana Legislative Session is now upon us. This session is shaping up to be a very busy one and not necessarily in a good way. Due to state budget constraints, many of the programs that Montanans with disabilities rely on every day are in jeopardy of having their budgets slashed. These programs [...]
Recent Facebook Post: Sometimes advocating for your health care means staying diligent with meds, tracking symptoms, and recruiting coping skills. Sometimes it means reaching out, activating your support network, and contacting your care team. And sometimes it means showing up to your doctor’s office unannounced, in tears, and staying until someone really listens, making [...]
Social Security (Retirement and Disability): .3% increase Medicare Part B Monthly Premium: $134 (or higher depending on your income) Supplemental Security Income (SSI): .3% increase Individual - $735, Couple - $1103, Essential Person - $368 Substantial Gainful Activity Guidelines: Blind - $1950, Non-blind - $1170 Trial Work Period Threshold: $840 For more information on [...]
The Montana Centers for Independent Living have launched a new action alert system at http://cqrcengage.com/summitilc/ to inform you about current local, state, and national issues and legislation that affect the lives of people with disabilities. On this site you will find many opportunities to get involved, follow advocacy efforts, as well as look up [...]
REGISTER! EDUCATE! VOTE! REV UP! Montana Disability Vote Project There are many ways YOU can vote: 1. At your polling place 2. Absentee Ballot 3. AutoMark 4. Electronic Ballot 5. Designate an Agent Every polling place in Montana has at least one specialized voting machine, called an AutoMARK, that enables people with disabilities to [...]
Flathead County Flathead Office Closed - July 4-5, Sept. 5 Social Security Orientation - Second and fourth Wednesdays monthly. Please call 257-0048 ext. 141, to register and get location. YODA - Youth group meets once a month. Living Well with a Disability - Call Lynae to sign up. Social Activities - We get together four [...]
A project run by the Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity (NAPA) Program with Montana State University’s Office of Rural Health is championing improvements to communities across Montana. The Building Active Communities Initiative, or BACI, encourages towns to build walkable, bikeable communities that allow people to be physically active as they go about their lives. Accessible [...]
Summit Independent Living has recently launched a new way for people with disabilities to connect. The Summit community forums are a place where people can talk about issues, search for roommates and friends, post equipment to trade, and engage in a variety of other topics. Simply go to: www.summitilc.org/forums/, register, and go! Remember to follow [...]
Visitability is a national movement to build homes with three primary accessible design features. They are: 1. One zero step entrance on an accessible path of travel from the street, sidewalk or driveway 2. Doorways that provide 32 inches clear space throughout the home’s main floor and hallways that provide 36 inches of clear width [...]
REV UP! Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power! 2016 is shaping up to be one of the most important election years ever. National, state and local election outcomes will impact our communities, and our lives, for years to come. So, what can you do? You can Rev Up! Register to vote, educate yourself on candidates [...]
