Beth Anderson, SDPAS Coordinator, Missoula I have been involved with the Self Direct Personal Care Services program since 1998. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Montana and my professional and personal interests have always revolved around self-determination and individuals’ rights. I love living in Montana and am grateful to [...]
July is a month when we celebrate our freedom as a country and as individuals, and recommit to protecting liberty for ourselves and our loved ones. Not only is it the month in which the Declaration of Independence was signed, but it is also the month in which the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was [...]
Several new laws improve voting access Thanks to the 2015 Legislature, elections are now much more accessible to voters with disabilities. Until now, voters with disabilities had very few options to vote accessibly and privately. At the polls, voters with disabilities could use an AutoMark voting machine. However, individuals who wanted to vote by absentee [...]
From Rin Tin Tin to Benji, Old Yeller to Toto, and Scooby Doo to Odie, dogs have had their place in many parts of American culture. They have entertained us, rescued us, kept us company, warned us of danger, and even transported us over rough terrain. The special place our canine companions hold in our [...]
Renae Stiles BASE Advisor Renae is around to organize our new BASE space, run youth events, assist with teaching youth classes and help as needed. Renae loves outdoor activities, including floating, swimming and hunting. She has a yorkie-terrier named Gizmo, who is working on becoming a companion animal. Wesley Schneider BASE Social Media Advisor Wesley’s [...]
Goal: Creates a new option for some people with disabilities to save money for the future, while protecting eligibility for public benefits. People who acquired their disability age 26 or before and who use needs-based programs, such as SSI and Medicaid, will be able to save money beyond typical limits in Montana starting in November. [...]
The 2015 Montana Legislative Session will be coming to a close later this month. Montana’s Centers for Independent Living entered this session with the budgetary goals of addressing the Medicaid medically needy standout threshold, securing additional funding for Montana’s four Centers For Independent Living, the Montana Youth Leadership Forum, and the Montana Youth Transitions Project, re-establishing [...]
Joe Stone: Joe was injured in a speed flying accident in 2010 and sustained a partial spinal cord injury. As an avid athlete and outdoor lover, he later founded the Joe Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to promote adapted outdoor recreation for all people with disabilities as a way to promote a healthy [...]
The disability community mourns the loss of two great advocates. Gay Moddrell was a former board member for Summit Independent Living Center and Disability Rights Montana. She was also the longtime director of the Special Friends advocacy program in Kalispell, and served with numerous other disability organizations. Her fire and kindness touched the lives of [...]
Several recent laws and programs, most notably the ABLE Act and Medicaid Buy-in, have significantly changed the financial outlook and expectations for people with disabilities across the country. And while these laws are in no way perfect, both provide options for savings and asset holding previously unavailable to many people on needs-based assistance such as [...]