One of the biggest barriers people with disabilities face is transportation. Whether someone is going to the store or adventuring around the world, traveling is an important part of life. There can be many ways to get to a destination. We’ve compiled information on some travel options that will hopefully make your next excursion a [...]
The 2011 Legislature was a mixed bag for programs and services that many Montanans with disabilities rely on, especially considering the budget reductions many of these programs took before the legislature even started. Before the 2011 Legislature began, human services were looking at substantial budget reductions in key programs that threatened to reduce essential services [...]
Mitch McCabe used to fool around when he drew, never taking it seriously. But a motor vehicle accident in 1998 left McCabe, who was 15 years old, with a spinal cord injury. After the accident, McCabe was inspired by a fellow artist to give art another shot. Today he paints. One can often find him [...]
Hanna Hamaoka is a hard worker. As a daycleaner at the Good Food Store, Hanna busses tables, cleans restrooms, takes out the garbage and does other tasks. She has worked there since 2003, but until recently she was unable to receive the same employee benefits as other Good Food Store employees simply because Hanna needs [...]
You don’t need a lot of money to be entertained in Missoula. As a native Missoulian, I want to point you in the right direction. Although boredom can creep up on everyone, there are things you can do to get out of the house to stay active and entertained. Independent Living is more than living [...]
Summit’s mission is to promote community awareness, equal access, and the independence of people with disabilities through advocacy, education, and the advancement of civil rights. To further this mission, Summit has specialized employees and is involved with task forces that work toward improving communities in Montana. We also sponsor several independent groups who do their [...]
Larry E. Riley is a trial lawyer and a senior partner in the 35 lawyer Missoula law firm of Garlington, Lohn & Robinson. He also serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Montana School of Law. Larry previously served 15 years on the Summit Board of Directors in two different terms. His daughter, [...]
On March 1, 2011 DPHHS sent out a brochure detailing updates to SNAP, a program designed to help people afford healthy food. Here are a few highlights from that brochure. To qualify for SNAP, you need to meet two income guidelines (Effective Sept. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2011): 1. The first step is meeting [...]
January 20th was an exciting day to be at the Capitol! The Statewide Independent Living Council and Montana’s four Centers for Independent Living (Summit, NCILS, MILP, and LIFFT) sponsored this year’s Legislative Day event during the 2011 Legislative Session, which was held in the Capitol Rotunda. Approximately 100 people participated in Legislative Day this year, [...]
Montana’s Independent Living Centers, along with AARP Montana, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Association of Community Disability Services, Mental Health America of Montana, the Area Agencies on Aging, the Community Mental Health Centers, and consumers from all across Montana rallied in the Capitol Rotunda in Helena on Thursday, March 10th to send a message to legislators [...]