The ADA Generation
There live a people who will never feel the sacrifices their forefathers made to fight for their freedom. They will never truly understand that only a short time ago their people were not citizens in the land of the free—they could be shipped off to an institution against their will, be arrested for going out in public or be →
Online Exclusive — Roundabouts and Guide Dogs
The $600,000 roundabout at the intersection of Higgins, Hill and Beckwith was built with safety in mind. Cars could no longer be struck broadside in an accident. Vehicles would be moving more slowly. And drivers would be given the ability to look out for pedestrians and bicyclists. A 2005 Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness article called, “Modern Roundabouts: Access →
Montana Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities In Effect July 1st
The Montana Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (MMWD) program, one of the key achievements of the 2009 Legislature for individuals with disabilities, goes into effect July 1, 2010. The MMWD program is a new Medicaid eligibility category specifically designed for individuals with disabilities to go to or return to work or for those who are already working and may become →
Missoula County Update
Right now Summit is under a lucky star! Spring and Summer is so busy we can hardly tell when we are coming or going, but it’s been a blast! We hosted an ADAPT board member picnic on June 26th. What is ADAPT you ask? ADAPT is a national group of disability rights activists who have championed such changes as accessible public →
Mary Dalton – SDPAS Assistant
Mary Dalton from Missoula, MT has been hired as Summit's new clerical assistant to help with various duties in the Self Directed Personal Assistant Services Program. Mary will be working in a part-time position with Lorna Palin and Mike Giddings. Mary began her career as a Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) at Riverside Health Care. During the past 10 years she →
Susan Morris – Outreach Specialist
Susan Morris from Clinton, MT has been hired as Summit’s new Outreach Specialist. Susan recently graduated from the University of Montana with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Prior to graduating from the University of Montana Social Work program in May, Susan worked at Summit as a student intern completing her Social Work practicum here. Susan’s new position at Summit will →
Summit’s PR Intern
Justyn Field, a Journalism student at the University of Montana, has been working at Summit this summer as the Public Relations Intern to help prepare for our Symposiums and ADA Celebration. Justyn’s main job is to interview Montanans and find out how their lives have been impacted by the ADA. At Summit we believe everyone has an important →
Missoula Spring Elections — AutoMark Availability
The School Election will be conducted by mail. Ballots will be mailed to electors on April 19, 2010. If you would like to use the AutoMark to assist you in marking your ballot, an AutoMark will be available at the Fairgrounds, Building 15 - Fine Arts Building, 1101 South Avenue West or at the Courthouse, Elections Office, 200 →
Missoula County Update
The last quarter at Summit’s Missoula office has been action packed to say the least. Summit staff has been hard at work with administrative duties, planning for this summer’s symposium, following the state budget cuts, health care reform, planning for the 2011 Legislative session, starting another round of BALLS classes, hosting social events like Mardi Gras Monday, and much →
03.03.10 Spread the Word to End the Word
Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and our supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally →
Thinking Back…Looking Forward!
By Bob Liston -- President, Summit ILC Board of Directors As I sit here thinking back to 2009, I can’t help but think about the good things that have been accomplished by Summit Independent Living Center and the disability community across the state and country. It seemed to all start prior to the beginning of the year, trying to find someone →
2010 Social Security Changes
There will be no cost of living increases for SSI and SSDI recipients for 2010. The 2010 amounts for Social Security are: SSI Individual - $674/month Couple - $1,011/month Substantial Gainful Activity Non-Blind - $1,000/month Blind - $1,640/month Trial Work Period Month $720/month The Montana Medicaid Medically Needy spend-down threshold will remain at $645 after income exclusions. The Montana Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program is slated to begin →
Missoula Valley People First/Aktion Club
The Missoula chapter had a busy fall. Connie Lewis, the chapter president, was able to represent People First at the Independent Living Symposium in Billings. Several of the chapter members also attended the Halloween Party at Hellgate High School in October. Earlier in 2009, Montana People First and it’s chapters across the state became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. In November →
Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
Missoula Spring Social Celebrate the End of the Missoula long and glooming nights on Second week of March Hosted by Summit, MonTech, HCBS and VSA Arts For a social and fun filled afternoon at our office building at 700 SW Higgins 2010 Montana Youth Leadership Forum – annual event July 13 through the 16, 2010 In Helena at Carroll College Free of charge for newly graduated 8th →
Spring Workshops!
Summit Missoula Staff will facilitate two workshops this spring. Look over the list below and see which ones would interest you. We will schedule the top two workshop requests. LEAD ON Leadership Skills to build on as a person with a disability Living Well with a Disability How to set & maintain goals to improve your life Powerful Tools for Caregivers I am →
Social Activities
On October 26th, we filed around 100 people with disabilities, friends, families, and supporters into the Hellgate High School gymnasium for a Halloween themed funpalooza. Thanks to the support of the Missoula community we were able to offer a carnival style party with face painting, face mask making, pumpkin carving, exploding pumpkins, music, massages, Monte the bear, food and fun! This →
Missoula Youth Corner
BALLS (Building Advocacy and Learning Leadership Skills) wrapped up its 6th round of classes during the fall at Hellgate High School. We have plans to go to Seeley Lake High as well as Frenchtown High in the spring of 2010. Also, as part of the services we provide for schools, we have developed a disability history and culture presentation that we →
YODA Youth Talk About Alleged Teacher Abuse
The Missoula and Flathead County YODA (Youth Opening Doors through Advocacy) groups discuss their thoughts about the alleged abuse towards students with disabilities that occurred at North Middle School in Great Falls, MT. The news story referenced in the video can be found on the KFBB.com News Channel 5 website at http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/65353112.html
Youth Corner
YODA first: As many of you may know, Summit’s Missoula youth advisory group, Youth Opening Doors through Advocacy (YODA), has identified more social activities and access to recreation as one of their goals as a group. So, we took their advice and went bowling and fishing this summer!! For the YODA meeting in July, a group of around 15 went bowling →
Missoula Valley People First
The Missoula Valley People First/Aktion Club was busy with recreational activities during August. On August 8th the Missoula chapter met with the Hamilton chapter at the Fort Missoula Historical Museum for a Saturday picnic and a tour of the Museum. Everyone enjoyed the sights and displays! Several of the members attended the Summit BBQ at Bonner Park. When the invitation →
You Asked For More Social Activities…
And Summit listened. This summer, Summit embarked on an outreach initiative as part of our organization's goal to expand peer support opportunities for people with disabilities. For years Summit has provided formal peer counseling services in which a trained peer advocate is matched one-on-one with an individual who needs a positive role model, emotional support, or could benefit from practical information →
Missoula County Update
October 24th – Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease Screening: If you are interested in a free screening and have high blood pressure or family history of diabetes or kidney disease, contact Kathy Boyer for more information. October 26th – Missoula’s Halloween Party: This is an open invitation to people with a disability their family and friends to come to Hellgate High School →
