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Image Above: Finger Lakes Independence Center--FLIC--Logo: The letters: F-L-I-C and the letter I looks like an open door. Finger Lakes Independence Center Opening Doors to Independence |
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The World of Skills Job Fair a Success! | |
Heading of Poster Above: Black background. In center is a hand holding the earth surrounded by a white circle with the words "World of Skills Job Fair." Small box next to hand and earth that reads, "27th Annual." Top left corner reads "Job seekers can enter to win a laptop donated and refurbished by Finger Lakes ReUse." Far right it reads "Wednesday, August 30, 2023 9 AM to 12 Noon at Hotel Ithaca. | |
The 27th Annual Tompkins County World of Skills Job Fair was an overall success. Although the number of job seekers could have been better, many employers were pleased with the quality of the job seekers, the space, and how friendly and well organized the staff and volunteers were. We'd like to thank all of the participating employers, the job seekers that attended, the Ithaca Rotary volunteers and the job fair steering committee members from Unity House, Cornell University, Work Force NY, NYS Dept. of Labor, TST BOCES, and the Finger Lakes Independence Center. We also want to thank Cornell University's office of Community Relations, Cornell University's office of Talent Attraction & Recruitment, Ithaca ReUse, Unity House, Therm Incorporated, & Hotel Ithaca for their financial support & door prize gift certificates. | |
Two Photos Above: Pictures of employer tables at the Job Fair with representatives seated at the various tables and job seekers standing at tables speaking with representatives. All the employer tables have flyers, posters, pens, and other items. Both picture taken inside the Ithaca Hotel. | |
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Photo of Rashke Bradley above: Rashke is a white individual with short, brown curly hair, is wearing a face mask, has on a black shirt and is holding a black cat.
Pronouns They, Them.
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Work Incentives & Benefits Advisor!
FLIC has a new Work Incentives and Benefits Advisor! Certified as a Work Incentives Practitioner this past month, staff member Rashke Bradley is available to help people manage their benefits during the return to work. Rashke will provide a timeline for what can be expected to change with disability benefits and healthcare coverage so that the return to work is low stress and so that you get the most support possible on the road to independence. Rashke is also available to help people apply for disability benefits and benefits through the Department of Social Services as needed. Call FLIC's main office (607-272-2433) to schedule an appointment-there may be a waiting list.
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Image Above: Picture of mobile home with two red doors on the front with a metal ramp installed for access to both doors. | |
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Did you know that, along with loaning out durable medical equipment, FLIC also has ramps to borrow? The Ramp Loan Progam is an income-eligilible, modular ramp service. These modular ramps are temporarily and securely installed by our Ramp Coordinator, and removed when no longer needed. The loan program does require a refundable deposit of $125. Ramps can only be installed on homes with permission from the owner.
To learn more about the Ramp Program, contact our office at 607-272-2433 or visit the webpage at: https://fliconline.org/FLIC/ramp-program/.
Our Ramp Program Coordinator will assess your home and install/remove the ramp. Modular ramps cannot be installed on all homes and is dependent on landscaping and layout, as well as ramp availability.
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Steps to Preparedness
Stay informed Learn about the disasters that can occur in your area.
Make a plan Make a family communication plan.
Build a kit Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the right items.
Get involved Learn how you can help your community before, during and after a disaster or emergency.
For more information visit www.ready.gov
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Photo Above: Photo of sign from 1st Emergency Preparedness & Safety Fair taken inside the Shops at Ithaca Mall. At top of sign it reads-white lettering over red background-"Prepare to keep your family safe." | |
2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness & Safety Fair!
Saturday, September 16th from
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
In honor of National Preparedness Month, Tompkins County Emergency Response and Whole Health are partnering with the Shops at Ithaca Mall to host this event. Highights include:
- CRP & first aid demonstrations
- Medivac helicopter
- Dave Ashton from Lite Rock 97.3
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Citizen Preparedness Corps training
Free to All. Set up inside and outside the Shops at Ithaca mall.
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Sign Up for Emergency Notifications through Tompkins County SIREN | |
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Tompkins County SIREN is the official mass notification system used by Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and local towns and villages to communicate with community residents during emergencies. SIREN also notifies of road closures, police action, and changes in hours for county and city offices. SIREN is a free service that can send notifications through voice messages, emails and text messages.
To learn more or to sign up, visit https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/siren.
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The Core Advisory Group (CAG) of
Tompkins County
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Image above: Four arrows forming a circle in rainbow colors. In the center of the circle it reads, "Emergency Management." Outside the circle, clockwise, it reads, "Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Mitigation." | |
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The Core Advisory Group (CAG) of Tompkins County formed in 2018 promotes inclusive emergency management by encouraging collaboration and partnership among members of the whole community including people with access and functional needs is looking to expand its membership.
The Core Advisory Group (CAG) welcomes residents of Tompkins County with and without disabilities with an interest in emergency planning issues. Currently, we are encouraging people with disabilities to join our group and make their voices heard.
The Core Advisory Group (CAG) of Tompkins County was formed with support from FEMA’S (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Disability Integration Unit. Our mission is to advocate and facilitate the inclusion of persons with access and functional needs in local emergencies planning activities.
To join the Core Advisory Group (CAG) of Tompkins County or for more information, call Jan Lynch (FLIC) at 607-272-2433 or e-mail her at jan@fliconline.org
CAG also believes that emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility and provides emergency preparedness education in our community.
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Photo Above: Picture of a hand holding a smart phone. On the phone is a radar picture from a weather app. Picture is taken outside. | |
Weather Apps to Stay Informed
Accuweather – This app uses crowdsourcing to keep you in the know by allowing users to share weather conditions nearby. It also provides minute-to-minute rain forecasts for the next two hours based on your current location.
The Weather Channel – Helpful during severe weather situations and for daily forecasts. There’s also a social sharing that allows users to share photos of weather near them.
RainAware – This is a free weather app that helps keep you up to date with the rain chance for the day. It also offers minute-to-minute updates in forecast and times up potential precipitation up to three hours
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Photo Above: Picture of Wonderful Wheelchairs' space in the basement of Cayuga Ridge Nursing Facility; rows of refurbished and repaired electric wheelchairs and scooters. | |
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Do you need your wheelchair, scooter or walker repaired? Do you need to purchase a less-expensive mobility device? Check out Wonderful Wheelchairs! Wonderful Wheelchairs is a volunteer-based organization in Ithaca that seeks to help members of the community gain access to mobility equipment. They are located in the basement of Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center near Cayuga Medical Center and are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:30 am.
Contact them at wwcith2@gmail.com or 607-444-2817, or stop by during open hours. And check out their website for more information on inventory, costs, and services: https://www.wonderfulwheelchairs.info/home
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Photo Above: Picture of a wooden-slats wall in a walkway with raised, light lettering that reads, "Tompkins Cortland Community College." | |
Tompkins Cortland Community College Offering Microcredentials-Including Special Education Advocacy
A microcredential is a defined set of college courses that take less time to complete than a degree or even a certificate--and is typically designed to teach specific, in-demand skills in collaboration with local employers or job needs. Microcredentials offer a valuable career credential upon completion and courses can also be applied to an existing degree or certificate program.
https://www.tompkinscortland.edu/academics/microcredentials
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Image Above: White background with globe surrounded by hands of different colors reaching toward it. Next to globe and hands are the words, "National Hispanic Heritage Month." | |
Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month for All Latinos
from the National Disability Institute
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National Hispanic Heritage month runs from September 15 through October 15. On the website of the National Disability Institute, Sindy Benavides, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens and National Disability Institute Board Member, speaks to honoring the heritage of all Latinos.
This month we celebrate our heritage, one that is not monolithic, often hard to define, but rich in its diversity and recognizable as a community. Within that shared experience is that of facing challenges and overcoming them with dignity, strength, resilience and our perpetual “si se puede” (Yes, you can!) disposition that many people with disabilities know far too well.
Nonetheless, our community’s ability to tell itself “échale ganas” (Go for it!) does not diminish the challenges Latinos with disabilities must overcome. I could offer insight on the stigma our family members with disabilities face within our own community. I could discuss underreporting and underrepresentation of Latinos with disabilities in research, media and healthcare that ultimately contribute to scarcity in resources and barriers to access. I could shed light on the discrimination and violence that is only compounded with a disability that force so many to flee their homeland. But instead, let us focus on the same factor across all these challenges: the need to empower Latinos with disabilities and their families to build a better financial future.
Continue reading the article by clicking this link: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/blog/recognizing-national-hispanic-heritage-awareness-month-for-all-latinos/
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Image Above: White background with a purple ribbon on the left. On the right, in black letters at the top, it reads, "September is." Below in purple letters, it reads, "World Alzheimer's Month." | |
Learn More About Alzheimer's and Dementia | |
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Each September, people unite from all corners of the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia. During World Alzheimer’s Month, all are called on, from individuals to large organisations, including every Alzheimer and dementia association globally, to support World Alzheimer’s Month by getting involved in some way.
Here are some links to get you started:
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Image Above: Picture of a golden retriever dog wearing a service harness and leading an individual. In black letters, National Service Dog Month. | |
September is National Service Dog Month | |
September is National Service Dog Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and showing appreciation for the work of service dogs. Service dogs are more than guides for those with visual disabilities. Follow the link for the ADA's (Americans with Disabilities Act's) Frequently Asked Questions page regarding service dogs: https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/. | |
Expanding Accessibility!
Shine Music Festival in Denver, CO demonstrates state-of-the-art adaptive techology
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Photo Above: A hand holds a pair of Xrai glasses for those with hearing impairments. In the background is a blurred white man smiling, facing toward the camera. The photo is taken outside. | |
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Shine Music Festival is the world’s largest universally-designed music festival, held at the end of August, with state-of-the-art adaptive technology designed to make the event comprehensively accessible and truly inclusive for people of all abilities. Some of the impressive features to increase accessibility at the fest included Full Body Sound, which translates the music from the soundboard into tactile audio stimulation; Feel the Beat’s bone conduction, vibrotactile dance floor, which allowed users to feel sound through vibrational energy; Xrai Glass, the festival’s newest partner, which provided closed caption glasses and an app that allowed deaf and hard of hearing guests to see captions regardless of where they were in the venue; and sensory zones by Autism Community and The Sensory Club for neurodivergent guests who could become over-stimulated. Shine Music Fest is also the only festival to offer braille event t-shirts, and the event is free to ensure nobody is left out due to financial barriers.
To read the full article about the event, click this link: https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/shine-music-festival-2023/.
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The Registry Referral Program | |
The Finger Lakes Independence Center administers the Registry Referral Program. This is a free referral service linking individuals seeking independent employment to people who need care in their home. Opportunities include: elder companion, housekeeper, run errands, cook, personal care aide, home care aide, LPN, RN. People looking for help can call and receive names of people willing to provide those services. If you either need assistance or if you would be interested in listing your name as a caregiver, pease call FLIC at 272-2433 or email: info@fliconline.org. If you have experience caring for a friend or loved one, please consider sharing your compassion with others. This program is made possible through funding from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. | |
Need a Public Notary?
Contact Cheryl Baker at FLIC at
607-272-2433 to make an appointment.
Services are free!
Image left: gold star with the words "Notary Public" in black, bold letters in teh center. Double circle surrounds these words. In the circle at the top it reads "Official" and, at the bottom, "Duly Commissioned."
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