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S E T T I N G S A I L SA quarterly publication for friends and consumers

SAILS

1028 S. AlamoSan Antonio ,TX

78210 Single edition

October, November, December

2007

Message from SAILS’ Executive Director: Kitty L. Brietzke, J.D.“Together Let’s Strive for Full Inclusion: ADA & Disability Awareness Mont

-Page 2

SAILS Consumer Success StoriesMark Sanchez

Ramona Ortiz

SAILS “GAP” ProgramSAILS Committee Meeting-Page 3

SAILS American with disABILITIES Event

-Page 4Calendar of Events

-Page 5-Calendars

-Page 6SAILS Special Thanks to Sponsors

Third Annual Open House-Page 7

SAILS NewsSandie Flanagan

VitaVolunteer Luncheon

Index

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is by far the mostcomprehensive piece of civil rights legislation ever written for persons withdisabilities. San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS) strives everyday, every week, and every month of the year to “keep the ADA alive.”This past July SAILS hosted the 17th Annual Americans with Disabilities

Act celebration to do just that! SAILS partnered with Goodwill Industries,Inc. and nearly 60 additional community organizations to make this annualevent a tremendous success.

Ms. Regina Blye, Executive Director of the State Independent LivingCouncil (SILC) from Austin, Texas led approximately 300 “strollers andmarchers”, many with banners, from San Antonio’s Mercado to LaVillitaAssembly Hall for the ceremonies of the day. We were very fortunate tohave Mr. Gordon Hartman from the Gordon Hartman Family

Foundation as our keynote speaker. In his speech, Gordon recognized howimportant it is for the community to form a partnership at functions such asour ADA celebration. He noted that we all need to “get the word out” aboutthe helpful services and resources we provide to families who havedisabilities. (See Photos page 3). Mr. David Yanez accepted Senator Leticia

Van de Putte’s award for Public Servant of the year during the ADA awardsceremony. SAILS extends a warm appreciation to Gordon, Regina and allour vendors and volunteers who helped us create a day of ADA celebrationand awareness.

The SAILS team would also like everyone to know that October is knownnationally as Disability Awareness month. We encourage everyone to learnmore about disability issues and promote full inclusion of persons with

disabilities in our community and communities everywhere. SAILS isinviting everyone to come join Texas Public Radio and all their partners at

AccessAbilityfest on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 12noon to 5pm at theInstitute of Texan Cultures for family fun and sharing of community

resources for families with disabilities and their friends. What a wonderfulway to promote inclusiveness and celebrate Disability Awareness month!Please call SAILS 210-281-1878 for more details or view the Texas Public

Radio website at www.tpr.org.

• Disability Rates Differ by Age and Sex

• Disability Rates Vary among Major Racial and Ethnic Groups

• Disability Linked to Poverty

• Disabilities Affect 1 in 5

Dr. Kitty L. Brietzke, Executive Director of

San Antonio Independent Living Services



SAILS Consumer Success Stories

We are happy to report that SAILS has been

awarded a grant to continue services through the Gatew

to Abilities Program (GAP) for another year. Limitedfunding will be available to persons who are at risk of b

ing homeless, have permanent disabilities, no income anwho are awaiting SSI or other benefits. To maintain the

eligibility status, the participants must attend and partpate in classes twice monthly and contact their case maager during the same period.

The goals of GAP are: (1) to provide a safety net services to meet temporary emergency needs for all mem

bers of the San Antonio Community; (2) to help the consumer write and implement objectives designed to incre

knowledge leading to self sufficiency and independent li

ing

By Mary E. Blake

Judy Babbitt presents a supportgroup meeting at San Antonio Inde-pendent Living Services to discuss herrole in the city.

She informs citizens how to get involved in their own

community and who to contact for help through calling311. Mrs. Babbitt discussed the City’s Universal Hous-ing Design and its benefits to all citizens.

The process of the sidewalk bond and how individualsidewalk repairs/replacements are determined were alsotalked about at the meeting.

Sails Committee Meeting The Gateway to Abilities Program (GAP)

In 2003, I, Ramona Ortiz came intothe San Antonio Independent LivinServices office and inquired about tnew (2001) SSA law changes and aba program called Ticket to Work. I

wanted to work, but was afraid to lomy Social Security benefits, especiamy Medicare and Medicaid. Mr.Albert Pulido, a Community Work

Incentive Coordinator explained thprogram and how I could work and still keep my SSDI anSSI checks and both Medicare and Medicaid while workin

On August 21, I returned to the SAILS office to report th

started working in July for the Guenther Hotel as ahousekeeper. I earned $500.00 a month and then I stoppeworking. On July 19th, I started working for Relief Enterprises and worked 20 hrs per week at $9.43 an hour,and averaged about $816.00 per month.

On August 28th, 2007 I called to report an increase in hourto full time effective September, I should average $1600.0per month. I was very excited that I could get back into t

work field and feel productive again. With the help of S.A.I.L.S. and Mr. Pulido, I had the confidence to return work, knowing that if I had troubles, I could rely on some

to help me if I needed help.

Thank you Mr. Pulido and S.A.I.L.S.

I&R /Volunteer Coordinator CWIC SUCCESS STORY

Michael Sanchez became a SAILS

consumer in January 2007. He

has a disability that is affecting

his eye sight due to a brain tumor.

When Michael came to SAILS hehad questions he needed answers to.

He didn’t know which steps to take first.

He wanted to know whether he should have surgery, go to

school or continue employment. Michael was unaware of the type of questions to ask his doctors. By chance, when

Michael first became a consumer, SAILS was fortunate to

have a Master’s Level Intern from U.T.S.A. as part of itsteam.

Michael’s goal was to sign up for counseling so he couldbecome more focused on his issues and concerns. Over the

past months, he has been an active member of the support

groups at SAILS where he has met many other memberswith disabilities who live independent lives in the

community.

Michael applied for and received a Section 8 voucher and

is currently researching apartments. He is learning skills

to live more independently.By Sandie Flanagan



SAILS American with disABILITIES Act 2007

g{tÇ~ çÉâ xäxÜçÉÇx4

17 Years Celebrated With Pride!

Crowd gathers at La Villita Refreshments are provided Jazz Band gets crowd started Stroll begins on W. Commer

Regina Blye leads stroll SAILS Banner ADA Unity Stroll ADA Unity Stroll

ADA Walk reaches La Villita Goodwill-Employer Award Gordon Hartman-keynote Dr. Kitty Brietzke & David Yan

Alamo Angels Crowd enjoys music VIA Booth AmeriGroup Booth

Community Option, IncDreams Fulfilled through Music Superior Health Plan Kitchen Volunteers



October 2007

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

November 20 07

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

Open House

Board RetreaAccessibility Fest.

Thanksgiving Office Closed

Office Closed

Support Group

Support Group

Support Group

Support Group

Support Group

Volunteer Luncheon Board Meeting

Note: SAILS will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday 22, and Friday 23

of November

Circle of Giving

December 2007Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

Note: SAILS will be closed from December 17, 2007 till January 1, 2008

Office Closed

Door in the

PartyStaff Appreciation Lucheon



Special Thanks!

AmeriGroupAngie HinojosaAnita Vela-Johnson

ARCIL-Ron RochaAT & T PioneersBlanca L. Leos

Charlotte SpearsCTDDeaf InterpretersDr. Charlene Haynes

Eichlitz, Dennis, Wray & WestheimerEmbrey Partners Ltd.EvercareFirefighters of San Antonio Station#23

Frank G. SorianoGoodwill IndustriesHEBJanie CantuEddie MendiveSteve Rohrbaugh

Jesse E. Vasquez

Jesse G. Fernandez

Judy TelgeJulio Hinojosa

King William AssociationMallika RangarajanMargaret Gibson

Mary BlakeMr. & Mrs. Al Cano Mr. & Mrs. Bill FlanaganMr. & Mrs. Comee

Mr. & Mrs. Freddie L. Brietzke, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John Banik

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel OdewumiMr. & Mrs. Joe MedinaMr. Narciso CanoNew Shine Auto Bath

Padgett & Stratemann & Co.,L.L.P.Patricia BrewerRandy PuzonRichard Barnes

Robert and Joan ClaytonRoger Flores

Roland Mata

Stella G. DunnawaySuperior PlanWatermill ExpressWillie Mae Clay

Wordsmith & Marketing

Our SAILS Board of Directors:

Lon Oakley, Jr. ChairmanCarol Kelly Vice ChairJane Thomas Treasurer

Thoa Vo SecretaryPatricia GawlikLouAnn WilliamsFrann WrightAndrew Galan

Hubert Griffin

SAILS proudly hosted the Third Annual Open House on Tuesday,

October 2, 2007 from 6:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. Nearly forty guests from thSan Antonio community visited with SAILS current Board members,past Board members and staff. Some of our guests included City

Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan from District 5, Martha Ramirez from

the Alamo Area Council on Governments, Lisel Casaubon from Rush

American Printing, and Ayten Cibildak from the City of San Antonio,

Department of Community Initiatives.

Guests enjoyed a light meal and great company. Many complimented staff and also received

information regarding SAILS services. Afterwards, SAILS staff, along with guests, recognizedthe SAILS Board of Directors for their dedicated volunteerism and served up a delicious cake

extend a personal thanks to all who came to enjoy this wonderful evening. I hope to see

everyone again next year!

SAILS Third Annual Open House

Thank You to the 2007 Donors



SAILS will be providing assistance (free of charge )

through the City of San Antonio Volunteer Income

Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for those who qual-

ify.

This annual program will begin at SAILS at the end

of January 2008, by appointment only. To schedule

an appointment, please call Gloria Aguirre or Sandie

Flanagan during normal business hours, 8am-5pm

Monday through Friday.

Appointments will be accepted for Tuesdays, Thurs-

days (All Day) or Friday mornings. Please call (210)

281-1878.

SAILS NEWS

Sandie has been with SAILS for over 9 years and she has severa

job responsibilities. The major portion of her job is assisting calers with information and assisting with referrals.

In August 1999, Sandie passed the certification exam given

through the Alliance of Information and Referral Services(AIRS). Each year Texas has its own conference called the Texa

Alliance for Information and Referral Services (TAIRS).

During September 2007, the TAIRS 2007 I&R:”Bridging The Gaps” conference was held in

Amarillo, Texas. The purpose of this conference was for continuing education and to enhance t

I & R specialist’s knowledge of resources available to the state.

This conference provides an award every year entitled, “Information & Referral Specialist Distguished Service Award.” This year Sandie was nominated for and received this prestigious awar

Congratulations, Sandie!

SAILS is very fortunate to have such a great team

Volunteers and Interns. We could not do our jobs

fectively without their assistance. This last year th

were fabulous.

We had over 80 volunteers for the American with

Disabilities Act celebration. Our annual picnic wen

without a flaw due to the great kitchen crew at the

park. We also had volunteers who came into the ce

ter and helped with mailings, designing forms andvarious other tasks, when called upon.

SAILS will be honoring its volunteers on Tuesday

November 13, 2007 at our Third Annual Volunteer

Luncheon.

VITA

Congratulations to Sandie Flanagan

Volunteer Luncheon



San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS)

1028 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78210

V/TDD (210) 281-1878 , Fax (210) 281-1759

(800) 474-0295 www.sailstx.org

SAILS STAFF

Kitty L. Brietzke, J.D. Executive Director

Gloria T. Banik Director of Programs & Resource Development

Mallika Rangarajan Executive Administrative & HR Manager

Ricardo V. Rivas, EA Accountant

Gloria Aguirre Receptionist Mary E. Blake IL Skills Coordinator

Sandie Flanagan I&R/ Volunteer Coordinator Daniel Moya IT Technician

Casey Hamilton IL Peer Support Specialist Lorraine Hernandez IL/Deaf Support Specia

Albert Pulido CWIC Coordinator Bruce A. Orey CWIC Coordinator

This publication was made possible by grants from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services 20%, Dept. of Education

(DOE) Rehabilitation Services Administration 36%, Gateway to abilities Program (GAP) 40% and Social Security Administration 4%

The total budget is $575,467.00.

However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the DOE or the DARS and you should not assume endorsement by

local, state, or federal government.

Setting SAILS is published quarterly by San Antonio Independent Living Services.

Edited & Produced: Executive Director, Kitty L. Brietzke, J.D. & Dan Moya

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O T H E R F O R M A T S U P O N R E Q U E S T

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