Abilities in Motion

Abilities in Motion wishes you a Happy New Year! Our offices are closed today and will reopen on Monday, January 4th. Shop our online store anytime, day or night! https://www.bonfire.com/store/aimcares/

Join us for the next installment of our It Starts With Us community chats tomorrow at 1 p.m. on ZOOM! This month, we'll talk about the effects that #COVID19 has had on small businesses, especially how businesses have needed be creative with making their businesses #accessible in ways they hadn't been before. Let's chat about how we can support these businesses through the holiday season and beyond and encourage ongoing accessibility. More info: https://fb.me/e/3sUqKUzXb

We're in great shape to finish strong with 2020 fundraising thanks to support from all of YOU. Now's your chance to squeeze in one last order into 2020! Shop our online boutique: https://www.bonfire.com/store/aimcares/

#NursingHomeTransition took on a new urgency during the darkest days of #COVID19’s peak in long-term care facilities. Read all about it in the news: http://bit.ly/2KQD5s2

Check out our next Skill Builder Session tomorrow at 4 pm on ZOOM! Skill Builder Sessions will provide additional training to youth in the areas of employment and self-advocacy. These sessions supplement transition skills taught in school. The free sessions will help prepare students as they plan for their futures after school. December’s topic is Job Seeking. For a full schedule and to register, view event details: https://fb.me/e/1XPKqCQt3

The deadline to enroll in health insurance through Pennie has been extended! You now have until Tuesday, December 22 to select health coverage that begins New Year’s Day.

The creation of ABLE savings programs was a huge win for people with disabilities offering the first safe way to save without jeopardizing benefits. Learn how to make #PAABLE work for you in the #MoneyTalks webinar on 11/18: https://patf.us/money-talks/webinars #FinancialEmpowermentForPWD

The day after the election during a pandemic seems like a fitting occasion for #NationalStressAwareness Day. Extended periods of stress take a huge toll on our minds, bodies, and spirits. So what can you do to take care of your mental health today? Check out these graphics for helpful tips on managing your stress today and every day.

That’s a wrap, folks! Polls and drop boxes are closed and #Election2020 votes are being tallied. We want to thank all of you who participated in our #PAVotes civic engagement initiative in connection with Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, especially our PA Votes Team at Abilities in Motion. They’ve been working hard this election season to engage voters with disabilities and get folks registered to vote. They made 956 calls and assisted 157 individuals. Thank you for your enormous dedication to this effort!

Want to help support programs for people with disabilities in our community AND be an advocate for #DisabilityRights? Proudly declare your support for Americans with #disabilities with apparel that makes a statement and gives back to AIM programs: https://www.bonfire.com/store/aimcares/ #AIMcares #ADA30 #ThanksToTheADA

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, a new 24-hour support line is working to help individuals with #IDD and those who care for them cope during this tough time. Known as #ProjectConnect, the telehealth line is free and available anytime for people with #disabilities, their families, #caregivers and other members of their support teams across the nation. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2Wq5Y0O

#ElectionDay is finally here! Remember to return your mail-in or absentee ballot IN PERSON (if you forgot to mail it) at your local county election office or authorized drop box by 8 p.m. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote. If you never received the mail-in or absentee ballot you requested, you can vote in person by provisional ballot. IMPORTANT NOTICE for anyone who was planning to vote in person but must now #qua...rantine due to COVID-19: You may request an emergency absentee ballot that must be hand-delivered to the county election office or authorized drop box by 8 p.m. today. Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3jQJgs6 Ensure your vote is counted and make your voice heard! #YourVoteYourVoice #DisabilityVotes

Don’t miss our next bctv.org episode of Disabilities: Issues & Updates coming up tomorrow to learn about our new Certified Peer Support program. Terrisa Faulkner will interview AIM’s new Certified Peer Support Specialist, Tanya Mack, about peer support available to people with severe mental illness and/or addiction. Tune in tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. and catch replays Saturday 9:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m., and Tuesday 1:00 p.m. https://www.bctv.org/program/disabilities-issues-updates/

We’re down to the wiretomorrow is Election Day! Do you have a plan to vote? Make your voice heard! If you still haven’t returned your mail-in or absentee ballot, be sure to drop it off IN PERSON (not in the mail) to ensure your vote is counted. Drop off deadline is 8 PM tomorrow, November 3rd. Find authorized drop box locations here: https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/pages/drop-box.aspx... Find your polling location here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pa/pollingplaceinfo.aspx #YourVoteYourVoice #Election2020

With systemic ableism creating common burdens for people with disabilities in need of accommodations, BIPOC can face additional barriers due to cultural influences and other marginalizing factors. Aparna, in Indian American woman with a disability, details the burden and consequences of self-advocacy for #DisabledBIPOC in this essay from the Disability Visibility Project: https://bit.ly/3juVkiy #ADA30InColor #ADA30 #DisabledBIPOC

How are you planning to stay safe with Halloween activities this year? Check out this guidance from the CDC for tips to make Halloween activities and trick-or-treating safer. Don’t forget to wear a cloth mask with your costume! https://bit.ly/3jpUx20

For employers, #NDEAM is a great time to reinforce a commitment to an #inclusive workplace through disability training or informal educational events such as brown-bag lunch discussions. Several ready-to-use resources can assist in facilitating such activities, such as #disability etiquette materials like this: https://askjan.org/topics/disetiq.cfm #NDEAM #RightTalentRightNow #ThanksToTheADA #WhatCanYouDo #ChooseToInclude #Disability #ADA

Many employers say that one of the greatest barriers they face in hiring people with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities, is that they have trouble finding qualified candidates. That’s where effective outreach and recruitment strategies come in. Working with state and local service providers, such as vocational rehabilitation agencies, American Job Centers, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) like Abilities in Motion, and other community-based organizations, is key to helping you find qualified candidates with disabilities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3dWxcUG

A respiratory therapist (RT) is trained to help people with lung diseases or disorders that can result from a myriad of issues. They treat patients dealing with pulmonary distress due to complications from asthma, bronchitis, COPD, pneumonia, chest trauma, prematurity, lung cancer, and more. And in the age of COVID-19, the role of respiratory therapists is more crucial than ever. During this #RespiratoryCareWeek, we applaud the dedicated efforts of respiratory therapists! #RCweek2020

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) announced the inaugural class of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program. This program is designed for young Black disabled advocates (ages 18 30) who are committed to the social, political, and economic issues surrounding the intersections of the Black and Disability communities. Each participant receives a $1,500 stipend and resources to produce creative content as a part of a digital campaign that promotes voting and civic engagement. Shayla is a student at Albright College and a member of our Teens Taking Flight program. We’re so proud of her and see great things in her future! Congrats, Shayla!

Friendly reminder for voters! Completed mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 3rd or submitted to the County Election Service by 8 p.m. that day. Return your ballot in person or by mail as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted. See information about Drop Box locations below. #Election2020 #DisabilityVotes #YourVoteYourVoice DROP BOX LOCATIONS 1.) Berks County Services Center 633 Court Street, Main Entrance Lobby off of Reed Street... Reading, PA 19601 2.) County of Berks Agricultural Center 1238 County Welfare Road Leesport, PA 19533 DROP BOX HOURS The drop boxes will be open the following days and hours: Monday, Oct. 19 Wednesday Oct. 21: 8 AM 5 PM Thursday, Oct. 22 Friday, Oct. 23: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 AM 12 PM Sunday, Oct. 25: CLOSED Monday, Oct. 26 Wednesday Oct. 28: 8 AM 5 PMDROP BOX LOCATIONS 1.) Berks County Services Center 633 Court Street, Main Entrance Lobby off of Reed Street Reading, PA 19601 2.) County of Berks Agricultural Center 1238 County Welfare Road Leesport, PA 19533 DROP BOX HOURS The drop boxes will be open the following days and hours: Monday, Oct. 19 Wednesday Oct. 21: 8 AM 5 PMDROP BOX LOCATIONS 1.) Berks County Services Center 633 Court Street, Main Entrance Lobby off of Reed Street Reading, PA 19601 2.) County of Berks Agricultural Center 1238 County Welfare Road Leesport, PA 19533 DROP BOX HOURS The drop boxes will be open the following days and hours: Monday, Oct. 19 Wednesday Oct. 21: 8 AM 5 PM Thursday, Oct. 22 Friday, Oct. 23: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 AM 12 PM Sunday, Oct. 25: CLOSED Monday, Oct. 26 Wednesday Oct. 28: 8 AM 5 PM Thursday, Oct. 29 Friday, Oct. 30: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 31 Sunday, Nov. 1: CLOSED Monday, Nov. 2: 8 AM 5 PM ELECTION DAY Tuesday, Nov. 3: 8 AM 8 PM Thursday, Oct. 22 Friday, Oct. 23: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 AM 12 PM Sunday, Oct. 25: CLOSED Monday, Oct. 26 Wednesday Oct. 28: 8 AM 5 PM Thursday, Oct. 29 Friday, Oct. 30: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 31 Sunday, Nov. 1: CLOSED Monday, Nov. 2: 8 AM 5 PM ELECTION DAY Tuesday, Nov. 3: 8 AM 8 PM Thursday, Oct. 29 Friday, Oct. 30: 8 AM 7 PM Saturday, Oct. 31 Sunday, Nov. 1: CLOSED Monday, Nov. 2: 8 AM 5 PM