Second Semi-annual Edition 2016

Volunteer of the Year

Joel Parks

Disability in Action was pleased to nominate Joel Parks as our “Volunteer of 2016”. Joel is someone who has overcome many barriers as a person with a disability. He has been a positive force at the Center and never fails to share his positive attitude by his example of “positive words”.

It is our pleasure to know Joel and we appreciate all the hard work that he does at Disability in Action.

Thank you Joel!

Joel Parks (left) and Diana Mendoza, Volunteer Coordinator

Achieving Success

Meet Lester Crenshaw

Mr. Lester Crenshaw has been a consumer at Disability in Action since April 26, 2016. He was born in Amarillo, Texas where he graduated from Amarillo High school in 1977.

Mr. Crenshaw worked for 25 years at Texas Panhandle Mental Health authority in several departments, supportive employment, psych so-cial rehab department and community rehab. He relocated to Abilene, in 2013; he still has a sister and brother in the Amarillo area.

He sought out DIA to get assistance in obtaining food stamps and to regain his driver’s licenses.

Lester has achieved his goal of getting food stamps, has successfully passed the written test for his drivers’ licenses and is scheduled to take the driving part next month.

Mr. Crenshaw is very active in participating in a lot of the activities offered at the DIA. He attends the arts and craft classes, movies, the Center Advisory meetings.

Lester is a Christian man who has never been

married, waiting for his God sent wife. He enjoys

traveling, decorating his apartment and cooking

meals.

Achieving Success

Meet Corie Thompson

Corie Elizabeth Thompson, is 26 and living in An-son, Texas. She was born with a small amount of vision until the age of six months when she lost her sight to Bi-lateral blindness from congenital cata-racts and detached retinas.

When Corie first came to Disability in Action, she was seeking assistance with employment, volun-teering and as she said, “something to do to keep busy”. She is bright and outgoing and loves interact-ing with the staff here at DIA where she also volun-teers as a receptionist, several hours a week. She is happily employed at the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind. This young woman has been utilizing the services of Disability in Action for the last three years.

She has a great personality and wonderful outlook on life. Corie attends the Fountaingate Church where she volunteers as a greeter and loves it.

A participant in the College and Career Life Group at her church, Corie also attended Cisco College at the Abilene campus where she studied Spanish and math and also took some online classes: a music appreciation class and a government class.

Corie has two brothers (Eric, Matthew) and three sisters (Jessica, Hope, Emily). She lives with her parents and is very close to all of her family members.

She has chosen to use the Double Mountain Coach as her mode of transportation from Anson to Abilene and back. She also has a volunteer driver as needed, when Double Mountain Coach cannot provide the transportation she needs to get to work and to the Center.

She utilizes the Transportation Works Program that is provided by Disability in Action. This pro-gram helps her to not only get the transportation she needs, but it also helps her cover the cost.

In closing, Corie would like to say, “Thank God

for her family, friends and being part of the Disa-

bility in Action family”.

Do you have a story of success you’d like to

share? We would be glad to feature you in our

next edition.

Recognizing our Wonderful Volunteers

During the American’s with Disabilities Act Celebration, we always recognize the people who make the Center a well-oiled machine. Without them, we could not do the things we do to assist the consumers who come to the Center. They dedicate their time and their talents everyday and for that, we are very grateful. Many of our volunteers go on to find gainful employment; sharing their talents with the rest of Abilene!

From Everyone at Disability in Action...A huge thanks for all that you do.

From Left to Right: Raymond Boley, Barbara Price, Sandra Reed, Joel Parks, Russell Rivers and Carlos Gallegos. Below right: Robert Allred.

Not Pictured: Jeri Jergins, Jo Rogers, Corie Thompson, Lori Urey, Ann Danehower, Jo Ellen Rogers,

Stephanie Castleman, Zachary Willis, Donna King, Jim Ruff

Thanks to Caden Duhaime (Center) for his help dur-ing our celebration...and to his family for loaning him

out!

American’s with Disabilities Act Celebration

July 21, 2016

Achieving Success

Meet Augustine Gutierrez

Augustine Gutierrez is a 41-year-old Hispanic male who came into our services on June 2016. He was seeking assistance with finding a job.

Unfortunately, his vision was affected by a head injury he sustained in 2012. Augustine informed his DIA case manager that he had a prescription for eyeglass-es, but did not have the means to pay for them. His case manager contacted a local Lions Club chapter in Abilene, and they said they would be happy to assist Augustine.

In a matter of weeks, Augustine was picking out a new pair of eyeglasses and feels more confident now to begin his job search in earnest.

He is registered with the Texas Workforce Center and his DIA case manager assisted him with up-dating his resume’. Currently, Augustine is follow-ing up on several job leads.

Augustine said he is grateful for the encourage-ment and support he receives through DIA.

Looking for something fun to do? We’ve got it!

Call us at 325-672-5460 for more information

Changes at the State Level

“The more you know, the more you grow.”

Starting September 1, 2016 there will be some changes to the state agencies that serve people with disabilities.

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will be dissolved. Those who are receiving services from DARS will continue to re-ceive those services, but under another agency. That agency is The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Employees of DARS will simply become the employees of TWC. Vocational services such as job training, employment services and educa-tional services will remain with the same case man-agers and the same location on Industrial Blvd. in Abilene. Case managers will continue to conduct business from this location until August of 2017.

For those consumers who are 55 years of age and older and have blindness, you will be assisted by TWC. Consumers can also contact Disability in Ac-tion to help find the information and resources that are needed or assistance in finding the right person to help at TWC.

For those individuals who are not planning on go-ing to work, but need a service or a device to help them live more independently, Disability in Action will now be administering what is called the “Outsourced Independent Living Program”. This

program helps those who qualify to get things they need to complete their activities of daily liv-ing. Some examples are: hearing aids, diabetic counseling, home modifications, wheelchair ramps and computer training for those who are legally blind. Consumers must qualify for this pro-gram using two factors: Financial need and the significance of the disability.

Anyone interested in the new “Outsourced Inde-pendent Living Program” can call Disability in Ac-tion and ask for JoAnne Fluke at 325-672-5460, extension 31.

Centers for Independent Living will now fall under the umbrella of The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) instead of DARS. Our loca-tion will remain the same and our programs will also stay the same.

Feel free to call Disability in Action if you have any questions about the changes. We will be happy to get you to the right person who can help you.

The address for TWC in Abilene is:

500 Chestnut #1100 Abilene, TX. 79602

Phone number: 325-795.4200

Don’t Forget…..

The Transportation Works Program

Is not just for employment Anymore

Our program is now open to anyone who has a transportation need if:

You are a person with a disability

You are elderly and have disabilities

If paying for your tickets is a struggle or if you cannot get transportation to where you are going, our program can help.

Call the Center at 325-672-5460 for more information.

Disability in Action Staff Contact Us!

325-672-5460 Phone/TTY

Leah Beltran Executive Director 325-672-2903 Fax

Tim Evans Director of Programs 888-672-5460 Toll Free

Diana Mendoza Mobility Manager

Wyester Sincere Independent Living Specialist I Hours of Operation

Michele Nall Community Integration Specialist 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Casey Hertel Community Integration Specialist

Kendal Johnston Relocation Specialist - Abilene Monday through Thursday

Relocation Specialist - Wichita Falls

Ricky Harris Deafness Resource Specialist –Abilene

Jim Wise Hearing Loss Resource Specialist –Wichita Falls

Katherine Ballard Advocacy Specialist

Michael Gilmer Driver for Disability in Action

Joe Slack STAP specialist

JoAnn Fluke Independent Living Specialist II Abilene/Wichita Falls

Rene Serna Independent Living Specialist I

Check ou t our w ebs i t e

w ww .d i sab i l i t y i na c t i on . o r g

317 N. Willis St.

Abilene, Texas 79603

This publication is supported by funding

through DARS. Opinions expressed in this

newsletter do not necessarily represent

those of Disability in Action funding

sources.

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