Cross Disability Coalition Underway
The Council's Systems Advocacy Committee has begun work
to help organize a coalition of advocacy groups that
can work on issues that concern all people with disabilities.
American Dream Video Contest
Visit the Real Economic Impact Tour to learn more about the contest.
RI's Congressman Jim Langevin Presides Over House for First
Time, Marks 20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), who is
quadriplegic, presided over the US House of Representatives for the
first time on Monday, July 26th. The Speaker's rostrum on the
House Floor has just been made wheelchair-accessible through a series of
lifts. This historic event is timed to coincide with the 20th
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"I have long said that I may be the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress, but I won't be the last," said Langevin, a five-term representative from Rhode Island and co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus. "On Monday, we will celebrate another major step in continuing efforts to make the Capitol Complex accessible when I preside over the US House of Representatives. This is an extremely proud moment for me and helps renew my spirit as we continue to remove barriers and strengthen the ADA for millions of Americans with disabilities in the decades to come."
To read more of Congressman Langevin's comments on the ADA, Click here.
A Little History
In the early 1970s, Congress decided that it was in the national interest to offer people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live in typical homes and communities, and to exercise their full rights and responsibilities. It passed the Developmental Disabilities Act which among other things established Councils in each State to help plan services and to advocate for the civil and human rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Who we are, what we do
The Governor appoints the 24 Rhode
Islanders serving on the Council. Most are people with developmental
disabilities and their family members. Others are representatives
of agencies and groups that work for people with disabilities.
Council members are men and women who have an exceptional insight into the obstacles that confront people with disabilities throughout their lives. Indeed people with disabilities face a long list of problems and issues when it comes to education, employment, transportation, housing, recreation, and health care. Working as Council we continue to discover and promote creative ways that families, service agencies and federal, state and local governments can work together so that people can live more independent, fulfilling lives.
The Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC is
a credit for people who do not earn high incomes. EITC
can reduce your taxes and result in a tax refund. In
simple terms, you can keep more of what you have earned.
If
you are one of the many low-income workers (including
some people with disabilities, family members and employees
who work for community agencies) who will not file this
year because you do not owe any taxes, you may want to
think again. Or you may not have filed for the tax credit
on your tax forms. The IRS may owe you some money!!!!!
Click here to view a list of locations where you can find out if you qualify for the EITC and get free help with filing your 2009 tax return. The Council is working with the IRS and others to help make sure that people with disabilities take full advantage of the EITC and other tax benefits. This effort is supported by grants the Council recently received.
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Here is what the IRS recommends you bring bring
with you if you want your tax return prepared:
- Proof of identification
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Current year's tax package if you received one
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year's federal and state returns if available
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
- Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
Promoting the ideas that will enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities is one of the Council's missions. Under our federal enabling legislation we must stay abreast of and share information about new programs and services and important issues, trends and ideas that are of concern to people with developmental disabilities, families, service agencies, business and community leaders, legislators and policy makers. In this sense our web site connects people with the information they need to make positive changes in their lives or to develop a frame of reference for decision making.
Our web site News pages include feature stories from our free quarterly newsletter. The Council's annual Summer Guide lists a broad range of recreation, arts and entertainment and education programs and services for people who have a disability.
Council members and meeting schedules are listed here.
Our office is in the Warwick Medical Building in the Warwick Mall in Warwick Rhode Island. The address is 400 Bald Hill Road, Suite 515, Warwick, RI 02886. For more information about us, contact Mary Okero, Executive Director, (401) 737-1238 or email us.
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