300.00 to $1,200.00 Special Tax Rebate available!

The economic growth package bill recently signed by President Bush
allows people on Social Security (SS) or Social Security Disability
Income (SSDI) to apply for a special tax rebate. This will only
happen this year.

If you file a federal tax return every year, you have to do nothing.
The check will be sent to you automatically. The checks should be
sent out in May or shortly after.

However, if you normally do not file federal income tax returns
(because of low income), you must file a federal tax return in order
to get this rebate.

To do this:

Get a form 1040. On line 20a, enter the total amount of your SS or
SSDI benefit for 2007. This should be on Form 1099-SSA* the SS
sends you every year.

Please understand that SSI income does NOT count. If you are on
SSI, you probably CANNOT collect this special rebate.

*If you do not have the 1099 form, do the math by multiplying your
monthly benefit by 12. Example: If you get $850.00 per month from
SS or SSDI you multiply $850 X 12 = $10,200.00. This number
$10,200.00 goes in line 20a on Form 1040 (if for some reason you use
Form 1040A, this number goes on line 14a).

If you require assistance with this, please contact Brynn Hickey at
DNEC for an appointment. 

brynn.hickey@yahoo.com

Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities

The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, in partnership with Young Audiences Arts for Learning Connecticut, an affiliate of VSA arts, is pleased to announce a new initiative to serve Connecticut artists with disabilities.

Working with a statewide advisory committee, these organizations are planning to conduct a series of focus groups during March and April 2008, culminating with a Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities on November 1, 2008.  The forum will seek to assess the educational and career development needs and identify barriers for Connecticut artists, and arts administrators with disabilities.  Strategies will be developed by forum participants to overcome the barriers and advance careers in the arts for individuals with disabilities.

The mission is to seek out Connecticut artists with disabilities in order to assist with education, training, and career development; promote opportunities in the art community; promote equity and inclusion in the arts; and to provide a network of individuals and organizations committed to promoting artists with disabilities.

Artists with disabilities, and individuals who work with artists with disabilities, are invited to provide input at focus groups in March and April 2008.  Please contact me and Terry Lenox if you are interested in attending the first focus group. 

Susan Murray Docker

CT Commission on Culture & Tourism

860.256.2756 (office)

susan.docker@ct.gov

Consumer Reports Asks Deaf: Share Your Story

Share Your Story on the Consumers Union Website

Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports has, generally, not tested products and filed reports on features that are important to people with hearing loss. However, Consumers Union has established its "Hear Us Now" project that gives voice to consumers who are experiencing problems in the following categories: Internet, TV & Radio, Cable & Satellite, Phones & Cell Phones, and Media Ownership.

If you are experiencing problems regarding telephone, cable and internet services, or equipment, you are invited to "Share Your Story" by going to http://www.hearusnow.org/other/share .

The form at that website will enable you to tell about your experiences in dealing with problems, and perhaps solving them, in the listed categories. If you submit a story, Consumers Union may edit it for clarity and return it to you for your approval before publishing your story.

Also, by accessing this website, you may learn from the experiences of other consumers. If people with hearing loss use this communication resource offered by Consumers Union, visibility into the issues faced by this population can be increased. Perhaps, if a sufficient number of stories are submitted, Consumers Union may take an interest in testing and reporting on products and services regarding their use by the Deaf and other people with hearing loss.  

Hartford Club is raising the fund for

2009 NEAAD Basketball Tournament this June!

Click this flier

Schedule for Program for the Job Club is offered by FSW. Please visit more info at the General page.

SAVE DATES, SAVE DATES, SAVE DATES!

MassRID sponsors
a Workshop Series for Deaf Interpreters:
"The Road to Deaf Interpreting".

A workshop series will be offered over the next year for people who are serious about becoming a Deaf Interpreter and want state screening and RID certification.

Plan NOW by reserving the dates so you won't miss out!

WORKSHOP TITLES & DATES

1. Introduction to Deaf Interpreting
April 26 & 27, 2008

2. Introduction to Code of Professional Conduct and Scenarios
June 14 & 15, 2008

3. Translating and Consecutive Interpreting & Team Interpreting
September 13 & 14, 2008

4. Shadowing/Platform and Simultaneous & Team Interpreting
October 18 & 19, 2008

5. Deaf blind Interpreting
November 22 & 23, 2008

6. Interpreting Practice and Screening Deaf Interpreter Performance Preparation
January 10 & 11, 2009

7. Certified Deaf Interpreter Test Preparation & Interpreter at Work
April 25 & 26,2009

Practicum will be offered to students. Instructors will include both Deaf and Hearing certified RID interpreters from local and national areas.

Fees for each workshop: TBA
Advance Registration with Course descriptions Coming soon.

Priority for Eastern Region.

Exact location for each workshop to be announced but will be in Eastern Massachusetts. RID CEUS/ACET will be provided.

For more information contact: Series Coordinators: Stephanie Clark, CDI and Jim Lipsky, CDI.

National Counselors of the Deaf Association

"Making Connections and Understanding Diverse Intersections"
National Conference: June 18 - 21, 2008
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

Keynote address: Dr. Glenn Anderson

June 19th Pre-conference: The National Institute for Multicultural Competence (NIMC - Tour) "Multicultural Counseling Competencies & Social Justice in Counseling". Please download attached flyer (PDF) for further info about the agenda, schedule, prices and speakers.

What to do in Case of An Earthquake???
or Are you prepared for this earthquake???
Test yourself!  
(Sorry, this is not accessible to visually disabled users).