We talked about the Special Enrollment Opportunity for uninsured people that is open until May 15. The Maryland Exchange will share ways Marylanders can get help, get insurance and financial assistance. The session will end with understanding Medicare as health insurance to individuals 65+ as well as those under 65 and with disabilities as determined by SSA.
2020 was a year of unexpected challenges and opportunities. On March 13, we closed to our office due to the lockdown but were immediately serving consumers remotely without a gap in service on Monday, March 16, 2020! While many other organizations were still figuring out how work remotely and deliver services, IMAGE staff used their skills and ingenuity to find solutions to the challenges of serving clients during the lockdown!
All of this was accomplished on top of our core services! With a small but mighty staff and limited funding we served over 25,000 people with disabilities last year. We are not stopping here. We have bigger plans for 2021 including doubling our supports services for Veterans, adding supports planning to our existing portfolio of services, building a community lending library of assistive technology devices, and continuing the weekly Zoom events. You can partner with us by investing in our programming so we can continue to serve and advocate for people with disabilities.
You can invest in IMAGE in a several ways:
We’ve compiled a Performance Report of our activities for 2020. The infographic shows the impact of IMAGE during the Pandemic year. Invest in IMAGE for 2021 so we can do even more! We’ve provided the report as visual images, a PDF file, and a text transcription.
2020 Performance Report Text docx
We appreciate your continued support of the IMAGE Center through this difficult year. We look forward to a better 2021 where we can be together in person and do even more!
Getting your shot at the shot!
Let’s chat about the current state of getting vaccinated in Maryland! Some of the issues facing people with disabilities were discussed in this article from WYPR! What has been your experience?
This week’s I AM will be our latest update. We’ll talk about strategies for getting an appointment. Don’t miss this informative and provocative look at where we are.
To Register for future events or donate to support visit: https://bit.ly/2XFUvuk
Comments and links from the Chat during the Zoom session:
The State of Maryland opened a mass vaccination site at the Baltimore City Convention Center.
Find locations and providers through the State’s vaccine locator tool.
If you are over 65 and you live in Baltimore City, you can fill in the interest form and you will be contacted by a Maryland Access Point (MAP) Ambassador when appointments become available. You can also call 410-396-CARE (2273) to reach our MAP Call Center if you are over 65.
Additional testing links and opportunities to make appointments or request a vaccine include:
If you live in Baltimore City and are eligible for a vaccine, but WORK in Baltimore County, you may get a vaccine through the County. This will not make an appointment for you but will put you on a list to be emailed as soon as an appointment is available.
Training Opportunity from People on the Go Maryland, Friday May 22nd.
Thank you to our Special Guests on Voting Issues:
Sharon Manecki – National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
Ben Jackson – Disability Rights Maryland
Sharon provided an overview of the challenges to voting in Maryland starting in 2016. They have been telling the Board of Elections concerns about the voting process particularly accessibility and privacy protections with regard to the secret ballot. They have also been working through the legislature and the courts to address it.
This upcoming election, there is a Paper ballot – complete it, sign it and either mail it in, drop it off at the designated locations. If you need an electronic copy, you will need to contact the Board of Elections.
Email will have a link, you’ll get a password and you’ll get the electronic ballot. Then you have to print it out, sign it, drop it off in person or mail it back.
From Cheryl (she/her) to Everyone: these are the in person voting locations PDF
From Ben J to Everyone: BenJ@DisabilityRightsMD.org
From Susie M to Everyone: So, you can fill out the paper ballot and send it back?
From lweintraub@aucd.org to Everyone: What about plain language
From Ben J to Everyone: vote411.org
From Me to Everyone: vote411.org is a non-partisan website that usually breaks down the poll questions and they send out information to candidates
From Mika Wills to Everyone: if you do not belong to a political party, you should not expect to receive anything in the mail for the primary election, correct?
From NDeVaughn to Everyone: when is the very last date to register if you want to vote in the upcoming election?
From Me to Everyone: you can register in person on election day – June 2nd. You have to go in person to one of the polling places.
From NDeVaughn to Everyone: thank you
From Cheryl (she/her) to Everyone: you can register online up until the 27th
From NDeVaughn to Everyone: great! thank you
From Cheryl (she/her) to Everyone: I think Donna is trying to ask a question
From Me to Everyone: If you assist a voter to vote, there’s an affidavit to complete. Try to ensure as much privacy as possible.
From Me to Everyone: Thank you!
From Martin Zimmerman to Everyone: Baltimore county has update for Seniors food pickup 410 887 2040 for appointment