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Blog Live Chat

I AM: Monday, April 26

April 26th I AM featured Medical Professionals with expertise in Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) on COVID Vaccines and people with SCI sharing personal vaccine stories.  Join Dr. Judy Stone, Dr. Suzanne Groah and Dr. Terrence Sheehan who will answer questions and give their perspective on the vaccines.  Ian Ruder, Editor New Mobility as well as John Michaels from RFI and Michael Saunders from IN will share their personal experiences as people with SCI who have received the vaccine.

Closed Captioning Transcript of the event

Don’t forget to visit our registration website to donate to support these events or register for upcoming calls!

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Blog Covid-19 Live Chat

Getting your shot at the shot! I AM March 15, 2021

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:

Categories
Blog Covid-19

Getting Vaccinated!

close up picture of a covid-19 vaccine vial being opened
Close up of a COVID-19 Vaccine vial being opened. Photo: Ericha Fitzgerald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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.
 

Categories
Covid-19

IMAGE Live Chat – Monday, May 11th Voting

Update, May 21

Training Opportunity from People on the Go Maryland, Friday May 22nd.

This is a transcript of some of the discussion and the Chat box in our weekly Zoom call.

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.

Online Resources:

Transcript from the Chat Section:

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

Categories
Covid-19

Covid-19 Information from the IMAGE Center

We’re using this page to share information of interest and use to our community. Please check our Live Chat posts for other useful links!

The IMAGE Center is committed to continuing to serve consumers during this time. If you would like to help support our mission, please consider donating to our LIFELINE IMPACT Fund today!

To contact IMAGE Center staff, please call 410-982-6311 and leave a message. Please let us know what information you’re requesting so we can forward to the appropriate staff!

Please note information is current when posted, but due to the rapidly changing nature of this emergency, information can become outdated. Please double check with the agency or organization to verify.

Updates: May 13, 2020

From the Social Security Administration’s  Office of Communications:  Raising awareness about the Social Security Imposter Scam and the COVID-19 scam.  As you are probably aware, scammers contact people via text or phone pretending to be from Social Security and tell them that their Social Security number or account is in jeopardy.  They have also mailed letters expressing that Social Security benefits will be suspended or discontinued because of COVID-19.

Below are links to blogs about the scams.

COVID-19 Scam Blog
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-about-new-social-security-benefit-suspension-scam/

Imposter Scam Blogs
https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-is-taking-action-to-prevent-scam-calls/

https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-widespread-social-security-scam-texts/

Please be wary of anyone who asks for sensitive information and account numbers via unsolicited phone calls and texts. Verify the request by contacting the agency through their published public information.

Updates: May 7, 2020

Food Resources for Seniors in Baltimore County

resources update

FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR OLDER ADULTS

 

 

 

 

Warning: SCAM letter circulating

scam letter representing MHBE affiliate

HC-FY20-016 Representing as MHBE Affiliate 5-7-20_Redacted

Updates: May 6, 2020

Updated Guidance from the Social Security Administration regarding stimulus payments:

SSA rep payee and stimulus payment

Visit their website for the latest information: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

2020 U. S. Census information meeting for Baltimore County

On Tuesday May 12th the Complete Count Committee of Baltimore County will host a virtual 2020 Census community meeting that will feature a compilation of testimonies from trusted partners/messengers. (flyer attached)  Please share and promote throughout each of your personal and professional networks. The purpose of the meeting is to allow residents to hear from trusted voices and messengers in the community on why the Census is important now, more than ever. Registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-census-community-meeting-tickets-103275441626

National Disability Rights Network has an information page on your rights during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.ndrn.org/resource/know-your-rights-during-covid-19-series/

Updates: April 27, 2020

Family and Kinship Navigator Services continue to be available during these uncertain times. Kinship Navigator services are available to provide support to families living in Baltimore County who are raising a relative’s child/children.

FY20 FN Fact SheetFY20

Family and Kinship Referral Form

FamNavServices_Bro_FY20

Baltimore City Water Bill Payment Assistance

ALERT – Baltimore City Water Bill Payment Assistance 4.27.2020

ALERT-Utility Scams 4.27.2020

New Sites Make Testing Available Five Days A Week

NAMI is holding remote mental health support groupshttp://namibaltimore.org/online-supportgroups/

Also the Rotary Club is offering free grocery delivery services. It doesn’t look like they have a specific geographical area, however I would imagine that they are working with folks that live in Baltimore County. Read below for more information:

Rotary International Volunteer Shoppers

Rotary members are available to shop for and delivery groceries, medications and other essential items to those at risk for COVID 19 or unable to leave their homes on a volunteer basis.  Volunteers do not have background checks.  They are Rotary members.

Call 240-781-6586 any day from 9:00am – 6:00pm to request assistance.  It takes between 24 and 72 hours to fill a request.

No charge for the shopping services. Payment for goods purchased at the store is through credit cards only.  Volunteers pay for the food with their own credit card. Once an amount is known, the recipient gives their credit card number to Rotary International to be charged the amount spent. Volunteers will shop with SNAP EBT cards too.

Towson University Offering Delivered Meals  ToGoMeals_4-20-20

Updates: April 20, 2020

Expanded WiFi access from Baltimore County Public Library and other low or no-cost internet access options – wifi-access

Contactless Produce Pickup from www.baltimorecountytogether.org

Updates: April 17, 2020

Joint letter from Disability Rights Maryland and the Maryland Association of Centers for Independent Living advocating for accessibility of essential businesses during the pandemic.

Business Leader Letter

From the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel

Attached please find FAQs relating to the State of Emergency. This document provides answers and resources on topics like food, student loans, scams, taxes, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions During the State of Emergency

April 16, 2020

BGE Suspends Service Disconnections Through June 1

https://www.bge.com/News/Pages/Press%20Releases/200416-BGE-Suspends-Service-Disconnections-for-Nonpayment-Waives-New-Late-Payment-Fees-through-at-Least-June-1.aspx

Community Services for the Deaf resources during Corona  https://www.csd.org/coronavirus

National Federation for the Blind resources page https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources

Baltimore County Coronavirus Information & Updates https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/news/coronavirus.html

Baltimore City Coronavirus Information & Updates  https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/

Harford County Coronavirus Information & Updates  http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/2813/COVID-19-Facts-and-Information