New Rule Protects Public From Attorneys Convicted of Serious Crimes

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has made a rule change that will speed up the protecting of the public from attorneys who have committed crimes.

 

Rule 214 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement establishes the disciplinary procedure when an attorney practicing in PA has been convicted of a crime. Under the original guidelines, an attorney did not have to report a criminal conviction until the attorney was actually sentenced for the crime. Because sentencing can be delayed for months or longer, this allowed an attorney to continue practicing law after being convicted of a serious crime. Now, an attorney who is convicted of a crime must report the conviction to the Secretary of the Board within 20 days, ultimately protecting the public sooner.

 

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve the disciplinary system to ensure we are doing all we can to protect the public and consumers. The change to Rule 214 was made to benefit the public since disciplinary action can be initiated against an attorney 20 days after a conviction, rather than waiting six to nine months for sentencing. This new rule truly benefits the consumer,” Carl D. Buchholz III, Pennsylvania’s Disciplinary Board Chairman stated.

 

Failure to report the criminal conviction within the 20 day period will constitute a separate, independent violation of the Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement. The Disciplinary Board’s goals are to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the legal profession, and to safeguard the reputation of the courts.

For more information regarding this rule, please visit the Pennsylvania Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement at www.padisciplinaryboard.org. 

 

About the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA
The Disciplinary Board is an independent agency funded by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and consists of 13 members, of whom 11 are attorneys and two are non-lawyers, from across the state.  The Disciplinary Board was created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to review conduct and assure compliance by all attorneys to the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. For more information about the Disciplinary Board, please visit www.padb.us. 

For more information regarding this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.

Central PA Recipients of Living Well With A Disability Awards Announced

(Camp Hill, Pa.) – Today, the Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) held the first Central Pa’s Living Well With A Disability Awards Ceremony to recognize members of the community who are living well with a disability, or supporting someone with a disability. Over one hundred attendees gathered this morning at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Pa. to hear who won each category, and celebrate the meaning of living well. 

Theo Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP opened the ceremony stating, “The awards were developed as a way to highlight the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities as well as honor the contributions of groups and volunteers. Living Well With A Disability is about exploring and achieving those things that makes each of us happy. Since the launch of Living Well With A Disability in 2007, hundreds of people have been able to achieve their goals in life – and that’s why we felt compelled to recognize people who are exemplifying Living Well With A Disability.”

All nominees had to either live or have a business located in one of the five counties CILCP serves: Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, or Juniata counties and truly demonstrate what it means to live well with a disability.

Many nominations were provided, and the following organizations or individuals were selected as the winners:

* BCE Construction Inc. of Harrisburg, Pa. won the Business award. BCE Construction provides home modifications for people with disabilities, but they go above and beyond with their service. The business developed an idea for a bathroom system that could be installed in a small space of a home without tearing out walls and taking up a lot of space – and all while still providing access and safety. The business patented the system and it’s now been installed in many homes for people with disabilities.

* Pamela Albert of Middletown, Pa. received the Volunteer award. With a child living with a rare disease called MECP2 duplication syndrome, and one who sadly passed from it, her volunteer hours are spent organizing fundraisers, overseeing a web site created to raise money for research, and speaking to other parents around the world to build awareness of the disease.

* The Nonprofit award was presented to Parrotheads of Amish Paradise. The nonprofit organization co-sponsors fundraisers to benefit disability organizations and faithfully donates to the Ronald McDonald house monthly. They’re always eager to get involved and find ways to support people with disabilities.

* Jason Jones of Harrisburg, Pa. was presented the Individual Youth award. Whether the 12-year old is doing chores around the house, or cheering on his favorite sports team, he does it with a warming smile. He loves going to church, and assisting the younger children. He hopes to one day get a job that involves helping young people.

* Hope E. Johnson of Mechanicsburg, Pa. received the Individual Adult award. Rather than viewing herself as having a physical disability, Johnson views herself as a lucky, blessed and gifted individual. She has Cerebral Palsy and does all of her computer entry, as well as any communication with just one toe. With her college graduation in the near future, Johnson will become the first nonverbal, non-ambulatory graduate of Messiah College.

Stemming from the Living Well With A Disability program, CILCP is determined to continue the Awards each year to recognize the individuals and organizations who are working to eliminate barriers, and finding opportunities to live well. 

CBS21 News Anchor, Tanya Foster emceed the event, and the sponsors included: Keystone Mobility, W.S. Miller and Sons, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and United Home Care Workers of Pennsylvania.

About The Center for Independent Living of Central PA
For over 20 years, CILCP has been serving people with all types of disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. CILCP is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. From achieving a small task to accomplishing a life-changing goal, CILCP is helping people with disabilities exceed their lifestyle expectations through one point of contact. For more information on Living Well With A Disability visit www.LivingWellWithADisability.org, and for more information on CILCP, visit www.cilcp.org.   

For more information regarding this press release or CILCP, please contact Megan Kurtz at (717) 432-2468 or email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.

Call for Nominations to Recognize Accomplishments and Contributions for People with Disabilities

(Camp Hill, Pa.) – The nonprofit organization, Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP), is seeking nominations for its first Central PA’s Living Well With A Disability Awards. The Awards will recognize individuals and organizations in the Central PA area that truly demonstrate what it means to live well with a disability.

 

Living Well With A Disability was developed by the Center for Independent Living of Central PA to open doors to new opportunities for people with disabilities, and assist them in finding the resources they need to live well. Whether it’s finding transportation, or assistive technology for your job, Living Well With A Disability is designed to meet each individual’s needs to live independently.

 

Theo Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP, states that the Awards have been developed to highlight the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities as well as honor the contributions of groups and volunteers.

 

“Our Living Well With A Disability program has been such a success that we wanted to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge not only individuals with a disability that are fulfilling their own dreams and reaching their goals, but the organizations, groups, or volunteers that aid in empowering individuals to live well with a disability,” says Braddy.

 

Nominations will be accepted for the following categories: individual with a disability (adult and youth); group (business and nonprofit); and volunteer. The individual, volunteer, or group must live or be located within Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, or Juniata counties. A committee of selected judges, who are leaders in the disability community, will review all submissions and select a winner in each category. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on September 22.

 

Individuals may visit www.LivingWellWithADisability.org or call 717-731-1900 ext. 138 to obtain the nomination form and rules.  All nominations must be submitted by August 20, 2010 to Central PA’s Living Well With A Disability Awards, 207 House Avenue, Suite 107, Camp Hill, PA 17011.

 

About The Center for Independent Living of Central PA
For over 20 years, CILCP has been serving people with all types of disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. CILCP is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. From achieving a small task to accomplishing a life-changing goal, CILCP is helping people with disabilities exceed their lifestyle expectations through one point of contact. For more information on Living Well With A Disability visit www.LivingWellWithADisability.org, and for more information on CILCP, visit www.cilcp.org.    

 

For more information regarding this press release or CILCP, please contact Megan Kurtz at (717) 432-2468 or email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.

Campaign to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities in Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg, PA) Many people with disabilities want to work, but need training and help to find a job.  In addition, many individuals are afraid of losing social security and medical benefits.  The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare announces the “Works for me” campaign.  The initiative will expand awareness about how people with disabilities can join the workforce. 

 

Launching in October to coincide with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the campaign will respond to what research has found to be several of the greatest barriers to employment among individuals with disabilities—the fear and/or misunderstanding of not receiving the support or training needed to obtain a job or losing financial security and health care benefits if employment is achieved. 

 

“People with disabilities want to be able to join the workforce and increase their financial well being,” said Edward Butler, Executive Director, Governor’s Cabinet and Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.  “The Social Security Administration and PA Department of Public Welfare have made improvements to policies and introduced new initiatives to promote employment.   These efforts complement existing resources and services provided by state and local government agencies, CILs, and stakeholders. There are numerous options available to help individuals find employment and increase their financial well being.   ‘Works for me’ helps individuals navigate what is sometimes a confusing system.” 

 

“Works for me” is a resource for people with any kind of disability including mental health, physical, sensory or developmental.  Through a Hotline number (1-877-268-9894), an individual can quickly and easily connect with a coordinator to determine which program is best for them and receive the guidance they need to make a decision about employment.  Information is also available at

 www.WorksForMe-PA.org. 

 

In Pennsylvania, there are over 530,000 working aged individuals with disabilities (ages 18-64), and over 60,000 youth receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration.    According to a National Beneficiary Survey conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, 44% of beneficiaries reported a goal of getting a job or a better paying job within the next five years.  Of these, over half were working or actively seeking employment during the prior year of the survey.   This study and related initiatives contrast a common stereotype that people with disabilities can not work and will rely on government benefits for their entire life.  According to Butler, “this represents a profound economic development opportunity for the state and local communities.”  

 

On an individual level, there are countless benefits associated with employment for people with disabilities.  “Employment gives a sense of purpose, pride, accomplishment and becomes part of a person’s identity,” he explained.  “It provides an opportunity to take part in the community, develop new relationships and give back to society.”  The “Works for me” program will encourage those who want to be employed and have the drive and motivation to join the workforce to do so without facing intimidation from complex and confusing rules and other barriers. 

 

The “Works for me” campaign kick-offs in October with statewide television and billboard advertising in addition to the launch of a new Hotline and Web site.  The campaign will share personal stories of people with disabilities who, through employment, have benefited both personally and financially.  One such featured story will be that of Oni, a 50-year-old, Philadelphia woman employed as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator. 

 

Oni is working because it helped her improve her quality of life.  She discovered the WIPA program and found out what she’s eligible to receive without losing benefits.  “Since working, I’m getting to a point where I don’t have to rely on social security anymore,” Oni said.  “And it’s opened doors for things I wasn’t aware of.”

 

“I was scared that I would start to work and lose my benefits,” she explained.  “But, I found out about WIPA, and realized that’s not true.  I’ve had improvements made to my home to make it more accessible and received funding for my wheelchair.” 

 

“Works for me” represents resources that can direct you to agencies and programs that help people with disabilities in Pennsylvania get a job.  We will review your specific situation and guide you to resources that will help you find a job, obtain training, keep health insurance, get assistive technology, or find other support you may need.  There are many great reasons to work and, with the resources we have available, it is possible!  And, contrary to what some people believe, you can work without losing your financial security or health care benefits.  “Works for me” is here to help answer your questions about working! 

 

To learn more about personal stories or obtain additional information, please contact Karen Gross at (717) 432-2468 or visit www.WorksForMe-PA.org.

    

This document was produced with funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA# 93.768).

Campaign Helps Employers Overcome Uncertainties and Realize Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities

(HARRISBURG, Pa.) – There are many uncertainties, fears and misconceptions employers encounter when facing the decision to hire people with disabilities.  To coincide with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare (DPW) announces its plans to expand the “Works for me” campaign to educate Pennsylvania employers about the facts and benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

 

Launched in October 2009, the “Works for me” campaign successfully directed thousands of people with all types of disabilities to one place for information, resources and assistance to become employed.  Realizing that employers’ knowledge and comfort level of hiring people with disabilities directly effects employment opportunities, the “Works for me” campaign will now provide free resources to employers. 

 

“Just as people with disabilities need accurate information and resources to help them join the workforce, employers need to be encouraged to consider hiring a person with a disability,” Stacy Kyle, “Works for me” Employer Spokesperson, said. 

 

According to Ms. Kyle, employers are sometimes nervous about hiring a person with a disability.  “Worries of accommodation costs, legal issues, productivity rates and the safety of all employees are concerns businesses express when questioned why they don’t hire people with disabilities,” she said.  “It is DPW’s goal to work with all employers, especially small to medium-sized companies, to overcome these fears through ongoing education and by helping them to establish valuable relationships with people with disabilities.” 

 

The “Works for me” campaign will provide customized resources to employers based upon where the business or company is in their level of knowledge and employment experience with people with disabilities.  Employers will be gently guided through a continuum with the end goal of solidifying relationships with qualified people with disabilities who could be potential employment candidates. 

 

“The truth is that there are countless people with disabilities across Pennsylvania who hold high level positions within their respective companies, are making positive contributions and are true assets to their employers,” Ms. Kyle explained.  “It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved—employees, employers and the public.” 

 

For more information about “Works for me,” please visit www.WorksForMe-PA.org or call the hotline at 1-877-268-9894.  For more information about this press release, contact Karen Gross at 717-432-2468. 

 

This document was produced with funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA#93.768).