“It’s Our Story” Brings New Meaning to the American Flag and Independence Day

“It’s Our Story” Flag that continues to capture the stories of people living with disabilities in America.

As the Fourth of July has been recently celebrated, a new kind of American flag should be introduced. The “Story Flag” is a 12-foot by 20-foot version of the American Flag that is currently touring the United States. As the tour continues, it leads up to the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Story Flag is a modern piece of art that captures the meaning of the “It’s Our Story” project. The project is being led by Scott Cooper, whose son has Muscular Dystrophy.

Each person is represented by a story stick.

“It’s Our Story” is a video history project that uncovers the power, pride, and challenges of people living with disabilities in America. Mr. Cooper’s son was so impacted by a History Day project on Justin Dart, Jr., that it served as inspiration for him to start “It’s Our Story,” and share that power with others.

The late Justin Dart, Jr. traveled across the country during the 1980s and collected over 5,000 testimonials. He brought these testimonials back to Congress to show the barriers that people with disabilities faced, proving a need for the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 to be passed. The Story Flag showcases hundreds of handmade “story sticks,” which Native Americans once used to pass along stories through generations. Each story stick represents a person with a disability who has shared their story through a video portrait. These video portraits show the everyday challenges and successes that people with disabilities experience. Through word of mouth, Cooper has identified and interviewed over seven hundred people with disabilities. These story sticks are attached to the flag with a goal of reaching one thousand upon its completion.

“I feel compelled to capture this history, but really don't understand why I'm so compelled. It just seems like the right thing to do,” states Cooper.

On July 26, 2010, a virtual social network will premiere on the “It’s Our Story” Web site. This modern approach makes it possible to share information to future leaders and the communities they serve and will be easily accessible for people with disabilities.

Mr. Cooper states that he has a growing to-do list ahead of him in regards to this project. He adds that if anyone would like to assist him, to please contact him directly by email at: itsourstory@gmail.com.

For more information on “It’s Our Story’s” oral history project or to become involved, please visit http://dmi-us.blogspot.com.

Have The Freedom To Choose Your Own Personal Assistant

Living Well With A Disability means different things to different people, but overall, it’s about having the opportunity to make your own choices about your life. One way some Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are assisting people with disabilities is by offering hiring and payroll services. These services provide you the chance to hire your own personal assistance employee, while the Center for Independent Living handles all of the payroll and employer taxes for you.

These services offer you the opportunity to be as independent as you want – both in the community and in your home. You can set your own schedule, hire more than one personal assistant to meet your needs, and have your employee take you where you want to go.

You are in control, so you may screen and interview all applicants and decide how much to pay your personal assistance employee, as long as it falls within minimum wage requirements. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied or comfortable with your employee, you get to decide whether to keep or let him or her go. You have the freedom to hire who you would like as your assistant; it can even be a family member to a friend. There are only a few exceptions. You cannot hire your spouse, power of attorney, or beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

To remove the hassle of payroll and employer taxes from you, the Centers for Independent Living complete the paperwork; process the timesheets; process the paychecks, prepare the workers compensation policy; handle the taxes and withholdings; perform background checks; and more. The CIL may also offer you training for hiring and interviewing your assistant.

Only those people who receive Waiver Services are eligible for these services. However, if you’re not sure if you’re eligible, contact your local CIL, as they can guide you through the steps for determining your eligibility. If you live in the counties that offer Living Well With A Disability, call the hotline to receive the Living Well assessment which will discuss financial assistance.

The Center for Independent Living of Central PA and Three Rivers Center for Independent Living offer these services to people with disabilities. To determine if you live in a county that offers these services, contact your CIL. To find the Center for Independent Living that serves your county, visit www.pcil.net.

A Piece of Pennsylvania History

The Gettysburg Battlefields are a piece of America’s history that residents of Pennsylvania are lucky enough to have right in their own state. Come and experience the place where the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg occurred, and where President Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address.

The Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg.

The Gettysburg National Military Park, located in Gettysburg, Pa. offers fully accessible attractions including the Museum and Visitor Center, the David Wills House, Gettysburg Battlefield, High Water Mark Trail, and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.

At the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, the story of the Battle of Gettysburg and why it is so important to our nation’s history is told. A collection of artifacts and archival materials show the Civil War through the words of its participants and spectators. This summer, two indoor programs are offered at the Museum and Visitor Center, including “The Battle of Gettysburg- an Overview,” a 30-minute program at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, and “Monuments of Gettysburg,” on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Both of these programs are fully accessible. Sound amplification devices are available for those with partial hearing loss.

Ranger Hewitt explains the history to tourists.

In addition to the programs offered in the Visitor Center, the park offers the David Wills House. It was opened in February 2009 in honor of President Lincoln’s 200^th birthday. The David Wills House is where President Lincoln put the finishing touches on the Gettysburg Address. It is also the center for the clean-up process after the Battle of Gettysburg. The Wills House is fully accessible, and provides access to the second floor by elevator. People with hearing or visual impairments may ask the front desk for assistance, and there are sound devices and written information available.

After viewing the overview of The Battle of Gettysburg, you can take a live tour to experience the largest battle ever fought in North America. The Gettysburg Battlefield includes 1,328 monuments and memorials. The battlefield looks more like it did in 1863 than at any point in the last fifty years as a result of an ongoing National Park Service program to bring back missing features such as fences, orchards, and open fields that affected the fighting, but had been lost over time. From now through mid-August, guided walking tours and programs on the battlefield are offered. These programs are free and include children’s programs.

Soldiers National Monument at Gettysburg

This site is an opportunity for people to tour the grounds within their own vehicle. Should you need assistance, a licensed battlefield guide can be hired to give you a tour in your own vehicle, or private companies in Gettysburg also offer bus tours. For individuals with hearing impairments, there is a free park folder at the Visitor Center keyed to the self-guided tour signs along the park roads. There are audio stations located at points in the park, and all monuments and cannons may be touched. Please note that some battlefields are not accessible because of their historical significance, and some plaques and exhibits along the route are partially accessible.

Another important part of history is the National Cemetery, which is accessible to the public through tours at the Gettysburg National Park. The National Cemetery was for the Union soldiers that died during the Battle of Gettysburg, and also for the soldiers, veterans and dependants from the Civil War through Vietnam. At the dedication of the cemetery in 1863, President Lincoln gave The Gettysburg Address.

Also, part of the cemetery includes the High Mark Water Trail. Approximately 50% of the High Mark Water Trail is accessible for people who use mobility devices. The National Cemetery has paved roads, and can be toured by vehicle. You must notify the park ranger at the Visitor Center for permission to enter the cemetery by vehicle. For those with hearing impairments, printed guides are available.

So, take a vacation, or a drive to learn more about America’s history this summer! We encourage anyone interested to contact the park prior to your visit to ensure accommodations can be met. Please note the films in the museum exhibits are open captioned, and the feature film has captioning available. Programs conducted by Rangers are not captioned.

For more information, contact Gettysburg National Military Park at 717-334-1124. Information is also available at the Web site, http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm.