Holiday Sale at Museum of disABILITY Store Offers Unique Gifts

Discounts for teachers, students and veterans  November 18, 2019: Looking for a unique gift on your shopping list this holiday season? Look no further than the charming store located inside the Museum of disABILITY History. A Holiday Store Sale and Book Fair will be held on Saturday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo (Amherst border, near University at Buffalo South Campus).  The sale includes special discounts: Buy one children’s book, get the second half off. Students and teachers receive 20% off with valid employee ID. Military active duty, reservists and veterans receive 20% off with valid ID. Popular children’s books, like Olivia the Bully , Kyle and the Cape of Courage and the Mubu the Morph series, make great gifts and learning tools for kids. Plus, books in the Museum of disABILITY History’s Abandoned History Series are available, including The Colony Chronicles , Buffalo State Hospital: A History of the Institution in Light and Shadow and J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital: Her Inside Voice .  The Museum Store offers merchandise made by people of People Inc. Day Habilitation program participants. People with developmental disabilities have created unique items like wooden pens and wine stoppers, hand painted wine glasses and pillows, among other items. Each item is hand-made and no two items are the same. Additionally, DVDs, CDs, jewelry and more are for sale. In addition to the store items, membership to the Museum of disABILITY History makes a beneficial gift for family and friends. There are five different levels of memberships, with each receiving a variety of perks. Museum of disABILITY History members receive a 10 percent discount on store merchandise during this holiday sale and throughout the year. Store proceeds benefit the Museum of disABILITY History. For more information, call 716-629-3626. The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The only museum of its kind in the U.S., the Museum of disABILITY History offers educational exhibits, programs, publications and activities to create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions.

Home Health Care: A Viable Alternative

Has a loved one recently been discharged from the hospital from having a major surgery? Is a family member in need of a nurse, therapist, social worker or personal care aide? Whether there is a need for professional care or assistance with daily living, People Home Health Care can help. Although People Home Health Care is the only provider in Western New York specializing in services for individuals with developmental disabilities, services are available to individuals of all ages and abilities. Services include: skilled nursing; personal care; physical, speech and occupational therapies; nutrition and social work. The ultimate goal is to reduce hospitalizations and help prevent episodes of acute illness by providing medically prescribed services and assistance. A further benefit of the program is that services are provided in an environment that is familiar and comfortable. Families and caregivers sometimes find themselves facing decisions that are difficult and may involve moving family members into more restrictive environments. Families may access home healthcare services through a variety of payer sources including Medicaid, Medicare, commercial health or long-term care insurance and private payment. For more information, call 716.874-5600.

Honoring Our Nursing Staff During National Nurses Week

May 6 to 12, 2022 is National Nurses Week, a time to recognize the contributions of nurses all around the country. At People Inc., we have an incredible team of nurses who deliver compassion and strength to the people we support on a daily basis.  A presentation was recently created to honor members of our nursing team. Thank you, nurses, for the amazing work you do!

Housewarming for New People Inc. Transitional Housing Opportunity

What: Housewarming Celebration for People Inc. “On Our Way @Wayside” Guided tours will be provided of the training apartments and the common areas used for group instruction. When: Tuesday, June 29, at 11 a.m. Where: 5235 Roberts Road, Hamburg, NY Parking available at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 5017 Lake Shore Road (the church is adjacent to Wayside) Who: Hamburg Town Supervisor James Shaw, Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera, People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick and a Wayside tenant will share brief remarks.  Why: People Inc. On Our Way @Wayside is a transitional housing opportunity to help prepare people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for independent living, while developing skills through hands-on learning.  The residential crisis facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities negatively impacts the psychological, emotional and social well-being and health of affected families. Parents often live in fear of the future, as they wait for years for a residential opportunity to become available. Only people experiencing the greatest crisis and imminent danger are prioritized for a group home. Too often, this means families must wait for an emergency, such as a death or physical incapacitation of a caregiver.  The People Inc. “On Our Way @Wayside project started with the donation of a former daycare building, which was donated on the corner of Wayside Drive and Roberts Road in Hamburg, and a new building was recently completed. Three tenants at a time will live at Wayside for a three to nine-month period and their progress will be tracked monthly through an assessment process. The residence consists of three separate pods/en suites. Staff will be present at limited, set times to work on skills for independent living. The larger, common training spaces will allow for group learning activities on cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting and mobility training. On Our Way @Wayside will help provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to gain independence by being progressively responsible for aspects of their “next step” community apartment, while living in a safe practice model. COVID-19 safety protocols in place for this event. Social distancing and face masks required within the house. People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

Hundreds Support People Inc. at “Better Together” Event

Nearly 300 People Inc. friends and family attended “Better Together...A Night of Celebration” on May 9 to celebrate the coming together of the programs, services and agencies that make up People Inc. today. The evening included a wonderful choral performance by the “Traveling Troupe,” whose members attend People Inc.’s Arts Experience program. Guests also enjoyed live music, casino-style games, and an auction including original pieces created through the ArtsWork program. This event celebrated the expansion of People Inc.'s family of services over the last year and welcomed the programs of Deaf Access Services and Autism Services Inc. The evening also marked the coming together of the Rivershore and Southeast Foundations with the People Inc. Foundation. Event proceeds will assist the People Inc. Foundation in its support of the newly expanded comprehensive arts, music, and theater initiative under the ArtsWork umbrella. Thank you to all our sponsors, including Gold Sponsor, Creative Structures Services; and Silver Sponsors, Great Lakes Health, KeyBank, M&T Bank, Parkview Health Services and Upstate Pharmacy. A new overview video of the agency premiered. The video includes embedded captions and an ASL interpreter.

Increase Inclusion: People Inc. Seeks New Businesses to Employ People with Disabilities

October 1, 2021: Ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important part of what People Inc. does year-round. Each October, People Inc. recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time set aside to educate the community about disability issues and to celebrate the many and varied talents and valuable contributions of workers with disabilities and their impact on the economy. This year’s theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” which reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This group of job seekers are unemployed at a rate that is twice that of job seekers without disabilities. The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success, and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.” People Inc. is seeking new businesses in Western New York and the Greater Rochester region to join its current 300 business partners. People Inc. helps companies fill openings specific to their need and demand through the supported employment program . Additionally, several  business solutions  have been established that offer high-quality work, ranging from janitorial and carpet cleaning to workforce solutions and contract manufacturing. Hiring a qualified person with a disability brings greater benefits beyond just filling an open job – it means increased productivity, enhanced corporate culture and dedicated, loyal and efficient employees – all of which contribute to a company’s success! People Inc. is proud to support people in their career goals through its Supported Employment and Vocational Programs. People of all abilities have the right to equal employment opportunities.  The goal of the agency’s  Vocational Services  is to help people with all abilities find a job that is suitable to their specific interests, strengths and abilities. A hallmark of the success of the People Inc. program is that if there is not a good job match in traditional employment opportunities, the agency creates them so that people who are ready and willing to work, can. These jobs are competitive and integrated and provide real wages to the people supported by the agency. “People Inc. is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Rhonda Frederick, President and CEO. “We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of people with disabilities.” Reflecting this year’s theme, she remarked, “People Inc. confirms its commitment to an inclusive work culture, continuing to be a resource to the business community on disability employment issues and opening the door to building new relationships with business of all sizes across the region.” For a detailed conversation about employing people with disabilities, revisit this TEDx Buffalo talk, entitled “Differently Abled: Employing the Next FDR,” presented by Rhonda Frederick from 2015. “This presentation is still relevant today and I challenge all owners of businesses of any size, as well as community organizations, to think differently about people with disabilities in the workplace – how can you promote inclusion in your workplace? Together, let’s break down the barriers that still exist.” If businesses would like to find out how to partner with People Inc., or a person with a disability would like to learn more, email James Scutt at businesssolutions@people-inc.org or call its Vocational Services Department at 716-817-5750. People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 5,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow  People Inc.  on Facebook or Twitter  @PeopleIncNews .

Increasing Independence & Safety is at the Heart of People Inc. Program

A person with a disability sometimes faces challenges in their home that make it hard to navigate everyday living safely, or that limit their ability to be independent. This can include anything from showers to hard-to-reach countertops to doorways, cars, beds, seating or more. That is where People Inc.’s Environmental Modifications (EMODS) Department can help. The EMOD Department is the only program serving both the Western New York and Rochester areas offering project management and oversight services that help eligible people with intellectual and developmental disabilities work through safety and other issues in their living area. The People Inc. EMODS team makes accessing modifications easy by guiding people and their care coordinators through a complicated approval process with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). A key component to approval is that the modification must link directly to an eligible diagnosis and solve a safety concern or barrier to independence. People Inc. secures funding so that pre-screened architects may design modifications and contractors can complete the work. Project management services in the home can include changes such as ramps, wheelchair lifts, lowered countertops, barrier-free showers, widened doorways, grab bars, automatic or manual door openers, ceiling tracks, and fences. Assistive Technology devices can help increase safety, accessibility, and personal successes, such as hygiene seats, shaker beds, service animals, and specialized seating. And vehicle modifications can be made to a car, truck, van, or SUV that allow access to the community – such as modified driver controls, ramps, lift assist seating, and securement systems. The Lee family of Buffalo has gone through this process twice with People Inc. as the needs of their now 14-year-old daughter Yuna have changed. Jae Lee said most homes are not built to be accessible to people who use a wheelchair and lifts. When they first moved in, the Lee family was using a ramp into the front door that they felt was unsafe. People Inc. assisted the Lees with a comprehensive assessment of their home environment and in requesting a platform lift and an accessible landing in the garage, a ceiling lift system, door widening, and solid floor surfaces for rolling accessibility.

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Click here to view our latest E-newsletter! Stay up-to-date on our news, programs, and special events with our free e-newsletter! Click here to sign up.