RESOURCES
SERVICES
ABOUT US
Welcome. I hope you find this web site both inspirational and helpful. I have re-created this site to assist you in becoming a Disability Rights Advocate for yourself and others, and an Advocate for Systems Change . This Web Site is divided into four parts. The first part consists of My Personal Life living as a person with disabilities. The second part consists of Programs and Services , which I can provide as D & L Consultants LLC . The third is comprehensive pages on Active Legislation (how laws are made) that concerns people with disabilities. The fourth set of pages is made up of links to helpful web sites that will improve your ability to become successful Disability Advocate and Advocate for System Change don't for get to check out the Advocate Tool Box , that consist of over 20 links that I use on a regular basis. Please feel free to send your ideas and comments about this web site as it is constantly evolving. Remember in order for me to help you become better advocates, I must first know what you need. If you have a web page that you would like to have on my site contact me . You can reach me at donald.jamess_yahoo.com . You can also reach me by instant messenger using the same address.
Like an old and trusted friend use to say "Happy trails to you, until we meet again."
I'm sorry for any inconvenience, I have decided to rebuild the web site. I'm giving it a new look and adding some more pages filled with ideas that some of you had asked about to help you with your advocacy work. Please be patient, this will take time because I'm doing it myself. As you can see, I did work on some pages but I do have some bugs to work on. If you have any questions or ideas please feel free to E-mail me at donald.jamess_yahoo.com . You can also reach me by instent messenger using the same address. Until then may the arising be close and the campfire keep you warm.
D & L Consultants, L.L.C. is unique among Conservators in that my approach is to help my consumers to obtain state and federal benefits, while at the same time, pushing them to live as independently as their disability will allow. I believe that my own disabilities has provide me with an unique insights into my consumers needs... Insights that cannot exist in Conservators without a disability who serve only the elderly.
The James Gang,
Outlaws on Wheels,
fugitives from BUREAUCRACY,
Wanted for breaking people
out of CONFINEMENT
I strongly believe that far too many people with a disabilities are confined to a nursing home setting, people who could function much more independently if given a little assistance. I specialize in providing Conservator Services to people who are disabled. Since I myselve have learned to live independently with my own disabilities, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to help you or your family member, to live a rewarding life outside the confines of a nursing facility. Did you know that it is against the Americans with Disability Act to keep a person with a disability in a nursing home setting if he or she does not need medical attention. In 1999, the United States Supreme Court said in a decision called Olmstead v. L.C. that persons with disabilities who live in, are "at risk" of living in, or are eligible for placement in facilities or institutions, have a right to live in the community. If you feel that you or your family member is being kept in a nursing home setting against your wishes contact me and we can set up an interview to discuss your options. I specialize in going beyond simple conservator services. I can help, by teaching life skills to my consumers so that they can live a more independent life.
Conservators can happen one of two ways. A conservator will be appointed for you if a state or local agency or a family member has concerns about your savety and welfare are compromised, or you can voluntarily ask to be assigned a conservator. If you voluntarily ask for one yourself, you can aways go back to the probate court to have your conservator to removed, were as the other way you can not. Pleasecontact meif you feel that I can provide you with help with your conservator arrangements.
What is the Olmstead Decision ? The Olmstead Case involved two women with dual diagnoses of mental retardation and mental illness who were living in an institution in Georgia. When their treatment professionals agreed they were ready to leave the institution, the two women applied for Georgia's home and community based service waiver. They were told that the waiver was full. They filed a lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which went all the way to the Supreme Court. In the summer of 1999, the Supreme Court announced its decision in favor of the two women. The Court decision ruled that:
· Under the ADA, individuals with disabilities must be served in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs;
· It is discrimination against persons with disabilities to fail to provide community based services to those who want and can benefit from them;
· States can demonstrate compliance with the Omlstead decision by creating a comprehensive, consumer-friendly working plan to move people to less restrictive settings;
· States must also demonstrate a waiting list that moves at a responsible pace.
The court decision is being broadly interpreted as applying to individuals with all types of disabilities, those in many types institutional settings, and including individuals at risk of institutionalization. Connecticut's plan, "Choices Are For Everyone" is now being created by the Connecticut Community Option Task Force and will go to the Long Term Care Planning Committee (members are appointed by legislators), the body that has oversight of the project.
D & L Consulting, L.L.C. is moving people with disabilities from inclusive institutions to their own residences. With proper support and networking, any individual with the desire to live in the community should have that right. The five independent living centers, located throughout the State of Connecticut, have programs that will enable them to help people.
Contact us if you believe that either you or a loved one is being held against their will in an institution like nursing homes, boarding homes, convalescent homes, or psychiatric facilities.
A Personal Manager is somewhat like the Conservator ship Program Except; I do not have to follow the strict regulations that Probate Court mandates. I’m able to sit down with the individual and discuss their needs and tailor make a program that would foster their independence. I offer a wide range of services, from handling your complete finances to advising you on monthly bases.
From time to time we all need help figuring out what types of service are out there the we as people with a disabilities could use to better support our needs and just maybe we are afraid to get a Social worker from the Department of Social Services involve with this decision. With my vast knowledge of programs and services offered by the Federal, State and local agencies I will be able to advice you on what services are out there and which ones are best for you.
Are you in jeopardy of loosing your independence, are your family, friends or Social Worker trying to convince you to have a conservator or even yet being placed into an institution? Did you know that it is against the Americans with Disability Act to keep a person with a disability in a nursing home setting if he or she does not need medical attention. In 1999, the United States Supreme Court said in a decision called Olmstead v. L.C. that persons with disabilities who live in, are "at risk" of living in, or are eligible for placement in facilities or institutions, have a right to live in the community. I have worked with many people who had disabilities that interfered with their daily living activities. With the right support and services that are out there and is your right to use, there is no need to be forced into something that you do not need.
Please Contact Me if you or someone you know believes my services could help you.
From time to time we all could use a littel help. From what tipes of Assistive Technology are out there to who to call for the services you need now or down the road. Are you planning a trip but you are not sure if can even take it safely? You have a computer but you are having problems finding the right software that you need to make the computer more accessible to your disability.
Growing up with my disabilities I learned from an early age to step back and look at all the possible ways to achieve my goal. Bringing that in prospective in to days age of Technology I am able to trouble shut the problem and come up with a solution. Being on a fixed income most of my life I needed to resolve my problems with little or no money and I reality that I'm not alone.
Please feel free to Contact Me if you need help finding a solution to your problems. From time to time I will be adding quick and essay solution to from day to day problems. You are not the only one out here with problems.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Address 231 North Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042-2046
Phone (860) 643-5575
Toll Free (888) 643-5575
E-mail donald.jamess_yahoo.com
We are able to do video comference on most instent messenger. We use Yahoo Messenger, my ID is donald.jamess_yahoo.com. In the subjest area put down D & L.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am looking for a position in the independent sector, as either an employee or a contractor. I have created our own small business, D & L Consultants LLC, and we have been able to work on several significant projects that have not only helped persons with disabilities be as independent as their disabilities would allow them to be, but were able to help change Connecticut's infrastructure.
For 2 1/2 years, I was working for the Department of Social Service, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (DSS/BRS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to implement the Community Bridging Pilot Project (CBP). The goal of the CBP was to identify gaps in disability-related services within the community and assist people with significant disabilities to live independently, integrate into their communities, and gain higher life satisfaction through gainful employment. Unfortunately, the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant has run out and although the DSS/BRS are working on a three-year contract, it does not seem that the contract would be in place by May 31, 2006 the last day of my job.
I have been successful in finding funding from different foundations to purchase equipment and locate free Assistive Technology, which will help my consumer's to be more independent in their day-to-day living activities. I was able to help a young woman to be placed on the ABI Waiver program after several different attempts. Now with a different social worker, and being on the waiver, she is working on her goals that she had set for herself when we had first started to work together.
I have been successful in assisting people to move out of nursing homes into their own apartments. I have been working as a conservator/personal manager for persons with disabilities through the Probate Court system. I also have been able to help several people to receive their social security benefits after they had been denied several times.
As a court appointed conservator, I had the opportunity to work with people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. My duties as Conservator of Estate are to collect the consumer income to pay for their living expenses. Although the Probate Court regulation frowns on allowing the Consumer to have a hand in this process, I was able to let my consumers have some input into the process. With online banking, I was able to allow my consumers to have an ATM/Debit card with their weekly/monthly allowance automatically deposited. I was able to monitor their spending habits and to assist them when needed. I feel that involving the consumer with a say in their finances gives them a better feeling about themselves. Not all consumers are able to assist in this matter. In this case, I would do what was best for the consumer. As a Conservator of Person, I had specific duties, in which I was expected to carry out to the letter of the law. Although this caused concern from different advocacy groups, sometimes this caused great conflicts within my own better judgment.
Being a student in the 50's, with a disability, we had no laws to protect us against discrimination in the school system. My parents forced the Massachusetts school system to mainstream me in with the general population. As an adult, I have come to realize that even with Rehabilitation Act 504, IDEA and the ADA school systems around the country are still trying to discriminate against children with disabilities. I have become an advocate for consumers in the school system. Educating the parents on what services should actually be supplied. By educating the parents, and the children, they would be guaranteed the proper education from the school system. With the vast knowledge from the internet and publications from state and federal government one could actually put a booklet down in front of the members of the PPT and refer to the book if need be in order to get the school system on the right track. Without this knowledge, the parents would be unable to protect their children's rights under these regulations. I do not know everything there is to know. Whoever says they do, actually does not know enough. Before I even go into PPT, I sit down with the child and their parents to be informed of past history. Once I know what was provided, we can create a strategy to obtain the right services with no cost to them.
Please feel free to contacting me at (860) 643-5575 if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your needs and my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Donald L. James
231 North Main Street
Manchester CT. 06042
(860) –643-5575
E-mail: donald.jamess_yahoo.com
www.outlawsonwheels.com
OBJECTIVE
I am looking for a position in the independent living sector, as either an employee or a contractor. Highly organized, multi disciplined, and innovative. Takes initiative to obtain goal, excellent trouble shooting skills, which allow me to contribute to any endeavor.
EXPERIENCE
D & L Consultants LLC, Manchester, CT 6/1999 to present
Resource Coordinator (Community Bridging Project) Connect to Work Center, 11/2003 to 5/2006
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Independent Living Consultant, preparing individuals with disabilities
for work. Conservator with Probate Court/Personal Manager to help people with disabilities live as
independently as their disabilities would allow.
Office Max, Manchester, CT 6/1998 to 5/2002
Electronics/Computer Salesman
Greeting customers and helping them to buy the right equipment for their needs
CT Union of Disability Action Groups, Wethersfield, CT 12/1993 to 6/1996
Community Organizer
Working with groups of individuals with disabilities on issues such as Transportation,
Personal Care Assistants and legislation.
James Family Care Home, Norwich, CT 1/1980 to 1/1992
Owner and Operator, State licensed
Work with up to five individuals with psychological and emotional disorders, providing shelter, food,
arranging medical appointments and monitoring their medication and daily activities.
Al’s Uptown Deli. Norwich, CT 1/1972 to 1/1985
Banquet Preparations/Food Delivery
Buy food from Massachusetts and New York and transport it back to the restaurant. Pick up banquet
equipment from local rental stores and set up banquet halls, deliver prepared food to party locations.
James Electronics, Niantic, CT 4/1972 to 1/2000
Owner and Operator
Sales and servicing of TV and small appliances.
SKILLS
Supervisory, Management, Electronics sales/repairs, Community Organizer, Lobbyist, Personal Manager,
Conservator of Person/Estate, Assistive Technology, PC/MAC, Office XP, MS Works, MS Money 2007
EDUCATION
Mohegan Community College, Norwich CT
Associate in Human Service Studies May 1992
Associate in General Studies May 1991
Office of Protection and Advocacy, Hartford, CT
Certificate of knowledge in Americans with Disabilities Act November 1993
Ward School of Electronics, University of Hartford
Certificate of Electronics May 1971
I was born in 1949 with Cerebral Palsy. At birth the doctors were unable to get me to breath, which caused some damage to portions of my brain. The doctors told my parents to place me into an institution, and they gave me six months to live. Out of love and dedication, both mom and dad proved the doctors wrong. During the first four years of my life, mom took me to Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy daily, while at the same time she worked third shift as an LPN. When I reached school age, I needed to take yearly IQ tests before entering school to prove that I was not intellectual challenged. After elementarily school the family moved to Niantic, CT so I could attend junior high school.
After high school I studied Electronics at the University of Hartford. Knowing that I would not be able to find work at the local repair shops, I saved up my money while working as a janitor in the post office. I was told that I would not be able to be a mail carrier. I decided to quit the job and open James Electronics in 1974. I was able to hire two friends who were married at that time. Seven months latter my health had caused my to close down the shop to recuperate. On
June 20, 1980, on my birthday, I was able to buy a two family house. Shortly after, I opened James Family Care Home, licensed by the state, for adults who were psychiatrically challenged. This gave me 12 years of clinical study in the psychological field. The state closed down all 13 Family Care Homes in 1992. With no income I lost the house two years latter in foreclosure. In 1984 I was diagnosed with Spinal Arthritis in my neck, and was operated on to relive pressure from my spinal cord, which forced me to use a motorized wheelchair. During the operation and my recovery Donna, the friend who had worked at my shop, moved in to help out with the home. Shortly after, I married and had a son named Justin Joseph James (Joe). The marriage did not work out and I was divorced three years later. In 1985, I decided to go back to college to get an Associates Degree in Human Services.
In 1992 I had landed a job with the Connecticut United Disabilities Action Groups, Inc. (CUDAG), where I was a Community Organizer. My job was to help organize three statewide groups around issues concerning, Personal Assistance, Public Transportion and Public Accessibility. In 1995 I was terminated from CUDAG because of lack of funding.
I then decided to start D & L Consultants LCC as an Independent Consultant. I was able to work under a sub-contract with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services as an Independent Living Consultant, Resource Coordinator (Community Bridging Project) Connect to Work Center. My duties were to help individuals with disabilities to defined goals and preparing for to meet with their BRS councilor. I continue to work as Conservator with Probate Court/Personal Manager to help people with disabilities live as independently as their disabilities would allow.
In January 1997 while attending a protest, with a group called Not Dead Yet, in Washington, DC, protesting doctor assistive suicide, where I met Lisa Abbey who was a paraplegic and had a Traumatic Brain Injury. In May 1999 we were married. In April Lisa gave birth, naturally, to our son Peter Adam James. In January 2007 we got divorced.
Do you have a web site link that you use for information and think other people could benefit from?
Do you have a web page that you would like to be publich? I would be willing to post it, for free, on
my web sit if it is about advocacy work. Sorry no advertising.
Some of us use and depend on a Live-in Personal Care Assistant to live independently out in the community. And sometimes the working relationship brakes down and you need to replace them. When you call the police they advice you that you would need to go to Housing Court and evict them in order move them out, that could take up to three months. There is a Connecticut statute (section 47a-2) that lists exemptions to the summary process (eviction) laws: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/pub/chap830.htm#Sec47a-2.htm . You would want to look at subsection (a) (6) for the mention of a “personal care assistant.” Your local police may not know about this prevision, it is recommend that you make a copy of Sec47 (a) (6) for your own record. You should incorporate it into the contract between you and your Personal Assistant. Also you could take a copy down to your local police department and introduce yourself to the Police Chief and make him/her aware of this statute. If you do not live in Connecticut and you do not know if your state has a prevision like ours, you can contact your local or state Library reference department to get help finding that out. If your state doesn’t have this law than this is your duty to work on making it a law. See " “How Laws are Made "” in my “Advocate Tool Box”
Also, there is a Guide to Hiring and Managing Personal Assistant Services published by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services that discusses evicting a live-in personal assistant: http://www.ct.gov/brs/lib/brs/pdfs/pas/3-e.pdf#page=23 . This guide can be use by people from any state.
More Information and helpful links visit my PCA page in my Resource Pages section.
If you can’t find something you are looking for feel free to Contact Me.
Through the years I come to appreciate Assistive technology. Assistive Technology could be any thing from a peace of string, tie onto a doorknob, to close the door, to a remote control van so a person with a disability can drive independently. Right now though we will talk about computers and software. Over the years, because of my own disabilities and working with others, I found it necessary to research the web for software that would make things easier for others and myself. I have Cerebral Palsy and Dyslexia, Impaired ability to learn to read, so I needed to find software/freeware that would equal out the playing field and make me more competitive in the work force. I use Turbo Type , a word prediction software, which will give me a list of words I may be trying to type ($20.00), it’s not only good for people with dyslexia but also will speed up your typing if you are a slow typists. Another program is Natural Reader , a screen reader that can work with any other program and Word Web , a dictionary, both (free). These three programs have brought my reading and writing skills up to college level. Of course I still make mistakes but it’s a lot better then without them. I find most of the programs at download.com and Major Geek.com , most are free. For a list of Assistive technology web sited full of goodies click on Assistive Technology Links or to the Resource Pages in the resources menu. If your not sure what you are looking for, contact me and I can help.
Working with people with disabilities I found it hard to get them the funding to obtain new computers and or software they need. I have started to build and upgrade computers to fit the needs of my consumers. If you need this service contact me.
D & L Consultants LLC offers a wide range of Advocacy related services, from assisting you in fighting for your rights and benefits, be it from the Social Security Administration, your state, or even from private companies and individuals, such as landlords. Here are just a few of services that I can provide to you.
Accessible in the work place
Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration denies disability benefits to more then ½ of their applicants. Most applicants could be denied up to four times, and each time you most repeal their decision in order for your application to be continue. If you don’t and your application gets dropped you not only need to reapply, you will lose right to receive your benefits retroactively from the day you applied. Between answering application questions correctly, gathering medical documents and X-rays, most people get overwhelmed.
The Social Security Administration allows you to contact Social Security Advocates to help you with the process. Most people believe that they need to hire an attorney, but the Social Security Administration regulation states that anyone with knowledge of Social Security regulation may represent you in the process. I have been working with individuals trying to obtain their benefits for over 25 years. If you would like to set up an appointment please Contact Me.
Special Education
Being a student in the 50's, with a disability, we had no laws to protect us against discrimination in the school system. My parents forced the Massachusetts school system to mainstream me in with the general population. As an adult, I have come to realize that even with Rehabilitation Act 504, IDEA and the ADA school systems around the country are still trying to discriminate against children with disabilities. I have become an advocate for consumers in the school system. Educating the parents on what services should actually be supplied. By educating the parents, and the children, they would be guaranteed the proper education from the school system. With the vast knowledge from the internet and publications from state and federal government one could actually put a booklet down in front of the members of the PPT and refer to the book if need be in order to get the school system on the right track. Without this knowledge, the parents would be unable to protect their children's rights under these regulations. I do not know everything there is to know. Who ever says they do, actually does not know enough. Before I even go into PPT, I sit down with the child and their parents to be informed of past history. Once I know what was provided, we can create a strategy to obtain the right services with no cost to them. Please feel free to Contact Me if you feel your child is not getting the right education that he or she deserve under law.
Conservators can happen one of two ways. A conservator will be appointed for you if a state or local agency or a family member has concerns about your savety and welfare are compromised, or you can voluntarily ask to be assigned a conservator. If you voluntarily ask for one yourself, you can aways go back to the probate court to have your conservator to removed, were as the other way you can not. Please Contact Me if you feel that I can provide you with help with your conservator arrangements.
We offer a full line of education services to the community. We are committed to providing children and adults with a unique understanding of what it is like to live with a disability.
An average session is 2 hours long, although the sessions can be tailored to your group's needs. Each session is unique and interactive. The audience takes control by asking the questions that you thought you never could!Classes are offered on:
Teaching Disability Awareness and Civil Rights
· Advocacy with individuals and groups
· Promotion of Independent Living
· Education of State and Federal Officials about improving life with disabilities
· Improvement of accessibility by removing physical and attitudinal barriers of Hotels, Motels, etc.
· Holding session on rights and obligations regarding elections
· Education on becoming a Conservator for persons with disabilities.
Making Learning Fun
We offer a wide variety of ways to understand, by giving the members of the audience their own disabilities and talking them through an imaginary experience. This enables them to get a first hand idea of living with a visual impairment, lack of balance, or a coordination or mobility disability.
We can also offer an obstacle course where you can maneuver around the room full of obstacles using a wheelchair and other mobility aides, simulating day to day activities of a person with a disability.
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks
We realize that when we are asked to speak to a group of adults, there will be moments when we will need to slay the dragon and deal with myths about living with a disability. We start by talking about each of our disabilities and how we live with them.We talk about our personal needs, giving you freedom to ask personal questions like "How do you take a shower?", "How do you go to the bathroom?", "When you were growing up did you go to a normal school?", and "How did you get over your disabilities?"
Please Contact Me if you are interested in finding out more about these unique educational opportunities.
In addition to the services listed above, we also provide the following services to our clients: Communications
Given our extensive work with organizations devoted to the disabled, we have developed excellent skills that can be of value to your organization, such as:
· Newsletters
· Press Releases
· Fundraising Campaigns
· Media Relations
Please Contact Me to discuss the communications needs of your organization.
Olmstead What is Olmstead?
The Olmstead Case involved two women with dual diagnoses of mental retardation and mental illness who were living in an institution in Georgia. When their treatment professionals agreed they were ready to leave the institution, the two women applied for Georgia's home and community based service waiver. They were told that the waiver was full. They filed a lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which went all the way to the Supreme Court. In the summer of 1999, the Supreme Court announced its decision in favor of the two women. The Court decision ruled that:
· It is descrimination against persons with disabilities to fail to provide community based services to those who want and can benefit from them;
· States must also demonstrate waiting lists that moves at a responsible pace.
The court decision is being broadly interpreted as applying to individuals with all types of disabilities, those in many types institutional settings, and including individuals at risk of institutionalization.
Connecticut's plan, "Choices Are For Everyone" has been created by the Connecticut Community Option Task Force and will go to the Long Term Care Planning Committee (members are appointed by legislators), the body that has oversight of the project.
D & L Consulting, L.L.C. is working closely with the Connecticut Olmstead Coalition by moving people with disabilites from inclusive institutions to their own residences. With proper support and networking, any individual with the desire to live in the community should have that right. So far, the combined staff at D & L Consulting, L.L.C have moved over 60 adults out of institutions and into the community. The five independent living centers, located throughout the State of Connecticut, have programs that will enable them to help people.
Contact Me if you believe that either you or a loved one is being held against their will in an institution like nursing homes, boarding homes, convalescent homes, or psychiatric facilitites.
Below you will find links organized alphabeticaly. Click on the title of a topic below and you will be taken to a list of links to other sites relevant to that topic. Each link has a description describing the site. If you can not find something or you have a link that should be listed please feel free to contact me.
Advocacy
Assistive Technology
Blogs
Bulletin Boards
Disability Law
Durable Medical Goods
Education
Government
Magazines
Medical
Women's Health
Men's Health
News
