Independent Living Center of Kern County

Dear ILCKC friends and family: Our longtime friend and staff member Harvey Clowers has recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Fortunately, treatment is an option however other health issues have impeded progress, which in turn has further complicated not only Harvey's health but his finances as well. For those of you that have had the pleasure of meeting or working with Harvey, you know that he is hilarious, friendly, and definitely knows how to roll with the punches. He and his family have met this challenge head on and battled quietly. During this time, we would like to take the opportunity to reach out to the community on their behalf and ask for support.

FREE TRANSPORTATION COVID-19 MASS VACCINATION CLINIC! All residents requesting transportation must be eligible to be vaccinated in accordance with the State’s tiered system This service will be able to transport those with access and functional needs disabilities, however, not those who are bed bound or require gurney transport The ride will include others in need of transportation but will have appropriate distancing and require the use of face masks. Each vehicle will b...e sanitized frequently as well A caregiver may accompany a rider who needs assistance even if they are not eligible for the vaccine Rides will likely not be for the same day To request transportation please call: (661)868-7090

"Shaping Our Communities and Future" virtual event is co-hosted by the Central Valley and Kern County LTSS Coaltions. The policy forum will take a dive into the Master Plan on Aging’s Local Playbook to enable and empower older adults and people with disabilities in understanding the local planning, action, and engagement of the Master Plan as well as how Central Valley Legislative Representatives will support the Master Plan. Participants will be professionals in the field of aging, older adults, and others interested in age friendly communities. Six counties in the Central Valley (Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced) will be represented. Save the Date. For more information, please contact Jan Lemucchi at ILCKC, 661.325.1063.

ID: dark blue background with white text. "Just as you would for a dear friend, don't forget to be kind to yourself."

Recent Covid-19 vaccine briefing. February 19, 2021 ASL interpreter provided.

We are able and ready to assist anyone with a disability who is also in need of stable access to nutrition. Contact us today! Hablamos Español ASL Interpreting Available ... #calfresh #kerncounty #disabilitysupport #localresource #ilckc See more

The holidays are around the corner which means family gatherings and activities. As you schedule events and games, don't forget to include family members of all abilities Repost from @dmcyouthconnect Uno returned during our Live Out Loud (LOL) hang day last weekend! We mailed out Braille or non-Braille games to the youth and had a blast playing through Zoom. ... [Image description: Boxes of Braille and non-Braille Uno game cards situated in a circle and stacked in two layers.

The Independent Living Center of Kern County has limited #CARESact supplemental funding to assist people with disabilities. Please contact us for more information or to receive this flyer in an alternative format. . . Please share! #kerncounty #bakersfield #covid_19 #resources

ILCKC...we've been "dared" to a pumpkin carving contest!

Repost from @independencenow Today is White Cane Safety Day! For Blind People, the white cane is an essential tool that gives the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows them to move freely and safely from place to placewhether it's at work, at school, or around their neighborhoods.... The National Federation of the Blind is hosting events throughout the month of October in recognition of White Cane Safety Day and #MeetTheBlind month. Visit: https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month Visual Description Green graphic with white text that says "It's White Cane Safety Day. 'The white cane is more than a tool. It's a functional symbol of independence.'" Photo of four people using white canes crossing a crosswalk. Photo is modeled after famous Beatles Abbey Road album cover. In bottom center is the Independence Now logo in white.

Final hours remain to self-respond to the US Census. Your time ends this evening at 11:59p. Remember, money comes into Kern County (for schools, roads, hospitals, social services and more) from the Federal Gov't for every person counted in a household. No count, no money. Here's how you can respond if you haven't done so: English (844) 330-2020; Spanish (844) 468-2020 toll-free numbers shut down tonight at 11pm Phone lines of the other languages will shut down Oct. 15 ...at 7 P.M. in California 844-391-2020 844-398-2020 ting Vit 844-461-2020 844-392-2020 pусский 844-417-2020 :844-416-2020 Tagalog 844-478-2020 Polski 844-479-2020 Français 844-494-2020 Kreyòl Ayisyen 844-477-2020 Português 844-474-2020 844-460-2020 See more

Large print and audio CD voter information guides are available! Get the information you need to #vote in a format that meets your needs. Please contact #ilckc if you or a loved one can benefit from these materials. . . . #vote2020 #accessibility #kerncounty #yourvotematters #representationmatters

Well...you have a few more days to self-respond for the CENSUS. You now have until October 31 to complete the Census. It's important to remember everyone in your household counts. These numbers bring in Federal dollars to Kern County. If you're not counted, you cheat yourself on money that won't come in to KC. Please go to my2020Census.gov to respond to the Census.

October is #nationaldisabilityemploymentawarenessmonth . . . #ada #inclusionmatters #ndeam2020

We know that losing your power can affect your food supply. @pacificgasandelectric has partnered with local food banks to provide food replacement options in the event power is turned off to prevent wildfires during severe weather. For the latest on PG&E's safety efforts, please visit page.com/wildfiresafety . . #psps #wildfiresafety #kerncounty #emergencypreparedness

Do you or someone you care about have a disability? Could you benefit from additional support and resources in the event of an emergency? Do you know which center to contact? #ilckc is here to assist you! . . . #disasterpreparedness #emergencypreparedness #kerncounty

Are you prepared for an emergency? This resource check list can help! You can visit disabilitydisasteraccess.org for more information and resources (accessible and downloadable pdfs).

Are you and your loved ones prepared for the next public safety power shutoff? ILCKC is partnering with @pacificgasandelectric and other community organizations to help people with disabilities prepare! Please email us or call with any questions! Or share with anyone who might benefit from these resources. . @rudysalasjr

Happy International week of the Deaf! Repost from @adventuresindeafed It’s a simple infographic that shares terms that are more widely accepted within the Deaf community and some terms that are not. ... (**It’s important to note that the community is diverse and people personally choose the label they most prefer to identify with - However, these are the most commonly used terms within the community.) Please take time to learn from these and make an effort to eliminate the old terms from your vocabulary and start using the more preferred terms. Believe it or not, I still hear and see the term DEAF AND DUMB and DEAF-MUTE being used in present day. Perhaps the most commonly used term that many still use is HEARING IMPAIRED. Mostly because people are simply unaware that many Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals find this term to be offensive. Personally, I was raised to say I was hearing impaired. I even attended what was known as the HI classroom though the 2nd grade. It was the politically correct term 30 years ago because people viewed the term deaf as a negative or shameful word. As I got older, the term HI just didn’t sit right with me and as it turns out, I wasn’t alone in the feeling. As a result, the Deaf community has been taking the word deaf back and making it an empowering term. Also, did you know some states have actually been amending this particular terminology that has been written in their laws? Changing and replacing HEARING IMPAIRED with DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. Tennessee (where I reside) passed a bill in April 2019 to change from HI to D/HH. At this time last year, 10 states had gone through this change. I’m not sure if more have followed suit within the last year. Comment below if your state has made such changes! [Image description in the comments] See more

Days are counting down to September 30 to self-respond to the US Census. Remember the importance of how everyone's household count brings in Federal $$ in to Kern Count. You're not counted, you cheat yourself on money brought in to KC. Please go to my2020Census.gov to respond to the Census.

Here is the local Q&A Census helpline - (661)546-8811. The number will be available M-F, 8a to 8p; English, Hindi, Punjabi and Spanish speakers available. If additional languages are needed staff will have someone call them back or refer you to an appropriate number for help; If there is a wait time, your call back info is requested and staff will call back within 24-48 hours.

Sound notifications for Apple users! Do you know someone who could benefit from this?

Today, September 17, is Constitution Day, today through Sunday, September 20. Please join Census Bureau partners nationwide in reminding you time is running out to respond to the 2020 Census. Responding brings in money to our County. Without your count means less dollars to Kern County. Due your part today.

Census info...a local Kern County phone number has been established to assist individuals in completing their 2020 US Census forms. The number is 661.546.8811

ILCKC continue to encourage all Californians, in particular our hardest-to-count communities, to stand up and be heard by completing their 2020 Census form toda...y. There is still time leftplease go online - my2020census.gov, call or complete your paper forms by September 30, 2020 so your household is part of this important civic tradition! Thank you. See more