August 2009 Newsletter
(718) 720-9016
Scholarship Award
Each year SICIL presents scholarship awards to High School graduates with disabilities going on to college. In addition, essay awards are awarded to High School seniors with disabilities. These students are recommended by their teachers and judged by our Board of Directors.
SICIL presented Michael Pekuly with the scholarship award four years ago. He graduated from the University at Albany on May 17, 2009 magna cum laude, majoring in accounting with a minor in business. His cumulative average was 3.6 and he was named to the Dean�s list for 5 semesters. His goal is be an accountant. We congratulate him!
Division of Housing and Community Renewal
The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) oversees all public and publicly assisted housing for both the city and the state of New York. It also performs development planning and community preservation, administers state and federal loans to developers building low-cost housing, and manages the rent-control process for New York City apartments and those in the counties of Albany, Erie, Nassau, Rockland, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Westchester. DHCR was formed in 1926 when it became the first program in the nation to grant incentives to developers of affordable housing. DHCR created their housing search website, www.NYHousingSearch.gov.
New Head at New York City Housing Authority
John B. Rhea, former managing director of Lehman Brothers global consumer retail group is the new chairman of the New York City Housing Authority. He will become, in effect, the city�s biggest landlord, overseeing 178,000 apartments in 2,600 buildings at 340 complexes.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects the macula-the part of the eye that provides sharp central vision. Difficulty seeing can lead to blindness if uncontrolled.
Dry AMD, the more common type, is caused by the breakdown of light-sensitive cells. A late sign of dry AMD is a blurry spot in the center of your field of vision. Wet AMD, the more serious type, occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. People with wet AMD see straight lines as wavy.
Doctors might attempt light-activated therapy, drugs and nutrients. Do not smoke. Eat antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits and maintain a healthy weight.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness. It is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease that affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes is recommended. (Due to limited space, please call Courtney or Paul for more information and ask for a schedule of our Blind/Low Vision Support Meetings).
Where do American�s Live?
Three-fourths of the nation�s housing units are located in central cities (28.5%) and suburbs (47%). The rest are outside of metropolitan statistical areas. Most homes are within 15 minutes of grocery and drug stores, and a little less than half are located within 29 minutes of a bus stop, train station, or subway stop. Most workers, however, travel to work by automobile, with a median travel time of 22 minutes and a median distance from home to work of 11 miles. Annual Housing Study, Research Works, HUD, May 09.
Citizenship Qualification
1. You must be at least 18 years of old; or your parent may have been naturalized, you are a permanent resident, you may be a citizen already.
2. You must have been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen). You may apply four years and nine months after being a permanent resident (or 2 years and nine months if married to a U.S. citizen).
3. You must have been in the U.S. for half the days of the five or three years needed to qualify.
4. You must have been a person of good moral character for the five (or three) years.
Paul Proske Library and Reading Room
The late Paul Proske was president of Northfield Savings Bank and helped fund our Center. Through a grant awarded to us by Northfield Foundation, three new computers, talking books, and Braille books are available for all clients who completed our 3-week computer course. Call Mike at (718) 720-9016 for our computer course and/or to utilize the new library and reading room.
Men�s Group is in Progress
Paul is accepting only a limited number of men into his men�s peer support group. First come, first serve. Call him at (718) 720-9016.
American Sign Language Classes
Through a grant received from the Staten Island Foundation, we are providing American Sign Language classes to children who are deaf and to their siblings and caregivers in order to promote better communication among family members. We are also providing computer training to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, utilizing the specialized software �interpretype.�
Fascinating Facts
Halley�s Comet takes seventy-six years to travel once around the sun�Dogs sweat through their paws� Mozart was only 5 years old when he wrote the music of �Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star��Zebra�s sleep standing up.
�There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why�I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?� Robert Francis Kennedy
History, Background, Mission
What Is Independent Living?
Services
Assistive Technology