We Need to Hear from YOU for the Arc’s 2020
State Legislative Agenda!
Please fill out this very brief survey,
telling us what the biggest concerns are for you, your family and your
community organizations that should be addressed in this next legislative
session. We are looking for the most critical issues as well as any good
ideas about how to address issues through state legislation around employment,
housing, community supports and more. We hope to hold some regional
meetings as well to discuss locally with Arc members the draft legislative
agenda. Please fill out this brief survey and
share it!
In Chicagoland?
Check Out Fantastic Art Exhibit
Tres Fridas (3 Fridas)
has been a project of Tara Ahern from the Self-Advocacy Alliance and 2 other
artists with disabilities, Mariam Pare and Reveca Torres. They are
exhibiting 16 works of art- recreations of iconic images in art, history and
pop culture featuring people with disabilities- at Bridgeport Art Center.
The collection includes recreations of such iconic works as Las Dos Fridas, Mona Lisa, Rosie the
Riveter, The
Last Supper, Whistler’s Mother, Old Guitarist, and
many others. The goals of the project are to explore different facets of
disability, challenge stereotypes, provide educational opportunities and share
stories along the way.
The show runs until 9/22
and you can visit during business hours (Monday – Saturday 8 AM – 6 PM, Sunday
8 AM – 12 PM).
Bridgeport is having an
open studio night next Friday, September 20th from 7 – 10 PM which is a great
time to visit. The 3 Fridas (Reveca, Mariam and I) will be
there during that time to answer questions and celebrate! *You can also visit
the other galleries at the center too!
For reference, the exhibit is in the third floor gallery. There is an
accessible entrance on the Racine side of the building (near the sculpture
garden) and elevators throughout the building.
Here is a news clip about the exhibit.
Final DOL Overtime Rule
– Coming Soon, So Prepare Now!
The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to soon release the final version of
its overtime rule, for which it had issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in March. The
rule would in part dictate a new salary threshold for overtime pay of full-time
salaried white collar workers. The current salary threshold before an exemption
kicks in is $23,600. The Wall Street Journal
shared that the release could be as soon as this month. SHRM’s suggestions that
employers:
- Evaluate potentially covered workers;
- Review job descriptions; and
- Develop a training and communications strategy.
SHRM further elaborates on these points online.
ANCOR will let members know when final rule is issued.
Comcast Expands
Eligibiliy for Internet Essentials program
This week, Comcast announced the most sweeping eligibility changes ever to our Internet Essentials program, which is the
largest, most comprehensive, and most successful broadband adoption program in
America. Internet Essentials will now be available to all qualified low-income
households in their service area. To be eligible, low-income applicants
simply need to show they are participating in one or more of a dozen different
federal assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI. A full list
can be found on the Internet Essentials website.