FRONT COVER TRANSITION GUIDE DELAWARE PASSPORT TO INDEPENDENCE "Transitioning from a nursing home into independent living in the community is a new beginning." - an elderly nursing home resident DHSS/DSAAPD LOGO Table of Contents Mission and vision . ……………………………………………………………………. Delaware Passport to Independence ……………………………………………….. Medicaid ……………………………………………………………………………….. Service options ……………………………………………………………………….. Eligibility process ……………………………………………………………………… Waiver admission …………………………………………………………………….. Role of the nursing home discharge planning team ……………………………… Role of the intensive case management provider ……………………………….. Transition through the Delaware Passport to Independence Program …………. Transition considerations …………………………………………………………….. Transition check list ………………………………………………………………….. Housing process ……………………………………………………………………… U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ………………………….. Public housing authorities …………………………………………………………….. Emergency telephone numbers ……………………………………………………… Emergency response system ………………………………………………………… Fraud prevention ……………………………………………………………………… Delaware Helpline ……………………………………………………………………. Hard of hearing resources ………………………………………………………….. Legal services ……………………………………………………………………….. Medical care ………………………………………………………………………….. Assistive technology …………………………………………………………………. Community agencies …………………………………………………………………. Social Security ………………………………………………………………………… Transportation …………………………………………………………………………. Civil Rights …………………………………………………………………………….. In Appreciation The Delaware Passport to Independence Program extends its sincere gratitude to the case management staff of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities for their invaluable contributions to the contents of this publication. We also appreciate and value the ongoing counsel and assistance of important stakeholders in this project, including representatives of nursing homes, consumers, advocates, members of the Grant Oversight Committee and our collaborating partners. This guide was prepared to explain the Delaware Passport to Independence Program, the services available through the transition process, and to help participants and their families identify social service agencies and other resources. I invite you to contact me if you have any questions about this innovative community-based program. Sincerely, Victor Orija Project Manager Delaware Passport to Independence. Mission and Vision Delaware Health and Social Services Mission Statement "To improve the quality of life for Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations." Vision Statement "Together we provide quality services as we create a better future for the people of Delaware." Priorities: ? Maximize personal and family independence ? Be a self-correcting organization working to retool to keep pace with changing client needs and a changing service delivery environment Goals: Delaware Health and Social Services will: * Be customer service focused. * Be driven by a shared vision. * Communicate effectively, both internally and externally. * Live its Beliefs and Principles and Management Principles. * Function as an integrated organization which partners with outside organizations to improve the quality of services provided to our clients. Delaware Passport to Independence The Delaware Passport to Independence is a federally funded pilot project led by Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). The overall goal of the Delaware Passport to Independence Program is to identify, inform and assist nursing home residents, especially those who are Medicaid-eligible, who want to transition into the community. The Delaware Passport to Independence Program provides individualized case management to accomplish this goal. Delaware Passport to Independence (DPI) Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities 1901. N. Dupont Hwy. (Main Annex) New Castle, DE 19720 800-223-9074 (voice) 302-255-4445 (fax) E-mail: DSAAPDinfo@state.de.us Internet web site: www.dsaapd.com Collaborating partners include: Freedom Center for Independent Living 3 East Main Street Middletown, DE 19709 302-376-4399 or 1-866-OUR-RIGHTS 302-376-4395 (fax) Independent Resources, Inc. Two Fox Point Center Suite 100 6 Denny Road, Wilmington, DE 19809 302-765-0191 (Voice) 302-765-0194 (TTY) 302-765-0195 (fax) MEDICAID Medicaid is a means-tested, federal/state, individual entitlement program in which states can choose to participate or not. States that participate receive federal matching funds to cover 50 to 90% of the cost of care for specified mandatory and optional groups of eligible persons. The federal match rate depends on the per capita income of the state in comparison to the national per capital income. The lower the state's per capita income, the higher the federal match rate. Most State Medicaid programs do not cover benefits or groups for which federal matching funds are not available, although they have the option to do so. (Schneider and Fennel, 1998; Title XIX of the Social Security Act) COVERED SERVICES To receive federal matching funds, states offer the following basic services to qualified persons within the "categorically needy" population (e.g., low-income families with children, SSI recipients, Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and infants, children meeting particular age and income requirements, and certain Medicare beneficiaries): * inpatient and outpatient hospital services; * physician services; * medical and surgical dental services; * nursing facility services for adults aged 21 or older; * home health care for persons eligible for nursing facility services; * family planning services and supplies; * ambulatory services offered by rural health clinics that are covered under the state plan * nurse-midwife services; and * early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) services for persons under 21. Federal matching funds are also available to states choosing to cover other optional services, which may include: * clinic services; * nursing facility services for individuals under age 21; * intermediate care facility/mental retardation services; * optometrist services and eyeglasses; * prescribed drugs; * TB-related services for persons with TB infection; * prosthetic devices; * dental services; * home and community-based care waiver services including case management, personal care, respite care, adult day health, homemaker/home health aide, rehabilitation, and other State requested, HCFA-approved services; and medical services for women with breast or cervical cancer or precancerous conditions. (HCFA: www.hcfa.gov/medical/mservice.htm) HCFA is now CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services). States choosing to cover a "medically needy" population (i.e. with income exceeding "categorically needy" limits who may "spend down" to Medicaid eligibility under the State's Medicaid plan by incurring medical and/or remedial care expenses) must provide the following services to these individuals: * prenatal care and delivery for pregnant women; * ambulatory services for children under age 18 and for individuals entitled to institutional services; * home health services for individuals entitled to nursing facility services; and * institutional or intermediate services for persons with mental illness or mental retardation that are covered under the state plan. SERVICE OPTIONS For persons who wish to remain in the community or to relocate from a nursing facility to the community, the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waivers may be a primary source of support and service. The Waivers are intended to provide a cost-effective alternative to nursing facility care for persons who have been determined to be Medicaid nursing home eligible. Individuals who are seeking Waiver services must be determined both medically and financially eligible for Medicaid Long Term Care services (i.e. nursing home care), must be in need of the services offered through the Waiver, and must be able to be maintained safely in the community. In Delaware, there are currently two Waivers in operation that provide alternatives to nursing facility care. The first Waiver, the Home and Community Based Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled, serves individuals eighteen years of age and older who are seeking services that will support their living in their own home. This Waiver offers five services provided by Medicaid Waiver contractors. The service needs are determined through a client assessment process by an RN and case manager from the Division of Services of Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). The services available are: ? Personal Care – This service provides assistance with bathing, dressing, etc. through licensed home health care agencies. Light housekeeping can also be provided to persons who require assistance with personal care. ? Adult Day Care – This service provides social and recreational support in licensed adult day care centers. ? Emergency Response System – This service provides a button or voice activated device that can be used to summon help in an emergency through the individual's telephone. ? Respite Care – This service provides in-home or short term nursing facility care for caregivers who need a respite. ? Equipment and Supplies – This service covers selected equipment and supplies beyond the normal Medicaid limit. The second Waiver, the Home and Community Based Waiver for Assisted Living provides an alternative for persons eighteen years of age and older who are seeking community-based services but who may be seeking a different setting than their home. This Waiver offers one service: Assisted Living Care- This service is offered in a licensed assisted living facility; individuals pay their own room and board and Medicaid pays for the assisted living services, which includes services such as personal care and assistance with medications. In order to live successfully in the community, even those individuals who receive Waiver services, may need additional support from family, friends and other types of community based services. Each Waiver has a set, unduplicated number of individuals who can be served each year. If that number has been reached, individuals are placed on a waiting list. Currently, neither Waiver has a waiting list. ELIGIBILITY PROCESS A. Persons who Are Not Currently Medicaid Nursing Home Eligible To start the referral process, individuals or their families should call the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). An intake worker will ask for basic information such as name, address, and date of birth, medical information and services requested. Individuals who are seeking home and community-based services will be assigned to a case manager who will call to schedule an appointment for a home visit. During the home visit, the case manager will complete an assessment. The case manager will ask questions to help determine: ? Abilities and care needs; ? Income and resources; ? Supports, both formal and informal; ? Preferences for care and services. The case manager will then discuss service options with the individual. These may be the Waivers, other services provided by the Division or by other Divisions and by community agencies. If an individual decides they are interested in the Waivers, the case manager will make a referral to DSAAPD's RN, who determines medical eligibility and to the Division of Social Service's (DSS) social worker, who determines financial eligibility. The DSAAPD RN will also schedule a home visit with the individual to complete an assessment. The RN will ask questions to help determine: ? Health history; ? Medical status; ? Mental status; ? Abilities and care needs. The RN will ask for a release to obtain additional medical information from the individual's primary physician as well as any other medical information that may be needed to determine medical eligibility. During this process the DSAAPD RN and case manager will also determine if the individual meets the program criteria: the individual is in need of the Waiver services and the individual can be maintained safely in the community. While the RN is gathering and reviewing this information, the DSS social worker will contact the individual to arrange an interview to review the individual's financial status. Individuals will be asked to complete an application identifying income and resources and will be asked to provide documentation as well. Individuals who are determined to be both medically and financially eligible for the Waivers and meet the program criteria are then referred back to the DSAAPD case manager to complete the opening paperwork and make arrangements for services. The case manager will complete a home visit at this time. If an individual is seeking services through the Assisted Living Waiver, they will have ninety days to obtain a placement. The time frame for completing this process will vary from individual to individual and be dependant on the schedule of the individual, the DSAAPD and DSS staff, the physicians, etc. Generally, the process will take at least three months. B. Persons Who Are Currently Medicaid Nursing Home Eligible Individuals who are currently residing in a nursing facility and are participating in the Medicaid Program (i.e. Medicaid is paying for the nursing facility care) have already been determined to be medically and financially eligible for the Waiver. In order to be admitted to the Waiver, DSAAPD will need to meet with the individual prior to discharge and determine if the individual is in need of Waiver services and can be maintained safely in the community. These activities MUST occur before discharge from the nursing facility: ? The DSAAPD case manager will discuss the Waiver with the individual to assure the individual has a full understanding of the differences between the care provided in a nursing facility and the care available through the Waivers. ? The DSAAPD RN will need to re-confirm the individual's level of care and obtain necessary medical information. ? A visit to the home with the individual may be necessary prior to discharge. ? The DSS social worker may need to complete a financial re-determination. ? The DSAAPD case manager will need to complete required paper work and arrange for services. It is critical that Waiver services be approved and arranged for prior to discharge, as for many individuals, Medicaid eligibility and services will terminate upon discharge from the nursing facility. Additionally, before leaving the nursing facility, there are many arrangements that must be made prior to discharge in order to assure basic services are in place. It is critical that these arrangements be made prior to discharge. These are detailed further in the Transition Guide. Individuals MUST coordinate with the nursing facility discharge planner, DSAAPD, DSS and other community agencies in order to assure that all their transition needs will be met. WAIVER ADMISSION Individuals opening in the Waivers will be asked to sign a number of documents. ? Each individual must sign a form indicating they have been offered the option of nursing facility care or home and community based care. ? Individuals will be asked to sign an awareness or participation form for each Waiver that discusses Waiver rules and individual responsibilities ? Individuals will be asked to sign a Care Plan identifying service to be provided through the Waivers. In assisted living, this is the Service Agreement. Individuals will be sent a form (Advanced Action Notice) confirming the Waiver opening. This form will also outline the individual's grievance rights. On-Going Services In the first year of the Waiver, individuals will receive quarterly visits from the DSAAPD case manager and the RN. They will be reviewing care needs and assuring that the Waiver services continue to be appropriate. DSAAPD MUST be notified of any hospitalization and the RN will visit at that time to re-confirm medical eligibility and that the services continue to be appropriate. Formal re-determinations occur annually and at that time updated information will be requested from the physician. After the first year of the Waiver, the DSAAPD case manager or RN may visit less frequently depending on individual needs and situations. Role of the Nursing Home Discharge Team during a transition process: When a nursing home resident is to transition, it is the responsibility of the Nursing Home Discharge Planning Team to: (i) Coordinate initial discharge efforts prior to a transition from the nursing home. (ii) Communicate and coordinate efforts with DSAAPD Case Management staff and/or any Intensive Case Management provider involved with the transition. Role of the Intensive Case Management Provider (Iif applicable) during a transition process: When a nursing home resident is to transition, it is the responsibility of the Intensive Case Management Provider to: (i) Communicate and coordinate all efforts with the Nursing Home Discharge Planning Team. (ii) Communicate and coordinate all efforts with DSAAPD Case Management staff during the transition and until transition is considered successful and the case is handed back to DSAAPD Case Management staff. DELAWARE PASSPORT TO INDEPENDENCE TRANSITION PROCESS Note: Different from the REGULAR process. 1. Outreach and Education about community options to nursing home staff, resident, family and support. 2. Resident expresses interest in transitioning. 3. Resident is assessed by the assessment team. (Jewish Family Service) 4. Resident's Individual Service Plan (ISP) is developed by Jewish Family Service and forwarded to DSAAPD for review. DSAAPD's Community Service Program is provided with the assessment and service plan. 5. Resident is presented with a list of Intensive Case Management providers from which resident chooses a provider. 6. Resident is referred to the Case Management provider of choice. 7. Provider conducts intake of resident. 8. *Six weeks before client moves to the community, the Case Management provider makes a formal referral to DSAAPD for a Waiver. Supervisor places name on the HCBS waiting list and CM and RN assigned. 9. If DSS has verified financial eligibility, DSAAPD staff will, within the 6-week window, visit client in nursing home to re-confirm LOC/program eligibility, and assess the Waiver services. CM Provider will also meet with client and DSAAPD to discuss expectations and clarify services. 10. Provider continues to work with resident to establish a successful community transition. 11. Provider notifies DSAAPD CM of date client plans to move into the community. DSAAPD will need to arrange for services. This may influence the actual "move" date. 12. Once client moves into the community, DSAAPD CM visits and opens the E & D Waiver. (If assisted living placement, a service agreement will have been done before client transitions to assisted living). 13. Provider monitors transition to ensure success. 14. Program Evaluation team will interview transitioned resident at two intervals. 15. IF and WHEN transition is deemed complete and successful, DPI's provider turns over case management to DSAAPD. NOTE: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A TRANSITION MAY BE DISCONTINUED, OR DEEMED UNSUCCESSFUL FOR MEDICAL OR OTHER REASONS. TRANSITION CONSIDERATIONS As you consider the transition from living in a nursing home to living in the community, you will need to think about, and be prepared to deal with issues listed below. Nursing home staff and staff at other agencies will be willing to help as appropriate. Independent Living Skills You may need to acquire some living skills to achieve your transition. This may include skills such as managing your finances, nutrition, how to be a better advocate, decision making, etc. The Independent Resources, Inc. in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Freedom Center, Middletown, Delaware offer skill workshops for independent living. Both are centers for independent living. In addition, the Division for Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities offers workshops in fraud prevention, wellness etc. Money Management Living independently requires attention to financial matters and the necessity to establish and live within a monthly budget. The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and Centers for Independent Living in the state can help you with developing skills on how to manage your money, as well as acquire skills on how to use banking services. When you are ready to leave the nursing home and move into the community, you will need to get your SSI and/or SSDI checks sent to a bank of your choosing. You will need to call your local Social Security Administration office to get this done. Health Care You will also have to get your Medical Assistance or Medicare account set up. You can discuss how to accomplish this with the nursing home discharge planner/social worker. Also, you will need to meet with your doctor within days after you have transitioned. This will ensure the continuation of your services. Just prior to leaving the nursing home, and if you are Medicaid eligible, you may be able to get the needed medical equipment. Please discuss this with the nursing home discharge planner/social worker. If you need any assistive technology, please indicate to them as well. There are agencies that will give and/or loan you equipment. Contact the Lions Club or other service organizations in your area. Food Your Individual Service Plan must stipulate who will help with your meals. Meals- on-Wheels is available statewide if you need their services at 1-800-62-MEALS. Anyone under the age of 60 years should call DSAAPD for determination of program eligibility. There could be a waiting list. Personal Response System Lifeline is a service that provides a personal response system. It consists of a button that you can wear around your neck. In the event of an emergency (24/7/365) you push the button, and Lifeline will contact the person(s) that you have designated to come to your aid. There may be a small fee for this service. Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-543-3546. There may be other agencies in your community that offer this service. Furniture The transition staff or your local Center for Independent Living can help you to secure furniture. This could come from donations, or from local agencies such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or private donors. Security Deposit If you are going to live in subsidized housing, you will most likely need to pay a security deposit. You may also need to pay a deposit for utilities such as telephone and gas and electricity. Generally, housing security deposits are determined at fair market value. This means that you have to pay as the security deposit, the full, unsubsidized amount of rent. The First Month In addition to paying the security deposit and first month's rent up front, you may also be required to pay a deposit for utilities. In addition, you may need to get furniture and food. If you use medications, you will have to make arrangements to get them independently as the nursing home facility will no longer provide them once you move out. Please discuss your medication needs with the discharge planner/social worker and doctor prior to leaving the nursing home. You may not get your SSI and/or SSDI checks for a month or so after you leave the nursing home. Also, if you leave the nursing home during the month, the nursing home may keep your check for that month. Please communicate well in advance your intention to move to everyone that will be involved in your transition process. This may minimize any delay or inconvenience. Credit Repair / Criminal History If you have poor or bad credit, you may need to have it repaired. You may want to review your credit history to see if there are any issues you need to address. For a free credit report, contact Equifax (1-800-685-1111) or TransUnion (1-800- 916-8800). Sometimes, a Center for Independent Living or Community Legal Aid may help you contact the appropriate agency as you attempt to repair a history. If you have ever been convicted of a crime, a private landlord may deny renting to you. However, some people can advocate on your behalf with the landlord. You may want to contact prisoner's rights organizations in your community. If you have been convicted of murder, trafficking in Methamphetamine and/or pedophilia, you will be denied from ever receiving a Housing Choice voucher or from living in publicly subsidized housing. Housing and Accessibility Affordable and accessible housing may be difficult to obtain. In some cases, you may have to be placed on a waiting list after you have submitted an application for housing. If you use a wheelchair or other equipment, your apartment or house will need to meet some dimensions for you to be able to access your housing, or use your wheelchair to function. Your housing must be accessible at a ground level without steps. The bathroom will need a grab bar and shower roll chair. Discuss your needs as soon as you decide to seek housing. TRANSITION CHECK-OFF LIST Transition activities YES NO 1. Do you need Personal Care? 2. Do you need Skilled Care? 3. Do you need oxygen supplies? 4. Do you need durable medical equipment or supplies? 5. Have you arranged for a community physician to prescribe your medication? 6. Have you identified a Pharmacy / Drug Store for purchase or delivery of your medication(s)? 7.Have you confirmed eligibility for home services and made arrangement for service provision? 8. Have you notified Social Security as to change of address? 9. Have you made arrangements for food as needed (Food Stamps/Meals-On-Wheels)? 10.Have you received or set up transportation training? 11. Has a Disability Advocate been notified of your transition to the community? 12. Have you located residence? 13. Have you arranged for gas, heat, and electricity? 14. Have you arranged for telephone service? 15. Have you arranged for cable service? 16. Have you arranged for desired furniture? 17. Have you arranged for utensils-pans, dishes, pot, and cups? 18. Have you arranged for blankets, sheets, pillows, etc? 19. Have you arranged to stock your pantry for food? 20. Have you arranged to get your medications? Note: During transition, you may NOT be able to get your supplies for few weeks. 21. Have you identified residence accessibility issues? 22. Have you made backup plans in case of emergencies OR gaps in service provisions? HOUSING Steps to Housing Assistance Step One: * Contact your local housing authority for an application. Step Two: * Complete the application and submit to housing authority. Step Three: * You will be placed on a waiting list with others who have submitted applications. Step Four: * The-housing authority will determine your eligibility for the subsidized housing program. Step Five: * You will receive a housing choice /section 8 voucher, if it is determined that you are eligible for the voucher. IMPORTANT: Your voucher expires after 60 days. Should it expire before you find a home, you will have to reapply, and start the process over again. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: 202-708-1112 TTY: 202-708-1455 U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development One Rodney Square 920 King Street, Suite 404 Wilmington, DE 19801 Phone: 302-573-6300 Fax: 302-573-6259 TTY: 302-573-6058 Public Housing Authorities Delaware State Housing Authority Application and Waiting List. 302-739-7416 Dover Housing Authority 302-678-1965 New Castle County (Section 8) 302-395-5624 Newark Housing Authority 302-366-0826 Wilmington Housing Authority 302-429-6703 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS Delaware State Police EMERGENCY 9-1-1 Non-emergency NEW CASTLE 302-573-2800 Non-emergency KENT County 302-739-4525 New Castle County Police..........302-573-2800 Dover (City) Police ....................302-736-7134 Wilmington (City) Police ...........302-573-5537 Kent/ Sussex County ............... 302-422-1562 Newark Police………………… 302-366-7711 Emergency Numbers-Crisis Intervention and Hotlines AIDS Hotline .................................. ……….1-800-422-0429 CONTACT Delaware ...................…………302-761-9100 Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health .....................................................………… 302-577-2484 .....................................................……….. .1-800-652-2929 Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence ....................................................... ……….1-800-701-0456 Delaware Gambling Hotline .........……….. 1-888-850-8888 Family Violence Hotline ...............………....302-762-6110 ...................................................... ……….302-422-8058 Hispanic Hotline ............... …………………302-228-5906 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) ...302-228-5904 (evenings, weekends, holidays) Latin American Community Center………..302-655-7338 Mobile Crisis Unit ......................... ……… .1-800-652-2929 Poison Information Hotline .........………….1-800-722-7112 Rape Crisis ................................…………..302-761-9100 ...................................................…………..1-800-262-9800 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS An emergency response system is a device worn on your wrist or around your neck that can signal your need for immediate emergency help and/ or assistance from previously identified family members, neighbors, or your local 911-response team. The following companies offer installation and monitoring of ERS systems in your home or apartment. There is a one-time cost for installation and monthly costs to maintain the system. Call these companies for more specific information, including costs. American Senior Safety Agency 1-888-473-2800 LifeAlert 1-800-475-7402 LifeAssure 1-800-685-5252 LifeLine 1-800-543-3546 Link To Life 1-800-338-4176 Medic Alert 1-800-985-4357 Sussex County Senior Services 302-854-2896 FRAUD PREVENTION NEVER give your Medicare, Medicaid, or Credit card number to anyone other than service providers you know. NEVER sign a blank form. NEVER allow anyone to convince you that you require a service you may not need. Get a second opinion. Better Business Bureau of Delaware, Inc. …302-230-0108 Department of Justice- Consumer Protection Unit …...302-577-8600 or 1-800-220-5424 Insurance Department Consumer Services……………..1-800-282-8611 Fraud Prevention……………….1-800-632-5154 Delaware Crime Stoppers……...1-800-TIP-3333 Office of the Public Advocate Carvel State Office Building — 4th Floor 820 French Street Wilmington, DE 19801 ......................................302-577-5077 Kent County 640 Walker Rd., Dover, DE 19904....................302-674-8500 or 1-888-607-2427 Sussex County 144 E. Market St., Georgetown, DE 19947... 302-856-4112 or 1-888-607-2427 DELAWARE HELPLINE (Voice and TDD accessible)…1-800-464-4357 Outside Delaware……………1-800-273-9500 DEAF COMMUNICATION These services can assist you in finding sign language, oral or tactile interpreter for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf Communication Services Inc. PO Box 7004, Newark, DE 19714-7004 302-266-6877 Delaware Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (DELRID) 302-761-9700 Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 302-761-8275 (V/ TTY) If you need to call a person who uses a TTY, call Deaf Contact or the Delaware Relay Service. These services act as a facilitator for the two-way conversation. The operators use a TTY to express your message to the deaf person and verbally deliver the response back to the caller. Deaf Contact 302-761-9700 or 302-674-3684 Delaware Relay Service 711 (V/ TT Y) Universal access or 800-232-5470 Dogs for the Deaf (hearing dogs) 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502 800-990-DOGS Independence Dogs Inc. (service dogs) 146 State Line Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (610)-358-2723 LEGAL SERVICES These agencies can assist persons of low income with certain legal matters. Community Legal Aid Society Inc. 100 W. 10th St., Suite 801 Wilmington, DE 19801 302-575-0660 Community Legal Aid Society Inc. 840 Walker Road, Dover, DE 19904 302-674-3684 Community Legal Aid Society Inc., 144 E. Market Street Georgetown, DE 19947 302-856-0038 Delaware Volunteer Legal Services P. O. Box 7306 Wilmington, DE 19803 302-478-8850 or 1-800-773-0606 Lawyer Referral Service 1225 N. King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 302-478-8850 or 1-800-773-0606 Legal Help Link (referral service) 302-478-8850 Legal Services Corp. of Delaware 100 W. 10th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 302-575-0408 208 S. Governors Avenue Dover, DE 19903 302-734-8820 MEDICAL CARE Health Clinics The following health clinics accept fees based on your ability to pay, for persons with minimal or no health insurance: Center of Hope of St. Francis Hospital 523 Capitol Trail Newark, DE 19711 302-369-9370 Claymont Family Health Services 3301 Green Street Claymont, DE 19703 302-798-9755 or 302-798-2430 Christiana Care Breast Cancer Special Needs Fund 302-623-4700 Henrietta Johnson Medical Center 601 New Castle Avenue Wilmington, DE 19801 302-655-6190 700 Lea Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19803 302-761-4610 Hope Medical Clinic, Dover, DE 302-735-7551 Mammography of Delaware 800-654-0606 Call to schedule an appointment or to check the van schedule. Delaware Mobile Dentistry (Kent County) Delaware Mobile Dentistry offers general dental care to residents of nursing homes, retirement communities and rehabilitation facilities in Southern Delaware. They are accessible to persons using a wheelchair. If you live near Dover, they may be able to call on you at home. Charges are comparable to services in a dentist's private office. Dr. Terry A. Bryan, D. M. D. 189 South Fairfield Drive Dover, DE 19901........................... 302-698-9901 Delaware Tech Dental Clinic 2nd & Shipley Sts., Wilmington, DE. 19801 302-571-5364 Wilmington Hospital Health Department 501 West 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 302-428-6436 HOSPITALS New Castle County Christiana Care Christiana Hospital 4755 Stanton Ogletown Road Newark, DE 19713 302-733-1000 Wilmington Hospital 501 W. 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19802 302-428-2229 duPont Hospital for Children P. O. Box 269 Wilmington, DE 19899 ………302-651-4000 MeadowWood Behavioral Health System 575 S. Dupont Highway New Castle, DE 19720 302-328-3330 Rockford Center 100 Rockford Dr. Newark, DE 19713 302-996-5480 St. Francis Hospital 7th & Clayton Sts. P. O. Box 2500 Wilmington, DE 19805 302-421-4100 302-421-4337 (TDD) Veterans Administration Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Hwy. Wilmington, DE 19805 302-994-2511 Kent County Bayhealth at Kent General Hospital 640 S. State St. Dover, DE 19901 302-674-4700 Sussex County Bayhealth at Milford Memorial Hospital P. O. Box 199 21 W. Clarke Ave. Milford, DE 19963 302-422-3311 Beebe Medical Center 424 Savannah Rd. Lewes, DE 19958 302-645-3300 Nanticoke Memorial Hospital 801 Middleford Rd. Seaford, DE 19973 302-629-6611 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Possible sources of used/new equipment: Agencies are listed in the Yellow Pages under Medical Equipment and Supplies and Wheelchair Lifts and Ramps. They may also be listed in the classified section of your local newspaper. Also, contact local service organizations, such as Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and Kiwanis Clubs. Telephone Pioneers, Elks Clubs, Shriners, as they may maintain a closet of used equipment or help in the purchase of new equipment. The following may be contacted as well: DE Maryland Paralyzed Vets …. 302-368-4898 UCP…………………………… 302-764-2400 M.S Society…………………… 302-655-5610 **Adaptive Equipment: Any device that increases, maintains, or improves the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. It may include, but is not limited to, communication aids, computer access aids, daily living aids, education and learning aids, environmental aids, ergonomic equipment, hearing and listening aids, mobility and transportation aids, prosthetics and orthotics, recreation and leisure aids, seating and positioning aids, reading and vision aids. All the major car companies (Ford, GM, Saturn, Volkswagen, etc) may offer rebates to add lifts, ramps, and hand controls to a purchased vehicle. COMMUNITY AGENCIES / ASSOCIATIONS American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) ---302-571-8791 Statewide..................................................... 1-800-424-3410 American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345 1-800-232-5470 (Speech impaired) 1-800-232-5460 (Hearing impaired) New Castle County 92 Read's Way, Suite 205 New Castle, DE 19720 302-324-4227 Kent County 707 Walker Road Dover, DE 19904 734-7431 or 1-800-304-0779 American Diabetes Association, Delaware Affiliate 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 1002 Wilmington, DE 19801 .......................................……………………………….302-656-0030 American Heart Association New Castle County 1096 Old Churchman's Rd. Newark, DE 19713-2137 302-633-0200 Kent County 625 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19903 …………………………………………………………….302-734-9321 Fax 302-734-5571 Sussex County Georgetown Professional Park Suite 201A, 600 Dupont Highway Georgetown, DE 19947....................................………302- 856-7386 Fax 856-7387 American Liver Foundation .......................... 1-800-223-0179 American Lung Association of Delaware 1021 Gilpin Avenue, Suite 202 Wilmington, DE 19806 ........................................ ……………………………...302-655-7258 AIDS Delaware …………………………………………302-652-6776 Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Delaware (AMID) …….302-427-0787 Alzheimer's Association of Delaware 302-633-4420 or 800-272-3900 Arthritis Foundation 800-283-7800 CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Caregiver Support Groups for persons caring for elderly relatives 737-2336 or 764-7545 or 478-2575 (for three different support groups) Compassionate Friends ……302-376-0300 or 302-734-9422 or 302-645-2168 Compassionate Care Hospice………………………1-800-219-0092 Delaware Hospice ……………………………………1-800-838-9800 Epilepsy Foundation …………………………………. 302-999-9313 "Going On After Loss" grief support …………………302-478-7100 HIV Support Groups ………………………………….302-652-6776 (Call for a copy of the HIV AIDS Resource Guide) "Life Times" (Senior peer sharing program offering discussion groups in several locations) 302-575-0250 or 302-652-3737 Lupus Foundation ……………………………………302-622-8700 Mental Health Mutual Help Support Groups …302-654-6833 or 1-800-287- 6423 Multiple Sclerosis Society ………………………302-655-5610 or 1-800-FIGHT MS "Pathways Through Grief" grief support………..302-368-5738 Parkinson's Support Group ………………………302-998-4098 or 302-764- 6172 or 302- 999-9313 Stroke Support Group ………………………………302-731-4421 VIP's (Visually Impaired Persons) Support Group .302-995-7001 Wellness Community (To help people with cancer and their families fight for their recover y with free Psychosocial support to complement conventional medical treatment) ………………302-995-2850 "You Are Not Alone" grief support………………….302- 655-9624 Meals-on-Wheels……………………………….1-800-62-MEALS Delaware Association Of Homes & Services For The Aging 103 Dewalt Road, Newark, DE 19711 ....…………..302-454-7715 Delaware Association Of Programs For The Aging (Dapa) 107 E. 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 ......302-652-6219 Delaware Epilepsy Association 240 N.James Street, Wilm, DE 19804 ......………….302- 999-9313 Delaware Interfaith Coalition On Aging (Dica) 11 Springwater Way, Newark, DE 19711…..............302-731-5636 Delaware -Maryland Paralyzed Veterans Association 28 Peddler's Row, Peddler's Village Christiana, DE 19702 ...............................302-368-4898 Toll free .......................................................… 1-800-786-2039 Delaware Retired Workers, UAW 1005 North Point Blvd., Suite 701 Baltimore, MD 21224 ……….1-410-284-1500 Delaware Senior Olympics 1121 Forrest Avenue Dover, DE 19904 ….302-736- 5698 or 1-888-881-6128 Disabled American Veterans, Department Of Veterans Affairs 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805..... 302-994-2511 .................................................... …………………..1-800-827-1000 Wilmington Vet Center .................................302-994-1660 Women Vets Health Clinic............................ 302-633-5500 Grandparent Resource Center Wilmington Senior Center 1901 N. Market St. Wilmington, DE 19801 ................................... ……..302-651-3420 Kimmel/Spiller Jewish Healing Center 101 Garden of Eden Rd. Wilmington, DE 19803...................................……….302- 478-9411 Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Of Delaware 100 W. 10th St. Wilmington, DE 19801 .................................………..302-661-7300 Mancus Foundation, New Castle County 29th & Jessup Sts. Wilmington, DE 19802..................................………..302-652-7187 Multiple Sclerosis Society New Castle County 2 Mill Rd., Suite 106 Wilmington, DE 19806 ……….302-655-5610 Kent/ Sussex Counties PNC Bank Building 3-5 The Plaza, Suite 212 Dover, DE 19901 302-734-4318, 1-800-FIGHT MS National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service .............................................................……………. 1-800-4-CANCER National Eye Care Project 1-800-222-EYES (eye care for low-income senior citizens) 1-800-391-EYES (info. and referral for people at risk for glaucoma) National Family Caregivers Association 10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 500 Kensington, MD 20895 ................................……..1- 800-896-3650 Delaware Kidney Foundation ...............................………………………………….1-888-888-1817 Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) 824 Market Street, Suite 610 Wilmington, DE 19801 ...........................................302-573-6552 Self-Help For The Hard Of Hearing Of Delaware, Inc. ........................................................ ……………302-656-4882 or 1-888-280-3330 302-656-4885 (TTY) The Lighthouse, Inc. (for persons with visual problems) 111 East 59 th St., New York, NY 10022 .....……………………………1-800-334-5497 SOCIAL SECURITY The Social Security Administration manages the Social Security and SSI programs. Eligibility and benefits for Social Security depend upon one's employment history. Benefits are also payable to spouses, widow/ widowers, and minor or disabled children of retired, disabled, or deceased workers. The Federal guaranteed income program for the elderly, blind and disabled, Supplemental Security Income provides a guaranteed minimum income for individuals whose incomes are below a certain level. The Social Security Administration also processes applications for Medicare, and forwards applications for Medicaid to appropriate agencies. For more information about Medicare and Medicaid please refer to the Medicare and Medicaid chapters of this guide. For more information, call: Wilmington/New Castle County New Castle Corporate Commons 92 Reads Way, Suite 200 New Castle, DE 19720 .......................................….302-323-0304 Toll Free ........................................................…. ..1-800-772-1213 Kent County 300 S. New Street, Room 1003 Dover, DE 19904...................................................… 302-674-5162 Toll Free .......................................................... …….1-800-772-1213 TTY .................................................................... …...302-736-3688 Sussex County Georgetown Professional Park 600 N. Dupont Highway, Suite 202 Georgetown, DE 19947........................................ ….302-856-9620 Toll Free .......................................................... …….1-800-772-1213 TRANSPORTATION AMTRAK Amtrak provides rail passenger services to destinations throughout the United States. Approximately seventy Amtrak trains per day stop in Wilmington Station. The station can be reached from New Castle County, Dover, Smyrna, and many other locations by the statewide transit services known as DART First State. Discounted fares are available for senior citizens. For information on Amtrak trains and connections, call: AMTRAK........................................... 1-800-USA-RAIL CHEER Transportation (Sussex County) CHEER Transportation provides transportation to and from nutrition sites and the Bridgeville Senior Center. Services also include transportation for weekly shopping, recreational activities and some medical facilities. CHEER Transportation can also arrange for transportation to medical appointments. CHEER Transportation ............. 302-856-4909/ 5187/ 5641 DART First State DART First State is the statewide transit service of the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC), a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, which provides both fixed route and intercounty bus service, as well as a paratransit bus service, throughout the State of Delaware. Fixed Route Service DART First State provides fixed route services in both New Castle County and in the greater Dover area. A seasonal fixed route service is provided in the Rehoboth, Lewes and Dewey Beach area. DART First State also provides a free shuttle which loops downtown Wilmington. Intercounty Bus Service DART First State's inter-county bus service provides transportation to, from, and within all 3 counties in Delaware. Its routes operate between Wilmington, Dover, and Rehoboth Beach and Newark, Dover, and Rehoboth Beach with several stops in between. DART First State offers reduced fares for both fixed route and inter-county service to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Seniors are required to show a Medicare card when boarding the bus. Persons with disabilities must apply to be certified as being eligible for the reduced fare program. Once certified, a reduced fare identification card will be issued which must be presented when paying a reduced fare. Cash fares are accepted at the time of boarding; however, a discounted reduced fare card may be purchased in advance at any of our DTC sales outlet. Please call the number below for a list of locations. Statewide Transit Information ........………. 1-800-652-DART If calling within New Castle County ........…302-652-DART TTY...................................................……...1-800-252-1600 Paratransit Service DART First State also includes a paratransit service, which provides door-to-door transportation for eligible disabled individuals and senior citizens. This service operates statewide Monday through Saturday service. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. After 1: 00 pm, reservations for the following day will not be accepted unless the traveler is determined to be eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA eligible persons may make reservations up to 4: 30 pm for service the following day. Paratransit Reservations Information .....................................………. 1-800-553-DART TTY...................................................……….1-800-252-1600 Customer Service…………………………….1-800-355-8080 FISH of Northern Delaware FISH, a volunteer organization, provides transportation to appointments for ambulatory individuals north of the C& D Canal when all other potential means of transportation have been exhausted and, as volunteers are available. This is not an emergency service. Notify FISH one week in advance of the appointment. For more information, call: FISH of Northern Delaware..............302-658-2954 Generations Home Care (New Castle and Sussex Counties) Medical transport is provided to and from medical treatment for ambulatory persons. 48-hour notice is required. Fee-for-service or Medicaid. New Castle County ........................................302-658-6731 Sussex Count y..........................................….302-856-7774 Other Transportation Providers (these agencies charge a fee to provide transportation) AD Transportation.......................................….302-777-4277 Care First……………….................................. 302-832-2100 Easter Seals .......... 302-324-4444 or 678-3353 or 934-9801 Matthew Smith Medical Transportation ...... ..302-734-5216 MOT Senior Center .......................................302-378-4758 Muni .......................................……............. 1-800-966-6864 Preferred Transport ......................................302-323-0828 Prime Care Transportation ......................... .302-422-0900 or .................................................………….... 1-888-873-0900 Yellow Cab ...................................................302-658-4321 Accessible Van Rental To rent a wheelchair accessible vehicle by the day or week, call: Accessible Vans of America ...........……. 1-888-AVA-VANS Wheelchair Getaways ...................……... 1-800-642-2042 Wheelers…………………………………….1-800-456-1371 Red Cross Transportation Red Cross volunteers provide transportation in Red Cross-owned vehicles to medical/ health appointments for ambulatory older persons in cases where no other means of transportation can be found. Appointments must be made through a doctor, nurse, medical clinic or community agency. For information, call: Wilmington/ New Castle County 100 W. 10 th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 ......................................302-656-6620 Kent/ Sussex County 1973 Bay Road, Milford, DE 19963 ..................302-335-5031 SCAT (Senior Citizen Affordable Taxi) Sponsored by the State of Delaware's Department of Transportation, SCAT provides half-price taxi service for persons aged 60 and over and qualified disabled persons. The service is offered seven days a week, including holidays. SCAT ticket books contain $10.00 worth of tickets and may be purchased for $5.00 at locations throughout the State. For an application, call ………………………….1-800-355-8080: DART First State .............................…………. 1-800-652-DART If calling within New Castle County .........……..302-652-DART SEPTA SEPTA commuter trains run from Newark, Churchman's Crossing and Wilmington to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia International Airport and Center City with connections to SEPTA trains and transit routes serving the entire Philadelphia metropolitan region. Convenient, economical connections to New York City via New Jersey Transit are also available. Wilmington Station can be reached from New Castle County, Dover, Smyrna, and many other locations by the statewide transit services known as DART First State. SEPTA offers discount for senior citizens over age 65. For information on SEPTA and Blue Diamond routes and schedules call: SEPTA...............................................……… 1-215-580-7800 TTY....................................................……… 1-215-580-7853 DART First State .............................………. 1-800-652-DART UNI-CITY — Newark Area Uni-City is a transportation service that operates in the University/ Newark area. Buses operate along 3 loops. There is no charge for the service. Handicapped accessible buses available. For more information call: UNI-CITY................................................……..302-831-1187 WHEELS Program New Castle County Only (outside City of Wilmington) WHEELS offers transportation to health care appointments for persons over 60 years of age who live within New Castle County, but outside the City limits of Wilmington. In order to qualify, participants must have no other means of transportation to get to physicians, clinics, or other health care facilities throughout New Castle County. Please call at least one week in advance of your medical appointment. WHEELS.....................................................….302-395-5660 Utilities See your area's telephone/yellow book for the desired number(s) to contact or discuss with your case worker/transition specialist. Civil Rights An overview of Federal laws written to protect the Civil Rights of people with disabilities. - this section reprinted with permission from "Making Choices for Independent Living." Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA Title I: Employment * Employers with 15 or more employees must provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity. * Employers may not ask restricted questions about an applicant's disability before a job offer is made. * Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for the otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. * Complaints: * Must be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the date of discrimination * 300 days if the charge is filed with a designated state or local fair employment practice agency * Individual may not file a lawsuit until a "right-to-sue" letter is received from the EEOC * EEOC field office Voice: 1-800-669-4000 TTY: 1-800-669-6820 Web: www.eeoc.gov * Publications & Information Voice: 1-800-669-3362 TTY: 1-800-800-3302 Title II: State and Local Government Activities * Requires that state and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities (i.e. Public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings). * They are required to follow specific architectural standards in new construction or alterations of their buildings. * They must relocate programs or provide access to inaccessible older buildings. * They must communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. * They must make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures, UNLESS they can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity being provided. * Violations may be filed with the Department of Justice within 180 days of the date of discrimination. * For more information, contact: U.S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section - NYAV 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice: 1-800-514-0301 TTY: 1-800-514-0383 Web: www.ada.gov Title II: Public Transportation * Public transportation authorities may not discriminate against people with disabilities in the provision of their services. * They must comply with requirements for accessibility in newly purchased vehicles, make an effort to purchase or lease accessible used buses, manufacture buses in an accessible manner, and unless an undue burden, provide paratransit where fixed-route buses or rail systems operate. * Questions and/or Complaints should be referred to: Office of Civil Rights Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh St, S.W, Room 9102 Washington, D.C. 20590 Voice/Relay: 1-888-446-4511 Web: www.fta.dot.gov/office/civ.htm Title III: Public Accommodations ? Public accommodations are private entities who own, lease, lease to, or operate facilities such as restaurants, retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, private schools, convention centers, doctors' offices, homeless shelters, transportation depots, zoos, funeral homes, day care centers, and recreation facilities, including sports stadiums and fitness clubs. * They must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. * They must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings. * They must provide reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures. * hey must provide effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. *They must remove barriers in existing buildings. * Courses and exam related to professional, educational, or trade- related applications, licensing, certifications, or credentialing must be provided in an accessible place and manner. * Commercial facilities, such as factories and warehouses, must comply with the ADA's architectural standards for new construction and alterations. * Violations may be filed with the Department of Justice. For more information, contact: U.S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section - NYAV 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice: 1-800-514-0301 TTY: 1-800-514-0383 Web: www.ada.gov Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services * Requires telephone companies to establish interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. * Requires closed captioning of federally funded public service announcements. * For more information, contact: Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Voice: 1-888-225-5322 TTY: 1-888-835-5322 Web: www.fcc.gov/egb/dro Telecommunications Act * These amendments ensure that people with disabilities will have access to a broad range of products and services, such as telephones, cell phones, pagers, call–waiting, and operator services. * For more information, contact: Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Voice: 1-888-225-5322 TTY: 1-888-835-5322 Web: www.fcc.gov/egb/dro Air Carrier Access Act * Prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. * For more information or to file a complaint, contact: Aviation Consumer Protection Division U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh St, S.W. Room 4107, C-75 Washington, D.C.20590 Voice: 202-366-2220 TTY: 202-366-0511 Web: www.dot.gov/airconsumer Fair Housing Act * Prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. * Requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions in their policies and operations to afford people with disabilities equal housing opportunities. * Requires landlords to allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable access-related modifications to their private living space, as well as to common use spaces. * Requires that new multifamily housing with four or more units be designed and and built to allow access for persons with disabilities. * For more information or to file a complaint, contact: Office of Program Compliance and Disability Rights Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th St, SW, Room 5242 Washington, D.C. 20410 Voice: 1-800-669-9777 TTY: 1-800-927-9275 Web: www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm Voting Accessibility For the Elderly and Handicapped Act ? Requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections. ? Where no accessible location is available, a political subdivision must provide an alternative means of casting a ballot on the day of the election. * For more information, contact: U.S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Voting Section – 1800G Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice / TTY: 1-800-253-3931 National Voter Registration Act * Requires all offices of state-funded programs that are primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities to provide all programs applicants with voter registration forms, to assist in completing the forms, and to transmit completed forms to the appropriate State official. * For more information, contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Voting Section – 1800G Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice / TTY: 1-800-253-3931 Web: www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act * Authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to investigate conditions of institutions such as prisons, jails, pretrial detention centers, juvenile correctional facilities, publicly operated nursing homes, and institutions for people with psychiatric or developmental disabilities. * Allows the Attorney General to uncover and correct deficiencies that seriously jeopardize the health and safety of residents of institutions. * Does NOT allow for investigations of isolated incidents. * For more information or to register a complaint, contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Special Litigation Section - PHB Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice / TTY: 202-514-6255 Web: www.usdoj.gov/crt/split Individuals with Disabilities Education Act * Requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs. * Requires public school systems to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for each child. * Each student's IEP must be developed by a knowledgeable team and must be reviewed, at least, annually. * For more information, contact: Office of Special Education Programs Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services U.S. Department of Education 330 C. St, SW, Room 3086 Washington, D.C. 20202 Voice/TTY: 202-205-5507 Web: www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP Rehabilitation Act * Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. * Section 501 * Requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch. * For more information or to file a complaint, employees should contact their Equal Employment Opportunity Office * Section 503 * Requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000. * For more information, contact: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave, NW, Room C-3325 Washington, D.C. 200210 Voice/Relay: 202-693-0106 Web: www.dol.gov/dol/esa/public/ofcp org.htm * Section 504 * States that no qualified person with a disability shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that either received Federal assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency of the U.S. Postal Service. * For more information or to file a complaint, contact: U.S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section - NYAV 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Voice: 1-800-514-0301 TTY: 1-800-514-0383 Web: www.ada.gov * Section 508 * Establishes requirements for electronic and information technology development, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government. * Requires Federal electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. * For more information, contact: U.S. General Services Administration Center for IT Accommodations (CITA) 1800 F. St, NW Room 1234, MC: MKC Washington, D.C. 20405 Voice: 202-501-4906 TTY: 202-501-2010 Web: www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita Architectural Barriers Act * Requires that buildings and facilities that are designed, constructed, or altered with Federal funds, or leased by a Federal agency, comply with Federal standards for physical accessibility. * For more information or to file a complaint, contact: U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F. St, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20004 Voice: 1-800-872-2253 TTY: 1-800-993-2822 Web: www.access-board.gov For additional information, contact: Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers Voice/TTY: 1-800-949-4232 Web: www.adata.org Delaware Passport to Independence Delaware Passport to Independence (DPI) Department of Health and Social Services Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities 1901. N. Dupont Highway (Main Annex) New Castle, DE 19720 800-223-9074 (voice) 302-255-4445 (fax) E-mail: DSAAPDinfo@state.de.us Internet web site: www.dsaapd.com