BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES
January 17, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Zichron Yehuda Equipment Exchange—We are currently updating Beineinu’s equipment exchange lists. I you have equipment or supplies in good condition that you no longer need, we can help find it a new home. If there is something that you need, we will list it as “wanted”. We have lists for the USA, Canada, and Israel. Contact
USA
Medicaid Waiver Slots Available—Special Care in Brooklyn has a number of waiver slots still available through their Perachim division. For information call 718-252-3365 x 105.
Pandas Study-- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Yale Child Study Center are conducting a study for children who develop OCD after having strep
(Also known as PANDAS-Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections). This study researches the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating PANDAS.
To participate in this study, the child must meet all of the criteria below:
1. Children developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms (PANDAS) after a strep (streptococcal) infection.
2. Children who are aged 4-12 years old.
3. Children must be able/willing to spend five days inpatient at a (NIH) hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
In the first 5-day inpatient visit in Bethesda, Maryland, there is a chance of receiving placebo. At the second visit those children with persistent severe symptoms may receive IVIG. Two additional one- or two-day outpatient visits are required.
For more information, contact:
Rachel Kuschner at Yale 203-737-5588 or email
Lorraine Lougee at NIH 301-435-6652 or TTY# 1-866-411-1010, or email
Hurrucane Sandy Counseling--OHEL Serves the Community after Hurricane Sandy with Project Hope Crisis Counseling Program. Project Hope services include individual counseling, group counseling, public education and workshops specifically designed to address the stress caused by hurricane Sandy . Project Hope at OHEL is funded by FEMA. All services are free of charge. For more information please call 718.686.4263 or email
Social Skills Group--Yedei Chesed in Monsey is forming social skills groups. The groups will be 45 minutes once a week for twelve weeks, and will focus on needs of the individuals in the groups. Topics may include greetings, conversation skills, listening, regulating emotions in social situations, assertiveness community inclusion and so fourth. Call 845-425-0887.
ISRAEL
Voting Regulations for the Disabled—Exercise your right to vote!
Individuals with cognitive and developmental delays are eligible to vote for Knesset elections, but cannot be accompaniment by anyone, so as not to harm their voting options.
Individuals who are physically disabled or ill – the law explicitly states that someone who cannot perform the necessary activities for voting (such as blindness, hand movement impairment etc) – i.e. selecting the proper paper, inserting it into an envelope and placing it in the ballot box – may receive assistance from someone who will accompany him.
PLEASE NOTE: This accompanier may NOT be a director or worker of the institution in which this individual resides.
Individuals who are wheelchair bound etc – The Knesset voting laws state that someone who is "mugbal benayadut" is someone who, due to his physical state, cannot vote in the location which his name is listed on. This person may vote in any other voting location which is defined as accessible, i.e. that follow the following guidelines:
- Two disabled parking spots
- A sidewalk ramp
- Roads and access acc to the regulations
- Accessible openings to the ballot room – 80 cm
Voting in the accessible locations will be made using double envelopes – on the outside envelope, the ballot committee will mark the voter's name and personal information, and the envelope will then be inserted into the ballot box.
NOTE: The notice to voters include a statement whether the location listed is an accessible one. If the international accessibility symbol is marked on the paper, that would indicate that the location is wheelchair-accessible.
Rides to the Ballots for the Physically Disabled - in preparation for election day, Yad Sarah will be providing volunteers all over the country to take wheelchair-bound voters from their homes to their assigned locations and back. Rides will be free of charge. Voter must show his voters' notice.
To coordinate rides: 1-700-501-800
For more information, call the central voting committee:
Phone; 02-675-3407
Fax: 02-566-9855
Support Group—The Place in Jerusalem, www.theplace.org.il, will be running an eight session support group for parents of children with special needs. There will be separate sessions for Mothers and Fathers. For Mothers group information contact 054-846-7155,
New Equipment Rules-- Starting from Jan. 1, 2013,there was a change in the Ministry of Health's approval system for rehabilitative and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, standers, etc. An income test is no longer necessary to receive the equipment at only 10% of the cost price. If you are having difficulty with the health systems with this issue or any other issue pertaining to your rights, you can contact Kol Hazchuyot here or call them; 072-2239918
Technological Equipment—New technological equipment has been added to the “health basket” provided by the Ministry of Health. For a copy of the information in Hebrew, contact
Peer Mentoring—The Shemesh Program is professionally training a group of women to coach other mothers of children with special needs. For more information contact Naomi Goldberg, Rosh HaAyin - 052-3682358,