Empowerment Tips and Services - Monroe County
There are a number of services that you may qualify for as a disabled individual either on a temporary or permananent basis both at the local and national level. Below is a partial list.
Communications:
WXXI ReachOut Radio:
WXXI Reachout Radio is a radio reading service that provides 24-hour per day readings of local and national newspapers, magazines, and books for people who are print-handicapped. The broadcasts are transmitted via a special, free of charge radio for those who qualify. To find out more about this great service and if you are eligible visit the website at;
Talking Books and Magazines:
The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library has many books and magazines available to those that are print and/or physcially handicapped. To find out more about this:
New York State Talking Book and Braille Library
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230-0001
(518) 474-5935 and (800) 342-3688
http://www.nysed.gov/talk.htm
tbbl@mail.nysed.gov
tbblkids@mail.nysed.gov (For students and children)
Also...
To get magazines such as Newsweek and Readers' Digest on tape, contact the American Publishing House for the Blind at the following:
APH Magazine Circulation Dept.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
P.O. Box 6389
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0389
502-895-2405
800-223-1839
Fax: 502-899-2350
E-mail: info@aph.org
Website: http://www.aph.org
Bookshare.org
A new resource that has scanned books in a form usable for the visually impaired and others who cannot deal with regular print media.
Rochester/Frontier Telephone:
Certain disabled individuals may qualify to receive 411 directory services without charge. To find out if you are qualified for this service, call the phone company.
The phone company will also send out bills in large print and other altered formats.
Audio Yellow Pages Now AvailableVoice Access Communications introduces the
Audio Yellow Pages; a free voice
activated service for the blind and visually impaired. By dialing a
toll-free number people can gain access to over 10 million businesses in the
United States, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 888-654-1236 and
enter pass code 4544. For more information, contact Carl Schmitt at
800-214-4842.
Transportation:
Lift Line:
Lift Line is a transportation service for the disabled in the Monroe County area. For more information and to find out how to qualify:
Lift Line
588 Trabold Road
Rochester, NY 14624
716-426-3520
lift@frontiernet.nethttp://www.rgrta.com/cgi-bin/sd.pl?rgrta&WhatsNewLiftLine.htm
Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E)
Rochester Gas and Electric provides billing in large print or braille by calling a customer service representative.
Benefits:
Social Security Administration - Medicare-Medicaid = SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income)
Social Security is available not only for those who have reached retirement age, but also for those who cannot be employed due to disability. In addition, Medicare also covers health care for those who are disabled. To find out if you qualify and to find out how to apply go to the website:
Social Security Website - http://www.ssa.gov