Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
October 2021
A darkened background of a hurricane radar with white text that reads, "Hurricane Ida Information and Resources"
Louisiana residents impacted by Hurricane Ida are encouraged the visit www.hurricanerecovery.la.gov to gain access to the latest news and information related to recovery.

The resource link is managed by the state of Louisiana and contains updates from state and federal agencies such as: FEMA, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Louisiana Department of Health.

Additionally, The Emergency Management for Disability and Aging Coalition (EMDAC) is working hard to respond to the needs of the disability and aging communities in the wake of Hurricane Ida. To access the most up-to-date information and resources, click here.
A navy blue Louisiana seal with text in front that reads "Coronavirus Information" in white and yellow letters
Effective immediately, booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are available to adults at increased risk, following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you are 6 months out from your two-dose Pfizer series, you are now eligible to receive a booster shot if you are:

  • Age 65 or older
  • Age 18 or older and have one of many underlying medical conditions  
  • Age 18 or older and live or work in a setting that places you at risk of being exposed to COVID

As always, LDH recommends you discuss your individual situation and risk/benefit analysis with your doctor or medical practitioner.
 
"We welcome and adopt here in Louisiana the new FDA and CDC guidance making booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine available to adults at increased risk," said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. "The deliberations by both federal health agencies this past week reaffirmed that the vaccines are safe and effective, and they are everyone's best protection against COVID hospitalization and death. That's why our number one priority remains helping more Louisianans get their first shots." 
 
CDC and LDH will evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
 
This new guidance is effective immediately. Providers may begin administering booster shots as soon as they are able to operationalize the guidance, and we appreciate residents' patience and ask that they check first with their local provider before showing up for a booster appointment. Providers may accept verbal self-representation of eligible patients and do not need additional proof of verification. Patients who are unsure of their eligibility or who have questions should talk with their healthcare provider.
 
  • For the latest updates relative to COVID-19 resources please click here.
  • For a list of locations, visit LDH’s vaccine directory or visit vaccines.gov, which is maintained by the federal government. 
  • To get a list of vaccine locations near you text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.
  • If you have questions, would like to speak with a medical professional, or need help scheduling an appointment, call 211 or Louisiana’s vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774.
2021 Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards &
Inclusive Art Contest
A picture of a multi-colored stained glass window at the capital. At the bottom, you can see several clear glass GOLD Awards arranged on a white table.
A previous art submission for the Inclusive Art Contest. This piece features a film reel with multiple scenes of people with disabilities living their lives. This film reel is superimposed onto an image of an American flag behind the American Capitol.
The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs is proud to continue its rich tradition of hosting both the Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards and the Inclusive Art Contest.
 
The GOLD Awards recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations who have contributed their time and talents to benefit the lives of persons with disabilities in Louisiana. The award categories are:

Distinguished Merit Award
Patsy Barrett Memorial Award
Ken Vince Memorial Award
Educator of the Year
Youth of the Year
Family of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Employer of the Year
Service Provider of the Year
Direct Support Professional of the Year
Veteran of the Year
Service Animal of the Year
Elected Official of the Year
Public Servant of the Year
 
The nomination form for the 2021 GOLD Awards can be found here.
 
The Inclusive Art Contest enables participants to increase awareness of the importance of inclusion in today's society through visual and written artistic expression. Entries should illustrate or describe ideas related to this year's theme: "Accessibility of the Future."
 
NEW WRITING CATEGORIES: In addition to the visual art categories, there will be categories for written art. Contest participants may submit literary works (such as poems, essays, speeches, etc., limited to 300 words) that illustrate or describe this year’s theme. 

The Inclusive Art Contest is open to any resident of Louisiana, with and without disabilities of any age. Contestants are encouraged to conduct research on the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A medal and special recognition from Governor John Bel Edwards will be presented to the winners.

The deadline for submissions for both programs is November 1, 2021.

Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, the date, time, location, and format for the Inclusive Art Contest and GOLD Awards Ceremonies are TBD.
 
The deadline for submissions for both the 2021 GOLD Awards and Inclusive Art Contest is Monday, November 1st!
Click here for the 2021 Inclusive Art Contest flyer.
October is Disability Employee Awareness Month
An image of American featuring various people with disables around the edge. In the center, it features the text, “America’s Recovery Powered by Inclusion. National Disability Employment Awareness Month.”
Gov. John Bel Edwards has proclaimed October as “Disability Employment Awareness Month” in Louisiana.

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) offers us an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. This year's NDEAM theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has a variety of resources to help you celebrate the month, including:

  • Posters in English and Spanish,
  • Sample articles and proclamations, and
  • Sample social media posts and tips to ensure your posts are accessible.

ODEP also has a "31 Days of NDEAM" calendar with daily activity ideas as well as specific ideas for disability-related organizations and employers.
Disability Resources Website
A flyer for LaDisabilityResources.com. It reads, “A one-stop-shop emergency information and resource guide for people with disabilities in Louisiana. Brought to you by Trach Mommas of Louisiana” The flyer is in their classic peacock colors.
Trach Mommas of Louisiana has launched a website containing resources and services for people with disabilities, specifically regarding emergency preparation and recovery.

Visit the website at www.ladisabilityresources.com and take the survey to provide feedback on ways to improve the website.

The website is sponsored by the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.
Red Cross Seeks Volunteers to Aid in Hurricane Ida Recovery
A white image with the Red Cross logo to the left and grey text to the right that reads, "American Red Cross Louisiana Region"
The Red Cross is seeking volunteers to aid in Hurricane Ida response. Volunteers are vital to the continued work of the American Red Cross. To apply for a volunteer opportunity, please click here.

Thank you for your passion to help your local community in need. Please feel free to reach out to lousianavolunteers@redcross.org if you have any questions.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Launches Rental Assistance Finder to Help Renters and Landlords
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's green logo.
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, billions of dollars in federal rental assistance are reaching renters who are behind on housing costs, as well as landlords who have struggled during the pandemic. Right now emergency rental assistance is available across the country through locally run programs.

Today, the CFPB debuted a new tool that helps renters and landlords look up rental assistance in their area and apply for assistance.

The Rental Assistance Finder is designed to help tenants and landlords take advantage of emergency rental assistance that can be used to cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs. Ultimately, the goal is keep people in their homes.

The CFPB’s site also includes resources to help homeowners, renters, and landlords navigate various financial hardships related to the pandemic:

A LaDDC News flyer that reads, “LDH issues emergency rules regarding OCDD Waiver Rate Increase and Direct Support Worker Wage Floor.” The flyer has a cartoon megaphone in the bottom left corner.
On September 20, 2021, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), including the Bureau of Healthcare Financing (Medicaid), promoted emergency rules related to the implementation of a rate increase for OCDD Home and Community Based Waiver services.

Effective October 1, 2021:

  • Rates for all services provided by a DSW in the Children’s Choice, New Opportunities, Residential Options and Supports Waivers will be increased by $2.50 per hour, and

  • The minimum hourly wage floor paid to DSWs shall be $9.00 per hour.

For more information, read here.
Disability Rights of Louisiana Offers Hurricane Ida Assistance
The Disability Rights Louisiana logo that reads, "Protect. Advocate. Empower."
If you are encountering difficulties in the wake of Hurricane Ida, Disability Rights of Louisiana may be able to help with the following types of disaster-related issues:

• Problems obtaining necessary medicines or assistive devices from Medicaid.

• Not having access to the personal care workers you usually have through a Medicaid Waiver.

• Problems reaching Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.

• Problems getting special education services during evacuation.

• Problems with temporary housing not being accessible and/or allowing your service animal.

• Problems getting a sign language interpreter when dealing with FEMA, shelters, or other services.

• Not being allowed to use or apply for in housing or other services because of your disability.

Call us at 800-960-7705 or contact us at disabilityrightsla.org.
A white image with the Louisiana seal to the left and the text "LDI Louisiana Department of Insurance" to the left.
Department of Insurance of Louisiana: Hurricane Ida Advisory
If you have problems with your insurance company paying for damage caused by Hurricane Ida, file a complaint with the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner's Office, especially if they don't reimburse you for loss of use.

The Insurance Commissioner issued an order for all insurance companies to reimburse for loss of use, even if there wasn't a mandatory evacuation order, because the lack of power and water made it unsuitable for living.

To file a consumer complaint, please click here.
A flyer advertising employment at LDH/OPH's STD/HIV/Hepatitis program. The flyer features several colorful cartoon hands and the job information. The job information is included in the text below.
LDH OPH STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program is looking for full time workers in Region 9. The Community Health Worker job requirements are:
  • Basic knowledge of STI/HIV/Hepatitis C
  • Required community engagement in the following areas: Washington, St. Tammany, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa
  • Knowledge of community resources
  • Driver's License, vehicle, and insurance

Call Marquise and leave a voicemail message at 985-710-5995.
Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs Fall
Newsletter
The Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs' logo, which is simply a seal with their name and acronym.
The Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs has released its fall newsletter. To gain access, please click here.

Media of the Month
The book cover for "Sitting Pretty" by Rebekah Taussig. This cover is coral pink with an image of Rebekah in her wheelchair. It reads, “The view from my ordinary resilient disabled body”
A memoir-in-essays from disability advocate and creator of the Instagram account @sitting_pretty Rebekah Taussig, processing a lifetime of memories to paint a beautiful, nuanced portrait of a body that looks and moves differently than most.

Growing up as a paralyzed girl during the 90s and early 2000s, Rebekah Taussig only saw disability depicted as something monstrous (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), inspirational (Helen Keller), or angelic (Forrest Gump). None of this felt right; and as she got older, she longed for more stories that allowed disability to be complex and ordinary, uncomfortable and fine, painful and fulfilling.

Writing about the rhythms and textures of what it means to live in a body that doesn’t fit, Rebekah reflects on everything from the complications of kindness and charity, living both independently and dependently, experiencing intimacy, and how the pervasiveness of ableism in our everyday media directly translates to everyday life.

Disability affects all of us, directly or indirectly, at one point or another. By exploring this truth in poignant and lyrical essays, Taussig illustrates the need for more stories and more voices to understand the diversity of humanity. Sitting Pretty challenges us as a society to be patient and vigilant, practical and imaginative, kind and relentless, as we set to work to write an entirely different story.
A cartoon spotlight

A smiling girl with clear-framed glasses and shoulder-length dark hair.
GODA Spotlight:
Maddisyn Thomas
Hi, my name is Maddisyn Thomas and I was diagnosed with HLH. HLH is a Rare Disease named Hemophagocytic Lymphistiocytosis and it usually occurs in infants and young children. My experience of not knowing I had HLH was heart breaking.

I had no clue what was going to happen, but all I knew was that I was in Pain and didn’t know how to get rid of it. I was two years old when my family and doctor discovered this Problem and they immediately had to do something about it. I was scared most the time, but the people in my life got me through it. I lost my Hair, my Pride, and sometimes my Wisdom, but my doctors told me everyday I would be alright. I have had 2 surgeries, 7 blood transfusions, a lot of blood work, and great deal of Chemo. This was breaking me apart because it made me feel sick and weak. Sometimes I felt like my life was ruined and I felt like it ruined my Family. We didn’t have many things in life but we had Love and that’s all that Matters.

I’ve defeated the Hardest Challenge in my Life and I just want to Thank God first, Oncologist Dr. Morris, my Mom and my Dad who kept me laughing and staying humble. 
Your story has the ability to heal, unify, and empower others. If you'd like to share your story for inclusion in our monthly newsletter please email disability.affairs@la.gov

For updates, add your email address to our list. Text LAGODA to 22828 to get started.