February 2012
"There was a time when people thought "independent living" was limited to "accessible doorways" and "special parking..." but that day is OVER!
Our home page now has a button for Available Jobs. We plan to post any known job opportunities for New Horizons positions plus other employers so that you can see what jobs might be available. If you are seeking employment or are an employer seeking to hire an individual with a disability, please check out our home page to watch the videos, "The Hidden Workforce" and "Six Circles of Success." Please contact one of our Independent Living Specialists if you need assistance toward employment.
FREE TAX PREPARATION AND ELECTRONIC FILING
New Horizons will once again be a site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the IRS. Center sites participating are New Horizons, Shreveport, located at 8508 Line Avenue, Suite D, Shreveport, LA 71106, and New Horizons, Monroe, located at 2406 Ferrand Street, Suite 18.
Between 1/23/2012 and 4/17/2012 you can have your taxes prepared and filed by a qualified and certified preparer. You are eligible for this free service generally if your household income is $49,000 and below.
In Shreveport, call to make an appointment: 318-671-8131; VP 318-459-9233, or CapTel 318-671-5301. Appointments are available generally Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm and Saturday 10 am - Noon. Saturday and evening appointments are also possible by appointment.
In Monroe, call 318-323-4374 to schedule an appointment.
Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to fill out the intake paperwork which will help to make sure your taxes are prepared correctly.
Bring to Appointment:
Proof of Identity (such as driver's license or other picture ID)
Social Security Card (or ITIN letter) for you and all persons on your return
Tax Information such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098
Proof of Account number for Direct Deposit of Refund
If possible, a copy of last year's return.
Remember, if filing "Married Filing Jointly," your spouse must be present at the time of appointment.
For additional information, call Mitch Iddins at 318-671-8131.
An American Sign Language Interpreter can be available upon request.
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The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf partnering with New Horizons offers free equipment for people who are deaf or hearing impaired through the Telecommunications Access Loan Program. if you are in need of an amplified telephone or other equipment, New Horizons will be hosting an event at the Haughton East 80 Branch Library, 1050 Belleview Road, Haughton, LA on February 13, 2012 from 10 am - Noon.
On February 28, 2012 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, New Horizons staff will be at the Hamilton South Caddo Branch Library on Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.
Please bring your photo ID, know your Social Security number or bring your card, and proof of hearing loss. This proof could be an audiogram or letter from a doctor, speech therapist, or a statement on appropriate letterhead from an agency such as Council on Aging or Senior Residential Facility stating that you have a hearing loss.
Additional information is available by calling Carolyn Jones or Lisa Combs at 318-671-5301 (CapTel) or 318-459-9233 (VP). Jackie Parsons can be reached at 318-671-8131.
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In Shreveport, the New Horizons Women With Disabilities Support group invites you to join them on February 16, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. to hear a speaker from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. The meeting will be held at the NHILC Consumer Center located at 8508 Line Avenue, Suite D, Shreveport, LA 71106. For additional information, please call Jackie Parsons at 318-671-8131, Ext. 105.WHAT IS INDEPENDENT LIVING?
Compare to Bamboo: "The symbol of strength through resilience"
"Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect. Independent living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation. Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our every-day lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors, and friends take from granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own.
Since we are the best experts on our needs, we need to show the solutions that we want, need to be in charge of our lives, think and speak for ourselves -- just as everybody else. To this end we must support and learn from each other, organize ourselves and work for political changes that lead to the legal protection of our human and civil rights.
We are profoundly ordinary people sharing the same need to feel included, recognized, and loved.
As long as we regard our disabilities as tragedies, we will be pitied.
As long as we feel ashamed of who we are, our lives will be regarded as useless.
As long as we remain silent, we will be told by others what to do.
---- Adolph Ratzka 2005
Please note these changes to our Program Coordinators: Tonia Brown will now be coordinating our Ticket to Work program as well as the Transportation program. Jackie Parsons will now be coordinating our Interpreter request program as well as the Hearing Aid program.
NEW HORIZONS received a contract from the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf beginning July 1, 2011 to promote, coordinate, and facilitate accessibility of all public and private services for persons who are Deaf, Deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or who have a speech impairment. The contract is for provision of American Sign Language interpreting, distribution of and training for specialized adaptive telecommunication equipment, and administrative services for application, determination of eligibility, and provision of hearing aids and related services, as well as advocacy and outreach. This contract serves the Louisiana parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches.
Our Sorenson video phone number is 318-459-9233. Our Sorenson N'Touch number is 318-459-9234. Our CapTel number is 318-671-5301. These phones provide direct access to our Independent Living Specialists Carolyn "CJ" Jones and Lisa Combs.
New Horizons has Video Remote Interpreting by certified interpreters through NexTalk. VRI can be used when a certified interpreter is not available to attend.
Consumers needing information about our hearing aid program should contact Independent Living Specialist Jackie Parsons at 318-671-8131, our main office number, and ask for Jackie or Extension 105.
Interpreters are available by appointment for services allowed for reimbursement through the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf contract. Consumers needing interpreting may call or text 318-402-7313 to contact Independent Living Specialist Jackie Parsons.
Scott Wells, Independent Living Specialist, has been named as the Coordinator of our Loan Closet Program. This is our program in which we receive donations of equipment and then match what we have in our Loan Closet with equipment requests from consumers. New Horizons appreciates all donations to our Loan Closet. If you have equipment to donate, please call Scott at 318-671-8131, Extension 110. Or, if you are a consumer in need of equipment, call Scott.
The NHILC Loan Closet is also looking for area businesses to assist us with maintaining the equipment so that we can continue to place the proper equipment with the right consumers to enable them to be more independent. Any business or organization interested in helping us with this valuable service may contact Scott Wells at 318-671-8131, Extension 110.
In the Shreveport area, watch for the NEW HORIZONS outreach commercial with KSLA TV. You can see us on Channel 12 (CBS), This TV 24 hour MGM Movies, and the new Bounce Channel!
New Horizons is an approved Employment Network through the Ticket to Work Program of Social Security. It is our belief that assisting people with disabilities to find and maintain employment strongly supports our mission of “enabling people with disabilities to live independently.” Interested applicants should contact any Independent Living Specialist in the Shreveport office at 318-671-8131 or 1-877-219-7327.
“Enabling people with disabilities to live independently through accessible, affordable transportation” is the mission of the New Horizons Transportation Program. For additional information about the New Horizons Transportation Program, please call 318-820-1177, to speak with Transportation Coordinator, Tonia Brown. Decisions on transportation services are made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, religion, income status, or disability.
Family members, friends, or consumers who are interested in learning more about personal assistance and healthcare issues may contact the New Horizons Community Education Center for additional information on available classes. These classes are offered free of charge to anyone just seeking information about “enabling people with disabilities to live independently.”