Disability Caucus Contacts
Disability Caucus Accommodation Handouts
Disability Specific Information

AIDS
Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deaf-Blind
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity aka Environmental Illness

Disability Caucus Contacts:

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, other immune/autoimmune-related conditions: Cyndi Norwitz at (707) 775-4475 (10am-8pm Pacific Time except in emergencies) or cyndi@tikvah.com.

Disabilities not covered above: Cyndi Norwitz at (707) 775-4475 (10am-8pm Pacific Time except in emergencies) or cyndi@tikvah.com.

Disability Caucus Accommodation Handouts:

Providing Shelter for People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Providing Shelter for People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia

Disability Specific Information:

AIDS:

If you would like to direct your cash donations to where the needs are the greatest, following are two AIDS community agencies on the front lines of the relief effort.

In Louisiana: The Executive Director of Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. is a co-chair on the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network, along with the ED of the New Orleans AIDS Task Force. Your donation will help them provide food, medication, housing, and other services for evacuees immediately, and the coordination of services in the long run for the hardest hit state. Make your check payable to: Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Mailing address: Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Atten. Claude Martin, Executive Director P.O.Box 3865 Lafayette, LA 70502

In Texas: The Montrose Clinic is working with evacuees in Houston at the Astro Dome and other centers, where the neediest survivors have been transported. They are providing rapid HIV testing to quickly determine eligibility for programs, as well as providing housing and other essential services, particularly for the LGBT population facing harassment in the shelters. You can donate on-line to the Montrose Clinic at http://www.montroseclinic.org/ Or send a check payable to: Montrose Clinic Montrose Clinic Attn. Sonna Alton P.O.Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266

Thanks, Lei Chou Director of Mobilization Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project - CHAMP

Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deaf-Blind:

The Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project has designated CSD of Oklahoma and Northern Resource Virginia Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) as CEPIN contact centers for Hurricane Katrina victims and their families.

People wanting to find information on recovery and rescue efforts in the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina are encouraged in Louisiana or displaced westward in Texas to contact CSD of Oklahoma during regular business hours at:
www.c-s-d.org (click on locations, then Oklahoma)
(866) 845-7445 Voice/TTY (Toll Free)
(918) 835-7445 Voice/TTY
(918) 835-6459 FAX
csdoklahoma@c-s-d.org

For those wanting information in other states affected by Katrina such as Florida, Alabama or Mississippi, and displaced refugees in the Mid-Atlantic area, contact Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC).

NVRC may be contacted during regular business hours at:
www.nvrc.org
(703) 352-9056 TTY
(703) 352-9055 Voice
(703) 352-9058 FAX
info@nvrc.org

Read entire TDI/CEPIN press release

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity aka Environmental Illness:

Any shelters or services who serve Katrina victims with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity are welcome to contact Cyndi Norwitz for information on accommodating these people safely. (707) 775-4475 (10am-8pm Pacific Time except in emergencies) or cyndi@tikvah.com.

Although reactions vary from individual to individual, in general, a person with MCS can not be in any location where pesticides have been applied within the last several months (this includes bug repellent) or with new carpet or recent remodeling. They also in general do not tolerate dry erase board markers, perfumes, scented products, cigarette smoke, fabric softener, mothballs, or air freshener. People with severe MCS may not be able to be in most indoor environments or accept clothing that has been washed in regular detergents.

Many people with asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and even those who do not identify as disabled may have MCS symptoms strong enough to require special accommodations. Some people with MCS, and many without it, react in the presence of animal dander, pollens, unsealed wood or aromatic trees like pine and cedar, or other natural substances. Many also have food allergies that mean they can not accept much of the food a shelter would offer.

Providing Shelter for People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity