Information for Individuals with Disabilities:

• Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities - An independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.
• Independence Unlimited - Provides services to help people with disabilities achieve personal independence. Pre-vocational support, paid work adjustment training, supported employment services and sheltered employment are offered.
• ARC/Connecticut - A private, nonprofit organization which offers a variety of services to citizens with developmental disabilities and their families and friends.
• Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) - Provides statewide comprehensive, community-based programs through a continuum of individualized education, rehabilitational and social services programs to adults who are legally blind and to children who are legally blind or visually impaired.
• Brain Injury Association of Connecticut (BIAC) - A private, nonprofit agency helping people in Connecticut who have a brain injury and their families.
• Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (CDHI) - Serves deaf and hard of hearing persons with hearing losses ranging from slight to profound as well as the hearing community who live and work with persons with hearing disabilities.
• Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (CACLD) - A regional, nonprofit organization providing support and information to benefit children and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders.
• Connecticut's Birth to Three Program - A statewide, early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
• Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) - A part of the Department of Social Services which oversees Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, and Disability Determination Services.
• Connecticut Community Providers Association, Inc. (CCPA) - A private, nonprofit organization which represents community-based rehabilitation and behavioral heath organizations.
• Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) - Purchases or provides support and services for Connecticut citizens of all ages with mental retardation.
• Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) - Provides many social programs to Connecticut individuals with disabilities including; Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waivers, Adult Services, Family Support Grant Programs, Personal Care Assistance, and Person Care Assistance Medial Waivers.
• Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS) - Broadcasts readings from local and national newspapers, current magazines and books 24 hours a day.
• Connecticut State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Lends books and magazines on disc, cassette and in braille, and the necessary playback equipment, free, to any Connecticut adult or child who is prevented by a visual or physical disability from reading ordinary-size print.
• Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission, Worker's Rehabilitation Services - Returns people to work who have been injured on the job or have contracted an occupational disease and qualify under the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Act.
• Converse Communications - Provides many support functions for people who are deaf, hearing impaired, or speech disabled.
• Easter Seals of Connecticut, Inc. - Provides comprehensive programs and services to children and adults with disabilities and special needs.
• IAM Cares - A no cost program sponsored by the International Association of Machinists that helps people with disabilities find employment. (860) 643-2799
• Center for Medicare Advocacy - Provides legal advice, written materials, and representation to elderly and disabled people denied Medicate coverage for home health care, hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, rehabilitation and other health services.
• Meals on Wheels Home Delivery Program - Designed for homebound elderly people who are unable to travel to local meal sites. Stafford uses: Community Renewal Team of Greater Hartford (CRT), (860) 560-5826. Referals can be obtained through the Stafford Community Center, (860) 684-3906

Programs and Activities offered at the Stafford Senior Center:

• Title 19 Assistance: Cash assistance, Food stamps, & medical.
• Title 19 Assistance with Long term care (Nursing Rome), & Elder Care Home Program
• ConnPace
• Medicare D Prescription Drug Program
• Renter's Rebate
• Assistance with the Social Security Disability process
• Assistance with Social Security Extra Help applications
• Referrals to Protective Service
• Supplemental Health Insurance Seminars
• Meals on Wheels program: A referral is required front client's Doctor, Visiting Nurse, or a Health Care Institution, (Hospital, Nursing Home). You must be 6O years old to qualify; the funding comes from the Older American's Act
• Congregate Meals Program: Funding comes from the Older American's Act., Anyone under 60 may come. Suggested donation is $4.50 for individuals under 60 and $2.00 for individuals over 60. Please make reservations by noon the day before. Town Bus is available for Seniors/Disabled on Mon. - Weds.
• Transportation available on Tuesday's for Seniors/Disabled to the 'Big Y Plaza', Bank and other locations in the morning. Transportation available Tuesday afternoons for Seniors/Disabled to the Stafford Food Center, Post Office, etc.
• Home visits
• FREE Blood pressure clinic every Tues. 9-11:30, fourth Tues. of the month we also provide a Blood Sugar Clinic. Special Clinics every 3 months, (Cholesterol Screenings, Anemia Screenings etc.)
• Two Flu Shot Clinics every year
• Exercise Class every Tues morning. 9:00-10:00. The cost is $2.00.
• Quilting classes Thursday mornings 9:30-11:00
• Thursday afternoons Setback 1:00 pm
• Friday Afternoon 1:00 Bingo 50 cents a card
• Photo ID's by appointment
• Foodshare every other Thursday
• Free bread for Big Y every Monday
• Informational speakers monthly
• Transportation to the Congregate Meals Program (Monday & Wednesday's)
• Swimming on Friday's at the Quarry Hill School in Monson - Departure from SC 10:30, Senior Swim 11:30-12:30.
• Trips
• Arts & Crafts Wednesday mornings 10:00 Am
• Billiards
• Holiday Dinners (You must be a member)
• Foot care: by Pedicare The first Tuesday of every month $ 28.00
• Monthly Meeting of the Senior Center Association first Tuesday of the month 1:30. Entertainment and refreshments following the mtg.
• Goldentones: Singing group meets every Wed, morning at 9:00am.
• AARP 55 Alive Safe Driving Course offered twice a year
• Dietician from the Community Renewal Team comes to the Center every 3 months
• Lending Program: hospital equipment, walkers, commodes, diapers
• Lifeline Screening; Offered once a year, this program can detect Arterial abnormalities which can cause disrupted blood flow.
• Lifeline Medical Alarm: Pamphlets and information available