| Nancy Bentley demonstrates the magnification power of the equipment for those persons losing their sight. The display is showing a business card. |
Emery County has a population of 10,860 people, and if the national average holds true for Emery County, then 1,086 people living here have a disability. As an example, that is the total population of Cleveland, Elmo and Clawson, and 10 additional people from each of the other towns.
Next time you are at a large gathering, look around. One in every 10 people in Emery County has a hindrance to a self-sufficient way of life, and if you are one of that 10 percent, Active Re-entry in Price can help.
Whether a disability is due to an accident or a debilitating disease, the staff at Active Re-entry is there for you. Active Re-entry is a community based program which assists individuals with disabilities to achieve or maintain self-sufficient and productive lives in their own communities. Their program is committed to promoting the rights, dignity, and quality of life for all persons with disabilities.
Every person, whether affected by a disability or not, has the right to live the most fulfilling and productive life possible. The staff at Active Re-entry will assist in finding solutions to any type of problem that is standing in the way of that goal. In this highly technological world, a great many products have been created to enable persons with disabilities to overcome obstacles that may inhibit a satisfying life.
Nancy Bentley, Active Re-entry executive director, says, “Our goal for this year is to reach the people of Emery County. We have a great many services and solutions to offer the residents of Emery County who need our services. The Price office is the main office of the Active Re-entry program, and we have many satellite offices around the eastern part of Utah.
“Our satellite offices cover the seven counties in eastern Utah, each with representatives and specialists who are close to the local communities and they want to help. We also serve as an advocate for people with disabilities because we cannot change those people, but we can change the environment in which they live.
“We are funded by state and federal funds and we provide 17 different programs to accomplish our goals. We are here to offer services and provide opportunities and resources for those who need them. The specialists on staff provide activities for groups to maintain an active lifestyle. They also provide peer counseling and support groups for caregivers.
| Emery County seniors enjoy a day out at the Star Theatre and Fun Center Grill. They are at the theatre for a showing of a narrated movie for the older blind program. |
“Our specialists are very knowledgeable concerning the latest products available. For the older blind person, many items are available to make every day life easier. There are talking and Braille watches, talking and Braille clocks, playing cards in Braille, automatic card shufflers, along with closed circuit televisions that enlarge everyday items like recipes and photos.
There are even special heating system thermostats with large numbers and built in magnifiers to help sight impaired people see the thermostat settings.
“Louie Santillanes is our assistive technology coordinator, and his job is to investigate problems and create solutions to those problems. He will look into any need of a client and provide workable solutions.
“Darlene Erni is our older blind specialist and Laurey Herzog is the independent living specialist. No matter the problem, they can come up with a solution,” said Bentley.
Active Re-entry offers support groups, classes, products, and will investigate methods of payment, be it insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or to secure grant funding. Among the other services offered by Active Re-entry are: independent living skills training and classes; self advocacy to enhance the person ability to be assertive when faced with obstacles; referral services; service coordination, interpreter referral; equipment loan bank; daily transportation from Emery and Carbon counties for cancer patients in need of radiation treatments in Provo; recreation and social activities; long term care ombudsman; and nursing home transition.
“Another thing we want to make clear to everyone is that our services are not limited to the elderly or aging situations, we can help anyone with disabilities, irregardless of age or disability,” Bentley added.
Active Re-entry can be reached by phone at 637-4950 or at 10 South Fairgrounds Road in Price.