Advocacy and Legislation

North Central Chapter PVA Legislative Program works closely with our National PVA Staff, PVA members, and Congressional Delegation from throughout the Region on issues affecting veterans and the disabled community. North Central Chapter’s mission is to ensure that all veterans receive quality health care and timely access to VA Medical Centers and VA Clinics. We work closely with local, county, state, and national policy makers in support of legislation to benefit veterans and other disabled individuals.

One of our most notable efforts related to local legislation was our effort in passing a statewide building code for the state of South Dakota. NCCPVA collaborated with the SD Building Code Officials, The SD American Institute of Architects, and several other organizations to make this effort a success. Before the passage of this legislation many areas in rural South Dakota did not follow any type of guideline or standard in new construction or alteration projects. This new building code will help to provide more accessible buildings and facilities for PVA members and all people with disabilities living in the state of South Dakota

Disability Community Advocate Dies At 49
By Hailey Higgins
Published: January 18, 2012, 10:00 PM

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Sioux Falls lost another important member of the community last week, a strong advocate for people with disabilities.

Flags at the North Central Chapter of Paralized Veterans of America are at half staff in remembrance of not only former Governor Bill Janklow, but also Joel Niemeyer.

"It was really sudden. It was one of these, it was a slap in the face," Government Relations Director Ken Laughlin said.

The former executive director passed away in his sleep on January 10 at the age of 49.

He spent nearly 30 years advocating for people with disabilities after a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed. In an 1998 interview with KELOLAND News, he spoke out against higher paratransit fees in Sioux Falls.

"It is going to be a concern because there are a lot of folks with low incomes, fixed incomes that struggle right now just to get around," Niemeyer said.

"If you had a disability, and it didn't make a difference if you're in a wheelchair or not, his goal was to help you the best way he could and that's how he approached things," Laughlin said.

Ken Laughlin worked at the North Central Chapter for six years under Niemeyer. He says Niemeyer worked tirelessly and succeeded in making life better for people with disabilities.

Niemeyer helped enforce ADA compliance in parking lots across Sioux Falls, as well as the snow removal ordinance on sidewalks.

At the very end of December, Niemeyer stepped down as executive director. Laughlin said he leaves behind a void that will be hard to fill.

"We just don't have the individuals to pick it up and so we've got to figure out how to overcome that," Laughlin said.

Niemeyer is described as a problem solver who always smiled, confident we all can leave the world better than we found it.

The North Central Chapter PVA provides Advocacy services to promote and defend the rights of ALL citizens with disabilities, including veterans and non-veterans. The Chapter works on a National, state, and local levels striving to remove all barriers-architectural and attitudinal.

The VA's would like to serve as a reminder the importance of helping our soldiers returning home and all veterans to get the care they need. It is critical that we work together to ensure that they enroll for VA care and educate them, their families and the community about what kinds of problems these veterans may potentially encounter. Veterans Service Officers, County Veteran Service Officers and VA Enrollment & Admissions offices are excellent resources.

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME
South Cliff Falls Apartments
$99.00 Move In

ADA Units Available NOW!

For a 2br unit with a 1 year lease the max rent would be $565.00 per month. If the prospective tenant's income were lesser and stayed under the cap we could use a Home unit where the rent would be $481.00 per month.

1 person, 2br ADA Home unit the income cap for the $481.00 would be $19,360, if there were two people the cap would be $22,120.

Max rent would be for a 3br is $680.00.

* Community Center w/ Computer Room
* On-site management, laundry, & mail.
* Dishwashers, W/D hook ups, and off street parking.
* Garbage, water, sewer—FREE!

Ph. 605-213-2130
810 South Cliff Ave. Harrisburg,

The Sioux Falls Disability Awareness Commission (DAC) is working with the North Central Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Independent Living Center (formerly Prairie Freedom Center) to follow-up on a mailing that was done to over 1500 business in Sioux Falls concerning their accessible parking. The 2003 project targeted places of business or service that don't meet the minimum standards set out by city, state, and federal laws. We are asking for your help in identifying these places. Please click on the following link to complete the survey on line.

ADA Accessibility Survey

Offering solutions for the removal of architectural barriers to public buildings, housing, and businesses.

Come join the Celebration of the 21st Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Frank L. Boyce “Miracle Field” (west of Covell Lake). The event will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a meal at no cost for the first 400 guests. Activities will include: ADA Awards; Music; Kids Games; Prizes; and Fun for the entire family.

This law guarantees individuals the right to participate in and enjoy the goods and services offered to the general public. The ADA provides civil rights protection to people with a physical or mental disability, people with a record of disability, or people associated with or related to a person with a disability. PVA provides education and advocacy about rights and responsibilities.

Advocacy Projects and Technical Assistance:

Training Seminar’s-- The North Central Chapter is instrumental in organizing and conducting trainings. Trainings that are provided cover topics such as ADA Basics, the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Ten Commandments of How To Communicate With People With Disabilities.

Technical Assistance-- The Chapter is very active in providing technical assistance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other disability rights laws. We work with building code officials, design professionals, and contractors in reviewing plans for new construction to make sure they meet federal accessibility guidelines and local building codes.

The Government Relations Department also surveys facilities for accessibility to individuals with disabilities. We do a thorough inspection of each facility to identify all of the architectural barriers and provide a written report of our findings to the party requesting the service.

Advocacy—We receive calls from people with disabilities who have difficulty accessing goods and services from area businesses and facilities. We work with the individual and business or facility to help provide a remedy that is acceptable to each party.