Testimonials

Dayle McIntosh Center Creates New Beginnings with Immersive Internship Program As Independent Living Center Celebrates 49^th Anniversary

Anaheim, CA — New Beginnings. The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled (DMC) (https://daylemc.org) is celebrating 49 years as Orange County’s only Independent Living Center for people with disabilities, older adults and Veterans.  This year’s anniversary themed “New Beginnings” brings with it new changes, partnership collaborations, and growth opportunities with the exciting development of a one-of-a-kind unique college internship program through the 501(c)(3) organization to further support new beginnings for students into their career trajectory and advocacy service goals.

“At DMC we thrive to create a career building and cross collaboration environment for our volunteers and interns, the goal is to create an environment of growth and skill building for both and being able to cross over in their tasks. In the DMC internship program initiated by our Volunteer Coordinator Raquel Velarde, students are able to manage a small caseload with the support and supervision of the program’s lead and directors.  In addition, on a monthly basis we host a volunteer peer support group so that both interns and volunteers gain knowledge about additional opportunities available and they get to hear about the tasks they perform from one another,” states Michelle Ramos, DMC’s Director of Community Support Services. “At the moment we are in the initial stages of mapping out the structure for interns at DMC in the hope to continue having multiple connections through local and national colleges. Long term we would like to have multiple students through different semesters manage a small caseload and contribute to DMC’s great success. “

Ramos went on to explain that “community partners have sparked interest in placing interns to gain skills and knowledge through our organization,” which is a very important momentum surge DMC hopes to make a strong impact for the community.

According to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, 45.50% of people with disabilities in the State of California are employed and 39,512,000 Individuals with disabilities living in communities.   DMC’s efforts to provide college internships and volunteer opportunities working in partnership with educational institutions is essential to grow knowledge about how Orange County’s Independent Living Center works and the community it serves is vital to overall community outreach, development and understanding for better relating.

“The internship program is an opportunity for local college students to volunteer/intern at DMC while also obtaining required hours/experience needed for college courses and/or completion of degrees. The program is a learning initiative designed for undergraduate and graduate students in various social services/humanities degrees and is specifically for students in local colleges looking to complete fieldwork, gain hours or weeks of experience or shadowing for their courses in undergraduate and graduate programs. In these opportunities student interns gain job training and match the theories of their courses to their firsthand cases at DMC. They can ask questions, shadow/observe and learn from service providers and take their experiences to their future jobs,” shares Raquel Velarde, DMC’s Volunteer Coordinator who is spearheading DMC’s Internship Program.

Velarde further explains, “The program aims to build a gap between the theory of practice and real-on job scenarios. Currently, the colleges we are working with are Golden West College (GWC) in Huntington Beach and Westcliff University in Irvine and currently, the general area of study is Social Servies or Humanities majors. We are open to majors that vary such as Child Education, Business, Nursing and more case by case. The process begins with an internship application through the Volunteer Platform Galaxy Get Connected. Followed by an interview – in some cases with student and professor for a DMC overview, onboarding, training and fulfillment of hours which vary by college or course for student enrolled.” 

With California being the top state where internships are most competitive, numerous educational institutions in the Southern California region are quick to recognize the value of internships in connecting academic learning with real-world life and work experience to accomplish career goals to gain skills to enhance and successfully complete many different degree programs. DMC being a peer-led organization with multiple on-going programs and service needs is unique whereby a targeted approach to internships is essential for the Independent Living Center to fulfill multiple areas of need.

“We utilize every volunteer and intern’s expertise to customize their experience. Our Volunteer Coordinator has a great talent for finding strengths during the interviews she conducts with the interested applicants allowing them to be placed in their role of preference and possibly cross collaborate.  In the future, we would like to continue expanding roles available to our interns to gain more experience and skills and implement a system in which they are able to select multiple roles that fit their strengths and utilizes their skills.  The reason for our focus is to assist some of our high impacted programs manage the high caseload,” explains Ramos.

Outlined, some of the initial DMC Internship roles are as it follows: Grants, Personal Assistant Services, Assistive Technology, Housing, and Outreach. Beyond the actual tailoring and customization for the internships, Velarde pays careful attention to these focus areas to meet requirements of their course for the student’s degree. Going beyond this point is what makes DMC’s Internship Program experience different from other internships.

“With collaboration from the school’s professors, the students are open to learn new skills and areas to focus on. For example, recent volunteer interns were completing fieldwork for a course in their Social Services and Humanities major. They directly supported the Housing Program at DMC but also participated in tasks from Blind/Low Vision Services Program. Having our volunteer interns learn from multiple departments provides a well-rounded fieldwork opportunity and on the job training at an Independent Living Center. In the future, I would like to possibly collaborate with schools/professors to create opportunities that meet the needs of both DMC but also fulfill the direct requirements of the course. For example, maybe learning tasks of the course and pairing that with opportunities of need at DMC,” shares Velarde.

One of DMC’s recent Interns, Natalia Ramirez, a student at Golden West College shares a first-time internship lens. “I didn’t have any previous knowledge, but was curious to learn more – to help those in need and I enjoy interacting with people. Being open minded helped me be more appreciative,” states Ramirez. Her internship journey became a discovery process, “I learned I can be a little shy over the phone. (I will) apply knowing how to navigate a conversation with proper vocabulary and will take away skills and memories.”

Ramirez’ advice for anyone interested in exploring the DMC Internship Program: “To put themselves out there and taking a step into the real world will open eyes.”  DMC hopes what Ramirez shared is heard by educational institutions because internships in today’s challenging career market matter. According to World Metrics, 89% of employers report that internships help them identify full-time candidates, 63% of U.S. internships are for college students, and 71% of interns report that their internship influenced their career path choice.

“The plan is to continue creating relationships with colleges, currently our Volunteer Coordinator is seeking partnerships with schools that offer ASL classes to be able to also expand opportunities to our Deaf Services Program. Long term I would like to be able to expand the Volunteer program and convert it into a fee for service that creates revenue for DMC and is well established enough to continuously support our team and consumers, shares Ramos.

Velarde adds “A (big picture) goal of mine for the program would be to have the internship cross over into an externship or create a way to have interns apply directly to open job opportunities at DMC and to be able to expand to neighboring counties.” 

The organization’s commitment in shaping ‘new beginnings’ paves the way for creating a huge impact to understand the disability, older adult and Veteran community it serves.  Opening new doors for the next generation – The internships introduce the organization’s health and human services outreach to grasp “how” Orange County’s Independent Living Center works and serves its growing community.

If you’d like to learn more about DMC’s new Internship Program, call 714-621-3300.

To learn about other additional Volunteer opportunities, go to the Volunteer web page and explore the Galaxy portal HERE. 

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to https://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   For media story inquiries and interviews, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.       

Dayle McIntosh Center Celebrates 48^th Anniversary with Community, Learning and Impact Fundraiser as Disability and Aging Community Grows in OC

Anaheim, CA —Community, Learning and Impact.  This purposeful foundation has been an integral part of the roots of Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled’s humble beginnings. Opening its doors in 1977, the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) www.daylemc.org – Orange County’s only Independent Living Center for people with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans is celebrating 48 years with its third annual Attitude of Gratitude Fundraiser with a first-time full Anniversary Giving Season which runs October 31 – December 2^nd (Giving Tuesday), 2025.

The season-long anniversary of celebrating the community, learning and impact full-circle for DMC is much more than it appears – it is visibility and awareness of Orange County’s exponential growth due to many displaced individuals in Los Angeles migrating to Orange County. Additionally, countywide OC is at 278,935 growth with Boomer/GenX market of aging older adults is adding to the boom in people needing services through the aging process. According to the Office on Aging over 450,000 older adults (65+) account for 14.3% of OC’s population.  As Orange County’s only existing Independent Living Center serving all OC residents with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans throughout North, South, Inland and Coastal OC, parts of Los Angeles and Riverside County, the need is expanding, therefore outreach and growth initiatives for 2026 must follow suit.

“We recognize DMC must adapt, especially in a landscape where funding and resources can shift overnight. One way we are adapting is through a new partnership with hospitals to launch the Hospital to Home Program (H2H) in 2026. This program will support people with disabilities and older adults as they transition safely from hospital to home by addressing barriers such as accessibility and equipment needs, coordinating in-home services, and connection to community resources while reducing rehospitalizations, avoiding institutional placements, and empowering participants to remain in their homes. At the same time, we are expanding our Veterans Independence Program (VIP) across Orange County, Riverside, and Los Angeles to ensure Veterans can age in place with dignity and self-determination in their own homes,” explains Brittany Zazueta, DMC’s Executive Director.

While this growth spurt for 2026 has plans in the making for DMC to reorganize, the core purpose is never lost on the peer-based led organization by and for people with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans. DMC understands firsthand what it takes to achieve independence and self-sufficiency in today’s society.        

Returning to the roots and foundation of what the Independent Living Center was founded upon matters more than ever. It is with this year’s fundraiser’s theme Community, Learning and Impact helps to shape the path for where OC’s only IL plans to go and why this fundraiser is important to be successful for all DMC plans to do in the New Year. 

“We also recognize that true progress depends on building a stronger advocacy network of peers and allies. In 2026, we will launch the first-ever Lead On Initiative (LOI) named after IL leader Justin Dart Jr.’s iconic words, “I love you. Lead on!” This initiative will host two cohorts in 2026 to explore independent living history, individual advocacy, systems advocacy, and goal setting for impact. It’s an invitation for our community to be “all in for change.” With these exciting and necessary expansions, DMC’s own needs are growing as well. As our team grows to 40 staff members and beyond, we are planning to secure a new building in 2026 that is fully accessible, inclusive, and safe space to call home for our team of staff, partners, and community,” explains Zazueta.

This year alone, through infrastructure reorganization and metamorphosis, the organization has reinvigorated multiple services, rekindling partnerships and alliances for greater community outreach and expanding program service needs.  DMC has been rising to the occasion to meet critical challenges with 2025 to present day applying last year’s fundraising to make things happen.

Zazueta shares insights to DMC’s progress, “In addition to sustaining our ongoing core and extended

services, we were successful in regaining funding from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and launched our rebranded Mobility Management Professionals Program (MMPP) where we teach people with disabilities and older adults how to independently navigate the fixed route bus system with safety and COVID precautions in mind. Additionally, we partnered with Orange County United Way through their Homelessness 101 initiative, ensuring accessibility and inclusion by translating materials on the causes, myths, and solutions to homelessness into Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). Through this effort, our team delivered eight workshops which empowered monolingual Spanish speakers and ASL users with vital knowledge and resources. We also established our Veterans Independence Program (VIP) and so far have been successful in supporting over 70 Veterans with disabilities to remain safely in their home. Finally, we expanded our website to include a brand new Learn page where community members can learn for free or learn for a fee on a variety of topics related to disability, aging, and accessibility. As a result we’ve forged several new partnerships and provided our popular Disability Acceptance and Etiquette training to over 10 community partners.”

Initially starting off as a week-long fundraiser, the digital event has grown as the 501(c)(3) embraces a ‘solution’ to the dilemma of recognizing multiple simultaneous anniversaries: DMC’s Soft Grand Opening in September 27, 1977 official dedication; October 24, 1977 first published date in an industry newsletter being declared open publically through an announcement; October 31,1977 as the official day the Orange County Board of Supervisors check landed to November 1^, 1977 when DMC’s grand opening was declared official and finally, a December Open House.  Each milestone serving, educating and impacting the community was why each anniversary was its own milestone as new programs, services and workshops grew to meet a community in need.

Pictured above: Community, Learning Impact Dayle McIntosh Center graphic with black text, on gold image with red hearts, with silhouette of three people celebrating love of community with hearts above their heads and a big blue global heart in the center to represent the community itself. DMC blue logo at the bottom.

In the spirit of this history, DMC will be sharing an early “Save the Date” early launch preview ahead

of its season-long email campaign of inspirational and heart-felt testimonials from a variety of consumers, Veterans, Board, Leads, Administration, Volunteers and more. Full representation of both internal and external gratitude in the present day is meant to be an inspiring and motivating piece for the public to recognized the “how” piece, as the peer-based Independent Living Center is comprised of people proudly representing the community DMC also serves. Through an email campaign uniting all subscribers from long-time community members to newcomers joining DMC’s community for the first time through acquired disability, aging and the effects of Long COVID – the goal is to bring the community together, learn together and create an impact together as this year’s theme of the event implies.

As DMC meets people where they are as part of the Independent Living Philosophy, the organization also hopes that the community itself can grow in support at Orange County, Los Angeles County and Riverside County communities can grow to meet people with disabilities, older adults and Veterans with dignity, respect, and care as the demand, growth and opportunity require the rest of society to level up with the most education about the growing population in need. To support this effort, DMC additionally offers trainings for city government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses and helping OC thrive to meet the community as much as it helps consumers have their own needs met.  Education and learning has been at the forefront to develop growth plans as OC faces unprecedented need in numbers.

As all counties progress to advance its accessibility, accommodations and reimagined access, DMC charges on in advocacy to be the solution as a peer-based organization uplifting voices for equity cultivating and empowering lives of independence to flourish with on-going resources and support. This modeling of disability pride is the impact changing lives. Community, Learning, and Impact are punctuated with every new growth milestone created by the organization and why donations matter most and when looking at 2026 growth initiatives for what the organization has planned as goals for the year ahead.

The DMC Attitude of Gratitude event creates a fun opportunity for all cash donors offering twenty-two prizes in an opportunity drawing where individuals have a chance to potentially win anything from an electric blanket; to an overnight getaway resort and spa stay; to dining gift cards, admission to tourist attractions; cultural art experiences and education; to gift certificates for gift baskets, jewelry; well-being, athleisure apparel, and creative fun. Early bird cash donors will double their chances of winning a prize entered into the early bird prize drawing, November 14^th. Those who do not win are automatically entered into the main prize drawing taking place December 3, 2025 on what would have been Dayle McIntosh’s 84^th birthday.

The public and donate, do corporate matches, individual donation match challenges and create a fun season-long united front to support DMC and be part of the movement for where DMC is trekking next in serving the community.

For a full-list of prizes, subscribe to DMC’s mailing list, stay tuned to social media and go to DMC’s website to learn more about how you can support DMC in reaching fundraising goals and share ways to support and access the event flyer, and other sponsorship opportunities

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to https://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   For media story inquiries, interest in donation challenges, corporate matches, and title sponsorship opportunities for 2026, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675. 

Anaheim, CA — When Duke Ellington released the song “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” in 1949, he probably thought his classic love song only had one context. For the over 500,000 people in Orange County who are people with disabilities and/or older adults aging facing mobility issues – that lyric can be a challenging part of having quality of life. The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled  and OCTA are partnering up once again to create impactful change in Orange County with the revival of the Mobility Management Professionals Program (MMPP) for people with disabilities and older adults to inform, educate and train the community on how to have equity accessing the transportation system for a better quality of life. In addition to access, additional benefits in training include customized goal-setting, planning and additional support for travel safety. DMC’s MMPP is set to launch in Spring of 2025, with the official launch date to be announced soon! The MMPP Team aim to educate a total of ninety consumers throughout the fiscal year 2025 and 125 consumers through the fiscal year of 2026.  The organization is rejoicing in being able to revive the program after both the impacts of COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic and funding ended in 2022.

“Having been a Mobility Program Coordinator early on in my career with DMC, I am thrilled to see these much-needed services return to both our organization and the community we serve. After our original program ended two years ago, we are excited to be reintroducing this program under a new name – The Mobility Management Professionals Program (MMPP). This rebranding reflects the professionalism, dedication, and hands-on expertise of our team. Many of us bring not only years of experience as Travel Trainers, but also personal insights as people with disabilities who have successfully navigated public transportation independently,” states DMC’s Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta. “Since the start of the pandemic, much has changed in how people with disabilities and older adults—the most at-risk and vulnerable populations—navigate public spaces. Recognizing these challenges, we have expanded our bus safety education to include crucial guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. This updated training also offers support in accessing essential resources to ensure safer, more informed travel.”

The rebrand that Zazueta is referring to is about taking the original Mobility Management Program (MMP) – (History can be found HERE) to the next level of MMPP and what is relaunching now with essential training which has evolved for the changed world individuals must now navigate in access and independence.  DMC partnered with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for thirteen years working the original Mobility Management Program from 2009 through June 30, 2022.

Beyond the rebrand, what will be new, according to Ivan Cortez, DMC’s Lead Home and Community Access Coordinator is the leveling up of “Consumer Driven” the training experience itself – more options, more connectivity and more customization. “DMC had to stop bus training sessions due to COVID-19 , now we have more resources and have PPE that we can provide to our consumers when travel training. Travel Trainers also have the option to do trip planning via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This will save time when arriving to the consumer’s home. Trip Planning will already be completed by the time you arrive for the bus training session. DMC will continue to use our tools like a tablet or work cell phone to help the consumers obtain bus schedules and do trip planning while on the field. MMPP is consumer driven where the consumer can inform us what their goal is and how we can help them meet it,” he explains.

Cortez elaborates, “I am personally am excited that the Mobility Management Program is back. With eight years of experience of being a Travel Trainer and having the opportunity to lead the program (when it was originally MMP), I will once again be able to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities to navigate the bus system safely and independently throughout Orange County. The Mobility Program gives independence to individuals with transportation needs. This can encourage consumers to explore new experiences and make positive changes in their lives.  Having the support of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and our Travel Trainers, the consumers will build confidence riding the bus to their daily activities, such as school, doctor visits, and even grocery shopping. Thank you, OCTA, for having DMC be part of this incredible opportunity.”

This opportunity is not lost on the consumers DMC reaches with this vital program servicing the needs that are most important: travel commuting to work and living life.

“In 2022, I was a consumer in the (original) Mobility Management program. My goal for being in this program was to increase knowledge of where bus stops were in my neighborhood and using apps to plan trips. As a result of being a consumer in this program, I have gained an awareness of diverse ways to travel across Orange County in my neighborhood. This program is important for individuals with disabilities because it will increase confidence with daily living travel skills,” shares DMC’s own Danyelle Cerillo, who is the organization’s ILS Instructor for the Blind, as well as, an OC ACCESS user.

Celebrating 48 years as Orange County’s only Independent Living Center for people with disabilities and older adults, the organization whose roots are founded in activism and advocacy as a State of California 501(c)(3) non-profit, DMC pushed forth access and mobility independence in the advocacy ramps paved by Founder Dayle McIntosh, first Executive Director Brenda Premo and original Board Member At-Large and second DMC Board President, Mick Spencer.  In 1976 before becoming DMC’s Original Treasurer, Tad Tanaka served as Board Member on the Citizens Advisory Council on Accessible Transportation. He was introduced to the advocacy that Greg Winterbottom was doing working as an assistant to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.  When Greg became DMC’s first Board President, he was instrumental in cultivating the relationship between DMC and OCTA, where Winterbottom went onto creating a lifelong legacy of historical milestones for OCTA and his advocacy for access, independence and mobility through transportation remained a constant until his passing in 2020.  His memory lives on in new leadership at OCTA in this revived partnership where access and independence was Winterbottom’s fierce mission.

“Public transportation is vital for so many individuals to gain their independence and OCTA is happy to support the Dayle McIntosh Center with a grant to train people on using transit,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee, also Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor. “I’m proud to share that these funds are part of more than $8.6 million awarded by OCTA in the last year to organizations serving seniors and those with disabilities. We greatly appreciate the work our community partners do to help ensure everyone has access to transit.” 

DMC’s plan is to keep people moving forward and onward to their destinations with the proper tools, training and ultimately premium support, resources and education. With every milestone created in successfully doing so, people with disabilities and older adults will be able to return to singing Duke Ellington’s song only for its original context, as DMC helps to ensure community members “get around much more” and wherever they wish to go!

“At DMC, we believe independence is about choice and access to transportation is a cornerstone of that independence. Whether someone lives in a group home, facility or their own home, the ability to ride the bus offers an empowering sense of freedom from deciding where to sit on the bus to choosing where to go. With the right services and supports, everyone can achieve independence, and we are excited to be able to add another service at our Center where we make this a reality for the people we serve every day,” states Zazueta.

If you’d like to donate to the Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on the Mobility Management Professionals Program go to their web page HERE call directly at 714-621-3300 or contact online

For media inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.       

Anaheim, CA — Making a difference with connection and support is what makes the world go around laying a foundation for empowerment to go a long way.  For the next generation of youth with disabilities, the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) DMC Youth Connect Program is thrilled to announce that geographical long distance can be crunched in space and time online providing a Peer-to-Peer Coast-to-Coast Opportunity with Able South Carolina (Able SC) Equip Program as a virtual outreach bridge across the miles from Anaheim, California to Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina through Zoom sessions on the first Saturdays of the month 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m. PST/2:00-3 p.m. EST starting in February 2025.  This support opportunity will initially be between youth consumers from both of these organizations and their respective programs initially, but will be open to youth from other areas seeking support.

“The DMC Youth Connect Team is thrilled to collaborate with Able South Carolina! Both Centers share a passion to support youth with disabilities by providing the tools and resources they need to navigate the transition to adulthood. Our services also help youth build friendships and connect with their communities. It is essential to have that support available because becoming an adult can be complicated and it is reassuring to know that support is available in the community! Making friends and learning more about themselves, such as their strengths, is also a plus point.

For me, this passion stemmed from my experiences growing up as a person with Cerebral Palsy. As a young adult, I felt disconnected from peers and resources. Connecting with the Dayle McIntosh Center, Orange County’s Independent Living Center, helped me learn more about myself and the disability community, its culture, and its history. I felt a sense of belonging and gained many skills and strengths, which helped me became the individual I am today,” explains Nelly Gomez, DMC’s Lead Youth and Information Coordinator. 

Video meeting platforms like Zoom have been made common by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, how we use technology is not just bridging distances. It is pulling together essential creative connective social gaps to marginalized groups in different and unique ways. For the highest at-risk group of people with disabilities, COVID is never over, especially those who are immunocompromised or who may be limited in access to connecting by traditional means based on limited resources. The Peer-to-Peer Coast-to-Coast Collaborative has purpose beyond powerful connection – the partnership provides powerful, meaningful, impactful opportunities essential for growing together with this digital connection platform. Sharing ideas from across the U.S., provides a seat at the table giving a lift to voices from both coasts in a shared experience setting of belonging and learning.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics In 2022–23, the number of students up through the age of 21 who received special education and/or related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was 7.5 million, or the equivalent of 15 percent of all public school students.  When youth age into the “transitional” youth-to-adult phase, quite often necessary support wanes unless provided by Independent Living Centers or specific individual programs.  Most youth are limited to connection with their local peers only, unless attending a regional or national conference, which is what makes this unique digital collaboration so powerful in uniting both coasts youth peers with disabilities to grow awareness as well as important connective relationships.

In addition to the purposeful effort of the Peer-to-Peer Coast to Coast collaboration of strengthening such ties through peer networks, the essential human need is to lessen isolation, prepare for independent living, and support advocacy efforts all in an accessible safe space. This provides the gateway to be open, share and connect where encouragement, learning and inclusion will grow the next generation of disability community leaders as they develop pride and confidence.    

“The Equip program at Able SC is incredibly excited to be a part of this initiative to bring together the youth served by our collective Center for Independent Living’s. One of our core values at Equip is to create a community of youth with disabilities working together to complete our goals and with this partnership, we will be able to create a productive network of people for our members to build relationships with and explore what disability, school, jobs, towns, and life are like outside of South Carolina. A lot of our members are always looking for new opportunities to make friends and providing an accessible, virtual space to connect with new people 3000 miles away means new ways to transform and grow, work towards our goals of leadership, and be ready for independent living. We would like to thank Dayle McIntosh Center for their willingness to work with us on this and create a peer-led, safe space,” states Able SC’s Equip Program Coordinator, Isabelle Borduas.

Common shared goals can strengthen bonds not only between youth, but between Independent Living Centers.  DMC, now entering its 48^th year as Orange County’s only Independent Living Center was founded on finding common ground and bringing important resources together in collaboration. DMC’s determined grassroots founders never strayed from creating connections across the entire U.S., which is how the organization came to be. Expansive outreach efforts have been with DMC since the beginning.

“Peer support is a mandatory core service for all Centers for Independent Living across the nation—and it’s also the heart of both the Independent Living Movement and the Dayle McIntosh Center. The IL movement and our Center alike began with a small but determined group of people with disabilities who united to share their experiences. They discovered the power of their collective voices, affirming that their opinions mattered and that they deserved equal opportunities, resources, and independence, shares DMC’s Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta.  “Peer support is when one person with a disability connects with another person or group of other people with disabilities to offer guidance, understanding, and encouragement while navigating challenges, barriers, or situations related to living with a disability. What makes peer support so unique is that it doesn’t require shared disabilities or identical lived experiences—just a shared empathy and a commitment to uplifting one another,” she explains noting that this connection provides limitless opportunities which could lead to collective advocacy, and possibly driving both systemic and youth-led change.

DMC’s Youth Connect Program operates year-round helping youth in transition through a variety of educational and informative program service areas creating access and independence, targeting specific goals and positive outcomes. Additionally, the program hosts an annual summer youth academy and provides youth essential planning for ages 14-24.

“The more we are connected, the better it is! Our collaboration with Able South Carolina is impactful because not it not only provides opportunities for youth, but it helps highlight the idea that support can take many forms. By working together, we can create spaces where youth feel uplifted, communities become more inclusive, and the connections we encourage can lead to lasting change,” summarizes Gomez.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services, including Peer-to-Peer, Coast-to-Coast DMC Youth Connect Program collaborative call directly at 714-621-3300 or contact online

For media inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.       

(Anaheim, CA) — Gratitude is a simple word but there is much depth and meaning behind it when you are Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC), Orange County’s only Independent Living Center for people with disabilities and older adults.  The peer-based non-profit organization is celebrating more than its past history consisting of over four and a half decades of activism, advocacy and its roots, it is celebrating the present day of gratitude and the future of the community it will continue to serve as the growing need and demand for programs and services keeps expanding with a population of Veterans, families, people with both visible and invisible disabilities, the aging community of older adults and the Long COVID population, exceeding over 500,000 people.  It is with this current-day pivoting, and future-casting DMC, the State of California 501 (c )(3) announces the 2024 Attitude of Gratitude Giving Week fundraiser November 18-26, 2024.  DMC hopes the giving season will continue through the holiday season with gratitude anniversary and birthday support just ahead of what would have been Founder Dayle McIntosh’s 83d Birthday on December 3, the world’s official Giving Tuesday.

2024 has been a pivotal year for DMC with many growth changes including the launch of a brand new Veterans Independence Program as well as the revival of its essential Volunteer Program, and the recognition of excellence DMC’s Housing Liaison’s tireless efforts in the fight against homelessness, and two earlier honors by the City of Anaheim and Toastmasters for DMC’s excellence in the community.  

“As we approach our 47th year of service, I am deeply grateful for the vision of the original founding members of the Dayle McIntosh Center, whose tireless efforts brought this incredible organization to life. Dayle McIntosh and Brenda Premo were only in their early 20s when they began dreaming, planning, and advocating for what has become the Center we know and love today. They faced many challenges and had countless opportunities to give up, but they kept going. Reflecting on their journey, I can’t help but think of my own path. I joined DMC 12 years ago, at the age of 24, filled with hope and determination to make a difference. Seeing what Dayle and Brenda accomplished as young people motivated me to believe that I, too, could make a meaningful impact. Their journey gave me the confidence to push forward in my own career, showing me that age and disability were not barriers but opportunities for leadership and growth,” shares Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta.

Zazueta’s reflection on DMC’s founders is part of what the organization lives every single day as they walk the halls of their building and see photos on the walls which are milestone markers for where DMC has been – where trails blazed are not forgotten by anyone.  DMC has had many individuals create their own impact at various ages and stages of their own journey on a daily basis, which includes its current team working tirelessly to honor the foundation of what the organization was founded upon.  DMC’s Attitude of Gratitude is about a full heart of being in service continuing the legacy of its Founders with an eye on vital change as demands for essential services and programs continue to escalate to navigate an unprecedented growing community.

Donations are needed to continue forging ahead with momentum to provide what is needed, especially as the aging community of Boomers and Gen X’ers require more resources and COVID evolves every year with surges compounding upon pre-existing conditions of the pandemic’s aftermath.  An entire population of individuals in Orange County have been navigating a difficult terrain of newly acquired disabilities. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 5.3% of all adults in the US were experiencing long COVID in late October 2023. Of the approximately 134 million adults who have had COVID-19, 9.5% were experiencing long COVID in late October 2023. Overall, the Census Bureau estimated that 25.6% of US adults who’ve contracted COVID-19 had experienced long COVID at some point. At the end of 2023 year-to-date positive cases exceeding 800,344 cases in total (which continues to grow) but are not being tracked as closely by the county in 2024, with many individuals in this data are those whom now live with Long-COVID. As we head into 2025 with the brand new variants adding to the numbers – the unknown factor of what lies ahead is prompting more urgency in the need for resources to inform, educate and provide programs and services.

“Just as it wasn’t easy for our founders, the journey has not been without its challenges for us, especially in recent years. When the pandemic hit, we were one of the first organizations to swiftly transition our operations to a fully remote model. Though we had never done this before, we made it happen in under a week, thanks to our amazing Operations and IT Administrator, Miguel, the Leadership Team, and our dedicated direct service staff, all of whom were committed to keeping everyone as safe as possible. We did what our founders did best—adapted in real time, a true disability strength!”

Zazueta further explains DMC’s pivot, “Our internal meetings, peer support groups, and consumer workshops quickly shifted to Zoom – a new platform we were learning and teaching our consumers at the same time. Even as we were surrounded by loss and sickness, our team pressed on, knowing that the struggles in our own homes and neighborhoods mirrored those faced by the people we serve. In response, we leveraged new funding to create a temporary PPE and food delivery program—something we had never done before. And now, as COVID surges once again without the same urgency from the community or government, we continue to adapt, prioritizing safety and service to our disabled and older adult community.”

It is here DMC has great need to introduce themselves as an Independent Living Center to a fresh demographic of people who have not been part of the disability community before, now needing many services, covering the spectrum of Youth Transitions to Community Transitions of Veterans and older adults with numerous needs in-between from Deaf Services, Blind/Low-Vision, Independent Living needs, Peer Counseling, Assistive Technology, Personal Assistant support, Housing, Home Modification, and both Individual and Systems Change Advocacy.  Information and Referral support as well as Volunteer and Community Services outreach are vital for DMC to meet expansive demands for 2025.

Gratitude from both Team DMC and peer consumers continues to grow for all of these services, taking the “Attitude of Gratitude” next level, many which will be shared throughout giving season as DMC celebrates its birthday and years of creating access and independence by and for people with disabilities and older adults. The organization reflects back on its foundation but also looks to the future understanding the growing need for continued fundraising in order to support a community which expands every year, many of whom are brand new to DMC, which is not lost on anyone as Zazueta explains. 

“DMC was born from the unconventional dreams of our founders, and as we look to the future, we remain committed to adapting and innovating. The disability community is one you can join at any point in life and our community is rapidly expanding as more people age and face the long-term effects of COVID. Together, our team will ensure that DMC’s impact continues to grow, fueled by the same spirit of determination and hope that first inspired our founders. Looking ahead to 2025, our focus must be on community. We will continue to trust in our ability to adapt, knowing that while the path may be unconventional or unprecedented, we are doing what’s right and we are doing it the DMC way.”

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.  Find out about the many ways you can support DMC HERE   

For DMC’s detailed fundraiser flyer which includes this year’s prize levels and opportunity drawing for cash donors, Click HERE.  

This year, DMC is doing an additional holiday fundraiser through See’s Candies with their own DMC storefront.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org/services/ or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675. 

Anaheim, CA – United States Veterans who serve have helped our country time and time again. Our military service personnel often remain in service through what they do even once retired, and remind us once more that service is an infinite circle, generation after generation and they must not be forgotten, especially when it comes to health and after-care. Celebrating 47 years this year, Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) for the Disabled in Orange County has been serving Veterans throughout its existence and is proud to announce a new partnership with the VA in Long Beach, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD) in Colorado to form the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) reminding all military Veterans that everyone is a VIP and DMC is here in service to serve all those who have served.

California has the 3rd-highest Veteran population. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey includes annual estimates of Veterans and notes 1,292,737 are in the State of California and According to the California Department of Veteran Affairs there are an estimated 78,822 Veterans in Orange County alone.

“Centers for Independent Living such as CPWD and DMC are experts in delivering consumer-directed services in our local communities. This partnership extends our commitment to promoting independence and improving the quality of life for Veterans with disabilities beyond our local communities, allowing us to serve even more Veterans,” states Maria Stepanyan, Executive Director of Center for People with Disabilities (Boulder, CO).

The program serves all military Veterans who are with the VA. Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and U.S. Coast Guard. According to the Census Bureau, Veterans are anyone who has previously served (regardless of the duration of service) in active duty in the armed forces and are eligible for DMC’s new program if they are enrolled in the VA. The VA Medical Centers determine eligibility for the Veteran Directed Program, known at DMC as VIP. Veterans must be enrolled with the VA for their health care and meet community care eligibility criteria. For those who are not enrolled or do not qualify, DMC has gathered alternative resources which can be found on the new VIP website page: http://daylemc.org/veterans-independence-program/

The new launch of this program has been a labor of love and service. For Veterans Independence Program Advisor, Marysol A. Cuadrado, it means more than just launching a program, but a meaningful pay-it-forward lifeline.

“My brother served our country as a Marine for 20 years before retiring as Captain. He fought in Afghanistan there is pride and fear that comes with having loved ones fight for our country not knowing if they are going to come home. My brother has dedicated his career to giving back to his community and being able to be part of this program makes me feel that I am giving back to him saying ‘Thank you’ to not only my brother but all his brothers and sisters in arms, explains Cuadrado reflecting on the layers of her work with this new collaborative. “Overall it has been an exciting experience; being able to expand knowledge on the needs of our Vets and (coordinating) everything that is available,” she adds.

To Cuadrado, seeing how VIP can make such a difference in the lives of Veterans has meaning even amid some of the learning curve challenges encountered to put all the information in one place which DMC has now done by announcing the new website page as a ‘one-stop-shop’ walk-through of the process. “We are good to go and ready (to serve)!” she exclaims.

DMC is also expanding service reach to VIP Services in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in support of the local VA Medical Center’s efforts to launch the program in their areas. For DMC’s Community Living Advocate, Fernando Olivarez this Veterans Independence Program collaborative holds a very special place in his heart be able to serve veterans because his family is comprised of those who have served. “These services allow us to have a more equipped way to assist our military service personnel and the growth that I envision for this program in our veteran’s community is we can create trust in our service, knowing that we are here for them. The experience I have had so far trying to be a part of launching our collaboration is groundbreaking for Veterans who can receive an abundance of supportive services. From having my great grandfather serving in the Vietnam War plus my uncle while also having cousins serving right now. The way I feel about this program is something that I would want my military family to know about while also utilizing these services. To know that I will be serving our Veterans, with this work, I feel like I am continuing the legacy of serving our country,” states Olivarez, who also is a resident in the Inland Empire assisting his own local community Veterans through his work.

DMC first opened its doors to provide services to Veterans in 1977 through various workshops, programs and services from the beginning of the organization’s development.  This was important to the non-profit  501 (c)(3)’s entire leadership from the beginning as most of the team had family members who served, including DMC’s first Executive Director, Brenda Premo who was raised by a single mother and a military father constantly on the move; to DMC’s original Board President, Greg Winterbottom who had served in the Army and DMC’s original Board Member At-Large and second Board President, Marwood “Mick” Norman, Spencer – both of whom removed architectural barriers for their fellow disabled military service personnel  in the work they did for accessibility through public transportation, urban planning ramps and curb cuts. 

Recently retiring after twenty-two years of service as Lead OIB (Older Individuals who are Bling) Advocate, Socorro Arroyo-Merchain says, “I vividly remember the VA outreach in Long Beach and (I’m) sitting here smiling,” as it was the Veterans who were in the forefront of her mind as she spent time reflecting on work she was a part of in 2014 through Long Beach VAMC’s White Cane Resource Fair.

Arroyo-Merchain retires just as this new Veterans Independence Program launches, further proof that work with the VA keeps taking on a new life throughout all of DMC’s years of service and evolution.

DMC’s evolution with those who serve can also be found in present-day staffing. DMC’s new Human Resource Administrator, Michael Susi served in the U.S. Army for twenty years, which also included deployment to Iraq.
“Working at the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) as a Veteran fills me with immense pride, especially knowing that we are directly serving our community through the new VIP in collaboration with the VA. It means I can continue to serve those who have served our country, ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to thrive after their military service. This role allows me to carry forward the values I upheld during my time in the Army, making a meaningful difference in the lives of my fellow Veterans. The one thing I want the public to understand about service men and women is that the need for support doesn’t end when their military service does. The transition to civilian life is challenging and requires comprehensive aftercare, including mental health support, job placement, and community integration. It’s essential that we, as a society, provide ongoing care to those who have sacrificed so much, ensuring they have the tools and resources to lead fulfilling lives after their service,” shares Susi.

Long before DMC’s VIP new collaborative service launch, all of DMC’s program and service areas have been of benefit to Veterans and their families covering a wide array of resources and support – including Housing, Home Modification, Advocacy, Community Transitions, Blind/Low-Vision support, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Personal Assistant Services, Assistive Technology, Counseling and Deaf Services. Veterans who need other types of program and resource services find DMC beneficial in addition to this newest program.

Army Veteran, Susi shares, “Having my own family benefit from DMC’s Reuse Program was a deeply personal and rewarding experience. It showed me firsthand the value of the services we provide, not just in theory but in practice. The program made a significant difference in our lives, reinforcing my commitment to the mission of DMC. It was a reminder of how vital our work is in supporting the community and how these programs can have a real, positive impact on the lives of those we serve. My mother in-law is very pleased with her new equipment which aligns with our Independent Living Philosophy.”

DMC’s new Veterans Independence Program plans to expand and grow with more community awareness and support from existing Veterans who continue to thrive from joining the program. The mission of the Dayle McIntosh Center is access and equity by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults. DMC believes People with disabilities and older adults should all have equal opportunities to lead their lives as they choose. DMC is a non-profit organization that focuses on core services and serves as hub organization with many referral resources, programs, and partners.

Veterans Independence Program Advisor, Marysol A. Cuadrado understands that information can truly make a difference in educating veterans that they have options, and above all choices.
“The biggest misconception is that VIP will affect the Vet’s income or pension and not fully understanding the program. There is so much available to Veterans but a lot of the time it is just not knowing what is out there. The growth of this Program would mean us being able to serve more Veterans and guiding and helping them be able to stay independent in their homes and in the community,” shares Cuadrado.
Susi is in agreement with Cuadrado, “I would like to see DMC’s community outreach grow with the VIP program by expanding our reach to more Veterans, particularly those who may not be aware of the resources available to them. This program has the potential to be a lifeline for Veterans transitioning to civilian life, providing them with critical support and guidance. By increasing our outreach efforts, we can ensure that more Veterans benefit from these services, helping them navigate the challenges of post-military life and enhancing their quality of life in meaningful ways.”

To download the Veterans Independence Program Flyer (available in both English and Spanish) CLICK HERE or go to the new VIP web page HERE  If you’d like to also learn more about the many other services DMC provides, you can download DMC’s general services flyer HERE

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.  Find out about the many ways you can support DMC HERE.   

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.               

Anaheim, CA – They say home is where the heart is. For the 7,322 homeless people in Orange County, their hearts rely upon the generous hardworking hearts of others and their compassionate advocacy to battle a growing homelessness crisis.  The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) www.daylemc.org whose mission is access and equity by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults is pleased to announce Housing Liaison, Marisol Johnson has been selected as The Unsung Heroes of the Year being recognized by The United Way OC’s 2024 Unsung Heroes program for her hardworking heart dedicated to fighting the homelessness crisis with her tireless work in the community.

“I’m very grateful for this recognition. I was initially taken back, with sense of humility. I found myself wishing to do even more to make a difference. I look forward for my impact to be on a larger scale!  I think the most crucial aspect to understand homelessness is to understand that it could happen to everyone,” states DMC’s Housing Liaison and recognized Unsung Hero, Marisol Johnson who is passionate about fighting OC’s homelessness crisis which affects all ethnicities, veterans, youth, families, individuals, people with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, LGBTQ+ individuals, as they face family rejection and discrimination and the older adult population.

Johnson, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and has worked at DMC for eight years across a spectrum of services including Independent Living Skills, Community Transitions and Housing Services giving her many lenses to further recognize the bigger picture.  

“Unfortunately, there isn’t enough government housing assistance. Everything is increasing especially the cost of rent. People’s benefits and salaries are not. Even people with high-paying jobs are struggling to pay their rent, due to inflation, the increases people face are unavoidable so it’s essential for people to have more compassion for what could happen to anyone. For example, a family member may have a medical condition or may have passed away – these unexpected events could affect their ability to work, or miss a paycheck, where they would get behind on both general and medical bills.  It’s important for us to move beyond the stereotyping of what homelessness means. All individuals deserve dignity, respect and support and it is important to always advocate for others, because this could happen to you one day,” explains Johnson.

Of Orange County’s 7,322 homeless in the county’s recent 2024 report, the demographic breakdown supports what Johnson says in that ‘homelessness can happen to anyone.’ 328 Veterans Persons who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves; 308 Transitional Youth Persons ages 18 to 24; 869 Seniors Persons age 62 and older are just a portion of the people needing services. Johnson continues to work with a variety of consumers in different situations, most with disabilities, which is why the Unsung Heroes program focuses on recognizing that this fight in the homelessness crisis truly takes a village to eradicate it from OC.  The concept of Unsung Heroes is to honor individuals serving the community in different capacities. One of the organization’s key initiatives is United to End Homelessness℠ a targeted commitment to ending homelessness in Orange County so that everyone has a place to call home while adhering to their mission to improve lives in Orange County by delivering measurable long-term solutions to complex issues in education, financial stability, health and housing.

United Way OC’s Associate Director, Community Strategies United to End Homelessness, Michael Shepherd says “My hope is the listing of United Way’s Unsung Heroes reaches others on a broader level.  It’s not just one organization who addresses homelessness – we work together to address the crisis. This honor is about empowering people to see that they are part of the bigger movement.  There is a cross-pollination effect where one of thirty honorees can in turn get to know other organizations doing meaningful work. One organization can find out about the mission of another organization, also working to create a solution. People who are doing this challenging work often find it isolating at times.  Unsung Heroes helps to connect everyone see that they are making a difference bigger than what they might see at their desk.”

Johnson sees the impact beyond her desk, as her heart expands with compassion for both people and animals when it rains, knowing they need to find ways to stay warm. She looks towards what she and others can continue to do beyond just their own work.  Actions beyond words matter to Johnson. “What you do is important. I always encourage my consumers to vote on things that are important for others. Most people don’t take action on things unless it affects them. Advocating for policies and laws that support health care, social services, and putting yourself in other people’s shoes matters. Actions to support local organizations, shelters, doing fundraising…. Here at DMC we have a new Volunteer Program  where you can participate as a Housing Volunteer among other volunteer roles and that is something you can do to make a difference. Have a seat at the table, be part of a committee or a group.  Choose to help people with disabilities – it’s how we can expand to help more people in need. We don’t just make change for people with disabilities in housing, but every area – I encourage people to join us.” 

The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) and United Way of OC have a long history together.  In 1977, DMC found a place to call ‘their very first home’ at the United Way Plaza in Garden Grove where together the two organizations partnered in providing community educational workshops and outreach as part of a collaborative effort.  DMC’s very first Fundraising Chair Donald A. Nelson supported both organizations to bring together this essential partnership which also included community crossover crosspollination service needs.  DMC has provided Housing Assistance Support Services and resources since Day One and continues to be a go-to as the only Independent Living Center in Orange County.

DMC’s Housing Program is seeing constant developments and changes with regard to ongoing demand as the need for housing assistance reflects the Boomer Generation, a group that Governor Newsom will be continuing to address further with the State’s Master Plan on Aging. The County’s recent data notes adults ages 55-61 makeup 545 people unsheltered vs. 491 sheltered; ages 62-64 make up 191 people unsheltered vs. 168 people sheltered and finally, those 65+ 222 people unsheltered vs. 288 unsheltered.  

“Currently, the majority of referrals we receive are for older adults on fixed incomes who are no longer able to afford their rent due to annual increases and rising costs of living. We have also been seeing an increase in requests from individuals who speak English as a second language, as well as unhoused individuals who are needing affordable and accessible Housing,” shares Ruth Cho, DMC’s Director of Collaborative Services.  “Being able to work with Housing providers directly to provide disability awareness and accommodation trainings enables us to strengthen and increase housing opportunities for the disability community as a whole,” she explains.

“DMC is part of the broader collective of agencies. It takes all of us working together to end homelessness,” shares United Way OC’s, Michael Shepherd. “As we continue to collaborate, we’ll find out more about the mission work that is there among us uniting together.”   Shepherd’s statement is a reminder that OC’s homelessness issue is a community collaborative and joining efforts in working together not only changes the landscape of Orange County and what we do to move forward, but the work itself changes all of us on levels as residents, workers, advocates and leaders for our community.

“Working to address homelessness has profoundly affected my life personally and professionally.  It helps me have deeper empathy and compassion. I have heard so many stories of individuals, challenges, experiences and I learned how easily someone can become unhoused.  I try to lead with passion and openness to change things. Change is the key to success – I am going to fight to create change for what I feel is right and fair. It’s the saying reach for the moon and you fall in the stars… I have grown as a leader.  Sometimes one has to have high expectations, be strong, grow – for me being a leader means taking charge while continuing working with others to make the impossible possible.”

Johnson, who considers her mother, Virginia Leon, her hero, was shown the foundation of giving back, where she learned from her mother’s persistent and tenacious nature ‘always trying her best’ with infinite selflessness, showing up sweet, caring and giving blankets to the homeless. Johnson’s career at DMC has taught her Independent Living Service adaptive techniques and that people with disabilities have the right to make their own decisions, and that the power of peer support can create change and make a difference. This has propelled her own leadership into thinking about the future of what she wants to do to be part of the solution.

“I want to continue working on advocating for more accessible units in OC– we are all getting older anyone could become disabled at any time in their lives. My vision for the future is for all apartment complexes not only to have accessible units that meet ADA requirements but to exceed those requirements. I want OC and the USA to be inclusive –where people would be able to get an accessible unit easily, or have that unit become accessible to meet their needs with this service available everywhere.  Beyond this, I have more ideas. I created a Shared Housing Program a while back and would like to revive it so individuals can combine their incomes to apply for market-rate apartments. Additionally, I would love to advocate for increased benefits to align with today’s cost of living

DMC, entering its 47^th year as OC’s only Independent Living Center is a State of California 501(c)(3) non-profit peer-to-peer organization where most of the staff is composed of individuals, who have disabilities themselves and have lived experiences. With success in doing so, first-hand support, services, knowledge, information resources, and experience add to the ability to expand outreach demonstrating what is possible in becoming self-sufficient and rising above challenges.

To learn more about DMC’s Housing Services Program click HERE. If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.  Find out about the many ways you can support DMC HERE.  Interested in volunteering as a Housing Coordinator or for other roles?  CLICK HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.                    

Anaheim, CA –– They say what goes around, comes around. Volunteering at The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) www.daylemc.org punctuates the adage, with continuous service leadership examples rooted in the passionate advocacy of its employees as Orange County’s only Independent Living Center celebrating forty-seven years serving people with disabilities and older adults.  The long-standing peer-based State of California 501(c) (3) non-profit organization opened its doors in 1977 as a result of volunteer activism, creating opportunities for the community, while uniting through service.  This distinguished foundation is the springboard for the 2024 relaunch of the DMC Volunteer Program, being revived after the pandemic temporarily shut down the program.

Open to individuals 18 and older the program welcomes everyone – people with disabilities and older adults, those with all levels of volunteering experience, and individuals needing to fulfill community service hours through a church or school. Volunteers are given necessary training and support, along with flexible times of service through normal business hours and are expected to go through a Live Scan background check and wear a mask as DMC is an organization working with high-risk and immunocompromised individuals. 

“I’m excited we have a fresh start for the DMC Volunteer Program where we can fulfill the needs of the organization, as we continue to spread awareness for how others can make a difference to contribute to our community and mission,” states Stephanie Hernandez, DMC’s Volunteer Coordinator. “We are looking for reliable individuals who are open to learning, up to the task to deliver, and are passionate about our values. Our opportunities include volunteers for Reception, the Youth Program, Blindness and Low Vision Support, Deaf Services, d/Deaf Peer Mentor, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Skills, Housing and Community Outreach.  My hope is that individuals who volunteer will find fulfillment and community in our inclusive, no barriers open environment and will gain satisfaction knowing they are providing a service for others,” shares Hernandez.

The power of volunteering is a 360 degree full-circle opportunity, where DMC’s volunteers end up having such a strong connection to the community they serve, and the people they help, that it becomes a sincere interest and commitment to creating a career with heartfelt dedication. Many go on taking their valued volunteering experience to empower others. The organization has many inspiring stories where volunteering grows into something more on both a personal and professional level, like for DMC’s Youth and Information Coordinator Service Advocate, Nelly Gomez. She started her volunteer journey at the organization and now works in her current position in leadership at DMC, managing the Youth Program and Reception/Information and Referral as well as Youth Advisors and Volunteers, where she seeks volunteers for her own program she oversees.

“I became a volunteer at DMC in 2010 through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), which is now called Disability Works California, where I was introduced to new opportunities and experiences. Being a volunteer helped me to define who I am and learn more about the Independent Living Movement.  This helped me to see community service differently through skills I learned like problem-solving, being adaptable and flexible, gaining a positive outlook and more. I used to be shy when I was younger. Volunteering gave me and continues to give other individuals a chance to build confidence, like in public speaking. I found my voice as a volunteer, even by working with another volunteer where I observed someone with a great voice (both literally and figuratively) – a great singer. Even though they went on to find other passions, my takeaway was learning assertiveness and striving toward goals, like I apply today.”

For DMC’s Independent Living Skills Instructor Harm Tarrant, the volunteering journey led him to gain insights and perspective in what could be possible from a learning-to-teaching evolutionary catalyst. “I wouldn’t be who I am today if I never volunteered; volunteering for youth, putting my hands in different projects, helped me accept my own disability, understand others a bit better, as well as realizing my own strengths. I was a consumer of DMC at the time, working on Independent Living Skills. It inspired me to see that my ILS Instructor had a disability, and that other staff did as well—when I had only seen people with disabilities represented as entry level grocery store positions (bagging/stocking things). While I genuinely believe that no job is above or below any other, I had no idea these roles like an ILS Instructor even existed, let alone giving people with disabilities the opportunity to be thriving in these fields. This opened my perspective on what I could do, so when I was asked to teach youth about system advocacy, I jumped for it,” shares Tarrant who now serves both North and South OC as an ILS Instructor.

The Dayle McIntosh Center not only has created opportunities for volunteers to become employees, but even opening up doors for higher leadership. Employed at DMC for nine years, Jose Pena began his career as the youngest member of the staff, who also happened to be just starting out as a new driver. His passion for advocacy grew as he took on multiple roles, including Systems Change Advocate, where he learned about the injustices and inequalities faced by people with disabilities. He then transitioned to the role of Assistive Technology Coordinator before becoming a member of the Leadership Team as Director of IL Services. Eventually, Jose transitioned from an employee to a volunteer, now serving as the Treasurer on DMC’s Board of Directors.

“Volunteering for DMC’s Board of Directors is a privilege and an honor. It means that I’m able to support, shape, and provide input on the work and initiatives that DMC is doing for the disabled and senior communities in Orange County,” shares Jose Pena, DMC’s Board of Directors Treasurer. Living in Santa Ana/Orange County most of my life has allowed me to experience areas where access can be improved. Being a Board member now, I can highlight these areas so that change happens. DMC stays true to our mission of access and equity by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults with a community motto of Nothing About Us Without Us. Volunteering for DMC will enable people to be part of this movement while highlighting areas that need to be addressed, working to create change. If you want to make a difference in your community, I highly recommend volunteering at DMC. We work hard to create change like our life depends on it, because it does.”
DMC’s Financial Administrator, Christine Nguyen also echoes the power of volunteering. “I started as a volunteer for DMC back in 2005. A few months after that, I became a part-time employee. I was inspired by DMC’s mission and impressed with the work it has provided to the community. One of the most valuable things that I learned from being a volunteer is how to advocate for others and myself to lead an independent life. Meaningful work offers vital help to people who are in need. At the same time, the benefits can be even greater for the volunteers. If it is the right match, volunteering can help one to connect with the community, learn new skills that can enrich their resume, and advance one’s career.”
For Danyelle Cerillo, DMC’s ILS Instructor for the Blind, volunteering meant finding deeper purpose, which later led to her own purpose working in Blind and Low-Vision Services, first for Los Angeles County and presently Orange County. “In May 2018, I was inspired to volunteer at DMC when I found out that they provide services to assist individuals with disabilities for living independently in the community. The most interesting part of my volunteer experience was I had a chance to meet with staff, answer phone calls for consumers and other individuals directing them to the proper staff members and programs. In volunteering, I shadowed an individual in real time, as they were working in a specific program, and had a chance to ask staff about their positions such as the purpose of the OIB (Older Individuals who are Blind) program. I soon became an employee at DMC 4 months after my volunteer experience. I encourage individuals to volunteer at the Dayle McIntosh Center because it will give them a chance to learn more about the independent living movement and how individuals with disabilities can live their own lives with specific options to increase independence,” she explains.

Volunteering can lead to unexpected leadership career milestones. For DMC’s Youth Community Liaison, Alan Cruz, who started as a consumer, transitioned to being a volunteer, and later became DMC’s very first Youth Advisor. More than just having a seat at the table from lived experiences, Cruz is able to pass along learned skills, mixed with his own determination, tenacity and strengths having overcome obstacles by putting in the real work. From learning English when Spanish was his first language; to working with a Braille writer, facing challenges head-on, he grew a leadership mindset from his own beliefs and support. “I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t first been introduced to volunteering at DMC through Department of Rehab (DOR – Now Disability Works California). Interacting with others gave me and still continues to give me an adrenaline rush of being able to help others thrive. I get a charge when I learn how resources can change lives. When people share how they are now able to connect to their families through a screen reader on a computer or able to communicate through a video chat in a job or learn new skills – it’s exciting!” exclaims Cruz, who now has created DMC history with his recent appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom as California State Independent Living Council, a position he wouldn’t have imagined now having from his early days as a volunteer, but believed was possible. “I have always told everyone in my life to never give up and never stop believing. Trust yourself and everything you do, even when it is hard.”

To get started on your own unique volunteer journey, join the DMC Volunteer Program HERE.  You can invite your friends, family, professional and school networks to also circulate the Volunteer Flyer.

“My hope is the DMC Volunteer Program will grow – not just from word-of-mouth, but through the beneficial experience volunteers have by serving the community,” shares Stephanie Hernandez.  

Nelly Gomez adds, “Volunteering is powerful in that it makes us feel less alone and is an important reinforcement for all of us to remember how we can grow with our skills.”

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.  Find out about the many ways you can support DMC HERE.  Help DMC circulate this services donor flyer to your networks. Interested in joining DMC’s Board?  Click HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.                                                                    

Anaheim, CA –– Two honors in one day, The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled of OC (DMC) www.daylemc.org is proud to celebrate the double blessing of unexpected honors given on April 18^th, 2024, while celebrating forty-seven years of committed service as Orange County, California’s only Independent Living Center. The long-standing peer-based 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which serves people with disabilities and the aging community received a proclamation signed by the City of Anaheim’s Council Member Carlos Leon and Council Member Stephen J. Faessel.  The proclamation was physically presented at DMC’s facility (501 N. Brookhurst Street #102) in Anaheim, during a Toastmaster’s Anaheim Club #2 meeting, where DMC also received the prestigious Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award, an award which is only presented once every seven years, presented by Toastmasters International Director, Region 2, Jesse Oakley III, DTM.

“I want to recognize all of you at the Dayle McIntosh Center for your commitment and your dedication to fostering employment through the Toastmasters program,” said Anaheim Council Member Carlos Leon, who represents the city’s District 2, where the center is based. “I appreciate all the work you do. On behalf of Anaheim, we recognize you and your efforts, especially here in District 2. We hope to continue working with you on behalf of our community. Thank you and congratulations.”

Both awards have deep meaning for DMC with a long history connecting both partnership alliances in the city. Anaheim’s name is a blend of Ana, after the nearby Santa Ana River, and German –heim meaning “home” punctuates the double recognition of just that with DMC calling Anaheim home two different times – once in 1987 and again in 2014, where its current Anaheim facility is the meeting place for Toastmasters Anaheim Club #2, the second oldest club of the Toastmaster Internationals among more than 16,200 clubs currently existing in 145 countries. The club was chartered in Anaheim, Orange County, California on January 1, 1926.  DMC received the Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award the same night as the City of Anaheim proclamation, which is an honor designated for distinguished corporate sponsors making an investment in the future of their employees and their organizations. 

“If I can give the one word that connects the Dayle McIntosh Center to Toastmasters, it would be courage. Similar to Toastmasters having the courage to stand up and speak to the audience, the people of the Dayle McIntosh Center have the courage to stand up and speak to the world through their words, actions, and heart,” stated Las Vegas-based International Director, Region 2, Jesse Oakley III, DTM, who flew in from Las Vegas specifically for this presentation and is an esteemed ambassador of the organization.

For DMC, this full-circle rewarding moment is not lost on its leadership both for the Board of Directors comprised of Toastmasters members and for its current Executive Director who is celebrating over eleven years with DMC and ushering in new movement with her second year spearheading the organization’s growth trajectory in a new COVID-era climate. 

“It is a true honor to receive the Corporate Recognition award from Toastmasters on behalf of DMC. I joined Toastmasters with Anaheim Club 2 in 2016 as a new supervisor looking to grow my confidence in communication and expand my leadership skills. As the Executive Director today, I greatly benefit from the skills I gained and relationships I built through the Club. I hope our Team at DMC and the disability and older adult community we serve see this important recognition as a symbol of the excellence that is possible when we invest in ourselves,” shared Brittany Zazueta, Executive Director of DMC.

Founded in 1977, DMC initially called Garden Grove home, back when Anaheim’s population was 200,100 people with 6.80% older adults according to the state’s census. DMC’s Anaheim roots grew strong with a move to its very first Anaheim office location in 1987 (150 W. Cerritos), where the older adult population grew to 7% and total population grew to 242,161. The move seemed appropriate to serve a growing community. That same year, DMC created history in Anaheim and in Orange County with the development of one of the few apartment complexes in the nation designed specifically for people with disabilities and their families, Carbon Creek Shores of Anaheim. The 107,794 square foot two-building challenging project took six years of planning and development with ACCESS Anaheim Technical Advisory Board, Retirement Housing Foundation and the Dayle McIntosh Center leading the way joining forces with the City of Anaheim to see it through to fruition. 

As time, population, needs, and government resources ebbed and flowed, DMC moved back to Garden Grove, before returning to Anaheim in 2014 where it has called the city home again as the population rose to 347,362 where it has remained the last decade in its current 501 N. Brookhurst Street location.  This time the stay has allowed for a beautiful partnership to blossom with the city. In the same year DMC returned to Anaheim, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law and mandated a new fifth core service for Centers for Independent Living across the Nation. One component was the requirement to provide youth transition services to young adults with disabilities, both in and out of school. The challenge with WIOA is that while it mandated important and needed services for young people, Centers did not receive any additional funding for implementation of those services. Fortunately, DMC was awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the City of Anaheim, allowing the organization to launch a new Youth Program. In 2017, the city invited DMC to share space at the Anaheim Accessibility Center. This allowed a larger place to hold DMC’s weekly Youth Program groups on Saturdays, offer adaptive cooking workshops to people with disabilities of all ages, and grow new partnerships with the other disability service providers working from the AAC.

Presently DMC remains as OC’s only non-residential, cross-disability independent living agency in OC which meets the standards and indicators established for the operation of independent living centers in the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Currently, 28 such centers exist in California and approximately 500 are in operation nationally. 

“I feel honored to be on DMC’s Board of Directors. Having grown up in the City of Anaheim I recall that I saw very few individuals with disabilities within the city. Now, I realize that they have always been there, it’s just that the ability to engage in the community was limited due to accessibility. The future here should be that we look at ways for the community of people with disabilities and older adults to have access to all that the city has to offer. Most importantly, we do all we can to support these individuals to enjoy life the same way we make Anaheim a wonderful experience for our tourist community,” stated DMC’s Board of Directors Vice-President David Flores who has spent 40 years with Toastmasters International, serving as Program Quality Director 2018-2019 and District 100 Director 2019-2020.

According to Equity in OC, current population is 3,186,989 in Orange County (and growing) where the number of people with disabilities has grown to more than 31,514 in just Anaheim alone and countywide to 278,935 in addition to the disability population with growing Boomer-GenX market of aging older adults. According to the Office on Aging over 450,000 older adults (aged 65 and older) account for 14.3% of Orange County’s population. By 2045, this number is projected to increase to 17.3%. With the ADA recognizing Long COVID as a disability, the CDC estimates nearly 20% of people who’ve had the virus are suffering with long-term effects. At the end of 2023 YTD OC-based positive cumulative COVID cases were 800,344 in total which brings the Long-COVID disability population number to 4,001,720, which will double, not including compounding pre-existing conditions, disabilities and aging to factor in the overwhelming growing population.

DMC facilitates equal access and inclusion within the community providing important resources, support and independent living rehabilitation programs. “As I learn more about DMC and the history of the movement towards independent living, I recognize the important role DMC plays in providing a hub to assist those seeking services in dealing with a disability challenge. One factor that is looming will be the growing older adult population. Based on the cost of living here in California, many seniors will face challenges to live in a household not originally built to accommodate their limited mobility. I feel that DMC can play an important role in serving this growing population,” elaborates Flores.

With a busy 2024 well underway so far, DMC’s Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta shares DMC’s pivoting need. “As we’ve shifted our focus back to community connection, igniting new and expanding existing relationships. Once of the most notable developments is the upcoming launch of our Veteran Direct Care Program in collaboration with the VA Long Beach Health Care Center. This program will allow us to support Veterans in receiving Home and Community-Based Services, allowing them to remain independent in the community setting of their choice. This person-centered and Veteran directed approach aligns with our mission and forward progress. DMC looks forward to continued expansion as we are actively developing community education programs for service providers, educators, medical professionals, and the disabled and older adult community we serve.”

The Dayle McIntosh Center acquires revenues from public and private sources, as well as through Fee for Service programs received from third party payees. The primary funders of the organization include: the Administration on Community Living, the State Department of Rehabilitation, and the California Department of Aging.  Year-long fundraising is vital for DMC to continue to do its work to meet growing demands in OC as the organization continues striving to bring in new programs and resources to change with the growing demand of the disabilities community it serves. Part of DMC’s strength is being a peer-to-peer organization where most of the staff is composed of individuals, who have disabilities themselves and have lived experience which will help benefits those new to disability. With success in doing so, first-hand support, services, knowledge and experience add to the ability to expand outreach demonstrating what is possible in becoming self-sufficient and rising above challenges.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.  Find out about the many ways you can support DMC HERE.   Help DMC circulate this donor flyer to your networks.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.         

(Santa Ana, CA) — The busiest travel season of the year is upon us, making travel especially challenging for all, but particularly for older individuals and people with disabilities.  The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled of Orange County (DMC) celebrates the important community advocacy work of two team members who together were instrumental in bringing about long-needed changes for additional ACCESS paratransit stops to serve the disability community, at John Wayne Airport. DMC’s Lead Advocate, Paul Brennan (he/him/his) and DMC’s Systems Change Advocate, Beck Levin (they/them/theirs) wasted no time after hearing about the issues at John Wayne Airport (SNA) to swiftly turn a problem into a solution.  November 1, 2023 – two additional stops were approved adding Arrivals/Lower-level, Terminal A, between columns 2 and 3 and Terminal C, at column 13.  The airport previously only had one stop at Arrivals/Lower-level, Terminal B, next to column 9, giving ACCESS riders the opportunity to request a pick up from their arrival terminal just in time for the airport’s busiest season. According to JWA, in 2022 a month’s traffic through the airport averaged 11,360,959 travelers going through the terminal.  The new stops will improve efficiency and everyday travel access as well as during peak holiday times.

As DMC celebrates its 46^th birthday, the non-profit organization has stayed true to believing people with disabilities and older adults should have equal opportunities to lead their lives and participate in the community as they choose.  Part of that choice is being able to travel without transportation barriers, just like everyone else. 

“We are consumer driven, which means we pay attention to issues that consumers bring to our attention and try do something to make things better. It doesn’t take a lot for me to voice a concern which not only comes directly from the consumers we serve but also from the community we’re part of,” states Brennan who is also Vice-President for the Guide Dogs for the Blind OC Alumni Association.  Brennan, shares that this change has been long overdue.  Previously, the single ACCESS stop wasn’t convenient for travelers with disabilities.  “Traveling is difficult enough as it is. If you are a person with disabilities, additional challenges can add layers of issues, creating greater challenges at John Wayne Airport from the curb to the door, and the terminal to the ticket desk, even technology. There is no reason why we can’t have a better system here in OC for ACCESS. I initially voiced my concern at a DMC staff meeting to get things rolling forward toward a solution. Joining forces with Beck we decided to divide, conquer and do something to make things better,” explains Brennan who is a daily ACCESS rider.

“On my end, this was pretty straightforward (lucky for me). Paul approached me about John Wayne Airport not having enough ACCESS stops about a month into my time on the OCTA Accessible Transit Advisory Committee (ATAC), so the timing was perfect. The pushback we received was from John Wayne Airport and the concerns were mostly just logistical. They had an existing program that helped individuals who use ACCESS navigate from their arrival gate to the ACCESS drop off, so the folks that work in that department needed retraining. There was also concerns about the amount of time the ACCESS bus would be idle on the arrivals level because traffic needs to keep moving to ensure smooth airport operation. It helped majorly that Paul called ACCESS directly with his recommendation to add more stops! The dual flagging at both the committee level and customer service level allowed this to move at a faster pace,” explains Levin, who was recently appointed to the Senior Citizens Advisory Council (SCAC) which is the advisory council for the Orange County Office on Aging (OA), The Senior Advisory Committee for the Board of Supervisors and the designated AAA for Planning & Service Area 22, in Orange County.

Brennan and Levin both admit that this is just the beginning of the changes which need to be made in the name of equal accessibility for people with disabilities and older adults when it comes to travel.  For adults who are blind or have low-vision, technology advancements themselves are not always instantly the solution when it comes to accessibility and travel, or everyday daily life.

“Technology can be our friend or worst enemy, engineered as a barrier versus opportunity in all industries. For example, soda machines used to have a coin slot and Braille. Now there is a digital keypad and one has to find a place where to insert a card. While we make progress on one hand, we still face challenges in the future, and travel itself has more situations where basic access must be addressed. My hope is to imagine travel where people with all kinds of disabilities can fully participate. To do that, accessibility is essential. The people who are in charge of the decision-making and who don’t have disabilities, can’t provide the solutions unless awareness exists. Accessibility, education, training and exposure are essential to making more progress. To me, efficiency equals access, which then leads to assistance. I had an airport experience where I was held up at TSA going through the metal detector with my guide dog. I let 4-5 people go ahead of me, even though I was there first as the airport employee was insisting I let go of my guide dog’s leash to walk through.”  Brennan faced resistance from the TSA employee, and has had to deal with other travel challenges even from Uber drivers and many people who have never experienced being in the presence of a working guide dog before.  He has had other experiences which were the opposite, where others were open and helpful, but the challenges still exist and accessibility is still a worldwide travel issue.   

Levin agrees.  “To me, this is just the first stepping stone to bringing full travel access to people with disabilities. In the disability advocacy space, talks of mobility aids—like wheelchairs—being broken due to rough handling is a hot button issue. Often wheelchairs will be broken in transit to the traveler’s destination, and airlines will take months to repair them. There is no regulation of this, so airlines can take their time in getting a repair technician out to the consumer. Mobility devices are life saving devices, so the wait time can cause undue stress and burden on a person who simply wanted to travel. Nationally, there was a bill introduced called the Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All (MOBILE) Act but it is my understanding that this bill is dead in the water for this year. This is disheartening for a multitude of reasons, chief among them the fact that the bill didn’t actually have any “teeth.” It was simply a bill that would allow for greater research into the feasibility of people beginning their mobility devices on planes with them. For more information on this advocacy effort, the organization All Wheels Up is a wonderful resource and serves as the informational hub in this realm,” states Levin. Levin is no stranger to facing their own travel challenges, once traveling by plane with a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine to recover from a second knee surgery after a torn ACL. They experienced first-hand the challenges which come with travel and accessibility.

Finding progressive solutions to accessibility when it comes to travel is a fire which burns inside both Brennan and Levin, as close to 500,000 residents in Orange County alone are people living with disabilities, with 45% living with multiple disabilities.  More accommodations, problem-solving and proactive change-agent partnerships will be necessary as 24% of the older adult population people with disabilities continues to grow. According to Orange County Department of Public Health, as of November 21, 2023, Orange County has had 741,728 individuals affected with COVID since the start of the pandemic. Many with Long-COVID disabilities are now expanding a growing population of new members to the disability community along with an aging population who will need accessibility. 

While Brennan and Levin are both glad for the changes made with OCTA and John Wayne airport moving things forward, Brennan wraps up this milestone sharing “More situations will be addressed.  We were able to expose it, identify it, challenge to fix it and make it better.”  

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   

For media inquiries, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.          

(Buena Park, CA) — The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled of Orange County (DMC) received a special honor on October 24, 2023 with the presentation of a proclamation presented by the Buena Park City Council at the Council Chamber of Buena Park City Hall in acknowledgment of Disability Employment Awareness Month.  

“Buena Park City Council is proud to celebrate Dayle McIntosh Center’s 46th Year serving Buena Park and the Orange County community at-large. By proclaiming November as Disability Employment Awareness Month, City Hall is shining a light on our community members with disabilities, while implementing more inclusive hiring and training policies. Our goal every day is for every employee to feel welcome and foster a more inclusive workplace. I am proud to deepen the City of Buena Park’s partnership with Dayle McIntosh Center,” states City of Buena Park Council Member, Jose Trinidad Casas Castaneda, III.

Orange County’s disability community continues to grow.  Close to 500,000 residents are people living with disabilities, with 45% living with multiple disabilities.  24% of the older adult population people with disabilities continues to grow with COVID.  According to Orange County Department of Public Health, as of October 27, 2023, Orange County has had 740,331 individuals affected with COVID since the start of the pandemic, man of whom are struggling with Long-COVID complications, and are brand new to the disability community facing

first time challenges with disabilities and employment.  This on-going growth further creates a need for continued collaborative work between DMC and all of Orange County.   

DMC’s relationship with the City of Buena Park is not a new one, but rather an on-going one.  

Together, the city and DMC have joined forces to ensure accessibility and inclusion. This collaboration has been mutually beneficial and rewarding, as well as essential in providing valuable insights for representation as Buena Park’s planning, growth, and developments continue to expand awareness.  From providing disability etiquette education, training, and partnerships DMC believes this will lead to growing new initiatives for the future to meet community need at a time when it needs it most. Therefore, being recognized for Disability Awareness Month has great meaning for DMC.

“This recognition and honor gives our organization great pride to have the city highlight the work and impact that our employees are having in this community. My hope is that this relationship will continue to deepen and our vision is to ensure that our work together helps expand the outreach to this community, with the goal to have an even greater impact through education, workshops and events, to touch the lives of the disabled and seniors in ways that will truly make a difference,” shares Tony Clement, Dayle McIntosh Center’s newly elected Board of Directors President.

November continues to be a month of celebration and gratitude for the Dayle McIntosh Center.  In addition to the Buena Park City Council honor, the non-profit organization is celebrating its 46^th birthday with an Attitude of Gratitude Giving Week November 20-28, 2023 benefiting the Norma Gibbs’ Fund to support its 2024 initiatives in creating continued important work in the community serving people with disabilities and older adults.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   

For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.          

Anaheim, CA — In celebration of their forty-sixth birthday as Orange County’s only Independent Living Center for people with disabilities and older adults, The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) www.daylemc.org is taking their Attitude of Gratitude to the next level with a Giving Week Fundraiser November 20-28, 2023. The week-long fundraiser which ends on Giving Tuesday, benefits the organization’s Norma Gibbs Fund to support the organization’s plans to work toward their 2024 initiatives to meet a rapidly growing disability and aging community in need.

DMC’s Attitude of Gratitude fundraiser will be sharing stories of gratitude ahead of and during Giving Week to provide insight to the heart of service, purpose and how the impact has changed lives of consumers, partners and the team. Much of this appreciation comes from the organization’s deep roots and forty-six year history featured on DMC’s website where the organization was founded upon activism and advocacy from Founder, Dayle McIntosh and DMC’s original officers. The past is a link to DMC’s present stories sharing valuable insight and inclusion about the changes and evolution of the community to meet the ongoing needs of serving disabilities and older adults.

“With our Attitude of Gratitude fundraiser, we are intentionally seeking support to rejuvenate our Norma Gibbs fund, which is money we can use to support the disability and aging community in times of need when no other resources exist. As we navigate today’s challenges, we can draw inspiration from our founders, ensuring that the Dayle McIntosh Center remains a beacon of hope and support

for those who need it most. Gratitude is at the heart of the Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled. We cherish our consumers, whose resilience motivate us daily, our volunteers, who give selflessly, and our community partners, who walk alongside us in the journey towards inclusivity and empowerment.” states Brittany Zazueta, Executive Director at DMC.

To add another layer of gratitude to those who give to DMC, the Independent Living Center is grateful for all of the amazing community prize donors throughout the county. Qualifying cash donors will have a chance to be entered to win products, services, and ticketed entertainment experiences through an opportunity drawing.  The donor incentive features four prize opportunity drawing levels as a way to give back in gratitude.  Prizes include a chance to win everything from products, services, premium gift certificates and popular ticketed event experiences all over Orange County.  An additional fifth Grand Prize level of a one night, two-day Ranch Home getaway stay, an Oculus Virtual Reality System and Taco Sanchez Catering Party for up to 75 people will add to the excitement. For a full-list of prizes, subscribe to DMC’s mailing list, stay tuned to social media and go to DMC’s website to learn more about the Giving Week Fundraiser

Anaheim neighboring business Ruby’s Diner (1128 West Lincoln Avenue) will be donating 20% of their Dine-In Only proceeds to DMC for patrons who bring the official Ruby’s flyer downloadable from the Ruby’s logo on the DMC website during Giving Week, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day when they are closed. The partnership is part of DMC’s collaboration to additionally bring people together as Ruby’s Diner supports accessibility.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   

For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818-506-8675.            

Anaheim, CA – August 3, 2023) – Change is inevitable and it is a part of life.  For Dayle McIntosh Center’s (DMC) Systems Change Advocate Beck Levin (they/them/theirs), change is not just a part of life, it is a way of life, making way for continuous change.  Levin will get to have a seat at the table to do just that with the appointment to The Senior Citizens Advisory Council (SCAC) which is the advisory council for the Orange County Office on Aging (OoA), the senior advisory committee for the Board of Supervisors and the designated AAA for Planning & Service Area 22, in Orange County.

“I am excited about this new opportunity. It’s a step along the path of my journey toward becoming my best self, while also working towards diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, which are also core tenants of why I do the work I do,” shares Levin.

There is a growing need for advocacy work for seniors as the population continues to expand. According to a 2020 Census and a report put out by the OC Health Care Agency, there are 405,955 U.S. born senior citizens 60+ (22% growth in ten years) and 350,277 foreign born senior citizens 60+ (40% growth in ten years) in Orange County alone. This huge population – a combination of Boomers and GenXers—is growing both by time, age and circumstance, with 24% of the older adult population identifying as people with disabilities.  In 2021 seniors faced the highest death rate due to COVID and aging, and were among the most hospitalized populations in the country. The ADA added Long COVID as a disability that same year, which will contribute toward the CDC’s predication that by the end of 2024 the senior community affected by long-term effects will double.

Levin’s heightened awareness acknowledges there is much work to do to create progress for this growing population.

“There are many issues for seniors, but the most predominant is likely a lack of affordable housing. Reform in our healthcare system is also a top priority for both myself and the senior community. Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. Not surprisingly, I am a big believer in Medicare for all.  There is also the problem of greater social isolation in the senior community, which has grown with COVID. These are issues which need to be addressed on both a policy level and a social level. Overall, there needs to be a greater emphasis on the value of human life, most especially the lives of older adults and people with disabilities explains Levin.  

Levin’s passion for advocacy and change cannot be merely defined in words; rather, it is a genuine care and concern, an emotional feeling, a mentality, a mindset and a belief system rooted deep from within an integrity-based intention of solution-oriented leadership which was born along their own journey. Levin explains:

“My mom inspires me and leads by example with the belief you should learn something new every day. She fights the perception of ageism by leading an active life, advocating for youth in the foster care system through the Court Appointed Special Advocate program, and learning to play piano and speak conversational Spanish. She never stops.”

While Levin may have not fallen far from the family tree in advocacy with a non-stop go-getter spirit, they do take time for self-care and celebrate time to unplug with their partner, dog and some social time playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends. Their own inspired path is one of growth, reflection, re-evaluation and change, along with a good dose of celebrating ‘wins’ in doing the right thing, “like finding a 504 American Disabilities Act (ADA) law nugget which if quoted directly and sent  to the right person,  could lead to big changes.”

Graduating from University of California, Irvine with a degree in English led to a move up to Northern California to work for a social media entity was only the beginning of Levin’s journey. After working for the social media company over the 2016 elections, they took a pause to reflect on what they wanted to do to improve the world.  This contemplation led to working for a non-profit in San Francisco called the PRC (formerly known as the Positive Resource Center), an organization in which Levin worked as Communications Coordinator. They developed a Senior Resource Guide for people living with HIV/AIDS, which allowed them to partner with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network for feedback on the guide.  It was at PRC where, Levin became inspired by Chaun Teng, then Managing Legal Director of the Benefits Counseling Program at PRC.

“(Teng’s) giving, caring, level-headed advocacy inspired me. It is how I ended up where I am. She taught me to believe in myself and my work. I later moved south to be near family. While working for a COVID testing company, I needed to fill my own cup on the side, so I participated in National Nurses United’s Medicare for All 2022 Leadership Cohort.  When the Systems Change Advocate role opened up at the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC), I applied and the rest you could say is history,” states Levin, recounting their journey.

Levin’s role at DMC has been an important one, both for the individual and systems change level of advocacy and comes at a vital time when Orange County’s senior citizens needs are expanding.  DMC’s mission is access and equity by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults, one that seems like a destined piece of Levin’s journey for where they are now.

“Beck’s appointment to the Orange County Senior Citizens Advisory Council is a timely and exciting opportunity. With the Orange County aging population growing rapidly, Beck’s expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives which cater to the evolving needs of older adults. This appointment aligns with DMC’s mission to support seniors as active participants in society, fostering a more inclusive future for everyone to thrive and age gracefully,” states Brittany Zazueta, Executive Director of The Dayle McIntosh Center.

While the diversified range of the senior community’s essential needs are vast covering the spectrum of everything from the homeless population itself, health, economics, and the social isolation epidemic – there is so much more imagined for the sustainable bigger picture of change itself, additionally weighing on Levin’s mind. They believe that in order for policy to change, perception must change and that redirecting anger towards systems, not individual actors, is key, along with true accessibility. Levin’s realistic perception that change takes time, people, and movement, but is possible is underlined by a desire to leave a more equitable world behind.

“I want to push the needle forward. I want to be present for my fellow humans and create an intentional space—a brave space—to move everyone forward. I want to make a future the highlights the needs of future generations while harkening on the wisdom of our elders. I always think it best to view systems change as ‘us versus a problem, not each other.’ Human life should be valued above all else.”

With Levin’s passion, heart, goals, and vision to do this work both with their newly appointed role on the Senior Citizens Advisory Council and with their role as Systems Change Advocate at DMC, their intention is sure to make an impact in the community.  

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   

For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at

818.506.8675.                                                                        

Anaheim, CA ( June 6, 2023) – The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) and 9 aligned non-profits partnered with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) on June 1^st, 2023 for Empowering Possibilities, a collaborative online Giving Day to strengthen efforts in supporting the needs of Orange County neighbors with disabilities.  DMC pulled in 66 donors contributing $11,078.77 to support the general Norma Gibbs fund. In total OCFF’s Empowering Possibilities Giving day raised $150,496 collectively with ten organizations and 276 donors.

The 24-hour online fundraiser is an annual effort to unite organizations serving the disability community, an often overlooked group of non-profits who need support.

“We deeply appreciate the participation of our valued donors! The Leadership Team at DMC recognizes the importance of fundraising as an ongoing year-round effort. We eagerly anticipate continued support as we strive to fulfill our mission and cater to the needs of our rapidly expanding aging and disability community in Orange County,” states Dayle McIntosh Center’s Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta.

The expanding community to which Zazueta (she/her) is referencing has been ongoing over the last few years.  DMC continues to pivot with the impact of 722,123 Covid cases to date in Orange County with 9,933 new cases reported as of this week. In the summer of 2021, The American Disabilities Act declared Long-Covid a disability.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states “Nearly One in Five American Adults Who Have Had COVID-19 Still Have “Long COVID” which is further impacting the Boomer Generation aging community and growing a whole ‘new to the disability community’ population. This reality is further commanding the need for continuous fundraising for DMC to address, serve and assist those in need.

DMC is a 501(c) (3) non-profit celebrating forty-six years in Orange County, with a strong reputation since it opened its doors in 1977. The peer-based organization is one of twenty-eight Independent Living Centers in the State of California and is known for being Orange County’s respected go-to-center for accessibility, resources, services and programs focusing on “Access and independence by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults.”

Empowering Possibilities is just one of the fundraising efforts that DMC is looking to take on annually as DMC pivots to continually be of service.  DMC is actively looking to welcome new members to their donor family. Strengthening service sustainability as it looks to the future, the organization is seeking corporate sponsored match donations, alternative fundraising, and a new community committed to the organization’s mission with consistent donations. The organization is optimistic about the potential of being able to accommodate the growing community demand with in-kind continued financial support and outreach as a part of its evolution.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.  For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. 818.506.8675

Anaheim, CA – (May 12, 2023) – California Dreamin’ isn’t just a song from 1963. For Alan Cruz (He/Him), who self-identifies ‘as a Mexican male who is blind’ California Dreamin’ is a non-wavering state of mind and being.  Diagnosed with Retinoblastoma at age one and a half years of age, Cruz didn’t know exactly where his individual disability would take him as a child with the arduous trek of challenges faced head-on along his way into adulthood.  But on May 2, 2023, Cruz’ mindset went from a California dream-to-unexpected reality when Governor Gavin Newsom officially announced Cruz as California’s State Independent Living Council.  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/05/02/governor-newsom-announces-appointments-5-2-23/  

“It’s both a personal and professional achievement for me,” shares Cruz, who overcame huge obstacles growing up with limited resources, a language barrier (as Spanish was his first language) and struggled to find community growing up as a person with disabilities through early stages in elementary school.  Cruz, admits early school years were a tough time of evolving, working with a Braille writer where he questioned his future, carrying it around to navigate life and his dreams. Though, resource access seemed limited, he was grateful for supportive parents who didn’t believe in limitations.

“My parents told me – Yes, you have a disability, but your brain, hands and feet still work one hundred percent and will not impair you to do anything. From here my world opened up as I had a wake-up call to resources through technology, computers, gadgets and screen readers,” explains Cruz, who went through trials and tribulations, overcoming obstacles through education and even a job specializing in Braille, computers and software where his job contract wasn’t renewed.

Cruz is now a Youth Community Liaison at The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled (DMC) in Orange County, which is celebrating forty-six years serving the disabilities and aging community as a 501 (c) (3) peer-based non-profit organization offering independent living rehabilitation programs, support and resources.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Alan since he started at our Center as a consumer of youth transition services in 2017.

Little did we know then that he would step into the role of a Youth Advisor, become a paid volunteer, and eventually an

employee on DMC’s team of staff.  Alan’s story demonstrates the importance of having young people with disabilities at the table where important decisions are made. I am so incredibly proud of the leader he’s become today, and I know he will be a wonderful addition to the California State Independent Living Council!” exclaims Brittany Zazueta, who ushered in the New Year as Executive Director for the Dayle McIntosh Center.

Inspired daily by the youth market he serves, Cruz is grateful for his role at DMC, which wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t first been introduced to the Department of Rehab (DOR) services. This resource connection eventually led him to the organization creating access by, and for people with disabilities.  It is here he gets the thrill of shaping new leaders for the future and introduce them to resources they didn’t even know were available.

“I get a charge when I learn how resources can change lives. When people share how they are now able to connect to their families through a screen reader on a computer or able to communicate through a video chat in a job or learn new skills – it’s exciting! This has been most important. Covid played a huge part in creating a greater need for social interaction, particularly for people with disabilities who feel alone and need mental and emotional support.  This is where accessibility is necessary.”

Cruz elaborates, sharing that access, housing, resources and awareness are vital needs for people to raise their voices even louder, speaking up and sharing what they need and opportunity for even more change to occur.  His new role on California’s State Independent Living Council is motivating him to bring about more awareness to the needs of the disability community, as well as marginalized communities for both youth and adults struggling to find what they need.

“I am going to be the voice of my community.  My role now is to listen to consumers, my co-workers, and my community and be that liaison to help bring about change. There is still a lot of work to be done, and much to fight for – both big and small. But even the small things can bring big change – like access to a door at a restaurant or needing software for equal access. Speaking up always helps bring about what others are thinking but never use their voice for. We can take action with whatever it is we question,” explains Cruz.

As Alan Cruz takes on his brand new California Dreamin’ dream role, he hasn’t stopped dreaming. He has aspirations to continue his higher education, and continue making change to support his community through mentorship, sharing vital resources and maybe even step into more advocacy, using his voice to motivate and create even more progress within the disability community.  The fire in his soul burns brightly as he remembers that his early childhood struggles don’t have to equal suffering when he sees the lessons he’s learned along the way.

“I have always told everyone in my life to never give up and never stop believing.  Trust yourself and everything you do even when it is hard.  It will take patience and maybe even lots of time.  You may tumble, you may fall.  But I continue to believe that if I keep getting up again eventually everything I do will pay off.  My advice to everyone is to keep going, keep believing.”

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.   

For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.                                                                       

Anaheim, CA – (January 9, 2023) –  Celebrating forty-six years in Orange County, California, The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled (DMC) has served the disabilities and aging community as a 501 (c )(3) peer-based organization offering independent living rehabilitation programs, support and resources. As an organization which provides “Access and independence by, and for, people with disabilities” the non-profit organization continues to pivot with the growth, on-going consumer demands, and resources.  It is with this pivoting and need for constant change, DMC is proud to officially announce its new Executive Director, Brittany Zazueta.

Zazueta (she/her/hers) who has already worked with DMC for over ten years, in several titles and responsibilities that have varied, allowing her a unique perspective and insight to the inner workings of the Center. Most of her time has been spent in a management, training or program development capacity, most recently as the Interim Executive Director. She has seen first-hand the numerous changes at various stages of the non-profit organization’s evolution of services and is excited about what it means to officially be Executive Director.

“The disability community is growing rapidly due to the pandemic.  Being Executive Director now means I am able to be in a position to put people first and do it in a way where forward thinking addresses what we need right now. Because of the pandemic, we’ve been changing.  We’re serving people with new disabilities, dealing with new illnesses, and a growing aging population,” states Zazueta.

The Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled, provides services to people with disabilities and facilitates equal access and inclusion within the community. Founded in 1977, DMC is a non-residential, cross-

disability agency which meets the standards and indicators established for the operation of independent living centers in the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Currently, 28 such centers exist in California and approximately 500 are in operation nationally.

Along with DMC’s long history of serving the disabilities community, and Zazueta’s diverse background which also includes National Leadership experience across a variety of independent living programs and initiatives, Zazueta is poised to take on all of the new challenges ahead.

“While there is technology and available medicine, there is a great need to change to provide services as our community keeps growing, which means helping people adapt. There are so many people with disabilities who don’t know they are actually a part of our community.  It’s my goal to include as many voices as possible, so that there are no longer folks who are underrepresented and underserved.”  

The Dayle McIntosh Center acquires revenues from public and private sources, as well as through fees for service received from third party payees. The primary funders of the organization include: the Administration on Community Living, the State Department of Rehabilitation, and the California Department of Aging. 

While the organization examines the essential need for expansion via additional funding, under Executive Director Brittany Zazueta’s plan and vision going forward, the community can expect a broader range of growth within the organization’s ability to address the on-going changes to reach new markets within the community.

DMC is striving to bring in new programs and resources to change with the growing demand of the disabilities community it serves. Part of DMC’s strength is being a peer-to-peer organization where most of the staff is composed of individuals, who have disabilities themselves and have lived experience which will help benefits those new to disability. With success in doing so, first-hand support, services, knowledge and experience add to the ability to expand outreach demonstrating what is possible in becoming self-sufficient and rising above challenges.

If you’d like to donate to The Dayle McIntosh Center you can do so by clicking HERE.

For more information on DMC’s programs and services go to http://daylemc.org or call directly at 714-621-3300.    For media story inquiries only, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. at 818.506.8675.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster Communications, Inc. 818.506.8675

DMC and 9 other organizations came together on May 20th and collectively raised $129,242 For OC Neighbors with Disabilities. Your support made it possible!

Of that, DMC raised almost $17,000, had 142 donors and the donations are still trickling in! Thank you for #EmpoweringPossibilities for people with disabilities in Orange County! #EmpoweringPossibilitesOC

The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) is committed to supporting our employees, consumers, and the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander community who continue to be impacted by anti-Asian hate crimes. Over the last year there has been an increase in racist behaviors and reported attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have been wrongfully blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak. The mass murder of eight people in the Atlanta area last week is a gruesome example of white supremacy and hate.

On March 16^th, eight people were killed at three different locations in Atlanta Georgia.  Six of those people were Asian women and half of them were older adults or seniors. We recognize the importance of centering the victims in our dialogue and do so by stating their names.  Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Julie Park, Hyeon Jeong Park, Soon Park, Suncha Kim, and Paul Andre Michels. 

As with other violent incidents in the past, many have been quick to question the mental health of the individual who committed this hateful act. When the public uses “mental illness” as a way to justify a white man committing mass murder targeting Asian women, those in our community living with mental illness are further stigmatized. The truth is that people with mental illness are overwhelmingly non-violent and more likely to be victimized than to harm others. It is important not to cover up acts of white supremacy by placing blame on mental illness.

Want to get involved? Here are some ways you can help right now:

Stop AAPI Hate has an outstanding list of actions you can take immediately and a hate incident tracker.

Learn more and donate to these organizations: 

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Advancing Justice Atlanta
• Stop AAPI Hate
• Asian Mental Health Collective
• National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
• Red Canary Song
• Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality

National Family Caregivers Month is an opportunity to honor caregivers and to raise awareness of caregiving issues, increase support for caregivers and their families, and to educate communities.

Below are a few helpful resources to support family caregivers.

The Caregiver Action Network leads this effort and provides many useful tools on their site including Top 10 Tips for Caregivers and Family Caregiver Toolbox

AARP offers a suite of free web-based tools, in English and Spanish, to help you find information quickly and easily to address a variety of needs related to Family Caregiving.

The Administration for Community Living has a host of factsheets for caregivers including topics like Assistive Technology, Staying Engaged, Falls Prevention, Medication Safety, and Long-Term Care.

Find local resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers through the Orange County Aging and Disability Resource Connection online or by calling (714) 480-6450.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 9 percent of individuals with diabetes over the age of 45, have some degree of diabetes-related vision loss. This percentage increases for those that have had diabetes for longer than ten years.

The Aging with Vision Loss (AVL) program introduces individuals with vision loss and diabetes, to the use of adaptive diabetic equipment (ADE) and training. The ADE training includes the use of devices such as talking glucose meters, insulin pens, and single-use, disposable lancets, along with adaptive techniques to enable the individual to continue testing independently.

AVL Instructors will inform and demonstrate the adaptive diabetic equipment and assist with requesting adaptive diabetic equipment devices from physicians. Unfortunately, many health care professionals are unaware of ADE options. Often, individuals with vision loss leave their doctor’s office with a standard glucose meter which is not accessible to a person who can no longer see the results on the tiny screen. Therefore, if needed the instructor will inform the individual of available adaptive diabetic equipment options, how to request them from their doctor, and will assist the individual to advocate for what they need. If an individual has difficulty with their health insurance covering the cost of the devices, the Instructor will provide resources that will assist in funding the adaptive diabetic equipment supplies.

Living with vision loss is challenging but we’re here to help. The Dayle McIntosh Center’s Aging with Vision Loss Program provides free one-on-one services to seniors experiencing vision loss. Whether it’s using your microwave, organizing your pantry, or testing your blood glucose, our Instructors can assist you in achieving your goals for greater independence. If you or someone you know is Age 55 or older, lives in Orange or Los Angeles County, and is struggling with activities of daily living due to vision loss, please don’t hesitate to call us at (714) 621-3300. 

Article by, Socorro Arroyo-Merchain, Program Manager of DMC’s Aging with Vision Loss program.

How much we truly value the members of our armed forces is demonstrated by our actions. Here are some simple ways you can honor members of the military in your personal life, community, and our country:

1. SAY “THANK YOU.,” SAY “HAPPY VETERANS DAY.”
These are small words and phrases, but they can mean a lot to someone who has served.

2. TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE DURING THE 11TH HOUR ON THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH.
This represents the official signing of the armistice but also demonstrates respect for the service of all veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

3. VOLUNTEER WITH OR DONATE TO A LOCAL VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATION.
There are more than 35,000 veterans service organizations in the U.S. Find a local organization doing great work for veterans and their families in your community and support them with your time and your finances. Check out Community Support of Troops

4. PATRONIZE BUSINESSES THAT HIRE AND OTHERWISE SUPPORT MILITARY MEMBERS AND VETERANS.
Go out of your way to support businesses recognizing Veterans Day or offering discounts or free items to those who have served.
For a full list, check out military.com/discounts

5.TEACH THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MILITARY SERVICE.
Take them to a parade. Bring them with you to visit your local VA or military hospital. Show them they are never too young to help others.

6. SUPPORT A MILITARY SPOUSE OR A FAMILY.
Take them a meal or flowers or offer to babysit if they have children. Helping in practical ways honors their loved one’s service and sacrifice and makes them feel supported. For even more ways to show appreciation on Veterans Day, visit military.com

Source: National-Veterans-Day-Toolkit-2020

While the Corona Virus is impacting all aspects of our lives on a daily basis, the impact of the pandemic is most felt in nursing facilities across the country and around the world. As many as 50 percent of all deaths caused by COVID-19 have taken place in nursing homes around the United States. While the percentage is lower in Orange County, helping aging and disabled individuals gain their independence and freedom is a priority for DMC.

Recently, DMC staff assisted Alexander Plasky in achieving his goal of leaving a nursing home and returning to living independently in the community. This included helping him get his own apartment, arranging for the long-term services and supports he would need to succeed and thrive at home, obtaining furnishings for his apartment, and other supports.

Plasky, age 24, described living in a nursing home as being much like living in a prison. He shared with DMC staff that he did not sleep well, feared the possibility of becoming infected with COVID-19, and that he constantly had to advocate for his own care as staff in the facility often changed.

When asked how his life is different now that he is living in the community, he said that he is excited and that he can now begin to work on public speaking, advocacy, and other goals he has for his future.

DMC is committed to this work and has identified significant funding to provide support to other individuals who are ready to return to the community. These funds can be used to cover deposits and first month’s rent, home furnishings, and other expenses that may be challenging for someone living in a nursing facility. If you know someone who could benefit from this program and or have other questions about our nursing home transition program, please contact DMC today.

Welcome Home

While the Corona Virus is impacting all aspects of our lives on a daily basis, the impact of the pandemic is most felt in nursing facilities across the country and around the world. As many as 50 percent of all deaths caused by COVID-19 have taken place in nursing homes around the United States. While the percentage is lower in Orange County, helping aging and disabled individuals gain their independence and freedom is a priority for DMC.

Recently, DMC staff assisted Alexander Plasky in achieving his goal of leaving a nursing home and returning to living independently in the community. This included helping him get his own apartment, arranging for the long-term services and supports he would need to succeed and thrive at home, obtaining furnishings for his apartment, and other supports.

Plasky, age 24, described living in a nursing home as being much like living in a prison. He shared with DMC staff that he did not sleep well, feared the possibility of becoming infected with COVID-19, and that he constantly had to advocate for his own care as staff in the facility often changed.

When asked how his life is different now that he is living in the community, he said that he is excited and that he can now begin to work on public speaking, advocacy, and other goals he has for his future.

DMC is committed to this work and has identified significant funding to provide support to other individuals who are ready to return to the community. These funds can be used to cover deposits and first month’s rent, home furnishings, and other expenses that may be challenging for someone living in a nursing facility. If you know someone who could benefit from this program and or have other questions about our nursing home transition program, please contact DMC today.

Low-Cost Internet Services Available

With so many programs and services now being offered online, having access to the Internet and a computer or tablet is more important than ever before. A 2017 statewide survey showed that over 87 percent of California households have access to the Internet. That number falls to 75 percent of households that include a person who has a disability. Thanks to a partnership with the World Institute on Disability, DMC is able to provide you with information on low-cost Internet options that may be available in your community. Please contact DMC to learn more about this program.

Serving our Community, Supporting Independence

Earlier this year, in response to the impacts of the pandemic, Congress passed legislation known as the CARES Act. DMC received significant funding from this legislation to be used for directly responding to the crisis. We are pleased to share that we are able to provide assistance in a number of areas because of these dollars. These include helping individuals to transition out of nursing facilities, providing support and services that prevent individuals from ending up in nursing facilities, and addressing other significant needs caused by COVID-19.

DMC is responding to the crisis in a variety of ways:

A food distribution program was established early in the crisis to provide support to individuals at risk because of the pandemic. DMC is pleased to share that we have now partnered with Meals on Wheels of Orange County in order to continue the program long-term.

We are able to provide financial assistance with deposits, first month’s rent, home furnishings and other costs associated with helping individuals transition out of nursing facilities into the community.

DMC is able to cover a portion of costs for emergency personal assistance services for individuals that may otherwise be at risk of significant health issues or being moved to nursing facilities.

DMC is working to establish a program that can provide minor home modifications such as installation of grab bars, ramps, and other modifications that allow someone to remain at home and or return home from hospitalization.

We continue to provide technology to individuals in our community including chrome books, tablets, and other devices to increase independence and bridge the digital divide.

These and other services are a direct result of the CARES Act funding. We encourage you to reach out to DMC if you are in need of support during this difficult time.

New Faces at DMC

DMC is excited to announce that two of our former youth program volunteers officially joined the DMC team in July.

Emily Leach is now the Personal Assistant Services (PAS) Coordinator. She will be providing information and support to consumers seeking assistance with identifying and hiring caregivers.

Harmony Tarrant joined DMC as our new Independent Living Skills (ILS) Instructor for South County and will be assisting people with disabilities of all ages in reaching their goals. Harmony works out of the South County office.

Additionally, The DMC Board of Directors welcomed LouAnne Boyd, Ph.D. as the newest member in late July. Dr. Boyd is a Professor of Computer Science at Chapman University. She joined the Fowler of School of Engineering in 2018 and teaches courses in human-computer interaction. Her research explores sensory and social issues related to assistive technology for neurodiversity. She aims to promote equity by making technology that is inclusive and accessible.

Welcome to the team Emily, Harmony, and LouAnne!

Support DMC

We recognize this is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone, we also know that you may be looking for an opportunity to support your community. DMC continues to receive requests for food assistance, transportation, and other immediate needs. Additionally, in order to better serve the community, we have purchased and implemented new technology and tools that were not anticipated. If you would like to make a donation to DMC so that we can continue to provide the support and resources needed by so many at this time, please click on Donate to DMC

Social Distancing Does Not Mean Social Isolation!

DMC continues to offer a number of workshops, training, and peer support groups designed to provide our community with valuable information and support. 

In September DMC is featuring a workshop on voting and on emergency preparedness.

Rock the Vote: Cast your ballot this election

The Dayle McIntosh Center invites you to learn about Voting during the Pandemic. Join Gabe Taylor, from Disability Rights California and Bhumit Shah, from Dayle McIntosh Center on September 21^st at 11:00 AM to talk about voting, including important dates, voting options in Orange County, and voting practices to stay safe during COVID-19. Click Here to Register.

September is Emergency Preparedness Month

Now is a great time to make sure you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Fires, heat, flooding, and Earthquakes are just a few of the possible disasters we face living in Southern California.

Join DMC staff at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, September 29th to learn more about steps you can take to be prepared when the next emergency hits. This casual and conversational workshop will be offered on Zoom and via phone. Click Here to Register.

For more information and to view all groups and events please visit DMC Virtual Peer Support Groups & Meeting Calendar

Celebrating the ADA

DMC Celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Telling Our Stories. We reached out to our staff, Board members, and community stakeholders to ask them How the ADA impacted or changed their life, and what the ADA means to them?  This is what we heard.

If you are in need of help with accessing transportation, food, medicine, applying for public benefits, or have other needs, please reach out to DMC for support and information. We continue to identify resources that may provide the help you need. You can reach our office by calling 714-621-3300.

Please follow DMC on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information, updates, and announcements. 

Last Call!

Completing the 2020 Census as a person with a disability will ensure that funding is allocated to areas of public life that are supported by the ADA. Complete your Census form today!

• Online 💻https://my2020census.gov/
• By phone 📲at 1-844-330-2020
• By mail, if you received the paper form.

If you would like assistance with completing the Census, please call the Dayle McIntosh Center, 714-621-3300

Save Money and Stay Independent During Disasters: Southern California Edison Medical Baseline Program

Southern California Edison has developed a program where people who use equipment at home, related to their disability, may be eligible for reduced electricity rates and be notified in advance if their power is going to be turned off. 

To find out if you are eligible and how to sign up, please call us at 714-621-3300. 

Position Overview: The Benefits Specialist assists seniors and individuals with disabilities in navigating complex benefits programs; responds to information and referral calls about benefits; and conducts community outreach and education activities to ensure individuals have the entitlements that enable them to achieve or maintain independent, community-based living. Please send a resume and cover letter to HR@daylemc.org if interested! Click on link below for full job description. http://ow.ly/ocsA50AQVTK

DMC is excited to share that we are expanding and enhancing the services we offer to Orange County through a partnership with the Office on Aging and California Department on Aging known as the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). So many of the individuals we serve come to the organization with the same challenges: “I don’t know how to get benefits.” “I can’t find in-home care, housing, food, transportation, home modifications, and other things I need to live.” “I know there are resources out there, but I don’t know where to start, what I’m eligible for, or how to apply. And I can’t find anyone to help me.”

What consumers are looking for, we call Long-Term Services and Supports. These are all of the programs, benefits, and resources that enable those of us who are aging or have disabilities to live independently in the community. And we know how hard it can be to find and access the services you need.

At the ADRC, our job is to help you navigate this complex network of Long-Term Services and Supports. We are a growing collaboration of agencies in Orange County that serve seniors and people with disabilities – from DMC and Office on Aging to 211, the Veterans Service Office, and more – who work together to ensure Orange County residents have the supports they need to lead safe, independent lives in the community.
Together, we provide information and assistance, person-centered planning, and access and advocacy support for individuals exploring their independent living options.

If you are in need of immediate assistance, the ADRC Information and Assistance Call Center (714-480-6450) is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, to answer questions about available resources and supports. You can also visit our website and resource database at www.adrcoc.org.

There Is Power In Solidarity

As a member of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), the Dayle McIntosh Center endorses and supports the collaboratively developed statement “Black Lives Matter.” To view the complete statement, click here.

DMC COVID-19 Community Survey

As a part of our efforts to identify and meet the needs of the community during COVID-19, DMC began conducting a survey of our consumers in early May. The results of this survey have and will continue to guide our efforts in the future. Some notable results include:

FOOD SECURITY:
• 57 percent of respondents indicated at least some concern about their ability to access food during COVID-19.
• Nearly 20 percent of survey participants indicated they did not have enough food at home and were not sure how they would be able to get food in the future.
• 80 percent indicated they rely on a friend, delivery service, or program such as Meals on Wheels to obtain food.
• 63 percent specifically identified they wanted help obtaining food during COVID-19.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:
• 30 percent identified a need for social interaction and peer support.
• 27 percent said they do not have access to the internet at home.

DMC Delivers…

DMC has partnered with food pantries in Orange County to provide food and to address other essential needs. In May DMC made 64 deliveries of food and other essential items to 36 people. Currently, the program is only available to existing DMC consumers who are receiving services through other programs offered by the organization. However, as we build capacity, we expect to broaden eligibility very soon and look forward to filling this important need. Additionally, we are working to offer the option of grocery delivery from select stores. If you are already receiving services from DMC and feel you could benefit from this program, please contact Mareli at 714-621-3300.

Social Distancing Does Not Mean Social Isolation!

In order to better support you, we continue to increase the number of Virtual Peer Support Groups we are offering. Upcoming groups in June include:

Low Vision: Peer support and chat groups in both English and Spanish for people in Orange and Los Angeles Counties; and Orientation & Mobility

Independent Living Skills: Deaf Peer Support; Disability Chats; and Essential Skills for Independence

Assistive Technology: All Things Low Vision & Tech Talk Group; and other Assistive Technology Workshops.

DMC Youth Program: Weekly Zoom Call, including Live Out Loud (LOL); Independent Living Skills; Inclusive Improv; and Peer Support

For more information and to view all groups and events please visit
DMC Virtual Peer Support Groups & Meeting Calendar

If you are in need of help with accessing transportation, food, medicine, applying for public benefits, or have other needs, please reach out to DMC for support and information. We continue to identify resources that may provide the help you need. You can reach our office by calling 714-621-3300.

Please follow DMC on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information, updates, and announcements. 

Finally, while we recognize this is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone, we also know that you may be looking for an opportunity to support your community. DMC continues to receive requests for food assistance, transportation, and other immediate needs. Additionally, in order to better serve the community, we have purchased and implemented new technology and tools that were not anticipated. If you would like to make a donation to DMC so that we can continue to provide the support and resources needed by so many at this time, please go to Donate to DMC

July 26, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) is proud to reaffirm our mission of “access and independence by, and for, people with disabilities.” The 30th anniversary of the ADA is a time to remember how far we have come and why it is still important to raise awareness and to support efforts to fully implement the ADA. Throughout July, DMC will be sharing information about the ADA to raise awareness and to celebrate 30 years!

Make sure people with disabilities are seen, heard, & make an impact! Complete your Census form today!
• Online 💻 https://my2020census.gov/
• By phone 📲 at 1-844-330-2020
• By mail, if you received the paper form.
If you would like assistance with completing the Census, please call Kathleen at the Dayle McIntosh Center, 714-621-3300.

During this difficult time, we want you to know that DMC staff are available to assist you with information, resources, individual, and peer support. While our office is not open to the public, our team is working remotely and available by phone on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by calling 714-621-3300.

We recognize that many individuals in our community are unable to leave home or may not feel safe doing so because of COVID19. DMC is pleased to share that we have partnered with food pantries in Orange County and recently launched a new program designed to provide food and to address other needs. Currently, the program is only available to existing DMC consumers who are receiving services through other programs offered by the organization. However, as we build capacity, we expect to broaden eligibility very soon and look forward to filling this important need. Additionally, we are working to offer the option of grocery delivery from select stores. If you are already receiving services from DMC and feel you could benefit from this program, please contact Mareli at 714-621-3300.

Social distancing does not mean social isolation! In order to better support you, we have increased the number of Virtual Peer Support Groups we are offering and want to share them with you. We offer access to all groups by phone and video conferencing so you can choose the option that works for you. Click on the link below to access a calendar of these events and plan to connect. DMC Virtual Peer Support Groups and Meetings

If you are in need of help with accessing transportation, food, medicine, applying for public benefits, or have other needs, please reach out to DMC for support and information. We continue to identify resources that may provide the help you need. You can reach our office by calling 714-621-3300.

Please follow DMC on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information, updates, and announcements.

Finally, while we recognize this is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone, we also know that you may be looking for an opportunity to support your community. DMC continues to receive requests for food assistance, transportation, and other immediate needs. Additionally, in order to better serve the community, we have purchased and implemented new technology and tools that were not anticipated. If you would like to make a donation to DMC so that we can continue to provide the support and resources needed by so many at this time, please click here.

DMC is Recruiting for Program Manager, of the Aging & Disability Resource Connection.

Working in partnership with the Office on Aging, the Program Manager will develop and market an integrated service delivery system for the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC); part of a statewide initiative to better serve California’s aging and disability communities. For more information, see Job Description.

DMC has been featured in several recent articles:

February 22, 2018: OC Weekly article covering DMC history and milestones. Click on the following title to view.  “The Dayle McIntosh Center Marks a Milestone of Disability-Rights Activism.”

February 14, 2018: Blog article by Y.O. Disabled and Proud, Click on the following title to go to online article. “Youth Program at The Dayle McIntosh Center is a Success!”

February 2018: SILC Newsletter, Sharing Information Loud and Clear – Vision Lost and Found article giving an overview of DMC’s Aging with Vision Loss Program. Click on the following title to view PDF. Thriving with Vision Loss and the DMC. 

Last but not least, a short video was created by Scott Clement for DMC’s 40^th Anniversary event. The video highlights several compelling consumer testimonials. Click here to watch video.

• Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez, 46th District
• Congressman, Ed Royce, 39th District
• Congresswoman, Mimi Walters, 45th District
• State Senator, Janet Nguyen, District 34
• State Senator, Bob Huff, District 29
• Assembly Member, Tom Daly, 69th District
• Assembly Member, Young Kim, 65th District
• Supervisor, Shawn Nelson, 4th District
• Supervisor, Todd Spitzer, 3rd District

This achievement of this award is a high point in the growth of the organization. In 1977 the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) began operation with a budget of $52,000, a staff of two, and four core services. Currently, the Center’s annual budget exceeds $2,000,000, the DMC team includes 28 employees, and the organization offers 16 programs for individuals with disabilities.

DMC values quality of service and strives to ensure that programs function at peek performance. The Center aspires to be a model disability organization, which offers excellent service to every consumer every time.

The staff and governing board are committed to these principles:

Effective Communication
DMC relates to others in a manner that conveys honesty, openness, and mutual respect.
Community
DMC advances the concepts of interdependence, collaboration, and unity.

Equality
DMC upholds the belief that all U.S. citizens are entitled to the benefits of American society and promotes a global view of inclusion, which embraces diversity on all levels.

Individual Choice

DMC supports the right of people with disabilities to direct their own lives including setting boundaries, taking risks, and pursuing their goals and dreams.

Transparency

DMC commits to a level of program and fiscal accountability that reflects the trust afforded the center by consumers, funders, and the public.

The Dayle McIntosh Center is proud to be located in Anaheim and takes seriously its obligation to assume a leadership role in improving the quality of life in the city. Recognition as the “Nonprofit Organization of the Year” is a great honor and DMC is grateful to the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce for the award of this distinction.

Video interview of Paula Margeson, Executive Director, and Marcy Lovett, Board President:

By, Paula Margeson, Executive Director, Dayle McIntosh Center

On September 30th, 2016, the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) completed 38 years of consistent service to the disability community of Orange County. The following is a brief overview of accomplishments in the program year from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.

The number of unduplicated consumers engaging in DMC programs and services was 670. In many cases, Consumers receive more than one service through the center.

An additional 2,000 contacts from the community were provided with information and resource referrals. Of those individuals, who became consumers, 25% were twenty-four or younger, 33% were in the 25 through 59 age range, and 42% were sixty or older. Seven percent of consumers reported having mental health disabilities, 19% had cognitive disabilities, 29% had physical disabilities, and 45% had multiple disabilities.

The Assistive Technology (AT) unit provided services to 140 consumers in the 2016 program year. Types of assistance included research and recommendations for specific devices, operation of an AT lab with 4 fully accessible computer work stations, and recycling of donated durable medical equipment.
Fifty-seven deaf consumers were assisted with advocacy and independent living skills training during the program year. Although they were not recorded as consumers, an additional 371 deaf individuals benefited from sign language interpreter services arranged through the center.

The MY BEST (Mentoring Youth by Enhancing Successful Transition) program provided training and support for 94 young consumers in the report period. In addition to monthly group activities, a week-long independent living academy was conducted. Through a contract with the state, DMC also presented five full day self-advocacy trainings for high school students in Irvine, Compton, Lawndale, Long Beach, and San Diego.

Forty-one consumers worked through DMC to find part or full-time caregivers. More than 30 applicants were pre-screened to become part of the personal assistant referral registry. Six consumers reported finding attendants as a result of help from the center. Outcomes in this program were impacted by a prolonged vacancy in the service coordinator position.

The Mobility Management Program provided training on the use of public transportation to 171 consumers. Altogether, 887 one-way bus trips were completed with consumers and 85% of the transportation goals set by participants were achieved.

In the report period, hundreds of individuals received housing-related information and referrals. Forty-eight became consumers in the housing program and 18 participated in the new shared housing project launched by DMC. Fifteen housing placements were facilitated, in a county where the average rent for a one bedroom apartment exceeds the monthly total income of most DMC consumers.

Sixty job seekers received employment assistance through DMC including help with resume and cover letters, practice interviewing, and provision of job leads. Eighteen of these consumers obtained employment and half have been on-the-job for 90 days or more.

During the year, 237 older individuals, who are totally or legally blind, were participants in the Aging with Vision Loss program. Through home visits, these seniors learn from DMC staff how to adjust to blindness and remain independent.

In total, 1,466 independent living goals were set by DMC consumers and 1,039 were reached, reflecting a 71% success rate. Along with individual services, Dayle McIntosh Center staff engaged in 414 outreach and community education activities leading to the completion of 1,314 service hours, and resulting in approximately 7,500 individual contacts.

The work of the Dayle McIntosh Center is made possible through grants from the California Department of Rehabilitation, The Administration on Community Living, the Orange County Transportation Authority, private businesses and corporations, and individual donors.

By: Paula Margeson, Executive Director, Dayle McIntosh Center