On the Advocacy front, we have been trying to get the Umatilla County Fair in Oregon to get their grounds accessible. It seems that, after over 30 years since the Rehabilitation Act and 16 years since passage of the ADA, they have not done much of anything to improve access to the Fair or the fair grounds. The Fair has a new Executive Director, Board, and a new relationship with the county. We hope that these changes will have a positive result.

We are beginning a series of Training Seminars on problem areas in the building codes. We hope to educate the building professionals about those issues we seem to run across time and again. We hope that the seminars will clear up some misconceptions and help ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to fully participate in their communities.

Finally, I’m sure you’ve al heard about the VA data theft. I’m also sure that everyone has made a note of the three credit reporting agencies so that you can check up to see if anyone is abusing your good credit.

If you expect fraud or think someone might be using your Social Security number, here are some steps to take:

Step 1 – Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax:

1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian :

1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Step 2 – Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Step 3 – File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Step 4 – File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by using the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline:
- By telephone: 1-877-438-4338
- Online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft By mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20580.