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FYI Newsletter May 11, 2009
Quick Scan:
- Be a Part of the “Virtual” Graduation for Direct Support Professionals
- Special Series on the ADA for Local Government Entities
- Free Webinar on Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities
- Building a Foundation for Success
- The Unseen Costs of Living with Autism Radio Interview
- Library Corner
BE A PART OF THE “VIRTUAL” GRADUATION FOR DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS: As we told you recently, a group of Indiana direct support professionals (DSPs) will take center stage on Friday, May 15 beginning at 1:30 p.m., when they become the first graduates of the state’s new Direct Support Professional Development training and education program.
Ceremonies will include a short "virtual" graduation that can be accessed by visiting http://asx.ihets.org/FSSA/live.asx. The site will “go live” a few minutes before the start of the program. Access to the graduation ceremonies will also be available from the Indiana Institute’s website at www.iidc.indiana.edu. The “virtual” graduation will feature videotaped congratulations from state officials and experts in the field, including Peter Bisbecos, Director of the Indiana Division of Disabilities and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and Amy Hewitt, project director of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living.
Organizations providing services to Hoosiers with developmental disabilities will cheer their DSP employees who have completed both Foundations, an onsite orientation, and Ivy Tech Community College coursework designed to give them more in-depth information on topics ranging from First Aid to positive behavior supports and person-centered planning. In addition to college credit, DSP graduates of the program will have earned their Human Services Certificate and are eligible for national credentials.
Direct Support Professional Development is an initiative created by a partnership of the DDRS, self-advocates and individuals with disabilities and their families, Ivy Tech, Indiana provider organizations and the Indiana Institute's Center on Community Living and Careers which coordinates the program. The collaborative effort focuses on improving quality of life for people with disabilities while improving professionalism and career opportunities for DSPs. For more information on Direct Support Professional Development or the virtual graduation ceremonies in May, contact Mary Held at the Institute’s Center on Community Living and Careers at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail maheld@indiana.edu.
SPECIAL SERIES ON THE ADA FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES: ADA-Indiana is offering a two-part audio conference series on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local government on May 19 (Public Rights of Way) and June 16th (Emergency Preparedness).
The trainings will be offered at no cost in several communities throughout the state and include: Bloomington, Columbus, Corydon, Evansville, Gary, Indianapolis, Muncie, Richmond, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette. Visit ADA-Indiana’s website (www.adaindiana.org) for information about the locations. Municipalities can also purchase access to the sessions at a discount through the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center’s website: http://www.ada-audio.org.
Public Rights of Way - What are the rules?
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19 (2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern)
Speaker: Lois Thibault, U.S. Access Board
Public streets and sidewalks present unique access challenges that are not encompassed by existing guidelines or standards. Access at street crossings for pedestrians with vision impairments, on-street parking, and constraints posed by terrain and space limitations are just some of the issues that often arise. Lois Thibault will discuss these issues and the rule-making being undertaken by the U.S. Access Board.
Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation for People with Disabilities
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 16 (2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern)
Speaker: Carl Cameron, Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness
One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizenry from harm, including helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies. Making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to people with disabilities is a critical part of this responsibility. Making these programs accessible is also required by the ADA.
For more information about these sessions or ADA-Indiana, contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu. The site locations are sponsored by ADA-Indiana, Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, and the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center.
FREE WEBINAR ON SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Nineteen years after the passage of the ADA, a large percentage of people with disabilities remain unemployed. However, self-employment offers a viable option for those who have entrepreneurial leanings.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 28 (3:00 p.m. EDT; 2:00 p.m.; CDT; 1:00 p.m. MDT; 12:00 p.m. PDT) and join the National AgrAbility Project for a free webinar that explores issues on topics such as:
other means?
Steve Swain, the National AgrAbility Project's Assistive Technology Specialist and a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional, will be the featured presenter. He has guided many consumers through Indiana's Vocational Rehabilitation Small Business Enterprise Program and will share his experiences and advice. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
To participate in this free webinar, e-mail agrability@agrability.org by May 22 and simply put the word "Webinar" in the subject line. Instructions for accessing the session will be sent to registrants by May 27. Feel free to pass on this invitation to others you believe may be interested. Contact AgrAbility at 1-800-825-4264 if you have questions.
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS: The Institute’s Early Childhood Center will host an on-line summer class for busy Early Childhood Education Professionals, Kindergarten Teachers, Head Start and School Administrators, and Graduate Students in Early Childhood Education, in conjunction with IU’s second summer session, June 19 - August 14, 2009.
This fully online class will engage participants in examining how they can support the essential skills children need as they enter kindergarten. A Universal Design approach will guide the content of this course. Current teacher practices, supportive curriculum and assessment practices, family involvement, and transition plans between the early education providers and kindergarten teachers - all critical components for school readiness will be addressed. Weekly assignments will be due throughout the course. There will be one mandatory online session during a scheduled time on June 19 at the beginning of the course.
Satisfactory completion of this course will earn two graduate credit hours for renewal of your teaching license or, with approval of your advisor, credit toward completing your master degree requirements. Noncredit enrollment is also available. 3.0 CEUs may be earned with satisfactory completion of all work required for this class.
Register Now! Registration closes June 1, 2009. Enrollment fee is $150.00 per person. For content questions, contact Lois Hutter-Pishgahi at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail lhutterp@indiana.edu. To register, contact Carol Ehrich at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail cnonas@indiana.edu. Visit http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/ecc/Content/SI2009-FlyerFill.pdf to download the flyer and registration form.
THE UNSEEN COSTS OF LIVING WITH AUTISM RADIO INTERVIEW: Hear Cathy Pratt, Director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism; Scott Fogo, Director of Medical Rehabilitation Services and of Autism Services at Easter Seals Crossroads; and Kevin Clasen, WestPoint Financial Group/Mass Mutual, address issues related to the unseen costs of living with autism. This topic aired on the Life, Love & Health Radio Program hosted by radio talk show personality Christopher Springmann. Visit https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=682733356&email=0317223d4248b8fbdcdabce933820806 and click on the download button.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY STAFF SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARD CEREMONY: On May 19, 2009, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall, Indiana University will recognize dedicated staff employees who have completed 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service or retired during the 2008 calendar year. The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community congratulates the following honorees:
Marci Wheeler (Indiana Resource Center for Autism) for 25 years of service
Harriet Figg (Administration) for 35 years of service
Retirees
Jackie Dutkowski (Early Childhood Center) for 24 years of service
Cleta Bowman (Indiana Resource Center for Autism) for 29 years of service
WOW! That’s 113 years of service to Indiana University! Many thanks from all of us at the Indiana Institute!
LIBRARY CORNER: The following new materials may be borrowed by Indiana residents from the Center for Disability Information and Referral at the Institute. To check out materials, contact the library at 1-800-437-7924, send e-mail to cedir@indiana.edu, or visit us at 2853 East Tenth Street in Bloomington.
Friesen, J. (2008). Jerk, California. New York: Speak.
Linthorst, E., & Becker, J. (2008). Autistic-like Graham's story. [Los Angeles?]: Pergé Productions.
Mayo, A. F. (2007). Just like anyone: 5 stories from the Ann Sullivan Center of Peru. [Lima, Perú]: [Ann Sullivan Center of Peru].