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FYI Newsletter December 7, 2009
Quick Scan:
- ADA-Indiana Audio Conference on Social Networking Sites and Accessibility
- 6th National Organizational Change Forum: Employment First! The Audacity of Change
- Funding for Local ADA Implementation Projects Announced
- ARC Master Trust Winter Heating Assistance Program
- Holiday Tips for Families with Sons/Daughters on the Autism Spectrum
- Library Corner
UPCOMING
ADA-INDIANA AUDIO CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND ACCESSIBILITY: Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook have tremendous potential for employers to outreach to people with disabilities. Employers need to be concerned about the use of such technologies in their business practices. Staff from the Job Accommodation Network (specialists in developing work accommodations for people with disabilities) will discuss the critical issues and how they can be addressed by employers.
The free audio conference will be held on Tuesday, December 15 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. (Eastern time) in several Indiana locations, including Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Merrillville, Muncie, Richmond, Terre Haute, Vincennes, and West Lafayette.
For further information, contact Matt Norris (812) 855-6508 or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu. This audio conference series is co-sponsored by ADA-Indiana, the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, and the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center. For more information about this or any other ADA trainings, please visit the ADA-Indiana website at www.adaindiana.org.
6TH NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE FORUM: EMPLOYMENT FIRST! THE AUDACITY OF CHANGE: Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 6th Annual Organizational Change Forum: Employment First! The Audacity of Change, scheduled for September 22-23, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel Downtown Indianapolis.
Join us for this dynamic event focused on employment for individuals with disabilities. Hear from leaders who have aligned federal, state, and local systems and agencies to offer employment supports.
This Forum is designed to be interactive and action oriented. Participate in lively discussions and planning related to policy and systems change, leadership and management, transition and career development, and integrated employment. Be a part of discussions to establish a National Agenda on Employment First and Organizational Change.
We encourage STATE TEAMS to attend, including state Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities agency representatives, Behavioral Health Centers, local community providers, One Stop career center staff, local education agency staff, university faculty, self-advocates, and others.
Look for more information in the coming months ahead. For more information, contact Pat Rogan at progan@iupui.edu.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
FUNDING FOR LOCAL ADA IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ANNOUNCED: ADA-Indiana, in conjunction with the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, is pleased to announce that funding is available for the 2010 Keith Coros Community ADA Implementation Projects.
In keeping with the advocacy efforts of former ADA-Indiana member, Keith Coros (1946 - 2008), the purpose of this program is to promote increased implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Indiana’s local communities. Funding up to $1,500.00 is available for projects submitted by social service agencies, local government entities, schools, businesses, or other community organizations interested in increasing implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Proposals are due Thursday, December 31st, 2009. The Request for Proposal is available at ADA-Indiana's website: www.adaindiana.org. To receive information on how to apply for the grants, contact Vicki Pappas, Fiscal Agent of ADA-Indiana, at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu.
This year, priority is being given to proposals that result in specific and measurable CHANGES. Projects should target one or more of the Titles of the ADA. This may include training employers to increase their knowledge about the ADA and reasonable accommodations; working with local governments to make their programs, services, and activities accessible to people with disabilities; helping business and non-profits become more accessible; or making sure people with hearing and speech impairments have access to information. Please visit the website for more details at www.adaindiana.org
The mission of ADA-Indiana is to serve as a statewide resource for promoting the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Founded in 1991, ADA-Indiana is part of the six-state consortium that comprises the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center.
WINTER HEATING ASSISTANCE
ARC MASTER TRUST WINTER HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Arc of Indiana is now accepting certification forms for The Arc Master Trust's 2010 Winter Heating Assistance Program. $35,000 has been approved by The Arc of Indiana's Board of Directors for the 2010 program. This will allow 350 low-income individuals with disabilities to receive assistance with $100 toward their winter heating bills. Funding for the Winter Heating Assistance Program comes from The Arc of Indiana's Master Trust Remainder Fund.
The Trust wants to distribute funds as equally as possible throughout the state. Therefore, a limited number of applications will be accepted from each of Indiana's counties. Also, for 2010 initial payments will be made only to those that have not received assistance in the past. If they have received assistance in the past, their name will be placed on a waiting list. After first time applicants have received their check, and money remains to be distributed, checks will be issued to those on the waiting list on a first come first served basis. Complete information about the 2010 Winter Heating Assistance Program is available on The Arc of Indiana’s web site at http://www.arcind.org/news/?naid=24.
ACROSS THE COURTYARD
HOLIDAY TIPS FOR FAMILIES WITH SONS/DAUGHTERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM: While many happily anticipate the coming holiday season, families of sons/daughters on the autism spectrum also understand the special challenges that may occur when schedules are disrupted and routines broken. Our hope is that by following these few helpful tips, families may lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The following tips were developed with input from the Autism Society of America, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan, and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network. Visit http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/generalinfo/HolidayTips.html to access this tip sheet and other family oriented modules.
LIBRARY CORNER
NEW ITEMS: 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.
Beringer, V. W., & Wolf, B. J. (2009). Teaching students with dyslexia and dysgraphia: Lessons from teaching and science. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.
Page, T. (2009). Parallel play: Growing up with undiagnosed asperger’s. New York: Doubleday.
Wiegan, D. B. (2009). Job success for persons with developmental disabilities. London; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Zeller, J. (2009). Canoeing and kayaking for people with disabilities. Champion, IL: Human Kinetics.