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UPCOMING

ADA-Indiana Audio Conference

Plan to join ADA-Indiana for this popular yearly session to learn what the Courts and federal agencies have done, and are doing, to shape the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through their decisions and settlements. Barry Taylor, an attorney with the Illinois Protection and Advocacy program, will be the presenter.  

“ADA Case Law Update”
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
2:00-3:30 p.m. (EASTERN)

9 Indiana Locations
Free and Open to the Public

Barry Taylor, an attorney with the Illinois Protection and Advocacy Program, will review the key ADA issues that are currently before the courts, and point out any trends, including how the courts are interpreting the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Also to be covered include how some of the case law from the lower courts may have an impact on decisions at all levels, including issues that may find their way to the Supreme Court.

Locations include Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Muncie, Rockport, Terre Haute, Versailles, and West Lafayette. Click for more specific information about these site locations. If you can’t make it to one of the hosted locations, visit our website to find out more about other options, some are available at no cost! For more information about this session, contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508, or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu.

The Indiana ADA Audio Conference program is sponsored by ADA-Indiana, Great Lakes ADA Center, and the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities.

ACROSS THE COURTYARD

New Work Incentives Information Webpage

The Institute’s Center on Community Living and Careers has added a new page to its website featuring information on the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program as well as other work incentives for people with disabilities. In addition to helpful links to information about the Ticket to Work program, the new CCLC page also contains back issues of Tickets Please!, a newsletter for employment service providers and agencies, and Common Myths and Straight Talk, single-issue fact sheets answering questions and concerns people often have about work and benefits.  

Webshare Session on Puberty and Autism Now Archived

The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism Webshare session on Puberty and Autism is now archived and available from the IRCA’s website. Look for Webshare sessions on the following topic in the months to come:

Helping Your Child Develop Communication Skills
Visual Schedules: How and Why to Use Them at Home
How To Use Social Narratives To Help Your Son or Daughter Understand the World
Behavior Strategies for Home
IEP: Becoming Informed
How Movement Difference Impacts Individuals with ASD
Creating a Circle of Support

For more information, contact Melissa Dubie at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail mdubie@indiana.edu.

IN BLOOMINGTON

Council for Community Accessibility Presents Annual Awards

The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) recognized organizations and individuals committed to making Bloomington more accessible to people with disabilities at the annual CCA Awards Ceremony.

Pete Giordano, Director of Community and Family Resources, congratulated all the nominees and award recipients and thanked them on behalf of Mayor Mark Kruzan. Giordano presented the Mayor's Award posthumously to Sophia Travis.

"Sophia was tremendously influential and supportive of people with disabilities,” Giordano said. “Along with her dedication and commitment to LifeDesigns as a Board member, Sophia advocated on behalf of people with disabilities throughout the community.

The following award winners also were recognized for outstanding service:

Self-Advocacy Award: Rachel Roby, for being highly engaged in the community as an educator on behalf of persons with hidden disabilities and breaking down stigmatizing barriers faced by people with mental disabilities

Professional and Community Service Award: Rebecca Davis, for successfully launching Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) in Bloomington

Business Service Award: James McLary, president and CEO of e2Taxi, for improving mobility for the entire community, especially for people with disabilities, through accessible taxicabs

Employment Award: The Indiana University Wells Library, for providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Housing Service Award: Lauren and Peter Cowan, owners of Agewise Design, for addressing the growing need to modify living spaces for aging adults and people with disabilities

Special Recognition: Lake Monroe Boat Rental, for donating pontoon boats for the last three Fish-tival events organized by the Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living on Lake Monroe; Dr. James Laughlin, for outstanding contributions to children with special medical needs through establishment of a local clinic in partnership with Riley Hospital for Children; and St. Thomas Lutheran Church under the leadership of Pastor Lyle McKee, for extraordinary efforts on behalf of persons with disabilities, enabling them to be fully included in congregational activities

Kristin Willison Volunteer Service Award: Carle Crawford, for volunteering on behalf persons with disabilities at Area 10 Agency on Aging, Citizen Advocacy of South Central Indiana, Monroe County Crop Walk, New Leaf-New Life, Monroe County Public Library, in nursing homes and wherever he sees a need

Mayor's Award: Sophia Travis, for her passionate commitment to better our community

The ceremony also included recognition of several fully accessible local businesses and a keynote presentation by Lou Moneymaker, the president and CEO of Bosma Enterprises.

The Awards Ceremony was presented by the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department. For information on the Council for Community Accessibility, go to http://bloomington.in.gov/cca or contact Special Projects Coordinator Craig Brenner at 349.3471 or brennerc@bloomington.in.gov.

IN INDIANA

The Arc of Indiana Winter Heating Assistance Program

The Arc of Indiana's Board of Directors has approved $30,000 for The Arc of Indiana Master Trust 2013 Winter Heating Assistance Program. This will allow the trust to assist 300 low-income individuals with disabilities with $100 toward their winter heating bills. 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.

Click for more information and to apply for assistance. The Arc of Indiana Master Trust is pleased to offer the Winter Heating Assistance Program, now in its 12th year, to low-income Hoosiers with disabilities. 

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.

Daston, M., Riehle, J. E., Rutkowski, S., & Wehman, P. (2012). High school transition that works! Lessons learned from Project SEARCH. Baltimore, Maryland, MD: Paul H. Brookes Pub.

Huefner, D. S., & Herr, C. M. (2012). Navigating special education law and policy. Verona, WI: IEP Resources.

Kalyanpur, M., & Harry, B. (2012). Cultural reciprocity in special education: Building family professional relationships. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Pub.

Wehman, P. (2013). Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Pub.