tin tức

Voluntary Emergency Registry Open in Multnomah County

The Voluntary Emergency Registry is a list of persons who need help evacuating their home during an emergency, or who would be unable to evacuate without special notification from emergency response personnel. The registry also includes people who would be unable to remain at home without assistance following a disaster. Information in this list will be provided to the Bureau of Emergency Communications (911) and other emergency response personnel from the City of Portland and Gresham and Multnomah County.

You can register online here.

2009 Walk ‘n Roll

It’s time for the annual Walk ‘n Roll to benefit United Cerebral Palsy.

Join this year’s Honorary Event Chair, Art Edwards of KOIN Local 6 and many of the KOIN crew as they help us celebrate our 5th Annual Walk ‘n’ Roll for UCP!

This year’s event features an 8k fun-run along with the traditional route of past years.

Adult entrance fee has been lowered to $15! There will be plenty of activities for the kids, Pizza Schmizza and a host of other sponsors are turning out to help us celebrate this milestone.

It will be held at the Eastside Esplanade on the east bank of the Willamette River. Our goal this year is to raise enough money to cover the critical but under-funded UCP Family Support Program. Therefore, our goal this year is to raise $80,000 – WE CAN DO IT, YOU CAN HELP!

Come and bring the family for an awesome summer day highlighting A Community for Everyone!

Visit the official Walk ‘n Roll site.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1921 – 2009

You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence you send a message to every village, every city, every nation; a message of hope.  A message of victory.

The right to play on any playing field, you have earned it.

The right to study in any school, you have earned it.

The right to hold a job, you have earned it.

The right to be anyone’s neighbor, you have earned it.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1987 Special Olympics World Games

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a founder of Special Olympics and lifelong champion of disability advocacy. Read more about her here.

Airplane Accessibility Petition

Via United Cerebral Palsy‘s Quarterly Family Support Newsletter

Airplane Accessibility Petition

My name is Sally O’Neill. I am 17 years old. Like most girls my age, I love animals, going to the theatre with my friends on the weekend, and skiing in the winter. I dream of traveling after high school. I want to see places like Ireland, Italy, and India. Unfortunately, an accessible airplane ride is not an option for me.

I am writing this because I believe the airline industry should have to comply with the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. I have cerebral palsy. That means although I have a normal mind, I still have uncontrollable spastic limb movement. I cannot talk or hold my own body upright. I need my wheelchair to keep me in the right posture, and to restrain my arms and legs. The problem is the airline companies make all disabled people check their wheelchair with other baggage. I have visited my grandparents in Ohio and Florida many times. My parents have spent up to 7 hours trying to keep me seated between them. I don’t have the motor function to sit upright on my own. The airplane chairs are not big enough for a seat insert and do not support my upper body. When my shoulders are not in front of my hips, I go into an extension pattern. Due to my spastic limb movement, my parents have to physically restrain my arms and legs. I have strong tone, so this is not easy. None of us can eat, drink, read, or make ourselves comfortable in any other way. As I get older and bigger, each flight gets more difficult.

There are many other disabilities that have this same need for different reasons. I don’t think it makes sense that all other places open to the public are made accessible to every type of disabled person, especially transportation companies, but the airline industry is allowed to force the disabled into able-bodied standards or medical transport.  I’ve heard of an airline removing a whole row of seats to accommodate a Sumo wrestler. If they can do that for a special athlete, why can’t they do it for a person with special needs?  Have you ever wondered why you see so few people with cerebral palsy on airplanes? I think it’s because the airlines do so little to accommodate their needs to ensure their comfort. It’s discrimination. I looked up online how easy it is to remove any seat on the plane. I’m not asking for the bathrooms to be made accessible.

I am proposing that the first seat in the first row of the airplane be removable and tie downs be inserted. These tie downs are used in automobiles to keep the chair in place during crashes. They are as strong as anything on a plane.

I really believe with some small modifications airplane transportation can be made accessible to everyone. I hope you see the need and join me in this change.

Here is a proposed petition:

We petition the airline industry to better accommodate travelers who use wheelchairs.  We propose that the first seat in the first row of the airplane be removable with the capability to have tie downs inserted when needed to accommodate a wheelchair, or that the airlines develop a solution to this urgent need.

If you’d like a copy of the Petition emailed to you, please send an email to the address listed below. We’d appreciate your help in collecting signatures. The important issue here is accessibility.  There are a lot of people who cannot comfortably ride in an airplane, or who simply cannot ride at all.  We also want to collect stories of your experiences riding in an airplane.  Please call or write or send an email.  The more stories, the better.  And the more signatures, the better!

Susan Blanchard, UCP Family Support

Phone:  503-777-4166, toll-free within Oregon: 1-800-473-4581

Email:  sblanchard@ucpaorwa.org

Mail:  11731 NE Glenn Widing Drive, Portland, OR 97220

2009 Building Futures Conference – October 26 & 27

OrPTI (Oregon Parent Training and Information Center) presents the 2009 Building Futures Conference this October.

Building Futures is for anyone who has an interest in supporting individuals with disabilities as they transition from school to life. This includes Secondary Educators, Post Secondary Educators, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Special Educators, therapists, counselors, service providers, job developers, and other rehabilitation specialists, and especially secondary students with disabilities and their families. Throughout the two-day event there will be presentations by regional and national experts on issues surrounding secondary transition and assistive technology. Check out the agenda here.

Scholarship information can be found here.

Guardianship Handbook from DRO

Disability Rights Oregon has published updates to its Guardianship Handbook. For a comprehensive look at the issue of guardianship, check out this helpful guide.

From the introduction:

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide general information to individuals regarding their rights and protections under the law regarding guardianship. A guardian may be appointed for an adult person only as is necessary to promote and protect the well-being of the protected person. A guardianship for an adult person must be designed to encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence of the protected person and may be ordered only to the extent necessitated by the person’s actual mental and physical limitations. ORS 125.300(1).

Under Oregon law, a judge can appoint an adult to make important decisions about the care and well-being of another person. This is called a protective proceeding. In a protective proceeding, a judge can appoint a guardian, a conservator or both. In an emergency, a judge can appoint a temporary guardian, a temporary conservator or both. A judge may order action be taken on behalf of an adult without appointment of a guardian or conservator. This is called a protective order.

Any adult can file a petition in court to have a guardian appointed for another person. Separate laws cover protective proceedings for adults and children. This Handbook is about adults only.

Adult Autism Employment Guide Now Available

autismemploymentforblogThe University of Missouri has published Adult Autism & Employment: A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals According to their website, the document is a practical synthesis of existing literature and innovative promising practices. It includes previously unpublished insights and suggestions from a national expert on autism & employment.

To develop this resource, author Scott Standifer consulted closely with James Emmett, one of the few experts with real world experience about employment supports specifically for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It is a valuable tool for vocational rehabilitation professionals, employment service providers, and anyone interested in supporting the employment of adults with ASD.

The report includes:

–         In-depth descriptions of the wide range of varia­­bility among people with ASD

–         Accommodations & techniques to use during vocational rehabilitation services

–         Traditional vocational rehabilitation techniques which should be avoided

–         Possible career issues associated with ASD

–         Possible workplace accommodations useful for people with ASD

Check it out here.

Thanks to Tim Kral at ORA for the tip.

Asperger Support Groups in Portland

Portland Asperger’s Network – This is a support group in Portland, Oregon, for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism. We have an online community that shares experiences and suggestions and we also meet about once a month for face-to-face support, to hear speakers or go on family outings together.

Meetings:
Tabor Heights Methodist Church
6161 S.E. Stark St.
No charge to attend, but donations gladly accepted. For more information, call 503-284-4507.

To join our online community, visit www.aspergersnet.org

GAME CLUB

This is a monthly video and board game party for AS/HFA children age 5-18.

Meeting times and date for game club:

The group meets the second Friday of each month (some variation around holidays), 6:30-10 p.m., at West Linn Lutheran Church, 20390 Willamette Drive, West Linn, Oregon. Children learn social skills while playing games and parents share information and experiences. Free, but donations gladly accepted. Potluck snacks and beverages.

Web site for further information about game club

www.gameclubonline.com

Portland AS Adult Support Group A support group for AS adults, currently age 19-75, which meets twice monthly.

Meeting Times
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month

Meeting Location:
Independence Living Resources Center in Portland.

Contact:
Individuals wishing to know more about the group are encouraged to contact:
Roger Meyer at rogernmeyer@earthlink.net , or,
Linda Newland at OPU@peak.org

2009 Metro Area Resource Fair

resourcethumbIndependence Northwest is partnering with the three other Portland metro area brokerages, Mentor Oregon, Inclusion Inc. and The Arc Brokerage Services to bring you the 2009 Metro Area Resource Fair. There will be barbecue food, games and most importantly vendors and resources for you and your family to check out. This is a great opportunity to meet other community members and expand your knowledge of the local DD community and its resources.

A mailer has gone out to all customers of the four brokerages hosting this event.

Resource Fair Time 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Town Hall – 3704 N. Interstate Ave, Portland
BBQ Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Overlook Park (directly across the street)

Partners in Policymaking Now Accepting Applications

Apply now for the PIP class of 2010! OCDD is now accepting applications for the Partners in Policymaking Class of 2010.

Oregon Partners in Policymaking (PIP), is an intensive 5-month leadership course for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities. The program is operated by The Arc of Oregon and funded by the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities. It is free to participants.

The PIP program provides participants with the information to understand the past, the present, and the future for people with developmental disabilities and their families. It provides PIP members with the practical skills to positively affect their own lives and influence broader disability policy. Many of the over 180 Oregon Partners in Policymaking Graduates since 1994, have found participating in PIP has been a life-changing experience.

The website of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities has more information about the program and comments from graduates. There is an application which can be completed on line and emailed or downloaded and mailed in.

Oregon Partners graduates have made a huge difference in our state on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. We hope that the Class of 2010 will continue to lead the fight for equality of opportunity, inclusion, and community participation.

UCP Releases Its 2009 The Case for Inclusion State Rankings

United Cerebral Palsy released its 4th annual report on The Case for Inclusion yesterday. The report ranks all 50 States and the District of Columbia on how well they are providing community-based supports to Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities being served by Medicaid.

Oregon ranks 20th. Our state-specific details are here.

State by state ranking:

1. Vermont
2. Arizona
3. Alaska
4. New Hampshire
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. California
8. Hawaii
9. Colorado
10. Connecticut
11. New Mexico
12. Delaware
13. Minnesota
14. New York
15. Idaho
16. Pennsylvania
17. South Carolina
18. Florida
19. Rhode Island

20. Oregon

21. New Jersey
22. Wisconsin
23. West Virginia
24. Kansas
25. Washington
26. South Dakota
27. Montana
28. Wyoming
29. Missouri
30. Oklahoma
31. Georgia
32. Maryland
33. Alabama
34. Nevada
35. Maine
36. North Carolina
37. Utah
38. Kentucky
39. Iowa
40. North Dakota
41. Virginia
42. Indiana
43. Tennessee
44. Nebraska
45. Ohio
46. Louisiana
47. Illinois
48. District of Columbia
49. Texas
50. Arkansas
51. Mississippi

From the UCP website on the 2009 report:

  • Positively, there are 1,536 fewer Americans living in large state institutions (more than 16 beds). This is a bigger drop than seen last year. However, there remain 169 large institutions (4 fewer) housing 36,175 Americans;
  • Negatively, only nine states (down from 11) report more than 2,000 residents living in large public or private institutions – California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Texas;
  • Sustaining the 2008 level, 19 states, but up from 16 in 2007, have more than 80 percent of those served living in home-like settings;
  • Positively, seven states – Alaska, Arizona, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont- direct more than 95 percent of all related funds to those living in the community rather than in large institutions. Colorado directs a very close 94.6% of funds;
  • Positively, five states – Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas – as well as the District of Columbia experienced at least a five percent increase in people served in the community (HCBS waiver).
  • Negatively, Wisconsin reduced number of people served in the community (HCBS waiver) by more than five percent;
  • Nationally, 29 states direct more than 80 percent of all related funding to those living in the community;
  • Positively, 39 states, up from 33, report having a Medicaid Buy-In program supporting individuals as they go to work and increase their earnings; and
  • In terms of rankings, in total, 15 states had a sizable change in rankings over last two years. Pennsylvania (to #16 from #29 in 2007, dropping one place from 2008) and Missouri (to #29 from #41, dropping one place from 2008) improved the most with Wyoming (to #28 from #17) and Maine (to #35 from #24) dropping the most in the rankings.

Via DAWG Oregon and UCP

Blanche Fischer Foundation Grant Opportunity

Blanche Fischer Foundation (BFF) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded through a trust established by the late Blanche Fischer, a native of Long Creek, Ore. BFF makes direct grants on behalf of individuals with physical disabilities. The aid may relate directly to the disability or may less directly foster independence. In accordance with the terms of Ms. Fischer’s bequest, the foundation does not provide assistance for mental disability.

To be considered for a BFF grant, an individual must

  • have a disability of a physical nature;
  • reside in the state of Oregon; and
  • show financial need.

Since its founding in 1981, the Blanche Fischer Foundation has awarded over $1.2 million to nearly than 2,200 individual Oregonians with physical disabilties. We have made more than 100 organizational grants during this time as well, furthering our mission.

Disabled Children’s Relief Fund

DCRF grant applications may be used for modest awards for assistive devices, rehabilitative services, arts and humanities projects, or for efforts to bolster compliance with existing laws for the benefit of children with disabilities. Applications may be submitted by families (parent or guardian) for an individual child, or by a non-profit organization for a small group of children.
Click here for an application. Deadline is September 30th, 2009.

Care to Share in Washington County

Care to Share is a Washington County based assistance program that helps individuals with emergency food, energy assistance, rent support and more. Check out their website or see below for more details.

Financial Aid

Clients facing financial crisis may apply to a special fund Care To Share maintains.   Utility – When funds are available clients may request help on a limited basis if they are facing a shut-off.   Rent – One day a month (the 3rd Thursday of each month) qualified clients may call to request assistance with rent for the following month.   We do not provide: cash, bus tickets, transportation or costs, motel room rent, or medical costs.

Back to School

Each August, Care To Share provides backpacks filled with new school supplies for at-risk children attending Beaverton School District schools.  These supplies are distributed though the school administration.

Oregon Heat

Care To Share has been given a contract with Oregon Heat to provide assistance for PGE clients to receive assistance with gas, electricity, wood, pellets and oil.   Clients must call to set an appointment and to verify eligibility.

Water Grants

Care To Share provides water assistance to low income families facing shut-offs.   These funds come to us from three different sources.   We are thankful to Tualatin Valley Water District, Clean Water Services, and City of Beaverton Water.   Without these contributions we could not provide this much needed assistance.

Help DRO (Disability Rights Oregon) Focus Its Efforts

Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is asking community members to help determine where to focus their advocacy efforts in the coming year. Let your voice be heard by taking the survey.

From the DRO website: Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is a nonprofit that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. Each year DRO decides how to allocate its resources based in part on information collected through this Community Needs Survey. We recognize that the list of important issues facing individuals with disabilities is very long; however, due to limited resources DRO cannot give equal attention to every issue. This survey is a tool for you to tell us what you think are the most pressing issues facing individuals with disabilities in Oregon.

The Riot Hosts Teleconference Series on Healthy Intimate Relationships

From The Riot!:

The Riot would like to invite you to join them for another teleconference series titled:  A National Conversation on Healthy Relationships!

There will be a total of three calls with real talk between self-advocates, family members and healthcare providers about intimate relationships, personal safety and advice from peers.  We’ll be tackling the tough questions that are on a lot of people’s minds but many are afraid to talk about.  Let’s break down those barriers and open the lines of communication!

At the end of each call, we will have a Question and Answer session from the audience.  The calls will last 90 minutes each.  This will be one teleconference series you won’t want to miss!

The registration fee will be $25 per teleconference for ONE phone line.  If you use a speaker phone you can gather people around and listen together!  Additional lines will be $25 each.

If you register for all three teleconferences, you will pay only $20 per teleconference or $60 total!  Additional lines will also be $20 each.  So, it pays to register for all three!

To register for these teleconferences you can go to our website at www.theriotrocks.org and click on our ad.

Or, you can download our agenda and registration form directly from this link

Come join us for a National Conversation on Healthy Relationships!  Register Now!!

The topics we will cover during each session are described below.  For more detailed questions during each teleconference, please click on the link above.

Teleconference #1:  Do individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to someone special in their life, such as an intimate relationship?  September 1, 2009 – 90 minutes (3pm ET)

Teleconference #2:  What are the dynamics of a healthy, intimate relationship?  Issues of sexuality, personal safety and safe sex/birth control will be discussed.  October 5, 2009 – 90 minutes (3pm ET)

Teleconference #3:  Self-advocates give their peers advice, “Dear Abby” style.  November 2, 2009 – 90 minutes (3pm ET)

DD Co-op Summer Training Opportunities

Note: Providers for brokerages receive the Member rate.

Oregon Intervention System – General (OIS-G)

Status: Available
Date: 8/11/2009
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (BOTH days)
Assigned Host: Riverside Training Centers
Presenter(s): Kelly Gordham, Lead OIS Trainer
Description:This is a two day training on BOTH Tuesday, August 11th AND Wednesday, August 12th.

The Oregon Intervention System© is a person-centered, non-aversive system of strategies to understand and respond to behaviors respectfully and safely, including personal physical interventions for critical or emergency risk behaviors.

Location: St. Helens ESD Office
800 PORT AVE
SAINT HELENS, Oregon 97051-3008
Cost: $50/co-op member, $100/non-member. (Check or money order payable to ‘Riverside Training Center Inc.’)
If you have any questions contact:
Name: Rose Johnson
Telephone: (503) 397-1922
Email: rose.johnson@riversidecenters.com
Mail registration form to:
Riverside Training Center
PO BOX 280
SAINT HELENS, Oregon 97051-0280
Download Registration Form (doc)
Download Registration Form (pdf)
<!–Title: –

Autism 1

Status: Available
Date: 9/16/2009
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Assigned Host: Danville Services of Oregon
Presenter(s): Mike Larson
Description:Autism I is a much-in-demand class which is both highly informative about Autism Spectrum Disorders, and practical about support needs and strategies. This course is highly recommended for anyone with an interest or need to gain a good basic understanding of autism and the wide spectrum of autism disorders.
Location: East Portland Police Precinct, Community Room
737 SE 106TH AVE
PORTLAND, Oregon 97216-3197
Cost: $20/co-op member, $40/non-member. (Check or money order payable to ‘Danville Services of Oregon, LLC’)
If you have any questions contact:
Name: Liz Saufley
Telephone: (503) 228-4401
Mail registration form to:
Danville Services of Oregon

9700 SW CAPITOL HWY STE 240
PORTLAND, Oregon 97219-5291

Download Registration Form (doc)
Download Registration Form (pdf)

Via Disability Compass

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

Text taken from the Partners in Time website:

Partners in Time is a self-study course that explores society’s treatment of people with developmental disabilities from ancient times until today.

The history of people with disabilities is a powerful story of discrimination, segregation, abuse, ignorance, silence and good intentions that brought bad results. The mistakes, successes and actions of earlier generations have shaped the world we live in, who we are, our values and views of how people with developmental disabilities are allowed to work, learn, live and participate in their communities.

It is up to each generation to decide what to do with their knowledge of the past…whether to learn from these experiences to change the future or ignore these lessons and continue on the same path. This course has been created to help you understand the complex history of people with developmental disabilities. In this course, you will:

Checkmark Learn how people with disabilities lived, learned and worked from ancient times to the present.
Checkmark Recognize ways in which history repeats itself and how those abuses continue today under new names.
Checkmark Connect early glimmers of progress with current initiatives.
Checkmark Learn about some of the people throughout time whose efforts changed the course of history for people with developmental disabilities.
Checkmark Explore recent progress and celebrate the groundbreaking efforts that are creating a more just, inclusive society.
Checkmark Apply these lessons to create a vision for a future that embraces all people, regardless of ability.

Click here to start the course.

Emergency Preparedness – Are You Ready?

readynowThe folks at OHSU have created a comprehensive emergency preparedness booklet for people with developmental disabilities called Ready Now.  It walks you step-by-step through different emergency situations and helps you plan ahead to be ready in the event of an emergency. The booklet includes checklists for supplies, emergency contacts and more.

This is a great resource for customers, parents, providers and families. You’re sure to learn something you didn’t know and walk away with the tools you  need to be prepared for an emergency. Check it out online here.

Thanks to Cynthia Owens for the tip.

Disability is Natural

The Disability is Natural web site is brought to you by Kathie Snow and BraveHeart Press, Kathie’s family-owned small business.

The mission of the site is to encourage new ways of thinking about developmental disabilities, in the belief that changes in our attitudes and actions can help create a society where all children and adults with developmental disabilities have opportunities to live the lives of their dreams, included in all areas of life.

As a parent, author, and trainer, Kathie challenges conventional wisdom and promotes new attitudes, new actions, and common sense in the disability arena. Since 1991, she’s presented hundreds of seminars at conferences and meetings across the United States and Canada. Her first book, Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities, was published in 2001, and is now in its second edition. It’s a ground-breaking manual for change that’s used by parents, professionals, teachers, and several universities. Kathie launched this website in 2001, along with a variety of products that promote positive attitudes and perceptions about disability, including the one-of-a-kind “Disability is Natural” DVD. She’s written hundreds of articles, many of which are included in her second book, 101 Reproducible Articles for a New Disability Paradigm. She’s currently working on her next book on the inclusion of people with disabilities in community activities, like churches/synagogues, recreational activities, and other ordinary environments.

Rose City Resource Guide Just Published

The Rose City Resource is a publication of Street Roots and is the most comprehensive, updated list of services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. There’s tons of information on food boxes, clothing, counseling services, legal services and more.