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Why the best of the past is not good enough for the Future
Imagine how different a young person's life might be if he or she entered adulthood
with disposal, financial resources and a savings account for the future. Economic
self-sufficiency and transition services that support self-determination can increase
hope and a sense of ownership and mastery over one's life and future.
Please join in developing a blueprint for changing the face of youth transition
services to one that incorporates the elements of self-determination with incentives
for private income generation and savings for young people with disabilities together
with real jobs and or self-employment. Registration deadline has been extended and
individuals are no longer required to join a team to register! Visit
http://www.e-epg.info/conferences
This first draft of the "Self-Determination Transition Imperative"
can be found at
http://www.self-determination.com/publications/
DRAFT-THESELF-DETERMINATIONTRANSITIONIMPERATIVE.htm
The Center offers this link in order to solicit your feedback on language and concepts and suggestions for using this imperative (enhanced with your help). Its purpose is to galvanize a grass roots movement to fundamentally change how we approach transition in this country. Please respond both on the Freedom list serve or send your comments directly to
tomnerney@earthlink.com
Self-Determination State Sites
A Father’s Point of View - I Know There’s Quality When . . .
Following Tom Nerney’s presentation on a new approach to quality at the AAMR regional
meeting in Mystic last month, Quincy Abbot put his reactions on paper. Abbot has
been President and Interim Executive Director of The Arc of the United States.
Within Connecticut, he chaired the Governor’s Council on Mental Retardation for
six years, was the founding President of the Corporation for Independent Living and
of the Corporation for Supported Employment, and has been on the Board of Directors of
Arc/CT for over 20 years. He co-chairs the Connecticut Olmstead Coalition and is a
member of the Steering Committees for both the Nursing Home Transition Grant and
the Real Choice Grant. As a long time and tireless advocate for all individuals
with disabilities, read how he captures in exquisite detail important dimensions
of quality that are so important to all of us in the self-determination movement.
http://www.self-determination.com/pdf/iknowquality.pdf
- Money, Dreaming and Self-Determination
On November 10, the Ottawa County Michigan Regional Interagency Coordinating
Council sponsored "Dare to Dream" a conference designed to assist young adults
look at their future. Approximately 75 participants between the age of 18 and
26 learned about self-determination and how a partnership with their local
funding agency can support their dreams. This age has been coined by the
education industry as “transition.” Why is it that typical kids in this age
bracket are “growing up” but those receiving special education are “transitioning”?
For more information about this successful event, contact Pat Carver at
pcarver@chartermi.net See more on transition
in this month’s lead articles.
- Hoyle Heads State ARC
After three decades in Ann Arbor, Dohn Hoyle is heading to the state capital
to take the reigns of the ARC of Michigan. Known for his relentless and keen
advocacy, Hoyle will continue to work closely with Michigan movers and shakers
by being directly in their midst. Dohn is the treasurer of the Center for
Self-Determination.
- New State Contact
Marsha Katz joins the Center as state contact for Montana. Currently, Katz is
Project Director for Rural Entrepreneurship & Self Employment Expansion Design
Project (RESEED). Marsha has worked in disability rights for 25 years and
is an experienced trainer in all aspects of Supplemental Security Income
(SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Her
interests include alternatives to guardianship, disability law and policy, persons
with cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system, parents with disabilities,
and fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal alcohol effects. Marsha helps to
coordinate media relations for ADAPT actions and other events. Her life
and work are guided by two quotes: "An educator in a situation of inequality is
either an oppressor or a liberator" and "None of us are
free unless we are all free." Contact Marsh Katz at
ADAPTMT@aol.com
- Blazing the Trail!
Guaranteeing the Promise of Freedom through Redefining Quality and Creative
Individual Budgeting with Center Resource Guides Mary Bryant, Michael Allen
and Vickie Vining will be presented at 2004 TASH Conference
Blazing the Trail!
in Reno, Nevada November 21. The TASH TECH presenters bring new voices to the
disability rights movement -- family members and individuals who have utilized this
planning tool. The Saturday session was chosen in recognition that most family
members work regular Monday – Friday jobs and cannot always take weekdays to
attend conferences.
http://www.tash.org/2004reno/
- RESEED Workshop
A series of five workshops on self-employment are scheduled for 2005 year in
Socorro, New Mexico. Marsha Katz from the Rural Entrepreneurship and Self
Employment (RESEED) Project will conduct the workshops for individuals
with disabilities, their families, community employment agencies (partners),
Socorro School District personnel, and all interested individuals.
http://www.self-determination.com/states/newmexico/index.html
Updates and Announcements
Center members Jim Conroy and Glenna Taylor will present about self-determination
this week at the 39th National Conference of the Australasian Society for the Study
of Intellectual Disability "Visions and Realities." The Society is
an organization
whose goals are to promote research and understanding of intellectual disability;
bring together people who are have an interest in the field of intellectual
disability and promote high standards of work practice.
http://assid.org.au.
The conference is being held in Adelaide, South Australia.
The concept of Immersion Learning has been powerful and successful. However,
focus on multiple states and planning teams raises ongoing logistical difficulties.
Many different goals come to the table with diverse issues. Because of the variety
of experience and understanding of self-determination, we have realized that it is
very difficult to give everyone the contemplation or time necessary.
At this point, the Center has decided to focus on one state at a time and
sometimes regions. We anticipate it will be the best use of our expertise and
limited resources. However, the Midwest section of the United States has much
to offer the rest of the country and each other about self-determination and we
would like to capture their knowledge and experience.
Therefore, discussion is underway to offer a regionally focused learning event
with the 2005 TASH Annual conference next November in Milwaukee. See for
http://www.tash.org information. The July 2005 Center event is cancelled.
In a recent letter to the Center Resource Guides who conducted The Promise of
Freedom 2004 National Down Syndrome Congress pre-conference full day workshop,
President Judy Martz writes "thank you for your commitment to families."
Three quarters of the attendees were parents who reported that during the
session the following was most helpful and important:
- Sincere and concrete answers to questions asked by attendees
- All the presentations had practical information
- Great booklet developed by the Center
- It’s never too early to start planning
- The idea of creative use of available resources and looking outside
of prepackaged options
- Lots of good information
Attendees completing the evaluation said they would attend this pre-session
again next year! Visit the NDSC website at
http://www.ndsccenter.org
Jan Lampman, convener of the Michigan Academy on Self-Determination, Center
Resource Guide and Executive Director of the Arc of Midland Michigan has been
selected for the 2004 Outstanding Professional Achievement Award by the National
Conference of Executives of the Arc. This award is presented to individuals whose
leadership has resulted in significant improvement in supports and service for
people with disabilities and their families. Jan will receive her award at the
national Arc's annual convention in Boston, Massachusetts on November 18-20, 2004.
To learn more about the Arc of Midland visit
http://www.thearcofmidland.org
"Self-Determination. Be Reasonable. Do it my
way."
- seen printed on a post-it note on the desk of leading self-advocate in
Holland, Michigan. |
