Callin’ out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?

The ICSD is near and the time is right to register for the few limited spaces that remain open.

All we need is music, sweet music. They’ll be music everywhere…

At least there will be music during the International Conference on Self-Determination Welcoming Ceremony and Reception Tuesday May 27 from 4:15-6:30 pm. Music from Motown legend Martha Reeves will kick off the opening ceremony for this one of a kind conference .Back up music for singer extraordinaire Martha Reeves (formerly with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas,) will be played by The Recovery Band from Detroit.

Reeves is legendary for blockbuster hits like "Dancin’ in the Streets", "Jimmy Mack", "Nowhere to Run" and "Heatwave" is graciously serving as an "Ambassador to Detroit" for the International Conference on Self-Determination. Reeves is very proud to be a Detroiter and as city councilwoman for the Detroit City Council she’s honored to represent the city by being a voice of the people, promoting tourism, supporting students and teachers toward a higher standard of education and helping Detroit’s economy make a positive impact on the residents and businesses in the city of Detroit.

This is an invitation…

..to examine systems, structures and power struggles. Challenging ideas will be presented and unique conversations will arise at the International Conference on Self-Determination. We invite you to facilitate new partnerships and alliances across disability groups and international borders. This is a chance to work together and learn from each other. Please come to talk with one another, ask questions, network and listen respectfully together.

Across the nation…

At the Plenary Luncheon on Wednesday four representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within the United States Health and Human Services agency will discuss self-determination and the federal and state Medicaid program. Also being discussed at the luncheon will be the joint production of a CMS and Center for Self-Determination (csd) on a guide on Self-Determination for Medicaid Program Directors.

A chance for folks to meet…

After the luncheon Keynote on Wednesday CMS would like to offer conference participants an opportunity to speak with them on Wednesday from 3:45-5 pm. A basket with index cards will be available at the registration table for interested individuals to place questions in writing for the representatives to address. Questions may also be bought to the table. The representatives will answer as many questions as they can in this time frame.

It doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there!

And more than 100 moderators and panelists have joined the chance to be there! Check out the bios posted on the ICSD website. Combined with the abundant and resourceful registered participants there’s no doubt we‘ll be bringing on a brand new beat! By indentifying better strategies to make more significant progress towards self-determination, we will take on issues never discussed before across disability groups. Almost half of the moderators and panelists are persons who experience disability.

Check out sponsors

Confirmation on accessibility

Back from one heck of a week in our nation’s capital with ADAPT, Susan Fitzmaurice is available now to assist attendees with any issues of specific accommodation or material modification. Call Susan at 248- 788-7777
Or email Susan at: susanfitzm@gmail.com

Continuing Education Credits CEU’s

The Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative has approved 18 hours of Social work credit hours for the International Conference on Self-Determination. Course approval number is 042108-37.

The power of your story

Ongoing mini-sessions in the Power of your Story Session at the International Conference on Self-Determination include: Telling your Story through Art, Photo Voices project; Toastmasters, Blogging and How to write a book. News reporter from local Detroit station WDIV Art Edwards is conducting a mini session on "Using the Media to Tell Your Story."

Yeah, don’t forget the Motor City…
Can’t forget the Motor City!

Read Tiff's Tidbits
A column highlighting events and little known facts about the big D.

There's something for everyone in Detroit!

Now that you know Ms. Martha Reeves is behind the Motown song lyrics in the last three Alliance for Freedom e-newsletters, maybe you can now figure out who exactly is Tiff? You’ll have to be in Detroit May 26-29, 2008!!

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This one-of-a-kind conference is being bought to the Motor City by the Center for Self-Determination. Visit www.self-determination.com and watch for new and exciting ways you can participate. A fresh and updated communications structure is one known outcome of the International Conference of Self-Determination. The time has come to move forward toward self-determination for all!

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