Leadership

Kansas (KS)

Including Self-Advocates on Research Teams

Presented by Brad Linnenkamp, Ryan Henley and Ben Edwards

Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

During this presentation, we will talk about ways self-advocates can be involved in the research process as researchers not just as participants. We will describe two projects where self-advocates were involved as research team members and helped guide the research.

Self-Advocacy

Missouri (MO)

Getting To Your Good LIfe

Presented by Susan Parker and David Forbes

People First of Missouri, Institute for Human Development-UMKC

Charting My LifeCourse introduces self-advocates to the building blocks of the Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework and exploring their goals and vision for a Good Life. It is designed to teach individuals with disabilities how they can use the tools in their own lives, including facilitating their formal planning process (for services), and helping them to achieve their goals outside of the formal service systems.

Policy

Nebraska (NE)

Legislative Bill 39: Putting Self-Advocacy into Action

Presented by Kathy Hoell, Mary Angus, and Brad Muerren

ADAPT-Nebraska, Disability Rights Nebraska

We will be talking about Nebraska Legislative Bill 39 which would create and require Disability Impact Statements for certain bills. We will talk about this bill as an example of self-advocacy action and show where the bill creates areas for self-advocates to educate policymakers. 

Practice

Kansas (KS)

Going to College – It’s More than Knowledge!

Presented by Carleigh LaVoy, Dana Lattin, and TBD

Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK), The University of Kansas Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU-TPE)

KU-TPE provides services for people with ID to go to KU. You take classes with everyone else, have career internships, and join student clubs – plus a WHOLE LOT MORE!  Learn more about KU-TPE from a few Jayhawk Alumni.

Leadership

Missouri (MO)

Moving from Self-Advocates to Advocate Leaders!

Presented by Candace Cunningham, Kyla Mundwiller, Amanda Koch and Nicole Noblet

Institute for Human Development-UMKC, Advocate Leaders - Franklin County Missouri  

Learn from people with lived experience who have moved beyond 'Self-Advocates' and are becoming Advocacy Leaders. They will share how they are moving beyond their own personal self-determination and self-advocacy to helping other achieve what they have done. You will learn about Charting MyLifeCourse, Good LifeBooks, the COOL Group and Charting the LifeCourse Leadership Academy for Individuals and families.

Self-Advocacy

Kansas (KS)

Healthy Relationships

Presented by Robyn Herzog and Colin Olenick

Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK)

People with IDD have the right to be in loving, safe, and enjoyable relationships. These relationships include family, friends, romantic, caregivers and roommate. In this session, we will talk about consent (permission), healthy and unhealthy boundaries in those relationships.  Self-advocates will share their experiences from different kinds of relationships.

Policy

Nebraska (NE)

Emergency Management: Including People with Disabilities

Presented by Brooke Anderson and Mary Angus

LEND Self-Advocate Trainee, People First of Nebraska Disability Policy Specialist

Disability creates unique circumstances that must to be included in community emergency preparedness. This presentation provides the expertise of People with Disabilites along with tools and check lists to help people with disabilities plan for and be prepared in emergency situations.

This presentation was originally developed with the assistance of Sophia Kazmierski, Self-Advocate, for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Team (NEMA)

Practice

Kansas (KS)

Empowering College Students Who Use AAC

Presented by Askia "Ski" Adams

Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

This session will discuss ways colleges can support students who use augmentative communication as they pursue their chosen field of study. Presenters will also discuss the making of an educational video that aims to promote more empowering practices to support students who use AAC in college.

Leadership

Nebraska (NE)

Emerging Needs URC project: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Presented by Melanie Davis and Darien Todd

Nebraska UCEDD/ COLA AUCD Council

We are looking to involve the UCEDD network in a conversation around a potential new data point

demonstrating the participation of individuals with disabilities, including IDD, from historically underrepresented communities who participate in the development, implementation, or  evaluation of a UCEDD project.

Self-Advocacy

Nebraska (NE)

YOU are the Expert of YOU!: How to Make an Impact using Your own Story

Presented by Jennifer James and Mary Angus

People First of Nebraska, Nebraska LEND

YOUR life stories and experiences are powerful weapons for advocacy! Seasoned Disability Self-Advocates will show you how they used the Five Ws of Advocacy - Who, What, Where, When, and Why to organize their own stories to advocate for change.

Policy

Missouri (MO)

Voting Rights, Voter Suppression, and You

Presented by Nicole Noblet

KC Roo People First of Missouri

People with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States and elections can be won or lost when we choose to exercise our right to vote. Over the past decade there have been a lot of policy changes made with the goal of suppressing the right to vote among minorities, including people with disabilities; learn what your rights are as a voter and how politicians have made it harder to cast your ballot, and what you can do to fight for your rights and the rights of others to vote.

Practice

Iowa (IA)

A Journey I Won’t Finish and Employment in the Community  

Presented by Michael Gillette and Eric Mullins

University of Iowa Community Ambassador Program

Iowa advocates Michael Gillette and Eric Mullins will discuss their journeys in independent living and employment. 

Michael Gillette

My name is Michael Gillette. I live in my own apartment, and telling my story of moving into the community has been a big piece of my membership with the Community Living Ambassadors. I am now a father of a beautiful girl. This was a transition that taught me much and helped me learn more ways to live successfully in my community as a father. I have learned about “hidden secrets” like food stamps in connection with Amazon Prime and free transportation to the grocery store through the BI Waiver. There are so many services available, and I recommend that you learn what they are and to utilize as many of the services that you can.

Eric Mullins

My name is Eric Mullins. I have a mild intellectual disability. I have been a part of Community Living Ambassadors for 3 years. I have had many challenges throughout my life, but I continue to put my best foot forward. At the age of 18, I moved to Woodward Resource Center in Woodward, Iowa, and remained there until October 2019, when I then transitioned into Community Living with REM Iowa. I strive at being an advocate and a voice for people with disabilities. I want to continue being an advocate for inclusion and respect for people with disabilities. From transitioning from a locked facility to being able to live in the community has been a great accomplishment for me. I have worked hard to make sure I am safe in the community, and I have worked to acquire meaningful employment. In the future, I plan to attend events that help benefit and empower people with disabilities. I have been volunteering in my community: Hartman Reserve, Meals on Wheels, Food Bank, and more.

Leadership

Virginia (VA)

Understanding the History of the Disability Rights Movement

Presented by Richard Chapman

Partnership for People with Disabilities, VCU

This presentation will discuss the history of the disability rights movement and why it is important to understand history.  Important moments in history will be discussed that are relevant for key issues today.

Self-Advocacy

Nebraska (NE)

What to Do if You Feel Like Your Rights Have Been Violated

Presented by Melanie Davis, Isaac Baldry, and Sarah Swanson, Isaac Baldry

UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute

Rural Institute University of Montana

In this session we intend to educate self-advocates on the Home and Community Based Settings  settings rule, individuals who receive supports from their state's Medicaid waiver (also sometimes called HCBS) have rights. Advocates will learn how to be involved in their state.

Policy

Kansas (KS)

Supported Decision-Making

Presented by Colin Olenick

 Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK)

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is a way for people to make their own decisions with support from people they choose.  All people use supported decision-making to make decisions.  The Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas, the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities have been working to increase awareness about using SDM.  This presentation will highlight practical tips on using SDM in daily life.

Practice

Missouri (MO)

Navigating Benefits

Presented by Stacie Amschler

empower:abilities

Information and resources on navigating Medicare benefits.  Understanding your benefits and what you may qualify for, what to watch for and what to expect.  Know your options so you can make an informed decision!