Possibilitiesin education and training
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- Making a Difference in Iowa: The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
- Moving Mountains . . . with the Disability Resource Library
- Education & Training Events
- Quotation
Making a Difference in Iowa: The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
In June, we told you about the opening of the new AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) North Central Campus in Vinton. No one could have predicted at that time the devastation which would be caused by the floods of 2008. Nor could anyone have predicted the immediate dividends which Iowa's investment in young people would return..
The statistics are impressive. Since June, NCCC members have assisted over 200,000 persons. They have served over 35,000 meals, while collecting and distributing over 50,000 pounds of clothing. They supported six emergency response centers, and refurbished or renovated over 30 homes.
The numbers only begin to tell the story. NCCC members were "on the ground" in Iowa communities such as Oakville and Cedar Rapids particularly hard-hit by the floods. In Oakville, NCCC members mucked and gutted many of the town's nearly 200 homes and businesses which were destroyed or severely damaged. Members took responsibility for hauling water and ice for all other volunteers serving in the community. In Cedar Rapids, an NCCC team was responsible for general construction, repairs, plumbing, electrical, and painting of a neighborhood resource center. Serving with FEMA's Hands On Disaster Response, other NCCC members and community volunteers emptied homes of water-logged possessions, removed soaked drywall and insulation, and power washed basements before installing and refinishing new drywall.
NCCC's presence was also felt by Iowans with disabilities attending Camp Courageous www.campcourageous.org and the Miracles in Motion Riding Center www.miraclesinmotion.net. At Camp Courageous, members supported campers as they participated in such fun activities as canoeing, swimming and caving. Miracles in Motion team Members assisted with classes and a variety of property maintenance and improvement projects.
Iowa is a better place because of NCCC. Oakville residents faced with the decision of whether to rebuild their community were no doubt inspired by the hard work and dedication of total strangers. The reconstruction of the Cedar Rapids neighborhood resource center's gym means that local residents can return to their meal site, and children have a place to learn and play after school. Displaced homeowners are beginning the process of replacing possessions and restoring their households. Individuals with disabilities who were on the waiting list to attend Camp Courageous are now reliving and sharing their camp successes and triumphs.
NCCC members consistently report that their experiences lead to greater empathy for others. Members of Cedar One, the team assisting at Camp Courageous, summed it up this way:
Moving Mountains . . . with the Disability Resource Library
Everest
(2007) DVD developed by Franklin Covey.
The true story of Erik Weihenmayer’s summit of Mount Everest – Erik being the first person who is blind to accomplish this remarkable journey. Erik and his teammates share their tale of planning, proceeding, and succeeding against incredible odds. In the short space of 14 minutes, this film turns the concept of teamwork on its head and demonstrates that leadership and teamwork are fluid in any successful enterprise.
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Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges
(2006) Book by Dennis McGuire and Brian Chicoine.
This book comes highly recommended by our Center for Disabilities and Development nurse practitioners. The subject is behavioral and emotional health of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. Although each individual is unique, certain characteristics of Down syndrome adults have emerged through the authors’ interactions with thousands of individuals at Chicago’s Adult Down Syndrome Center. Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome is an eminently readable and reliable account that will help parents, caregivers, and advocates distinguish between idiosyncrasies and true disorders as they present across the lifespan.
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Teaching Choice and Skill Development
(2007) DVD from Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services.
A favorite among our agency members, this videorecording offers tips on helping people achieve their personal goals through the use of adaptable teaching techniques and person-centered supports.
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Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life
(2005) Book by Harriet McBryde Johnson.
A feisty wisp of a Southerner in fashionable skirts poses in her chair; her torso bent, slender feet on pointe in Mary Jane slippers, a dimpled smile on the face that is cradled in a contorted hand. Polished hair in a simple waist-length braid, earrings dancing at her cheeks, framing her face in gold. Truly beautiful. Such is the picture etched in your mind from the book jacket of this autobiography of a terrific self-advocate, political thinker, attorney, community activist and writer, Harriet McBryde Johnson. As surely as she learned in her early years that life with congenital neuromuscular disease was tenuous, Johnson lived her life with gusto and purpose. Harriet died June 4, 2008. Her book lives on as encouragement to every living being to take the hand that’s dealt, and to play it for all it’s worth.
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All Disability Resource Library services are free to people with disabilities in the Center for Disabilities and Development service area and to members of their families. Other individuals and community service providers are asked to pay a per item fee to borrow materials, or they may purchase an annual subscription. There is no charge to anyone for assistance with finding information. To contact the Disability Resource Library at the Center for Disabilities and Development, phone (800) 272-7713; (319) 356-1345: email disability-library@uiowa.edu, or visit on the web at http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/cdd/multiple/drl/drl.asp.
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Education & Training Events
Early Childhood Iowa Congress
February 10-11, 2009
Airport Holiday Inn, Des Moines, Iowa
Speakers and breakout sessions dedicated to inspiring leadership and professionalism in Iowa's early care, health, and education system. Information at: http://www.state.ia.us/earlychildhood/ECI_Congress/index.htmlSolving Behavioral Issues in Autism
February 18, 2009, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
St. Jude's Parish Center, 50 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
This class provides an overview of a variety of strategies including TEACCH, PECS, and social stores used for students with autism spectrum disorders. Information at: http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/profdev/exceptlearners.html
Every Move Counts
February 27, 2009
Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, Iowa
Instructor Jane Korsten will present non-traditional assessment and intervention strategies appropriate for the development of communication in individuals of all ages with severe multiple differences, developmental differences, and/or autism.
Register for this course online
at: http://www.iadeafblind.k12.ia.us/learning.html.Iowa Brain Injury Waiver Training
March 4, 2009, 9 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa
Register to attend a day-long brain injury training approved by the Iowa Department of Human Services to qualify providers to apply to provide Iowa Medicaid Home and Community Based Services for persons with brain injury. The cost for the training is $50.
For more information
contact: info@biaia.org or see: http://biaia.wildapricot.org/Default.aspx?pageId=198807.Best Practices in Brain Injury Service Delivery: XVII
March 5-6, 2009
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa
Join professionals from around the Midwest for this annual providers conference. This is a 12.00 contact hour program for participants enrolled for both days. Professional Nursing CEU's available through Hawkeye Community College, Provider #5. For complete information, see: http://biaia.wildapricot.org/Default.aspx?pageId=198807
.CSUN 2009
March 16-21, 2009
Los Angeles Airport Marriott & Renaissance Montura Hotels, California
The 24th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) will showcase experts and trends in assistive technology and international practice, with highlights on adaptive technology for persons with disabilities and the population of aging adults. Keynote speaker will be Anthony Coelho, a primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visit the CSUN site at
: http://www.csunconference.org/.Iowa Public Health Conference
April 7-8, 2009
Scheman Conference Center, Ames, Iowa
An annual gathering of over 600 Iowa public and environmental health professionals featuring presentations in a variety of formats. Sponsored by Iowa Child Health Specialty Clinics, Iowa Public Health Association, Iowa Environmental Health Association, University of Iowa College of Public Health, University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, and the Iowa Department of Public Health. I
nformation at: http://www.iowapha.org/Default.aspx?pageId=127969.Autism Society of Iowa Spring Conference
April 17, 2009
Sheraton Hotel, West Des Moines, Iowa
Keynote speaker is Jed Baker, Ph.D., author of The Social Skills Picture Book, Social Skills Training, Preparing for Life, and No More Meltdowns. For more information, call (888) 722-4799 or contact Kris Steinmetz at autism50ia@aol.com. Website: http://www.autismia.org
.Advocating Change Together: 2009 Minnesota Self-Advocacy Conference
Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Minnesota
The theme of this conference, hosted by a grass-roots, consumer-run advocacy organization is "Moving Self-Advocacy Forward." Adults and transition-aged youth with disabilities, as well as allies within the self-advocacy movement are encouraged to participate. I
nformation at: http://www.selfadvocacy.com/Conference2009.htm.For more conference and training opportunities, see the Disability Training calendar.
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How to get in touch with Possibilities:
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MAIL: Center for Disabilities and Development
100 Hawkins Dr. Rm. S376
Iowa City IA 52242-1011
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PHONE: 319-353-6448
POSSIBILITIES is funded in part through a grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services to support the activities of the Iowa Training Consortium. Possibilities is designed by Loretta Popp.
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To contact Disability Training
- Mail Office of Community Education, Center for Disabilities and Development, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City IA 52242-1011
- Email information@DisabilityTraining.org
- Fax 319-356-8284
- Phone 319-353-6448
Center for Disabilities and Development
Iowa's University Center for Excellence on Disabilities
University of Iowa Health Care
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011