Possibilities

June 2006

There's No Place Like Home
WHAT'S NEW at the Disability Resource Library
Education & Training Events
Possibilities Returns to a Paper Mailing
Quotation

There's No Place Like Home

“Freedom!” That’s what Glenwood’s newest residents, recipients of Conner Training Consortium funds, like best about living in their new home.

Sarah welcomes me from the swing set as I approach the house. Inside, stories are waiting. Deb, who has lived in an institution for most of her 50-plus years, has adjusted to her new life and proudly announces that she’s a good cook. Rebecca, who has been reunited with her daughter since the move, beams as she talks about their Sunday visits. Alice, who has resided in an institution for most of her life, has settled into a comfortable routine. Peggy, a staff member at the house, says: “They just love getting groceries, and they’re proud of their new house.” They have every right to be.

I couldn’t resist stopping for a short visit with last year’s grant recipients. Fresh from graduation, their exuberance is infectious. Rob challenges my coworker to a game of air hockey, then tells me that their lawn mowing business now boasts 10 customers. Josh informs us that he recently took his grandma to a movie, then proudly shows off the flowers he recently planted. “The neighbors want the guys to stick around,” says Randy, a staff member at the house. Adds social worker Kelly Robinson, “We’ve seen a real transformation. Thanks to the Training Consortium, these guys are proving that they can enjoy happy and well-rounded lives in the community. This opportunity enriches every day for those receiving assistance.”

George, who moved to Council Bluffs from the Woodward Resource Center several months ago, is planning a fishing trip. He looks forward to weekly trips to Omaha, where he gets together with his uncles and enjoys native African cuisine at the International Café. Thanks to an uncle who recently purchased two CD’s, George is “jammin’” to some of his favorite music. George’s volunteer work includes landscaping at the hospital, helping at the food bank, and delivering Meals on Wheels. He was recently recognized by the City of Council Bluffs for his efforts. Julie, Ameriserve International Community Connections Planning Centre’s Client Services Director states: “George is doing wonderfully!”

(Names changed to protect confidentiality.)

WHAT'S NEW at the Disability Resource Library

To order materials from the CDD Disability Resource Library, call 1-800-272-7713

What the Silenced Say: An Evening with Jonathan Mooney

produced and directed by Rebecca Golden.

A lecture by one of the foremost role models for cognitive empowerment and educational inspiration on the speaking circuit today. Jonathan Mooney overcame self-doubt and anxiety about his learning disabilities to become an honors graduate from Brown University.

#3493

Working with Parents who have Cognitive Limitations: Guidance for Teachers, Nurses & Social Service Providers.

Approximately one million parents in the United States have cognitive limitations. This program will give you general guidelines for working respectfully and beneficially with parents who have intellectual disabilities.

#3668

Navigating the World of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

written and directed by Carol Stein-Schulman.

People on the autism spectrum display different styles of communication, a range of cognitive reasoning, and a mix of social behaviors. This film explores some strategies that will help service providers engage more effectively with people on the autism spectrum on a daily basis.

[DVD] 59 min.: YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities, 2006.

#3473

Seizure First Aid

produced by Epilepsy Foundation of America.

What do you do if you realize that someone is having a seizure? People with epilepsy talk about the experience of a seizure; discuss how they explain epilepsy to others, and how they would like their friends, family, and the general public to react when they have a seizure. Combines footage of real seizures with reenactments.

[DVD] 12 min. : Epilepsy Foundation of America, 2001.

#3332

Ready, Set, Relax : A Research-based Program of Relaxation, Learning and Self-Esteem for Children

by Jeffrey S. Allen and Roger J. Klein.

A program used in schools, hospitals, clinical settings, and the home to help reduce anxiety in children. Combines music, muscle relaxation and storytelling.

#3588

The 10 Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities

hosted by Tim Harrington.

This film is a Disability Resource Library all time favorite! Now available on DVD, it is a high impact presentation of disability etiquette enjoyed by audiences from 5th grade on up to senior citizens.

[DVD] 26 min., 1994.

#3643

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, 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

Second Annual Cedar Rapids ADA Celebration

July 15

Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids

The great line up for this year’s celebration includes a picnic, unity march, Kernels baseball game, fireworks, T-shirts, displays and speeches. An event for all ages and abilities. Contact the Evert Conner Center for more information, 319-363-0887, or empoweria@mchsi.com.

Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome 2006

July 21

Dixon, Illinois

A presentation featuring Dr. Tony Attwood. Call Future Horizons at 1-800-489-0727, or see their website at: www.futurehorizons-autism.com/conferences.htm.

2006 Dependent Adult Abuse Forum:

Enhancing Iowa’s Service Delivery System

July 26, 9:30-11:30

Dubuque Community College Town Clock Center Room 014, 680 Main Street, Dubuque

Contribute your ideas on how to enhance Iowa’s service delivery system for protecting dependent adults. No charge for attending, but registration required at least 10 days in advance. More info: Linda Hildreth, 510 E 12th St., Ste.2, Des Moines, IA 50319; Linda.Hildreth@iowa.gov.

2006 Dependent Adult Abuse Forum: Enhancing Iowa’s Service Delivery System

July 28, 9:30-11:30

Mercy Medical Plaza McCauley Room, Lower Level, 500 E. Market St., Iowa City

EMPOWER 2006: Consumer Empowerment Conference

August 22-24

Best Western Regency Inn, Marshalltown

Iowa’s only annual consumer-run conference for adult individuals with mental illness. For registration materials, contact: Consumer Empowerment Conference, PO Box 451, Grinnell, IA 50112-1814, or call toll-free: 1-800-525-2495.

Iowa Symposium on Hearing Loss: Impact on Children and Their Families

September 15-16

ISU Scheman Center, Ames

Topics will include the new JCIH position statement, amplification, effects of mild & unilateral hearing loss, parenting, and family networks. Plus family concerns and parenting strategies, educational planning, and newborn hearing skills labs for nurses. For more information, contact Sara Patkin at mspatkin@yahoo.com.

Abilities in Action Conference and Expo

October 11, 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

3375 Armar Drive, Marion

Product demonstrations and service expo for people with disabilities, their families, and Iowa providers. Morning and afternoon conference presentations. For more information, contact Diane Constantine: diane.constantine@kirkwood.edu; 319-398-5626.

Iowa Respite & Crisis Care Coalition Annual Conference

October 26-27

Holiday Inn Hotels & Suites Northwest

4800 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines

Educational sessions include: introduction to the healing touch; RAD children and the family; managing mental illness in the family; raising children with fetal alcohol syndrome; what’s new with waivers; behavior’s role in relationships; and building effective client-caregiver relationships. For more information, call (515)309-0858 or 1-877-255-3140.

For more conference and training opportunities, see the Disability Training calendar.

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Possibilities Returns to a Paper Mailing

The survey results are in!

A majority of you told us that you prefer receiving a hard copy of Possibilities, and we are happy to oblige. Those of you who prefer reading current and past issues online can still do so by going to http://www.disabilitytraining.org and clicking on the Possibilities link. Please note that you will no longer receive electronic notification when a new issue is published.

Thank you for completing the survey and sharing your helpful observations. Your feedback is always welcome.

It is easy to sit up and take notice.

What is difficult is standing up and taking action!

Honore de Balzac, French writer

More quotations from previous issues

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How to get in touch with Possibilities:

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

from
Center for Disabilities and Development
Iowa's University Center for Excellence on Disabilities
Children's Hospital of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011