Group items tagged

Easter Seals is excited to share these findings from our national study about the challenges facing families affected by disability -- needs for employment, housing, transportation, social interactions, recreation, healthcare and financial security -- the basics of daily life. We hope you find this compelling information helpful. These findings will be used to raise awareness of and advocate for the life-long services families desperately need -- working to lessen these disparities and bridge the gap for the many people living with developmental disabilities.

aster Seals is excited to share these findings from our national study about the challenges facing families affected by disability -- needs for employment, housing, transportation, social interactions, recreation, healthcare and financial security -- the basics of daily life. We hope you find this compelling information helpful. These findings will be used to raise awareness of and advocate for the life-long services families desperately need -- working to lessen these disparities and bridge the gap for the many people living with developmental disabilities.

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: mark.williams1@msubillings.edu or cal toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: tkelker@msubillings.edu or jennifer.belcher@msubillings.edu or call toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

Students' ability to learn depends not just on the quality of their textbooks and teachers, but also on the comfort and safety they feel at school and the strength of their relationships with adults and peers there.

I am a person with a disability, and have been since age 16 when a wrestling injury left me paralyzed from the shoulders down. I have a master's degree, a full-time job and yes, I'm one of more than 8.7 million Americans with a disability who rely on the long-term health care services provided through a government program called Supplemental Security Income, or SSI.

Some of this year's workshops include: Writing, Bollywod Dancing, Understanding Money, Dance NIA, DIY Fashion, International Culture, Intro to College, Japanese Drumming, Taekwondo, Personality Exploration, Sustainable Energy, Cooking and more!What:Keynote speaker and President of Montana State University, Dr. Waded Cruzado is the first woman and first minority to serve as a university president in the state of Montana. Her commitment to teaching and volunteer service is certain to be an inspiration for all Montana girls. History of GFAC:Girls for a Change is a grass-roots initiative designed to empower girls to embrace their future--confident in their individuality, supported by friends, parents and mentors, and secure in their ability to lead and achieve self-sufficiency, fulfillment, balance and success. Founded in 1997 by sixteen girls and their female mentors, Girls for a Change (GFAC) is a signature program of Thrive devoted to supporting and encouraging the successful development of girls.GFAC Activities:Each year GFAC plans an annual conference, does one local and one international community service project, participates and facilitates workshops and attends a retreat. GFAC participants also meet and facilitate activities with international visitors resulting in an ongoing dialogue about girls' and womens' issues in different cultures. Outcomes of GFAC:Girls feel confident about themselves and their ability to succeed--Girls gain public speaking skills--Girls are empowered to accomplish their goals and dreams--Girls learn what strengths they already possess and how to build on those strengths--Girls learn that there are all different kinds of beauty--Girls gain exposure to other girls from different social, cultural and international backgrounds--Girls learn to work together as a team. When:Saturday, February 25, 2012 Where:MSU Strand Union BuildingBozeman, MTContact:Email: gfac@allthrive.orgPhone: (406)587-3840Website: allthrive.org

What:Get your refund quickly with e-filing and direct deposit at any VITA site, free of charge. Get your taxes done by IRS-certified volunteers and community organizations you know and trust.Save part or all of your refund, even if you don't have a savings account. Ask us about US Savings Bonds!Turn your refund into more! Open and IDA (matched savings account) to save for goals like education, home ownership, or a vehicle purchase.What should I bring to the VITA Site? A valid photo ID Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents all tax forms for income, including: W-2, W-2G, 1099 Tax information from day care A copy of last year's tax return Personal check, bank statement, or document containing bank routing number for direct deposits (NO deposit slips) Both spouses must be present if filing jointly.When and Where:HRDC 7 North 31st Street (Lower Level)Walk-in or by appointment January 27 - April 14, 2012Wednesdays 2:00 - 8:00 pmFridays 2:00 - 8:00 pmSaturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pmUnited Way/MSU-Billings Garfield Community Center (3212 1st Ave. S)Walk-in onlyJanuary 30 - Apriil 9, 2012Mondays 5:30 pm - 7:30 pmUnited Way/Parmly Billings Library510 N. 28th St. (Enter main library and go to second floor)Walk-in onlyJanuary 28 - April 14, 2012Saturdays 12:00 pm - 3:00 pmAARP Tax Aide/TCE1505 Ave. DAppointment Only: (406) 794 0083February 1 - April 11, 2012Montana Credit Unions for Community DevelopmentSites are appointment onlyFebruary 1 - April 13, 2012Altana Credit Union 3212 Central Ave. (406) 867-3122Billings Federal Credit Union2522 4th Ave. N (406) 867-1652Rimrock Credit Union952 Central Ave. (406) 248-3685SEG Federal Credit Union617 SE 4th St., Laurel (406) 628-7711

With significant public backing and support in Congress, advocates say federal lawmakers are poised to consider a major change to the money-saving abilities of those with disabilities. Just one hurdle remains before Congress is expected to take up the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act. The bill — which has lingered since at least 2009 — would establish special accounts to allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without risking their eligibility for benefits like Social Security. What’s more, under the plan, individuals could retain Medicaid no matter how much is deposited.

Agenda: Developmental Disabilities Services Who is eligible for Developmental Disabilities Services? What about youth with higher IQ’s but with substantial support needs? How and when do you access this system? What services are available? What happens to youth who receive Children’s Developmental Disabilities services when they leave High School? What is the waiting list? What do we do while we are waiting? What have other families done? Private Pay Options Using Social Security Work Incentives to support employment

We are looking for examples of young people, age 18-30, in Montana who have a developmental disability according to the Montana definition and have creatively organized their supports to: Live in the community (on their own or with family or  friends) and/or Work in the community (including owning their own business) and/or Access inclusive education (high school, college, trade school, community classes) and/or Participate in recreation and leisure activities that are inclusive (that is, alongside people without disabilities) We want examples of supports that have been creatively organized around the person, individualized to their interests and needs.  These supports can be organized and managed by a funded adult agency or family and friends.  We are also looking for examples of creative funding such as blended services and natural supports, use of Social Security Administration work incentives, privately funded services or traded or bartered supports. Selected leaders will have their stories featured on the Montana Transition Listserv and in the annual Emerging Leader Showcase. They will also receive a monetary stipend for their time. To nominate yourself or someone you know as an Emerging Leader, visit the Rural Institute Transition Projects Website for a brief nomination form and a consent form.

Click here to register for this event What: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. will present "The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate Should Know" on Thursday, June 16, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Dr. Myers is a professor at The Ohio State University, past president of the Association of Black Psychologists, and chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities (AACLD). This webinar will focus on the importance of cultural congruence, one of the most challenging and often least discussed issues central to the success of Black families as they seek to provide a quality education for their children. As a member of a cultural group whose ethnic and racial heritage is congruent with and supported by that dominant in this society, Euro-western white, one may assume that this prevailing cultural worldview and the subsequent educational and other social institutions created by it are universally suitable and acceptable. The assumption is often made that the prevailing cultural worldview is universally adopted and held by all Americans, particularly those who have been in this country for generations and for whom English is believed to be their first language. This webinar will explore how these assumptions have hurt non-immigrant African Americans and their progeny, particularly in terms of education, their potential for educational achievement, and the current disproportionality we see in special education. Emphasis will be placed on how advocating for a culturally congruent educational experience on behalf of Black students and their families has the potential to transform the negative educational outcomes that have plagued this population for decades. This is the first in an Equity and Ethnicity in Special Education four-part series of webinars hosted by COPAA, a non-profit organization that works to protect special education rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 7.1 million children with disabilities in America. When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 12:00 pm Mountain If you would like to register for this event or any of the four-part series, please click here. COPAA non-member registration is $65.00 for one session or $195.00 for all four sessions. The full four-part series includes: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate for Black Students Should Know Presenter: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Addressing Legal Issues of Disability and Race Discrimination Presenters: Matthew Engel, Esq., Ron Lospennato Esq. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Representing Parents Whose Dominant Language is Other Than English Presenter: Gabriela Ruiz, Esq., Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Disproportionality: What are we doing about it? Presenters: Sonja Kerr, Esq. Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP)

In Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world.  Kids and parents have many ways of socializing and communicating online, but they come with certain risks.  This guide encourages parents to reduce the risks by talking to kids about how they communicate – online and off – and helping kids engage in conduct they can be proud of.  Net Cetera covers what parents need to know, where to go for more information, and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.

The Southwest ADA Center is pleased to announce the availability of the Disability Law Handbook now in Spanish, as well as English. The Disability Law Handbook is written in "Frequently Asked Questions" format and answers questions about the ADA, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments. Free copies may be downloaded or viewed at http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/Spanish/gld/index.html for the Spanish version and http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html for the English.

Click here to download the flyer for this event (PDF) What: This month we have the OPPORTUNITY to expand our understanding of the complicated world of Social Security with guest speaker Lori Idland! Also featured will be a brief message from Ashley Bickerstaff From the Young Athletes Program With Special Olympics. When: Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 6:00 PM Where Willson School Room 217B Bozeman, MT For more information: Call Joanna Dumas, SEPTA President, at 406-522-0851