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President Obama has challenged us all to help “Win the Future” by out-educating, out-innovating, and out-building our competitors in the 21st century. President Obama believes the best ideas come from the American people. That’s why the White House started a series called “Champions of Change.” Each week, the White House selects 5-20 Americans, businesses, or organizations who are doing extraordinary things in their communities. This series highlights a different group each week ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists. The Office of Public Engagement hosts a roundtable event here at the White House to honor those who are “Winning the Future” and empowering and inspiring other members of their respective communities.  Agency representatives and White House Policy Offices participate in the event and host a discussion on amplifying best practices learned in each area. Paired with each White House event, these “Champions” are featured on the White House website. The Champions of Change series is designed for people to look into their communities and nominate everyday heroes who are demonstrating commitment to improving their own communities, their country, or their fellow citizens. That is why the White House is looking for you to nominate someone as a “Champion of Change” who is doing extraordinary things to make a difference in your community. The White House will consider your nominations as they feature people who are bringing about change in their communities to share their ideas on how to win the future. Champions of Change, for example, are: Longstanding businesses that are expanding or investing in new ideas, companies that are adding jobs, hiring back those they laid off and investing in their workers and entrepreneurs who are “betting on winning the future” - starting new companies or commercializing new ideas. People rebuilding neighborhoods, putting brownfields, vacant housing and buildings back to work, making the streets safe for children to play in, creating opportunities for neighbors to come together and harnessing the power of the arts to forge awareness and new bonds. Innovative teachers and school leaders creating engaging and rigorous learning environments that get results, out of school programs providing hope, inspiration and opportunity, young adults setting off to be entrepreneurs or leaders in their communities, programs giving adult learners the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. Communities restoring our waterways and preserving our parks, prairies and preserves for future generations, programs investing in our farmlands and rural America, inventors and innovators harnessing America's natural resources for our shared clean energy future. For more information on the Champions of Change Series and past Champions, please visit:www.whitehouse.gov/champions.  To nominate someone as a Champion of Change, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov/champions/nominate. 

Click here to register for this webinar What: Come and learn about the many low ($1-15) and mid-priced ($20-60) iPad apps out there to meet the needs of people with communication difficulties. These apps range from simple to complex, from word-based to icon- or picture-based. They are designed to facilitate communication for users of various ages and in various settings, including home, school, the community, and medical settings. See them, hear them, and hear what we think of them so you can make more informed choices about which to try for your particular situation. Learning Objectives: Gain an understanding of current accessible technologies avialable for people using an iPad or iTouch Learn the features of several low- and mid-priced communication apps Understand different considerations to make informed purchasing decisions When: Monday, October 17, 2011 12:30pm - 1:30pm Mountain Audience: K-12 Teachers, Therapists, AT Specialists and Anyone working with individuals using alternative forms of communication.

Click here to register for this event What: Social inclusion occurs when individuals and entire communities of people have access to rights, opportunities, and resources that are usually available to members of American society. People with mental health and substance use problems are more  likely to fully recover and rebuild their lives when they have access not only to care and services, but also to social, economic, educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities that most citizens take for granted.  A socially inclusive society also provides opportunities for individuals in recovery to contribute to their communities as peers, employees, parents, residents, students, volunteers, teachers, and active citizens. Social inclusion provides a policy framework to make this vision a reality.  The SAMHSA ADS Center invites you to a FREE teleconference training to learn about three innovative community programs that are improving lives, changing communities, and transforming systems through social inclusion practices. The training will highlight the promising practices of the 2010 Campaign for Social Inclusion Award recipients, including:  SC SHARE’s Dream Team, which is reaching thousands of young people throughout South Carolina through partnerships with key government, faith, and community leaders. The Dream Team uses lived experience to show that there is hope; that a full, productive life can be the expectation; and that recovery is possible.  Heartland Consumer Network’s Poetry for Personal Power, which is changing lives and influencing educational systems by bringing open mic spoken poetry competitions to colleges throughout Missouri. This program is offering young people with mental health and substance use problems the chance to use personal experience and creativity to inspire others.     Advocacy Unlimited, Inc., which developed a 30-minute documentary titled Shining Stars – Young Adults in Recovery to give a voice to young people with mental health and substance use problems who teach about what recovery looks like and the important role all of us play in supporting each other. This program will be featured during a public viewing of the documentary in June at the State Legislative Office Building in Connecticut.    These SAMHSA-supported community-based efforts will demonstrate how social inclusion programs improve lives, communities, and systems. Participants will also learn how they can apply for the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards and become a pioneer for building a socially inclusive America.   Date and Time Monday, May 9, 2011 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain

“Just because a person can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.” A very important reminder from a parent of a non-verbal child. Communication is a basic human need, allowing people to connect with others, make decisions that affect their lives, express feelings and feel part of the community they live in. People with little or no speech still have the same Communication needs as the rest of us.  We may just have to work a bit harder to find a Communication strategy that works. The following tips have been contributed to Netbuddy by parents of children and adults with special needs. We hope you will find them useful, and please do share your own!

Click here for more information on this webinar! (PDF)Register for the webinar here!What:Continuing with the Strategies for Success Webinar Series, parents Jennifer Bertram (Meghan's mom) and Elizabeth Aquino (Sophie's mom) share their stories of how communication programs and technology such as the iPhone and iPad have helped them communicate with their non-verbal children. Our featured speaker, Cindy Cottier, a renowned speech-language pathologist and communications specialist, provides and in depth view of various communication tools and explains how the iPad is used as a communication tool for children and youth with epilepsy and other developmentally disabilities.• Hear Jennifer's amazing story of Meghan using her iPhone• Listen with delight as Elizabeth shares how the iPad has bonded their family closer together• Learn from Cindy the benefits of the iPad along with applications for varied levels of communication• Explore other tools, techniques and apps (free and low cost) that parents can useWhen:February 14, 201212:00 pm - 1:00 pm MSTContact:Valerie Hill Phone: 301-918-3728.Email: parentinfo@efa.org

Register for Session 5 Here! What:Session Five: Communication Devices in an Inclusive ClassroomThis webinar looks the use of single and multiple message Communication devices and how they can be used as an integral part of the school day. We’ll examine vocabulary, motivation and share ideas and examples that you can use in your classrooms the very next day. Session Objectives: Colleagues who take part in this webinar will: 1. Gain a greater understanding of the range of Communication devices, who they are for and how we might use them.2. Understand the importance of using motivating words and phrases to engage your learners.3. Understand how the meaningful use of Communication devices can be embedded into teaching activities across the curriculum. Attendance Certificate will be provided upon completion of the webinar. When:February 15, 201210:00 - 11:00 am MTContact:Phone: 800.843.9166Email: support@readytalk.com

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is proud to announce the release of a new technical assistance document describing the use of color communication badges. Color communication Badges are an accommodation to support social interaction for people with a variety of disabilities and communication needs. Color communication badges were first developed by Autism Network International, and popularized by the Autistic community in Autistic spaces and conferences.

Register Here to Receive Updates for this Event What: Rural Dynamics INC. is proud to announce the date for the 2011 Mobilizing Rural Communities Conference. National and regional speakers will share ways to build strong communities through innovative approaches and best practices. The Mobilizing Rural Communities conference is for community businesses, organizations, leaders, policy makers, and funders who are intent on building thriving and sustainable rural communities. Mark your calendar and watch for more to come. When: September 13-15, 2011 Where: Great Falls, Montana

A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs

Created in 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service engages more than 2 million Americans annually in improving communities through service. The Corporation supports service at national, state and local levels through: Senior Corps, a network of programs that helps Americans age 55 and older use their skills and experience in service opportunities that address the needs of their communities. Senior Corps includes RSVP,The Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program. AmeriCorps, whose members serve with local and national organizations to meet community needs while earning education awards to help finance college or training. Learn and Serve America, which helps link community service and learning objectives for youth from kindergarten through college as well as youth in community-based organizations.