Spring Fling for Autism Awareness

Spring Fling for Autism Awareness Conference and Resource Fair

Saturday, April 5, 2014 6 English Language Workshops
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 4 Spanish Language Workshops
Over 30 Vendors

Spring Fling For Autism AwarenessThe Spring Fling provides valuable information to parents and families of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, supports professionals, and increases public awareness.
The program features breakout sessions on topics of interests,exhibitor tables, and lots of opportunities for networking.
This is a free event, with workshops conducted by experts from diverse areas of work in the autism field. Advance registration is recommended but not required. We regret that child care is not available.

Bogan Computer Technical High School (see session titles on back of page)
3939 West 79th Street, Chicago
(southeast corner of 79th
and Pulaski) Free CPDU credits available

Register at http://chicagoautism.eventbrite.com
For additional information, visit www.chicagoautism.org or call 773-329-0375

NEXT STEPS Transition: Making it in the Real World/Roadmaps to the Future

Father and daughterFor all young people, the transition from student life in school to adult life in the community is complicated. For students with disabilities and their families, this change can be particularly challenging, overwhelming and exciting. For young people to experience transitions to satisfying adult lives there must be teamwork among students, parents, educators and others. During this workshop, participants review the three critical goals of transition, consider practical opportunities which promote their achievement, become familiar with pertinent federal legislation and understand the important roles of family members in the transition
process.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires transition planning for all students with disabilities. Is a transition plan a written document? If so, who writes and signs it? Is transition planning a meeting? If so, who attends? This workshop is designed to give parents, students, educators and adult service providers answers to these questions and more. Participants learn how transition planning can be incorporated into
students’ on going special education plans. They discuss the influence of competency testing, graduation requirements, diplomas, integration and curriculum emphasis on transition plans. Sample transition forms are reviewed and participants develop transition goals.

Self-Employment Guide for People with Disabilities

Self-Employment Guide for People with Disabilities

tatewide Independent Living Council of IllinoisOne of the objectives of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois in the new State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) within the Employment Priority Area, is that Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois would identify resource material regarding self-employment (year 1 of the SPIL-2013-2014), develop a resource guide (year 2 of the SPIL 2014-2015) and distribute the resource guide to all CILs (year 3 of the SPIL- 2015-2016) so that they could in turn distribute the resource guide to 200 customers during the third year of the SPIL.

The council reports- because of their work on developing the Toolbox to Employment Seminars- they were able to identify and update a Self-Employment Guide for People with Disabilities that was developed by Health and Disability Advocates years ago and updated, for the council, by Marsie Frawley with Griffin-Hammis Associates.

Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois is sharing this Guide with the Centers, the Employment Advisory Group members and our Board Members. It is encouraged for the CILs to use and distribute this guide with their consumers.

Health, Education and Policy Resources

New Affordable Care Act Resource Available from The Arc – Capitol Insider – Week of February 3, 2014

The National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative has released the first of several fact sheets entitled “Comparing Health Plans’ Benefits and Coverage Summaries.” This fact sheet is intended to inform navigators and other enrollment specialists about what people with disabilities need to look for in the Summary of Benefits and Coverage. The entire list of upcoming fact sheets is also available on their website. This information complements the earlier publication by the collaborative, “Guide to Disability for Healthcare Insurance Marketplace Navigators”, designed to inform navigators and other enrollment specialists about special considerations people with disabilities may face as they shop for healthcare coverage. The Collaboration is a project of the American Association on Health and Disability and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Arc is one of the seven national organizations participating in the collaboration. The Arc encourages chapters and members to share the availability of the guide and other resources with Affordable Care Act navigators in their community.

Education

Department of Education Releases Charter Schools Program Non-Regulatory Guidance
from The Arc – Capitol Insider – Week of February 3, 2014

The US Department of Education released Charter Schools Program Non-Regulatory Guidance for charter schools that receive federal funds allowing them to use weighted lotteries in admissions in favor of disadvantaged students as long as lotteries are permissible under a state’s charter school law. “Disadvantaged” students include students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, migrant students, limited English proficient students, neglected or delinquent students, and homeless students. Federal startup funds are provided to charter schools in order to evaluate and expand the number of high quality charter schools across the nation.

CEC Unveils New Evidence -Based Practice Standards
from CEC’s Policy Insider – January 29, 2014

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has released its CEC Standards for Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education, a report commissioned by the CEC Board of Directors.

For the past five years, a work group comprised of seven special education researchers developed, vetted, and piloted the new standards for determining evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education. CEC’s goal is that the standards will be applied to better understand the effectiveness of a range of practices for learners with disabilities.
CEC President Robin D. Brewer acknowledges CEC’s deep appreciation to its expert members in the workgroup including Bryan Cook, Chair, Virginia Buysse, Janette Klingner, Tim Landrum, Robin McWilliam, Melody Tankersley, and Dave Test.
Download the CEC Standards for Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education report.

Transitioning from Early Intervention: What Every Parent Should Know

Department of Human Services Illinois

You are invited to Child & Family Connections #11
For a FREE Training

Come join other parents with your questions in an informal training centered on the process to continue services through Chicago Public Schools after your child turns 3.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Child & Family Connections #11 office
945 W. George St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60657

Parents with a child currently participating in the Early Intervention program and their Early Intervention providers are welcome.  Priority will be given to families with children who have passed their 2nd birthday.  The training is for adults only.  Sorry we are not able to safely accommodate children.

Registration is required. Space is limited to 30.  Email your interest to roberta_hansen@rush.edu by leaving your name, and your child’s name and birth date by March 4th.  We will send you a confirmation email.  Any questions, call Roberta at 312-942-7863.

 

 

 

Sexual Self-Advocacy Study

Sexuality and Disability ConsortiumThe Sexuality and Disability Consortium at UIC’s IDHD is holding a research study where people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) will learn about sexual self-advocacy including healthy relationships and participate in research about sexual self-advocacy. This event will include presentations, role plays, and group discussions. Attendees will also help develop resources that other people with I/DD can use to learn about sexual self-advocacy! See the attached flier for more details.

When? March 21, 2014 9am-3pm

Where? The Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD), 1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608

Who? People with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD)

How much? FREE! Participation will include lunch and you will get $10 to help you pay transportation

How do I register? Call Lex at 312-996-2232 or email Carli at cfried6@uic.edu.

Funding provided by the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

Spectrios Institute for Low Vision and the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Service (DHS), 2014 series of workshops

Spectrios InstituteSpectrios Institute for Low Vision and the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Service (DHS), announce their 2014 series of workshops.

These are free workshops which are designed to help prepare you for college and/or employment, and keep you up-to-date on the latest technology.

Please call Spectrios Institute at 630-690-7115 ext. 22, to register for the workshop(s) you would like to attend.   Remember space is limited so call early to reserve a seat.

 

Workshop name

Location

Date

Reasonable Accommodation: Just what does this mean?  Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Friday,February 21st 9:30 –  12:30
SSI & SSDI: What is it and how does it work, especially if I want to work?  Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 Friday,March 14th 9:30 – 12:30
The A’s Have It: A comparison of Apple and Android.  Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Friday,March 28th 9:30 – 12:30
Economic Accessibility Software: What is out there? Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Friday,May 9th 9:30 – 1:30
Just for Teens and Young Adults
Living Independently 

 

Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Saturday,April 19th 9:30 – 1:00
How to Join the Workforce in the 21st Century (For teens and young adults.)  Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 Saturday,May 3rd 9:30 – 1:00
Offsite Workshops / Events – Full Day
Employment: Technology and tools – exhibits and workshops Will Grundy Center for Independent Living, 2415 W. Jefferson St., Ste. A, Joliet, IL 60435  Friday,April 18th 9:30 – 3:00
Employment: Technology and tools – exhibits and workshops  The Painters District Council #30, 1905 Sequoia Drive (South entrance), Aurora, IL 60506  Tuesday,April 8th 9:30 – 3:00
Understanding Low Vision and Employment, Networking and Job Searching Christ United Methodist Church4202 Highcrest Rd.

Rockford, 61107

 

Tuesday,
May 20th9:30 – 1:00

 

Technology Open Houses: Check out our website www.spectrios.org for more detailed information.

Date

Location
March 1, 201410:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

June 7, 201410:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Spectrios Institute219 E. Cole Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187

 

 

10th Annual Piecing It All Together Conference

PIAT South Logo10th Annual Piecing It All Together Conference

March 14 & 15, 2014

Morris University Center
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

PIAT South (Edwardsville) Conference Registration

PIAT brings school and mental health professionals, along with parents/caregivers/youth, together under one roof to hear the same message of hope for kids living with mental health conditions.

PIAT S 2014 trifold final

The Bradley Cameron Association : Membership Get Together

The Bradley Cameron Association Cordially Invites you to attend their “Membership Get Together”

Saturday February 22, 2014
9:30am – 12:00pm
The Bank is located 645 East 87th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60619
At the Seaway Bank in the Community Room

Refreshments will be served

For more information or to RSVP call: 773 746-1574

Come and make new friends, and go fun places!
If you have a disability or special need that has limited your ability to participate in activities or make friends then come on out and see what The Bradley Cameron Association has to offer.

At the meeting you will get the opportunity to learn more about what we do and how we fit into the community. We are looking for youth between the ages of 16-26 who have the desire to be socially active but may be challenged because of their special need or disability. We are looking to build community among the many young adults in the Chicago-land area who are looking to become involved or increase their level of activity in the community.
Some young adults with disabilities may not have difficulty becoming engaged with others, but many do find this difficult. The difficulty does not arise because of their lack of desire, sometimes the mobility issue or having someone who understands their needs is the issue, for this reason we are inviting you and those whom you serve to find out more about The BCA.

We are waiting for you!

IEP SUPPORT AT YOUR CHILD’S IEP MEETING

IEP SUPPORT AT YOUR CHILD’S IEP MEETING

Do you attend your child’s IEP
meeting alone?
Do you have questions about your
child’s IEP?
Are these questions preventing you from
making informed decisions at your
child’s IEP meeting?

Navigating the IEP PROCESS

Our knowledgeable Volunteer Parent Advocates will:

  • Help you prepare for your child’s next IEP meeting.
  • Attend your child’s IEP meeting with you.
  • Help you understand IDEA (the law that protects your child’s rights to a free and appropriate public education.)
  • Help you navigate the educational system.
  • Help you communicate effectively with yourbchild’s school.

Requirements:

  • You must be the legal parent or guardian of the child with the IEP.
  • Must work with the parent advocate prior to your child’s IEP meeting.
  • Complete our parent questionnaire.
  • You must live in one of the following counties: Cook, Dupage, Grundy, Kane,Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will.

As a parent, you are your child’s best advocate.
An appropriate Individualized Education Program (IEP)
is crucial to your child’s academic future.

To partner with one of our Parent Advocates, contact
Paula Wills at paula.wills@frcd.org or call 312-939-3513.

This project is funded through the U.S. Department of Education Oce of Special Education Programs