Come play “CILebrity Squares” and put your knowledge of the ADA, Independent Living and disability rights to the test. Based on the game show, “Hollywood Squares” features a show host, a screen projection from a computer program and nine “CILebrities” from Pennsylvania.
The Stigma Battle: Coming out as a Person with Mental Illness in the Workplace
Matt Groff, Dan Craig
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association
Recovery specialists Matt Groff and Dan Craig share strategies they’ve used in workplaces for coming out as people recovering from a mental illness — what works and what makes matters worse. They will give an overview of federal and state anti-discrimination laws and policies, and how these apply to workplace accommodations for people recovering from mental illness.
You're in Charge: The Doctor works for you!
Kelly Valdez, Lisa Cullen
LIFT and CILSCPA
It IS possible to teach your doctors and healthcare providers that they work for you! Come to this workshop to learn how.
Welcoming people in recovery from brain injury
Barbara Dively
Acquired Brain Injury Network of PA, Inc.
Sometimes brain injuries can cause cognitive, physical and behavioral impairments. How does this interfere with a person’s ability to live independently? How can CILs help? Come find out.
The Importance of Community Space at your CIL
Andy Cooper, Mike Matthews, Michelle Brozinski
TRIPIL
To emphasize to advocates and program directors, the importance of having a freely accessible community space. The importance of having a 'purposeful' community space. It's important to not just be a 'hang out', but to provide real services in this community space.
All about Housing
Roberta Schwalm, Carla Falkentstein
PHFA
From using voucher toward homeownership to figuring out how to getan accessible apartment, this practical housing workshop teaches about all the types of housing available, and how to access it.
MARCH TO THE CAPITOL AND RALLY
11:00 a.m. (box lunch provided)
CONCURRENT WORKSHIPS II
Friday, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
AT@work - Assistive technology in the workplace
Ann Dolloff (PIAT), Amanda Reinsfelder (PIAT), Jennifer Garman, Esq. (DRN)
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology and Employment Collaborative
Who’s responsibility is it to provide assistive tech in the workplace, yours or your employer? What kind of equipment do you need, anyway? and how’s this stuff going to be paid for? Come to this workshop and find the answers to these questions and more.
Management of your personal assistant
Julie Kiger, Flo Moffitt, Rita Garrick, Lisa Faieta
TRIPIL
Provide strategies for consumer employees in recruitment, hiring and management of personal assistants.
Inclusion of People with Chemical Injury/multiple chemical sensitivity
Rev. Nancy Firestone
Health, Education and Resources, Inc.
Chemical injury, also called chemical sensitivity is a disability that requires accommodations. Come learn what these accommodations are, and how to help create accessible space for people who have chemical injuries.
Home Modifications: What they are and how to get them
Gail Hoffman, Cecilia Jenkins Michl
Self Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania
The goal of this workshop is to provide clear and concise information rearding what home modificiations are and also to give current resource information on how to obtain funding for home modifications.
Community Choice Act: Keep our people FREE!!
Michelle Brozinski, Bob Romero
TRIPIL
When passed, the Community Choice Act (previously called MiCASSA) will ensure people with disabilities don’t have to live in an institution just because they need help doing things like dressing or bathing. Sound good? Come learn how to advocate for the passage of the CCA out of Congress.
CILebrity Squares
Renee Sluzalis, Misty Dion, Theresa Williams
CILNCP
Come play “CILebrity Squares” and put your knowledge of the ADA, Independent Living and disability rights to the test. Based on the game show, “Hollywood Squares” features a show host, a screen projection from a computer program and nine “CILebrities” from Pennsylvania.
Plenary Session about Parents
Facilitator: Renee Sluzalis
Northcentral CIL
Join Northcentral CIL director Renee Sluzalis and other proud parents of people with disabilities for a lively discussion of the ways our parents can be our life-long allies in both every day living independent living and advocating for disability rights.
CONCURRENT WORKSHIPS III
Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
There and Back Again: Peer Specialists helping each other move from the state hospitals
Gina Calhoun (OMHSAS), Glenn Koons (Wernersville State Hospital), Marilee George (Clark Summit State Hospital)
PA Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Come learn about how peer specialists integrate people leaving the state hospitals back into the community from two people who’ve been there, done that and now go back to help others. This workshop will focus on the how-to, such as using tools like Community Support Plans.
Using the internet to network and outreach
Andy Cooper, Mike Matthews
TRIPIL
This hands-on workshop will show how the Internet can be used to network with our community, the media and national organizers.
Welcome Home: A roadmap for PA veterans with disabilities
Steve Pennington, Esq., Lee Lippi
PA Client Assistance Program
This workshop will discuss how IL and Voc Rehab can guide vets returning home to Pennsylvania with disabilities. Come learn about what resources are available for our wounded warriors.
Nursing facilities: Getting assistive techology to help get out
Chava Kintisch, Esq., Jennifer Burns
Disability Rights Network of PA and Liberty Resources, Inc.
One key to helping people leave nursing homes is to get them assistive technology such as wheelchairs, communication devices and home modifications. This workshop will teach you how to ensure residents get the equipment they need to move back into the community.
Cross Disability Perspectives- Continuities and Discontinuities
Facilitator: Graham Mulholland
Developmental Disablities Council
Join a panel discussion of what brings various disability communities together. What do we have in common, and where to do our perspectives differ? Embrace with us the challenge of finding ways to respect our differences yet find common cause in pursuit of a joint disability agenda.
Growing our culture of voters: Building a culture of civic engagement in the disability community
Paul O’Hanlon , Rachel Freund
Disability Rights Network and PA Mental Health Consumers’ Association
Voter registration is key to building a strong voting block of people with disabilities. At this workshop learn basic strategies for conducting effective grassroots voter registration drives.
CONCURRENT WORKSHIPS IV
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Nursing Home Transition: Making it Simple
John Lorence, Deb Crouse, Billie Jo Amon
TRIPIL
Using a Power Point presentation, Q and A’s, small group discussion, and role-playing, the presenters will help participants figure out which obstacles to nursing home transition are real, which are perceived, and how to deal with program requirements.
Hot Topic: ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Update!
Steve Pennington, Esq., Lee Lippi
PA Client Assistance Program
For years the Supreme Court has whittled down the ADA employment protections, and now advocates are fighting back by pushing for the ADA Act Amendments of 2008, which passed the House of Representatives on June 25. At this workshop you’ll learn where this is bill now, and how to help it become law.
Building a Voting Bloc in the disability community
Paul O"Hanlon, Rachel Freund, Amy Selders
Disability Rights Network and Disability Voting Coalition
Come learn about what the Disability Voting Coalition is doing in your region to build a strong disability voting bloc – and more importantly, how you can join in. Much of the discussion will be strategizing on how to best use the National Voter Registration Act.
IL Public Policy: Making a difference
Kevin Hensil, Melissa Simmons, Jeff Iseman
PA SILC
Come learn from the experts how best to approach legislators and policymakers, as SILC staff and maybe even a legislator or two school you on effective forms of advocacy.
CONCURRENT WORKSHIPS V
Saturday 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hot Topic: ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Update!
Steve Pennington, Esq., Jamie Ray, Esq.
PA Client Assistance Program
For years the Supreme Court has whittled down the ADA employment protections, and now advocates are fighting back by pushing for the ADA Act Amendments of 2008, which passed the House of Representatives on June 25. At this workshop you’ll learn where this is bill now, and how to help it become law.
Consumer Employers and Direct Care Workers Organize
Kathleen Kleinmann, Mike Cosley, Jesse Wilderman
TRIPIL
Learn how TRIPIL worked with these two groups to unionize and joined forces for improving home and community based services in Pennsylvania
Adopting your Legislator
Terry Roth, Theotis Braddy
Policy Information Exchange
The workshop will help people feel comfortable working with their elected officials and other policy makers. We will explain why developing a relationship is so important and share tips on how to be most successful.
Creating a legislative agenda for reform of Pennsylvania's election system
Paul O’Hanlon, Deb Delgado, Amy Selders, Barry Kaufman, League of Women Voters, Advancement Project and Vote PA
Disability Rights Network, Disability Voting Coalition, Common Cause of Pennsylvania
Voting advocates in the disability community have established good relationships with other groups committed to promoting civic engagement of all people – like Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters. Although we share common principles, we have not yet been able to establish a legislative agenda to reform the many shortcomings in our elections system. This workshop will be a panel discussion with leaders of these organizations to discuss how we might establish a common legislative agenda.
