News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
Contact: Lawrence Carter-Long, Public Affairs Specialist
Phone: 202-272-2112
Email: LCarterLong@ncd.gov
Statement by the National Council on Disability on the 19th Observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Council on Disability today released the following statement on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2011:
NCD observes the 19th International Day of Disabled Persons, first recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The theme of this years observance is Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.
Why is meaningful involvement by persons with disabilities in international development important? The United States invests billions of taxpayer dollars into foreign assistance programs that foster international diplomacy and development annually, aimed at improving the quality of life for people around the world. These programs develop economies, promote democracy and governance, provide humanitarian assistance, build new infrastructure, and advance and protect human rights. Given that 15 percent of the world population is made up of people with disabilities, and growing, the United States cannot effectively accomplish the goals of foreign assistance programs unless it ensures programs are accessible to and inclusive of people with disabilities.
Conservative estimates by the World Health Organization suggest more than one billion people, an estimated 15 percent of the worlds population, have a disability. 80 percent of these individuals live in developing nations. Although people with disabilities make up a large segment of the global population, they continue to face worldwide discrimination and segregation at alarming levels. Moreover, numbers are likely gravely underestimated because people with disabilities are typically shunned, hidden from public view by their families, and commonly excluded from community activities.
Exclusion from the built environment prevents use of necessary services and resources that non-disabled populations take for granted. These barriers have a negative, spiraling effect. Physical barriers also keep people with disabilities from using voting centers, polling places, courthouses, administrative agencies, schools, and embassies.
Those who arent hidden by families or communities of origin are often left to languish in institutions further removing them from civic and social engagement. Conflict and poverty continue to increase the incidence rates of disability in less developed and industrialized economies alike. Already significant numbers are rising due to a variety of factors including aging, poverty, armed conflict, as well as improved data collection.
Overseas economic development will not be successful unless people with disabilities are included. If development is not inclusive, the significant numbers of people with disabilities in developing countries will hinder the very economic growth the U.S. seeks to facilitate. NCD recommends both micro-level solutions to spark income generation in coordination with large scale interventions to create the kinds of legal and regulatory structures to better serve and benefit from the contributions of people with disabilities.
As the world observes the 19th International Day of Persons with Disabilities, NCD welcomes the opportunity to focus greater attention to workable solutions to concerns faced by people with disabilities, their families and the diverse communities people live in around the globe.
About NCD: Founded in 1978, the National Council on Disability is a small, independent federal agency comprised of 15 Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed Council Members and a small staff, who advise the President, Congress and other Federal agencies on disability policy, programs and services.
More information on NCD's website at: http://www.ncd.gov
In April 2010 we launched the Peer Specialist Employment Initiative website www.wicps.org
The total hits for 2010 were 4,255.
As of today, November 30, 2011 the 2011 website hits are 20,464!
This means the site is used often and the pages that receive the most hits are Employment, Career and
Links/Resources. I update the site once a week or more depending on how many job postings we receive and updates on PS trainings. The site is fresh, accurate and informative and remains an important information source for the WI Peer Specialist Program.
Thank you,
Alice F. Pauser, CPS
WI Peer Specialist Program Coordinator
Access to Independence, Inc.
3810 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
608-242-8484 ext 224
Elven Sted: Affordable Workforce and Family Housing
Have you ever heard of the organization Movin' Out? You should check them out if you're interested in finding a home of your own in your community. This is an example of one of their latest projects in Stoughton...
Elven Sted offers the opportunity to live in new housing built with quality and care. Affordable rents, multiple amenities, and a perfect riverside location distinguish these new homes and attract tenants who want to settle into a friendly, inclusive, stable community of neighbors. Elven Sted, reflecting the areas history and culture, means River Home Place in Norwegian.
- Thirty-three units of new multi-family housing are situated on a 2.5-acre site in Stoughton, bordering the Yahara River at the corner of 8th and Dunkirk. Movin' Out, Inc. is the developer and owner. General Capital Group is co-developer. The project is financed with WHEDA low-income housing tax credits syndicated by National Equity Fund. Additional financing is provided by Dane County HOME funds and BMO Harris Bank.
- Elven Sted is an affirmatively inclusive community: the units are attractive examples of the best in workforce and family rental housing. A few units are adapted to meet accessibility needs of family members with disabilities.
- All units are affordable to low to moderate-income households.
- Energy conservation measures qualify the project for energy certifications.
- The landscape design includes a rain garden with plant species and soil components that will mitigate storm water runoff into river and add beauty to the landscape.
- The grounds include raised beds for gardening. A playground onsite allows for safely monitored play. Outdoor paths are graded to optimize stroller, walker and wheelchair use.
- Tenants have parking options in garages and reserved surface spaces.
- Storage for kayaks and canoes is available on site. Boaters launch at the Yahara River terminus of Eighth Street, adjacent to Elven Sted.
- Elven Sted is located in central Stoughton and is in convenient proximity to Stoughtons business center and major employers. The affordable one, two, and three bedroom homes are attractive to Stoughton workers and are also seen as a valuable addition to the community by employers who recognize the benefits of having their employees live in the same community where they work.
Elven Sted adds value by promoting affordable, good quality housing that welcomes a range of households that include families who live, work and play in Stoughton.
Elven Sted is owned by Movin' Out, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is affordable housing solutions for people with disabilities. www.movin-out.org -- info@movin-out.org
The Great Lakes ADA Center on behalf of the ADA National Network is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2011-2012 ADA Audio Conference Series. The Audio Conference Series offers a wide variety of subject-specific sessions that cut across all titles of the ADA. The 90 minute sessions provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the presenters. Also, new this year are enhancement in the delivery of an on-line audio option. This 2011-2012 series will offer audio via the telephone or on-line webinar platform Blackboard (formerly known as Elluminate Live!). The NEW Blackboard option will be offered at no-charge. Registration for Telephone connection remains unchanged and pricing will remains the same. Real-time captioning will be provided via our on-line webinar platform, Blackboard, for all sessions! Please join us for one or all of the following sessions: . October 18, 2011 > ADA Case Law Update . November 15, 2011 > Did you hear me? Ensuring effective communication with your customers . December 13, 2011 > Open Dialogue with the Department of Justice . January 17, 2012 > Refresh on the 2010 ADA Standards - March 15th is just around the corner . February 21, 2012 > Planning a trip: What you need to know about making hotel reservations . March 20, 2012 > No pets allowed: Service Animals and Post Secondary Institutions . April 17, 2012 > Open Dialogue with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission . May 15, 2012 > Being Prepared: Inclusion of people with disabilities in emergency planning . June 19, 2012 > No Parking Here: Accessible parking requirements and enforcement . July 17, 2012 > ADA Anniversary Update: 22 Years Later . August 21, 2012 > Segways, golf cars, four-wheelers, Oh my! . September 18, 2012 > Don't forget to cast your vote! Accessibility of Polling Places Go towww.ada-audio.organd choose "ADA Audio Conference Series" to learn more about the program and platforms used, view individual session descriptions and available CE or to register. Questions regarding the series should be directed toadaconferences@adagreatlakes.orgor by phone at(877)232-1990(V/TTY). ADA Conferences Team Great Lakes ADA Center 1640 W Roosevelt Road, Room 404 Chicago, IL 60608 877-232-1990(V/TTY). |
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Here is a short film about Madison native Karen Foxgrover that depicts self direction and extreme determination.
BPDD's Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign is looking for integrated employment stories
By Beth Moss, 2011-09-06
Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign
Showcasing the Employ-Ability of Workers with Disabilities
An invitation to Wisconsin lawmakers to visit constituents with disabilities on the job
To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is mounting a campaign to acknowledge and celebrate Wisconsin workers with disabilities. People with disabilities can be contributing members of our Wisconsin workforce.
Governor Walker has made job creation a top priority for our state. Its time to showcase the skills and talents people with disabilities make to Wisconsins economic success. We want legislators to see the employ-ability of individuals with disabilities and their valuable contribution to Wisconsins workforce.
BPDD is looking across the state for individuals with disabilities who love their jobs and employers who love them! We invite people with disabilities and their families to share their employment experiences with their legislator. By having your legislator visit your workplace, we will spread the word that people with disabilities are valuable employees with essential skills who enhance the work environment for everyone. All people want to work in a positive, engaging environment in their community. Their contributions not only benefit their own economic status but contribute to Wisconsins economy as well. Additionally, it improves the cost effectiveness of our Long-Term Care System. Everyone wants to help contribute to a brighter future for our state and our country.
To facilitate the campaign, the BPDD is looking for regional organizers who can work with individuals in their area to present their story to their legislator and host a visit to their workplace. We want to showcase the talents of people working in meaningful employment in our local communities and how they play a part in the future success of our state.
For more information on telling your story or acting as a regional coordinator for those with inspiring stories, please contact Beth Moss at the BPDD at beth.moss@wisconsin.gov. You can also call 608-266-7826 or 888-332-1677.
The WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is offering grants (from $500-$3,000) for projects that "SPARK"innovative methods of building community capacity in the areas of grassroots community organizing, Integrated Employment, and self-directed supports. The innovative methods SPARKS Grants ignite are intended to lead to systems change that improves the lives of people with disabilities.
Go to the link below to get more information about this great opportunity to do something in your community to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Grant application, requirements and contact information can be found on the link. Proposals are due by September 16th.