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Individual and Family Forums
Decades ago, The Arc network was formed by parents in response to the lack of available education services or community supports for their children with disabilities. Though much has been accomplished over many years, there remains much to do to assure that individuals with disabilities in Illinois are able to live, work, learn, and play in their communities.
In addition to the forthcoming survey of our membership to determine our public policy priorities for 2024, The Arc of Illinois is partnering with several of our chapters, organizational affiliates, and supporters to hold Individual and Family Forums for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and share your thoughts about what The Arc of IL needs to know about your support needs to advocate on your behalf in Springfield next year.
Last week, I was delighted to meet with several family members at our first listening session, hosted by organizational affiliate, AID. This virtual listening session provided a welcome opportunity to dialogue with family members about their most pressing issues. I hope to hear from you at a Forum near you!
Registration is recommended. Register by calling 815-464-1832 or emailing at training@thearcofil.org
Be on the lookout for upcoming dates in Carbondale, Rockford, Peoria, and Chicago areas!
Last week in Washington, DC, the bipartisan, bicameral SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S.2767/H.R.5408) was reintroduced, aiming to address financial barriers faced by individuals on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This legislation seeks to eliminate penalties that restrict SSI recipients from saving or accumulating assets, making it easier for them to build financial security without jeopardizing their benefits. This would update SSI’s asset limits for the first time since the 1980s. You can read The Arc US’s press release here.
Feel free to write your U.S. Senator and Congressperson about the importance of supporting this legislation! Find your elected officials here.
The Illinois State Board of Elections collaborated with The Arc of Illinois to create awesome accessible voting resources.
For Illinois State Board of ElectionsResources, click here
Self-advocates Matty Shulz and Da Wen Mei assisted with voter presentations to: Shelbyville High School, Family Matters, UCP Seguin, and Trinity – and we’re looking forward to upcoming presentations with Pui Tak and the HBSS Workgroup! If you would like us to present to your group onThe 5 W’s of Voting, please contact carole@thearcofil.org
Continuing in the collaborative spirit, Advocacy Program Specialist, Carole Rosen, Family Transition Project Director, Greg Walkington, and Self Advocacy Alliance members, Tara Ahern, Krescene Beck, Chris Lenart, Adam Wiser, and Tavarus Wesley have been traveling across Illinois presenting on self-advocacy and voter registration with The Arc of Illinois’ Mentors including John Porter, Robert Rowley, and James Elliot. Presentations have taken place in Anna, Grayslake, and Chicago Heights with additional upcoming regional trainings in Vandalia, Dixon, Dwight, and Kankakee!
Image Description: A group of 5 people smiling with one person holding a sign saying ‘Register, Educate, Vote, and Use Your Power’ written in Spanish.
Carole, Greg, and the Mentors have presented on voting and voter registration, and the Operation Welcome Home program to residents at Choate Developmental Center in Anna, and Ludeman Center in Park Forest. Next week they will continue their advocacy work at Murray Developmental Center in Centralia.
Other highlights of the week include proclamations from Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson declaring the week of September 11th – 15th Disability Voting Rights Week for the State of Illinois and Chicago.
Going Home Coalition’s September meeting featured Equip for Equality’s attorneys Stacey Aschemann and Laura Miller. There were so many great questions, that we agreed we need a part two. Please contact carole@thearcofil.org to be added to the invite list for future meetings.
Image description: Greg Walkington, Sen. Laura Fine, and Carole Rosen stand smiling between an Illinois state flag and the American flag.
Advocacy Moment
Last week, Carole Rosen and Greg Walkington met with Senator Laura Fine (D – 9th) to discuss the importance of robust support and investment in community systems to sustain a full life in the community for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Would you like to meet with your legislators and need support to get your meeting set up? Please reach out to Carole at carole@thearcofil.org.
Alliance and The Arc of Illinois Fall 2023 Regional Training
“Self-Advocacy, Rights, and YOU!”
Self-Advocates, allies/professionals, and family members are invited to join the Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance (The Alliance) and The Arc of Illinois for a day of learning and advocacy. Trainings are free and will begin promptly at 10am and end at 2pm; lunch is included.
Whether you choose to donate monthly or one time, your donation helps The Arc bring together advocates, connect people and families, train and educate, and provide resources and support.
Registration for the IDD & Mental Health Conference is opening soon!
November 15, 2023
This virtual conference focuses on the intersection of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health.
The Arc of Illinois Virtual Events
Seminario Web en Espanol | Centro Great Lake ADA | September 25, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm | Register
The Role of a Developmental Pediatrician | September 27 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm |Register NOW!
Ligas Advocate Program Special Topic Webinar| Derek R. Hedges, Wavier Unit, Manager from Division of Developmental Disabilities will be our “Special” guest. | October 5 | 12:00 - 2:30 pm |Register
Transition Resources through Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | October 18, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Register
Seminario Web en Espanol | La Tutela y Las Otras Opciones | October 23, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm |Register
Seminario Web en Espanol | Enfoque en los Hermanos de Personas con Discapacidades del Desarrollo | November 13, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm |Register
Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) program and More | November 14, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Register
Adapting The Holidays to Your Child with IDD | December 12, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Register
Ray Graham Association (RGA) is pleased to present a learning opportunity for families, educators and others in the community
This year, Ray Graham is resuming in person, and all are free of charge. Although geared towards families, they are also great learning opportunities for educators and other professionals. This year, the remaining dates areOctober 19 and November 16. Click here for the flyer.
We have also applied to DHS for CE approval (2 per session) for:
TAP ASSIST Launches Free Parent Training Program for Parents and Caregivers of Transition-Aged Youth
There are twelve modules in the training program. Each module features an expert-led presentation on a relevant transition topic and includes time for parent discussion and questions. Click here to register.
The Illinois Autism Task Force (IATF) Transition sub-committee is seeking parents/guardians’ feedback on their understanding of the high school (Secondary) transition process. The survey is designed for parents/guardians of children with autism (all ages-young adults) who have an IEP.
The Autism Transition Subcommittee is conducting this survey to assess parent/family knowledge when it comes to understanding services available for the autism population leading up to and during their high school transition years. By gaining understanding of this, the IATF as well as autism-based service entities and schools can target their messaging and parent education to better guide parents, students, and families with the goal of improving student success after high school.
If you are a parent/guardian of a child with Autism, please follow the above link and complete the survey. The survey should take 15 minutes and your responses are completely anonymous. We genuinely appreciate your participation and hope our results will help us in our work to prepare families and improve services in Illinois as students transition from school to adulthood.
PIP Class 5 Informational Brochure and Application in both English and Spanish are Available
Please note there has been a few changes: The Informational Brochure and the Application as two free-standing documents, plus there are added Siblings to the list of participants eligible to apply.
The deadline for all applications is Saturday, October 7, 2023, by 5:00pm.
A team of researchers from the University of Chicago is conducting a study to help people with disabilities and their families' overcome barriers to financial security.
They are excited to offer you the opportunity to participate in this study, which would involve opening an IL ABLE Account. To help you get your savings started, a University of Chicago research team will deposit $100in “seeding” funds into your account and email you a $10 electronic gift card if you open an IL ABLE account after taking this 10-minute survey. You do not have to contribute any money to the IL ABLE account to receive the seeding funds. Click the survey link to learn more and get started!
University of Illinois Adults with Autism and Health Services Research Study
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR‐P) grant, UT2MC39440.
University of Illinois is currently recruiting adults with autism between the ages of 18-65 to participate in a research study. By participating in this study, adults with autism can help us understand their experiences in accessing health services, as well as support the adaptation of an app that could support or improve access to health services for adults with autism.
Participants will be asked to complete a short demographic questionnaire and participate in three interviews over Zoom or phone. The interview format, date, and time will take place whenever is convenient for the participant. The questionnaire should take 5 minutes and each interview will take between 30-60 minutes. In appreciation for your time, you will receive up to $75 for participating in this study.
Click here for the flyer. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this study, please email at mebest2@illinois.edu or phone at (312) 627-9536.
Virtual Future is Now (VFIN) Research Study
Online future planning for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) & their families for Illinois
Are you worried about what will happen to your loved one as you get older? Do you find the process of planning for the future overwhelming?
If yes, you might be eligible to join the VFIN research study, which is testing the effectiveness of an online future planning training at the University of Illinois Chicago for adults with IDD & their families in Illinois.
The VFIN research study will randomly assign families to be part of the intervention or control group. All family caregivers and adults with IDD will complete pre- and post- tests.
Families assigned to the intervention group will receive a 6-week training with weekly 1.5 hour Zoom classes from October 3 - November 6 on Mondays and two Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm CT.
Families assigned to the control group will receive access to the self-paced materials after the post-test is completed.
Are you, or do you know, a Spanish-speaking family member of a person who uses AAC?/¿Usted es o conoce a un familiar hispanohablante de alguien que usa la CAA?
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are conducting a study to learn about the experiences and perspectives of Spanish-speaking family members of people who use augmentative-alternative communication (AAC). Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire and a remote interview. Family participants will receive a $75 Visa gift card upon completion of both. Please contact Ellyn McNamara, (312) 343-6348 or emcnam3@uic.edu to participate in the research.
Investigadores de la Universidad de Illinois en Chicago están realizando un estudio para conocer las experiencias y perspectivas de los familiares hispanohablantes de personas que utilizan la comunicación aumentativa y alternativa (CAA). Se les pedirá a los participantes completar un cuestionario y una entrevista remota. Los participantes familiares recibirán una tarjeta de regalo Visa de $75 al finalizar ambos. Para participar en esta investigación, por favor póngase en contacto con Ellyn McNamara al (312) 343-6348 o emcnam3@uic.edu.
The Arc of Illinois 9980 190th St, Suite C, | Mokena, Illinois 60448 815.464.1832 | info@thearcofil.org
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