Changing Times

Conner Center Newsletter

Linn County Edition

Issue #1 - February 2005

A Word From Cherie

As the CR Coordinator for the Conner Center for Independent Living, I am thrilled to announce that Changing Times now has a Linn County edition. It will come out about every-other month!

Changing Times is for people with all types of disabilities in Linn County. It is also for family members, providers & professionals, and community leaders.

Changing Times will focus on upcoming events & activities sponsored by the Conner Center, P.A.D.S., and other organizations within our community. It will also contain a whole host of topics.

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I want to thank Angela "Annie" Kinney for taking on the role of editor for this newsletter. She is asking for your help - please contact her at

373-2888 or anniekinney@mchsi.com

I also want to thank The Heritage Agency, and especially Ingrid Wensel, for publishing this newsletter!! (That is why this newsletter comes to you in a Kirkwood/Heritage envelope.) Now that is collaboration worth celebrating!! THANK-YOU!!

DID YOU KNOW ...

... You might be eligible to work and keep your Title 19 card!!!

MEDICAID FOR EMPLOYED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD) is a Medicaid Program that allows people with disabilities to work and continue to have access to medical assistance. If you are eligible, you might pay a premium to "buy into" this medical program (like insurance).

For more info, ask your DHS worker.

The Endless Possibilities for Changing Times

* Independent Living Philosophy & Self-Advocacy Movement: What it Means

* Ways of Coping with your Disability

* Local Services & Entitlement Programs

* Employment, Housing & Health Tips

* Understanding the ADA & Other Laws

* Assistive Technology (what's new, what works, how it works, where to get it, and how to pay for it)

* So Much More!!

Send your articles, stories, & ideas to the editor!!!

P.A.D.S.

Peer Action Disability Support

Mission Statement

Peer Action Disability Support (P.A.D.S.) is devoted to improving the lives of people with disabilities through peer support and community activism. We are a unique group based in Linn County that is dedicated to the empowerment of people with disabilities by people with disabilities.

P.A.D.S. welcomes new members!!! We usually meet on the last Friday of the month. We meet at the main CR Library in Beems Auditorium. Our next three meetings will be:

February 25th from 1:00 - 3:00

March 25th from 1:00 - 3:00

April 29th from 1:00 - 3:00

We are working with the UI Legal Interns to improve Public transportation for people with disabilities. You can meet with an Intern to discuss your personal transportation problems at 12:30 PM.

You can get P.A.D.S. information by

e-mail or US mail. This includes info about local events & activities, action alerts, and updates on local services.

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"Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world."

Helen Keller

If you have e-mail, join the IDA LISTSERV for Iowa advocacy info: Send an e-mail to:

Iowa_Disability_Advocates-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Dispelling The Myth of Disability

A Poem By Angela "Annie" Kinney

D - Determined

I - Independent

S - Strong

A - Admirable

B - Brave

L - Leaders

E - Enriched

D - Disconcerting

P - Pioneers

R - Revolutionaries

I - Individuals

D - Decisive

E - Empowered!

o Please add me to the mailing list for,

Changing Times (this newsletter):

Name: _______________________________

Address: _____________________________

City & Zip: ____________________________

E-mail: _______________________________

OPTIONAL: If you like to get notices about events & activities for people with disabilities in Linn County (sponsored by the Conner Center and P.A.D.S.), what method works best for you?

o via e-mail (PDF files)

o via regular US mail

SEND TO THE CONNER CENTER!

UPCOMING EVENTS

IDEAS SELF-ADVOCACY TRAINING coming in March

The Conner Center, along with the UI Center for Disabilities & Development, MHDD Services, Options of Linn County and Goodwill, are sponsoring an IDEAS Self-advocacy Training.

Who will be conducting the training?

Cherie Clark and John Vikdal, both IDEAS Certified Facilitators

When & where? IDEAS will be held at Options of Linn County, 1019 7th St SE in Cedar Rapids. The training runs from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on:

Thursday, March 3rd 2005

Thursday, March 10th 2005

Thursday, March 17th 2005

Thursday, March 24th 2005

A light meal will be provided.

Transportation HOME ONLY will be provided on a case-by case basis.

How much does it cost? All IDEAS trainings are FREE!!!

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! YOU MUST REGISTER BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18th!!!!!

Please contact a sponsoring agency for the flier & registration form, or contact Cherie.

CAPITOL DAY

April 6, 2005 - Advocating Change Day (State Capitol, Des Moines). For more info, or to get InfoNet, CONTACT: Fran Morris, Governor's DD Council at 1-800-452-1936

You can get the flier for any of these events by contacting:

Cherie Clark

Conner Center - CR Coordinator

412 Angle St - Bertram

Cedar Rapids IA 52403-9025

364-0037 (10 AM to 4:00 PM only)

empoweria@mchsi.com

If you reach the answering machine, please leave a message - including the training you want more info about, your name, address & phone number.

Living Well

With A Disability

An 8-week nationally recognized health & wellness training class specifically designed for people with physical disabilities is now available in Cedar Rapids

PLUS 4 BONUS CLASSES!

Classes start May 12th

Space is limited to 15 participants - register soon!

Who should attend: This training has been designed specifically for adults of all ages with "mobility disabilities," but anyone with a disability may sign up.

Cost to you: This training is FREE. A light supper will be provided. We can provide personal assistance and transportation

Where & when: Classes meet every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for eight weeks starting May 12th 2004. Four BONUS classes will be held monthly. All classes will be at St Luke's Hospital in CR.

The Excitement is Building!!

In the summer of 2005, the Disability Community will celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (better known as "the ADA"). This historic piece of civil rights legislation was signed into law on July 26th 1990.

For the first time, Cedar Rapids will host an ADA event. The 2005 Cedar Rapids celebration will be held in conjunction with a Kernel's game on Sunday, July 24th at 2:00 PM. Iowa's very own, Senator Tom Harkin, was consider the "Father of the ADA." He plans to attend this celebration as the "guest of honor." We hope that a full house of 5,300 people will see Senator Harkin throw out the first pitch!

We are working to eliminate barriers (like a lack of money for tickets, problems with transportation) so that EVERYONE will be able to attend. If you or your agency would like to be a sponsor, contact the Conner Center. Watch for more information, but mark the date on your calendar now!!! It will be exciting!!!

LABEL JARS ...

NOT PEOPLE!!!