The Changing
Times Newsletter
Text only
edition.
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING NEWSLETTER
“SPRINGING” from
Anticipation into Action 1
THE REAL COST OF
A “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” 2
VIEWS FROM
THE “NEW”S 3
ADA XV: On the
Way 4
Chiming In and
Reaching Out 5
Come Join Us 6
Ctimes Vol.2 No.
1
“SPRINGing” from
anticipation
to ACTION
Springtime in Iowa is the season for planning
and planting. It is the time to
anticipate and make ready for a summer of work and a harvest of the fruits of
our labor. So it is with the Conner
Center—but enough of the analogy.
Bottom-line we are busy getting ready for an avalanche of activity, a
bunch of beneficial business, a cavalcade of constructive colaboration, a
deluge of directed disability demonstrations…. Oh I suspect you get the
point—we are engaged in and getting ready for a lot of things and we are
dedicating this newsletter to inviting you to come join in—do some work—and
don’t tell anybody—but you just might have some fun too.
Look at the Table
on PAGE 5 and see just a few things
going on and think about how you might help push the rock to the top of the
hill.
Just a few of the
events in the planning phase are listed to the right.
ADA feedback
forum in conjunction with UI Law School
March 25th
(First ever
meeting)
Henry County
Advocacy and Peer Support Group—March 31
Living Well with
a Disability (Cedar Rapids) May 12
ADA Training Iowa
City & Cedar Rapids June 30-July1
ADA Celebration
Iowa City and Cedar Rapids July 23—July 24
Consumer Voices
Summit Bettendorf, IA Sept. 23rd
Page 2
Publisher Info
The CHANGING
TIMES
Newsletter
Is a publication of
the Evert Conner Center for Independent Living. We invite consumers and readers to submit items for consideration
and future publication. We are
particularly interested in Questions from Readers or brief success stories
related to independent living and advocacy activities.
If you have a story idea or item for inclusion, contact
Jim Whalen by e-mail at whalen@ownersvoices.com or by calling the Conner
Center.
“ the Changing
Times” is published quarterly.
Deadlines for submitting materials are Feb. 15th, June1st,Sept 15th, and
Dec. 1st each year.
The Real Cost of
“ Million Dollar Baby”
…… and the
winner of the Oscar for best picture is
Million Dollar Baby” …
…. And the Loser?
Many would say
all people with disabilities are the loser here. After all this plot only works because of prevailing social
stereotypes about the horrible nature of life after a devestating injury. That supposition would of course be
correct. If stereotypes prevail
then people with disabilities are left
on the short end of the stick—but
here’s a thought. Why don’t we encourage
everyone we know to see this movie and then discuss the real issues with
them.
For example, life
after disability is not tragic, it takes some adjusting to, but so does life
after the birth of a child, a divorce, the ldeath of a close friend, etc… Any
major life event requres adjustments, that once made, often make us stronger
people. Or we can discuss the ills of
living in a nursing facility. We can
talk about the fact that it is estimated that 30 per cent of people with disabilities living in nursing homes would be able to receive similar or better
community services at a cost of about one quarter of that which is now being
paid. We could discuss the greater
issue of having a wide range of housing and medical care choices and building using universal design so that
we don’t continue creating disabling environments.
In short, this
movie like many others treats disability poorly—and we could sit and complain
about it. It seems a far beeter idea to use it as a “million dollar”
platform. And if we don’t then the
loser is…… ?
Page 3
Views from the
“New”s
Part 1
By Amy Ferin
I
have to say that when I first learned about the Independent Living Movement in
my Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling course, I was intrigued. I couldn’t help but think the overall
concept presented made perfect sense.
And, when I worked at my practicum setting the first week, I knew I
picked the right place.
The
center provides an open work environment, which is very important to me. I am not one to agree with others, just
because it is the right thing to do. I
found an environment in the Conner Center that allowed me to be open about my
thoughts on issues, and even encouraged it. The environment at the Conner Center
encouraged me to question things and learn from others. The experience has been priceless and I have
a feeling I am in for a rude awakening at my next practicum.
The
Conner Center provided me with a wonderful education, much more education than
can be learned in a book. The center
made me think from a different perspective.
As a student, you can read until your brain hurts, but until you really
observe how society and politics affect persons with disabilities, you are not
a true scholar.
Note: Amy has
participated in activities ranging from a trip to the capitol designed to
provide information to lawmakers tomeeting with parties interested in linking
elderly populations with people with disabilities. We are quite happy she has come to learn with, and teach us.
Page 4
Chiming In and
Reaching Out
Independence does not come via UPS or Pizza
Hut. Centers do not deliver
services. Individuals and groups of
people with disabilities and as a team make good things happen. Lately, we have noticed that we haven’t seen
many of you for a while and we are calling on you to come participate in some
activities at the center and in your loval communities. The table below indicates some activities
that will be happening over the next few months and who is invited to play a
vital role in those activities.
|
Activity |
DATE/TIME |
WHO SHOULD
PARTICIPATE |
|
Forum to
provide Feedback on the ADA in conjunction with UI Law School |
March 25 Iowa
City Public Library |
You and all the
advocates you know |
|
Henry County
Advocacy Team an````d Support Group |
Henry Cty.
Senior Center 4:00 PM March 31 |
You and all the
Henry County Advocates and service
providers looking to work toger. |
|
The Friday
Movie |
Gues what day
every week? At the Conner Ctr |
You of course
amd anyone who wishes to enjoy a movie in good company —ps liking popcorm is
a plus |
|
Iowa City ADA
celebration |
July 23rd
downtown Iowa City, planning going on
now Next planning meeting March 28th |
You and anyone
who has a story to share about your valuable life expreineces. |
|
Cedar Rapids
ADA Celebration |
July 24th
Planning going on as we speak.
Contact the center in the near
future for more details |
Well let’s see…
how about You and anyone concerned with making CR a more diverse
and powerful community |
|
ADA Training |
June 30 and
July 1 Iowa City, & Cedar Rapids more details coming soon |
You, you, you,
You and you over there in the corner—yeah you! |
|
Consumer Voices
Summit |
This
opportunity to comment about services and learn about advocacy is coming
September 23 in Bettendorf Iowa … a0: 3 |
You, every
advocate you know, every advocate
they know, all consumers big and small , short and tall, but most
importantly the expert on your disability—–YOU!!! |
Bottom Line —We
want you to come join us and if you think of something we might be doing we’ll
make it happentogether with YOU!!!!!!!!
Page 5
ADA XV On the Way
The Americans
with Disabilities Act turns fifteen this summer and the annual celebration
planned for July 23rd is already starting to take shape. This year the theme will be “ADA XV: The
Unfinished Story.” This theme reflects
the idea that people are empowered by telling and sharing their stories and
that sharing stories about how the ADA impacts the lives of people with
disabilities is an important way to demonstrate that the ADA can be a dynamic
living force in the community and in people’s lives.
While the theme
has been established and the committee has been working on logistics and
programming tasks, the cooperative effort to make this event a success can
certainly benefit from your help. Your
stories are valuable and needed, as they will form the centerpiece of the
event. Your participation on the
committee is needed as many heads and hands will be needed to make critical
decisions and complete other tasks ranging from distributing publicity to
setting up seating. Your attention is
needed in the audience, as no story is complete without an audience. Finally, your spirit is needed to make this
celebration a valuable part of our community’s effort to achieve diversity and
equality.
Come Join us by
calling 338-3870 and stay updated via the web at http://www.ownersvoices.com
CEDAR RAPIDS
The Conner
Center’s efforts in Cedar Rapids have increased dramatically in the past year and this summer marks a milestone
event, the first Cedar Rapids Conner Center ADA celebration. Plans are well underway for a day at the
ballpark with the Kernels and in celebration of the ADA.
Just like in Iowa
City, the Cedar Rapids efforts already involve many people, and your
participation in this inaugural celebration are very welcome. Cherie Clarkl is heading up the planning and
anyone interested should contact the Conner Center by phone or e-mail Cherie at
(empoweria@mchsi.com).
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR FOR JULY 23rd in I.C. &
JULY 24th in
CEDAR PAIDS —come join us.
The Americans
with Disabilities Act turns fifteen this summer and the annual celebration
planned for July 23rd is already starting to take shape. This year the theme will be “ADA XV: The
Unfinished Story.” This theme reflects
the idea that people are empowered by telling and sharing their stories and
that sharing stories about how the ADA impacts the lives of people with
disabilities is an important way to demonstrate that the ADA can be a dynamic
living force in the community and in people’s lives.
While the theme
has been established and the committee has been working on logistics and
programming tasks, the cooperative effort to make this event a success can
certainly benefit from your help. Your
stories are valuable and needed, as they will form the centerpiece of the
event. Your participation on the
committee is needed as many heads and hands will be needed to make critical
decisions and complete other tasks ranging from distributing publicity to
setting up seating. Your attention is
needed in the audience, as no story is complete without an audience. Finally, your spirit is needed to make this
celebration a valuable part of our community’s effort to achieve diversity and
equality.
Come Join us by
calling 338-3870 and stay updated via the web at http://www.ownersvoices.com
CEDAR RAPIDS
The Conner
Center’s efforts in Cedar Rapids have increased dramatically in the past year and this summer marks a milestone
event, the first Cedar Rapids Conner Center ADA celebration. Plans are well underway for a day at the
ballpark with the Kernels and in celebration of the ADA.
Just like in Iowa
City, the Cedar Rapids efforts already involve many people, and your
participation in this inaugural celebration are very welcome. Cherie Clarkl is heading up the planning and
anyone interested should contact the Conner Center by phone or e-mail Cherie at
(empoweria@mchsi.com).
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR FOR JULY 23rd in I.C. &
JULY 24th in
CEDAR PAIDS —come join us.
Page 6
ADA IMPACT FORUM
9:30-4:30
March 25th
Iowa City Public Library
A day of nationwide sharing about the impact
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sponsored by the UI Law, Health Policy
Center and Disability & the Evert Conner Center. Come Join In, Participate, and Learn
Call 338-3870 for
more details.