On Target is a monthly publication
of the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities.
We welcome your suggestions for newsletter content and
ideas concerning the actions of the Council. On Target is made available
in accessible formats upon request.
Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director
Christine Dahlberg
Associate Director
Paul Shankland
Grants Manager |
Head to the polls next month
An open letter from Suellen Jackson-Boner
Dear colleagues:
Democracy is not a spectator sport. If it is to thrive, citizens like you must be attentive to it and willing to participate. At the very core of its existence is representative government, meaning your vote does count.
Winning the right to vote has not been without struggle. Although African-Americans won the right to vote through the 15th Amendment in 1870, Indiana didn't offer this right until 1881. In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. Still, states established barriers to disenfranchise many citizens, including people with disabilities.
Today, those barriers are slowly being dismantled through legislation and advocacy. The most recent piece of legislation, the Help America Vote Act of 2000 (HAVA), offers a tremendous opportunity for people with disabilities to become involved at the grassroots level of participatory democracy. HAVA ensures the accessibility of polling places by 2006, and Indiana has gone beyond HAVA requirements by establishing an advisory committee in each county, consisting of people with disabilities and the aging population, to advise local officials on polling place accessibility and site selection.
Through one of its projects, Count Us IN, the Council has partnered with Protection and Advocacy, the secretary of state, county commissioners, county clerks, election officials, disability advocates and many others to assess approximately 4,500 polling places throughout Indiana. Major investments are being made to acquire the latest in voting machine technology, train poll workers and educate the general public. This is a significant undertaking, and it is being done for one reason: to ensure that people with disabilities can exercise the right to vote.
Next month, Hoosiers will head to the polls for the primary election, where democracy will be played out across the state. You can help shape the debate
about issues affecting people with and without disabilities by reading about the candidates, reviewing voting records on the issues, asking questions, attending candidate forums, getting involved in campaigns and - above all - voting. You can make a difference.
Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director
Site features activities, news for youth
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) has launched a new Web site, www.clubndss.org, featuring information and activities for youth with developmental disabilities.
The site includes sections such as:
- Live Healthy - Explores relationships, diet, exercise and more.
- School and Free Time - Focuses on entertainment, the arts, volunteering,
educational issues and more.
- Self-advocacy - Deals with issues affecting youth with disabilities and how to become your own advocate.
- Be Independent - Addresses housing, employment, financial concerns and other important issues for young adults transitioning from school to work.
- Computer Center - Teaches Internet safety and how to use the World Wide Web.
Site visitors can also chat with others on the site and send an e-mail message to Chris Burke, the actor known for playing Corky on "Life Goes On," who is an NDSS goodwill ambassador.
Program trains service dogs, benefits inmates
One Indiana organization has found a creative way to train service dogs while also developing the potential of youth and adults in correctional facilities.
The Indiana Canine Assistant and Adolescent Network (ICAAN), founded in 2001, trains up to eight service dogs per year, with youth and adults in correctional facilities serving as the trainers. The organization's mission is to increase the independence of people with disabilities while providing opportunities for trainers to learn interpersonal and job skills.
Founder Sally Irvin said the program works well because it provides a benefit to each group.
"To me, that's what ICAAN is all about," she said. "Each group gives something back to another group of participants."
For example, trainers learn transferable skills as they give presentations and mentor and supervise new trainers. The program also helps build rapport between prison inmates and staff members.
"When we say it's a rehabilitation program, it's not just about animal handling and animal care," Irvin said. "We're teaching real skills that are transferable to the outside world."
Each dog requires two full years of training, so the organization placed its first "graduate" in December of last year with a child with developmental disabilities. More than 20 other dogs are in training.
For more information or to apply for a service dog, visit www.icaan.net or contact Irvin at icaan1@aol.com (e-mail) or (317) 250-6450 (voice).
Disability issues stall in General Assembly
The short session of the Indiana General Assembly ended March 4 after ongoing, divisive controversy over a resolution banning gay marriages. Because of the inactivity, the Arc of Indiana estimates about 80 bills died. But advocates were able to save some key legislation.
The Law Enforcement Training Academy bill (SB 271) is one example. It died when
the House, lacking a quorum, failed to vote on it by the deadline. However, the language of the bill was incorporated into a "live" bill, which now awaits the governor's signature.
SB 271 requires training in interacting with people with disabilities for law enforcement personnel, probation officers and prison guards. It also gives priority for community corrections grants to programs that provide alternative sentencing projects for people with disabilities.
HB 1098, the Child Restraints in Motor Vehicles bill, also passed the House at the last minute. The bill requires automobile passengers ages 4 to 8 to be in child-restraint systems rather than just in seat belts. The requirement is expected to reduce the occurrence of acquired developmental disabilities.
Legislation addressing disability issues that failed during this session includes the Non-Nutritive Beverage Fee bill (HB 1164), which was proposed to raise money for a long-term care continuum within Medicaid. As members of the General Assembly return to their districts, now is the perfect time to make appointments with them to discuss these and other issues of concern.
Report outlines disability "state of the union"
A new Harris Poll survey sponsored by the National Organization on Disability shows less than half of Americans with dis-abilities "feel good about the general state of the union."
According to the survey, 38 percent of Americans with disabilities are positive about the state of the union, down from 58 percent two years ago. Among those without disabilities, 45 percent gave positive responses, down from 69 percent two years ago.
The survey also addresses specific areas of concern for people with disabilities, such as health and employment.
Reasons for lower satisfaction ratings among people with disabilities were also discussed. For example, people with disabilities have the highest unemployment rate of any minority group in the nation, which affects health care, financial and job security and many other issues.
Visit www.nod.org to view a copy of the report.
Apply now for Partners in Policymaking program
If you are passionate about promoting change and are a person with a disability
or the parent of a child with a disability, you should apply for Partners in Policymaking (PIP). This program teaches participants to become effective advocates for people with disabilities in their communities.
"We arm participants with information they can use to help not only themselves but also other members of their communities," said Kathy Clark, PIP coordinator. "It's not for you alone. It's how to be successful with the media, lawmakers, school boards and more."
Participants complete intensive training over eight weekends, learning about advocacy topics such as the history of the disability rights movement and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Other topics include legislation and lobbying, special education, social services, employment and community organization.
"We really encourage people from all over the state to apply," Clark said. Nearly
500 Hoosiers have graduated from the program since its inception.
For more information or an application, contact Clark at (317) 632-3578 (voice), (800) 821-6708 (voice) or kathyc@upcaindy.org (e-mail). Or, visit /gpcpd and click on "Council Projects." Applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 4.
"We arm participants with information they can use to help not only themselves but also other members of their communities." Kathy Clark, Partners in Policymaking coordinator
Program increases choice in hiring, training attendants
Soon, many Hoosiers with disabilities will have increased independence and choice when selecting and training personal care attendants.
The self-directed care/private hire program allows people who receive home and
community-based care through a Medicaid waiver and/or CHOICE to recruit and train their own personal care attendants. Currently, only those enrolled in the CHOICE program have this option. A fiscal intermediary is used to pay attendants' salaries.
"This expands attendant care options for consumers who want to direct their own care," said Cris Fulford, COVOH executive director. "It's a great opportunity for consumers to be more in control of their own lives."
Program manuals for consumers, personal care attendants, case managers and fiscal intermediaries have been written and are awaiting approval from the Community Personal Assistance Support and Services Task Force. The Bureau of Aging and
In-home Services expects to roll out the program with training sessions across
the state.
Of Note
Scholarship for students with disabilities
The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation is accepting applications for its annual
scholarship, which is granted to female college or university students with physical disabilities. Awards, which are based on merit, range from $500 to $2,000 per year. By June 1, applicants must submit the completed application, two letters of recommendation, an official transcript, a medical verification form and an essay explaining how they will "Change the Face of Disability on the Planet." Visit www.ela.org for an application.
Site offers resources, communication opportunities
The Family Village Web site, www.familyvillage.wisc.edu, features resources and
communication opportunities for people with disabilities, their family members and service providers. Topics include health, education, recreation, worship and much more. The site is maintained by the Waisman Center, a disability research center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Save the date!
The 2004 Conference for People with Disabilities will be held Nov. 8-9.
Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities
150 West Market Street, Suite 628
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-7770 voice
(317) 232-7771 TT
E-mail: GPCPD@gpcpd.org
Web site: www.state.in.us/gpcpd
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