Today, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's (FSSA) Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) announced their participation in the 2008 Self Advocacy National Conference, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE). The conference is held every two years and is hosted this year in Indianapolis during the month of September.
"One of the guiding principles in providing services to people with disabilities in Indiana is self advocacy," said DDRS Director Peter Bisbecos. "Self Advocates of Indiana has made tremendous strides and impact on the services they receive and bringing a national advocacy conference to Indianapolis is something we enthusiastically support."
Over one year ago, DDRS conducted a vision conference where 40 stake holders indicated self advocacy as a guiding principle for the future of DDRS, and agreed facilitating effective partnerships was of the utmost importance. Now, Self Advocates of Indiana (SAI) is working closely with DDRS to provide input, enhance advocacy awareness and ensure 2008 SABE conference is a success.
"The conference is a great opportunity for self-advocates from Indiana to interact with more than 1,000 other people with disabilities from across the country," said Betty Williams, President of Self-Advocates of Indiana. "I want to thank the State and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services for their continued support and involvement."
The theme for this year's event is "Rev Up Your Engines for Indianapolis--Self-Advocacy's Got the Fever". The conference will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott downtown and expects to bring over 1,200 people from across the nation to the Circle City. Registration for the conference is now open. For those wanting more information, including conference registration or how to become a sponsor, please visit: http://www.sabe2008.org/.
For more information on FSSA, go to www.in.gov/fssa.
Link to this event: http://www.in.gov/newsroom.htm?detailContent=121_15694.htm