rhode island’s 23rd annual statewide self-advocacy conference , … · 2019-10-07 · lisa...

Rhode Island’s 23rd Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy ConferenceTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2018 AT THE CROWNE PLAZA, WARWICK RI

Hosted by Advocates in Ac on Rhode Island

WELCOME TO ALL!!We're Glad You're Here!

After all,it’s YOUR life!

WHY NOTlive it that way?!?

Self-Advocacy is about many things. It’s about being empowered and included. It’s about fi nding the information you need to make your own decisions. Self-Advocacy means that you don’t live in a bubble. You’re a part of society and a member of whatever community you choose. You know your rights, and the responsibilities that go with them. You’re OK with taking risks, once you’ve weighed the possible outcomes. You make mistakes from time to time, and try to learn from them when you do … just like everyone else!

People who have a disability don’t want to be treated differently or special. They just want to live their lives on a level playing fi eld, where everyone has the same opportunities, and each person is treated with acceptance, appreciation, and respect.

It’s all about equality! That’s the message we’ll be talking about today at "WHY NOT?!?”, Rhode Island’s 23rd Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference.

Asking WHY NOT?!? doesn’t mean complaining every time things don’t go exactly the way you want them to. Nothing in life is ever 100% perfect, 100% of the time!

WHY NOT?!? is about being empowered and feeling confi dent. It means knowing that you have the right to ask questions about the services and supports you receive, the same way you do for everything else in life. AND it means you have a right to a reasonable explanation when people tell you “no”.

If the answer doesn't make sense, is different than what you were originally told, or is something you really don't agree with, you don't have to simply accept it. Ask for more information. Find out what your options are, and speak-up for what you believe in!

Why Not was made possible with support from the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals, the generosity of this year’s sponsors, our dedicated board members, and the hard-working team of AinA staff and volunteers who meet throughout the year to work on conference planning.Today also wouldn’t be possible without each one of our 485 registered attendees.

Yes, this means YOU!

Thank you to everyone who’s here today for taking time away from your busy schedule to spend it here with us!Self-Advocacy means learning about important issues, and speaking-up for yourself and others about the things that matter most. Remember:

Together WE can make a diff erence!

>>> Hotel Information <<<

The Crowne Plaza

801 Greenwich AvenueWarwick, RI 02886

Phone: 401-732-6000

Check-In: 3:00pm | Check-Out: 11:00am

OVERNIGHT GUESTS:

You can check your luggage at theFront Desk before 3:00pm if needed

8:15AM -> DAY REGISTRATION ->9:15AM

Sign-in before 9:00am for the Early Bird Raffl e! Coff ee & pastry will also be available in the foyer, along with vendor

displays, a voting machine, the Story Wall, Sales Table, and more. Why Not arrive early, and check things out?!?

9:30AM -> OPENING CEREMONY ->10:45AMThere are so many exciting things happening during the Opening! Here are a few highlights:

• Our Master of Ceremonies is Maegan Miller. Meg is a recent graduate of the Leadership Series. She

will also be receiving Rl’s 2018 Self-Advocacy Leadership Award at today’s luncheon ceremonies. Yay Meg!

• The 2019 Leadership Series is making it’s fi rst public appearance at this year’s conference! Watch for them during

the People Power Parade. Check out the awesome posters class members made to capture this year’s theme!

• Welcome: Kerri Zanchi, Director of RI DD services. Kerri will be here for the conference day & dinner dance.

She’s looking forward to meeting many of you while she’s here. Why Not fi nd her and introduce yourself?

• Welcome: musician Mark Cutler, founder of “The Same Thing Project”, RI’s 2016 “Friend of Self-Advocacy”,

and all-around good guy! Please join him in singing our Why Not conference theme song.

• Why Not What?!? Advocates in Action-RI Infommercial and Audience Open Mic about this year’s theme.

What’s Happening: When and Where??WHY NOT?!? CONFERENCE AGENDA

The conference is sold out! We cancept any on-site

registrations.

Lunch is pasta with red sauceand meatballs.

Dinner ischicken marsala.

Please Tellyour serverabout any

dietary requests

Ask a Hallway Helpers if you

need assistance finding a room.

visit the help desk in the

foyer, or call the AinA Line

throughout the day if you have any questions:

877-532-5543

11:00AM -> PRESENTATIONS ->12:00PM

Choose from the 7 Sessions Listed on Pages 4-5

1:45PM -> PRESENTATIONS -> 2:45PM


3:00PM -> PRESENTATIONS -> 4:00PM


4:00PM -> POWER HOUR PLUS -> 5:00PM

Stay Until 5:00 for your chance to win a Power Hour+ Raffl e Prize!

We will also have hot pretzels and soda during that time

6:00PM -> COSTUME DINNER DANCE -> 10:00PM

Dance the night away with live entertainment from

RI’s very own Rock and Roll Band, the Rhode Sodas!!

NOTE: The dance does not end until 10:00pm. Why Not stay for ALL of the fun?!?

->12:15PM-> AWARDS LUNCHEON ->1:30PM->Join us in a Self-Advocacy Shout-Out for RI State Senator Louis DiPalma!

Congratulations 2018 Self-Advocacy Award Winners!

Special Thanks to Our 2018 Elite Sponsors

Early Bird Raffl e Winners: You must be present to win!

RI’S ABLE TO SAVE!Lisa Churchville, Dana Fatuda, Kevin Nerney, Kimberly Shockley & Keith Wilcox

Put your money in the bank and don’t worry about losing your benefits!

“ABLE” stands for “Achieving a Better Life Experience”.

This type of account lets you and your family deposit and save money,

so you can use it for all sorts of disability related expenses.

With an Able account, you’re safe to save! Come to this session to find out more.

IS A SHARED LIVING ARRANGEMENT RIGHT FOR YOU?Joanne Malise, Lynn Obrebski, Brian Salvagna

If you’re looking for a change from your current residential services,

Why Not come to this session and find out about Shared Living Arrangements?!?

Learn what SLAs are all about, and how they compare to other residential options.

Several people who live in SLAs will talk about moving from a group home

to where they are now, and why they NEVER want to go back.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Adam Carreira, Karen Flynn, Peter Seabra & Marge Shortway Pavao

Members of the Cranston Voices will share what they know about preparing to get a job.

This is a fun and interactive presentation that will leave you laughing as you learn.

Watch a skit, learn some tips for job seekers, and play Getting Ready to Work Bingo.

Hygiene ... what to wear ... interview skills ... job clubs ... resume tools and more!

If you’re thinking about getting a job, start things off right! Come to this session,

& get the scoop on how to put your best foot forward!

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX:Don’t Put Your Plans on Hold When Your Staff Are Done for the Day!Luke Brissette, Deanne Gagne, Scott Hopkins, Dezhanette Johnson & You!

If you rely on paid support staff for day to day activities, what happens when they’re

not there? What will you do if their car breaks down, they call-in sick, or go on vacation?

Don’t get stuck thinking INSIDE the Box!

Join us to listen, learn and share ideas. We’ll talk about how we can do the things

that matter most to us, even if the staffing schedule doesn’t match our own.

THE AME THING PROJECT

Rhode Island Musician Mark Cutler created the Same Thing Project

to connect people who have a passion for songwriting.

It’s not about having a disability.

It’s about building an inclusive community of musicians!

Join Mark and friends in this session to find out more and to

make some beautiful music together!

MY LIFE! MY INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN!

Join RI’s 2018 Friend of Self-Advocacy, Susan Donovan, for this presentation

about the importance of Self-Advocacy “at the IEP table and beyond”.

Panelists Tracy Allard, Kelly Donovan, Bloom Slavin & Andrew Whalen

will talk about their experiences with the IEP from a student perspective.

“What didn’t work?” “How I found my voice.” “My hopes/dreams & accomplishments.”

(Sue also mentioned something about FREE CANDY, but you didn’t hear that from us! ;)

Experience the Power of Peer to Peer Connections!

WHY NOT BE A "POSSIBILITARIAN"?!?

Maya Colantuano, Mary Madden & Kevin McHale

Anything is possible when you’re a Possibilitarian! A positive attitude is the key,

and thinking of new ways to do things is what it's all about!!

We’ll create something wonderful using music, crafts, & imagination.

Who even knows what it might be?!?

Join us as we discover together!

The Kingston Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!

Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

** Note: Benefits Counselors will also be available during the conference day for confidential/1:1 conversations about how

work may affect your benefits. Don’t let fear about losing your SSI or Medicaid stop you from following your Career Path!

WHY NOT WORK?Tracey Cunningham, Kim Einloth, Vickie Ferrara, Kiernan O'Donnell & Tina Spears

No matter where you are on your career path, this session is for you!Join this lively discussion to learn from people who are already working.

How did they find their current job? What kind of obstacles did they face? How did they

get past them? Learn about the services that are available to help “get to work”, too!

FROM "WHAT IF" TO "WHY NOT" - OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Back by Popular Demand!!

Join members of the Our Voices Count Self-Advocacy Group

for a celebration of accomplishments, and an exploration of possibilities!

Enjoy music, theater, and fun during this interactive and inclusive presentation.

Be Inspired! Be Encouraged! Be Energized!And BELIEVE in the Amazing Person that you are!!

ALL HUMANS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Natalie Atkinson & Dawn Burke

A right is a rule that makes people safe or equal.

As human beings, we all have the same rights. This presentation will talk about how

important it is to know our rights and remembering that we all have them.

Natalie & Dawn will also help you understand the Statement of Participants Rights

for people who receive services from the RI DD system in a way that’s interactive & fun.

It’s important to know your rights so you can speak up if some tries to take them away!

GETTING READY FOR YOUR ANNUAL MEETING, MY PERSONAL PROFILE

Steve Porcelli & Tanja Blicker-Ucran

Information and Ideas about YOUR Annual Planning Meeting

How can you prepare to meet?

What’s the “Personal Profile” you may have heard about?

REMEMBER: It’s YOUR Planning Meeting!

Ask your plan writer to schedule it at a time and place that works for YOU,

and invite the people who YOU want to have there to attend!

The Barrington Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.










WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS

Susan Birch, Kate Sherlock & Savannah West

How do you make decisions in life? Some choices are easier than others, but what about

the “the big stuff”? Where to live? Whether or not to get a job? What to do if you’re sick?

“Supported Decision Making” may be just what you need!

Join us to learn about this alternative to having a guardian.We’ll explain what SDM is all about in a way that’s simple, fun and easy to understand.

In addition, we’ll let you know about the work we’ve been doing to make SDMan option for Rhode Islander who want to use it, and what you can do to help.

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: WHAT'S COMES NEXT?

Join Anne LeClerc from the RI Division of Developmental Disabilities for a converation about

the differences between the supports you received in high school and the services that

are available for adults who have DD label after they graduate.

Joining Anne to share their experience & expertise are recent High School graduates:

Kimberly Boise, Geromeo Kue and Nicholas Nastrati

This is their first time presenting as members of the Leadership Series Class of 2019, so

THANK YOU for showing Kim, Geromeo & Nick your support. They will be AWESOME!!

WHY NOT BE KIND?!? "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN"

John Bryan, George Buxton, Bill Corbett, Kathy Gudmundson & Ken Renaud

Too many acts of kindness go unnoticed, so we decided to do something about it!

Join us to share all the different ways that you’ve treated others with kindness.

We’ll listen to music & have fun as we create “Rhode Island’s Biggest Paper Chain ... Ever!”

Every good deed adds a link.

LET’S SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO CONNECT THROUGH KINDNESS!

Note: There is NO PRESENTATION in the Rotunda during this time.

Join us there at 4 pm for Power Hour Plus, featuring Blind Faith!!

WHY NOT VOTE!Kate Bowden, Dawn Burke & Jeff Christie

Your Vote Means You Have POWER ... But only if you use it!

This wll be an interactive presentation on voting, voting rights and preparing to vote.

You will also learn how to ask for accomodations and make a ballot.

Note: This is a non-political event. We will show you HOW to vote.We will NEVER tell you WHO to vote for!

THE CONSENT DECREE AND ME

Kim Einloth, Kie O’Donnell, Tina Spears & Andrew Whalen

Learn about Rhode Island’s pledge to transform the DD Service System

and the progress that’s been made since the 2014 Consent Decree.

Do you have questions about Rhode Island's Employment First Policy, informed choice,

or what to do if you prefer you;ve decided you don’t want to work?

Join us to learn about Supported Employment, Integrated Day Services

and how the Consent Decree may affect you.

KAREN KRAFTS & MEGHAN'S CREATIONS

Join Karen Bachellor & Meghan O’Leary as they demonstrate

how to knit on knitting looms and with knitting needles.

They will also have a display of knitted items, and the tool/materials they use.

For a special conference theme project, Karen and Meghan will

demonstrate how to make "WHY NOT" beaded bracelets.

Sounds like fun - Why Not be there?!?

L

The Barrington Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.










DISABILITY CULTURE & JUSTICE

Tracey Allard, Kelly Donovan & Mark Heffner

This presentation is about removing the stigma that society places

on people who have a developmental disability and changing attitudes.

We will also talk about some of the injustices that people who have disability face,

and how we can help advocate for change, and help others do so, too.

Don’t be ashamed or embarred because you have a disability.

Be PROUD of who you are! There’s nothing wrong with you.

WHY NOT VOLUNTEER?

Sara Holt, Claudia Lowe, Katie Lowe & Bob Macaux

Join us to share your experiences doing volunteer work and

find out more about the rewards of volunteerism!

Do you ever volunteer in your community? Do you want to learn more about

how to get started? We will give you all the basics that you need to know

by answering: “What”, “When” and ”Who”

WHY NOT BE KIND?!? "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN"

John Bryan, George Buxton, Bill Corbett, Kathy Gudmundson & Ken Renaud

Too many acts of kindness go unnoticed, so we decided to do something about it!

Join us to share all the different ways that you’ve treated others with kindness.

We’ll listen to music & have fun as we create “Rhode Island’s Biggest Paper Chain ... Ever!”

Every good deed adds a link.

LET’S SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO CONNECT THROUGH KINDNESS!

You ride a busYou drive a carYou go to work

You get to travel farYou have a job

A place to call your ownYou make your own decisions

You’re like a rolling stone

(Chorus)

If you can do itWhy can’t I

I’m a person with a heart Some people see things,

And say WHY?We see things

And say WHY NOT?!?

We want to see the world Spend the money that we earn

Doing what we wantWe got lots to learn

We want an educa onLet me help you to help meClean the road, plant a tree

Out in the community

Join us During the Opening Sessions as We Sing this Year’s Conference Theme Song!

Special Thanks to Mark Cutler for sharing his amazing gift of music! In addition to his other musical hats, Mark is also the Founder/Directer of The Same Thing Project, whose vision is, “to provide a place where you don’t have to be skilled at a musical instrument in order to be musical. The goal is to have a place where someone can be part of a creative community that is open, non judgmental and encouraging. “

Visit their website to fi nd out more at: WWW.THESAMETHINGPROJECT.COM




And say WHY NOT?!?




And say WHY NOT?!?

Some people see thingsAnd say WHY?We see things

And say WHY NOT?!?

WHY NOT?!?Composed by RI Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Musician, Mark Cutler,with original lyrics from the AinA-RI

2019 Leadership Series Class, andthis year’s Conference Planning Team

(© 2018, Advocates in Ac on RI)

1-800-459-6019 www.nhpri.org

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WHY NOT?Set Your Own Goals and Plan for Your Future!

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WHY NOT: • make your own decisions?

• take part in your community?

• get a job you like?

• vote in the General Election on November 6, 2018?

WHY NOT call us if you want to ask us for help?

Please visit our website at www.RIDLC.org for a complete

listing of our current systemic & individual case priorities.

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