Re: Transition Planning

[Guest guest]

Transportation is certainly a key issue for young adults with disabilities. You might consider having someone from PACE come out and explain Pace and the Paratransit system. I cannot find his number, but Rocky Donahue would probably be who you need to speak to. The Pace number is 847/364-PACE. I think you may be able to reach him at that number.

I believe it is DuPage county that has done some additional work on transportation services for the elderly and the disabled. Lake County has also done some work on transportation and State Rep. Kathy Ryg chaired (or perhaps still chairs) a committee on transportation (847/680-5909).

I would say that key issues for when the bus stops coming are community employment opportunities, including job carving and developing self-employment opportunities, participation in community volunteer work, additional community based day supports and services to round out the day, that incorporate continued learning, socialization and physical fitness, and transportation. All of these need to be at least partially subsidized by a mix of state and federal dollars.

Hope this helps.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Transition Planning

I am a member of the Will County Transition Planning Committee. My focus this year is on Transportation and resources for the Parent day at the annual conference, which will be held in March or April. I am on this committee to represent parents, and so I would love your input.If you are at this stage of the game (individuals with special needs from about 12 and up, or planning ahead for that time), what would you like to see presentations on? If you are aware of any transportation that is working in any community, would you send me that info. We aren't going to solve the problem, but would like to come up with some workable alternatives. Thanks for any input.

[Guest guest]

all good points. basics..home, work, fun/ recreation. How do we get there?

DuPage has done a lotm more needs to be done. thanks for all your input.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much. I will pursue these. It will be helpful to present as many different parental views and requests as possible. I am the only parent in the room with mostly vocational staff from local schools and agency reps. Everyone has a great heart and energy around the issues but we come from a different perspective. One of the comments I made, and I would appreciate anyone's comments in agreement or disagreement, was that I would prefer information and resources be the primary focus. There was discussion of having a "keynote speaker" (3 suggested were young adults who were successful) who would be paid and would be at the beginning of the day for about 45 mins. I said that I would appreciate the speaker during lunch, if at all, but not to take valuable time from the resources and information. Do you feel the same, or am I out in left field on this one (been there often, don't have a problem with it or being told I am!!!!)? I want to represent parents as a whole, so let me know.

Transition Planning

I am a member of the Will County Transition Planning Committee. My focus this year is on Transportation and resources for the Parent day at the annual conference, which will be held in March or April. I am on this committee to represent parents, and so I would love your input.If you are at this stage of the game (individuals with special needs from about 12 and up, or planning ahead for that time), what would you like to see presentations on? If you are aware of any transportation that is working in any community, would you send me that info. We aren't going to solve the problem, but would like to come up with some workable alternatives. Thanks for any input.

[Guest guest]

I reread your message regarding a panel of self advocates versus providers

and determining how much time to alot to each. . The Arc has taken to an

annual Expo where providers set up booths, and have break out sessions at

the same time, a good ompliement to each other. The lnger I do this owrk,

the more I see the value of self advocates playing a bigger and bigger role

.. Often providers tell us what they can offer, but in reality they may ot

have the resources to actually provide. Self advocates often tell the story

of how they actually got what they want/need. Good luck to you in this

work.

Cindi Swanson

[Guest guest]

Why is the label self-advocates bothering me?

Does it bother anyone else?

I have been thinking about that terminology and I am wondering if there is another way to talk about people with disabilities who are more vocal about their needs...

Any thoughts on this?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Transition Planning

I reread your message regarding a panel of self advocates versus providers and determining how much time to alot to each. . The Arc has taken to an annual Expo where providers set up booths, and have break out sessions at the same time, a good ompliement to each other. The lnger I do this owrk, the more I see the value of self advocates playing a bigger and bigger role . Often providers tell us what they can offer, but in reality they may ot have the resources to actually provide. Self advocates often tell the story of how they actually got what they want/need. Good luck to you in this work.Cindi Swanson

[Guest guest]

Gloria:

I agree completely. If your focus is helping families, then families must come away with practical, useful information they can implement. There is no benefit in churning the matter over or restating the problem or citing the depressing statistics over and over again. Families need to know what to do and how to do it in terms they can understand. They will learn best from others who have been there and done it.

You must know who your audience is, what they need/want, and how to give it to them.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Transition Planning

I am a member of the Will County Transition Planning Committee. My focus this year is on Transportation and resources for the Parent day at the annual conference, which will be held in March or April. I am on this committee to represent parents, and so I would love your input.If you are at this stage of the game (individuals with special needs from about 12 and up, or planning ahead for that time), what would you like to see presentations on? If you are aware of any transportation that is working in any community, would you send me that info. We aren't going to solve the problem, but would like to come up with some workable alternatives. Thanks for any input.

[Guest guest]

Hey Ellen:

It is actually a Self-Advocacy Movement. I'm not sure that it bothers the

individuals in the movment. So, I guess I'm wondering why it should bother you?

It reminds me of the story that the last Exec of The Arc of the US told about

something his son said in the car pool on the way to school. He overheard his

son say to his friend, ''That's so developmental...'' referring to the friend's

behavior. So whether we change from MR to DD or call people self-advocates

because they advocate for themselves or consumers because they consume services,

it boils down to semantics.

I guess I'm wondering about this, since you asked, but also because HSRI out of

Portland is not working on the self-advocacy CFI for Self- Advocates in

Illinois. The first phase of this project is to identify what self-advocates

want to see discussed as issues on a statewide level and then implement the

parameters to set up an effective self-advocacy organization in Illinois.

Perhaps one of the items they could work on is what they would like to be

called. Just a thought.

You may find the logo link to the information in the ISAIL Project (Illinois

Self-Advocates in the Lead) and application for employment for people with

developmental disabilities & personal assistants on the www.illinoislifespan.org

Site and the www.thearcofil.org Site.

Mike Kaminsky, Director

www.Illinoislifespan.org

800-588-7002

Re: Transition Planning

Why is the label self-advocates bothering me?

Does it bother anyone else?

I have been thinking about that terminology and I am wondering if there is

another way to talk about people with disabilities who are more vocal about

their needs...

Any thoughts on this?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Transition Planning

I reread your message regarding a panel of self advocates versus providers

and determining how much time to alot to each. . The Arc has taken to an

annual Expo where providers set up booths, and have break out sessions at

the same time, a good ompliement to each other. The lnger I do this owrk,

the more I see the value of self advocates playing a bigger and bigger role

. Often providers tell us what they can offer, but in reality they may ot

have the resources to actually provide. Self advocates often tell the story

of how they actually got what they want/need. Good luck to you in this

work.

Cindi Swanson

[Guest guest]

I do agree with Ellen, the " self advocate " bothers me as well. And

you're right, it is semantics. Jerry Newport, from the ASA board,

calls himself a " consumer " . I have no problem with that. But some

times, the names we call ourselves and others are important.

There was a movement in the 1990s that dismissed calling our

kids " autistic " . The thought was we were making the " autism " too

important and we should use 'autism' as a modifier to who they are--

my " son with autism " and your " daughter with autism " instead of

my " autistic son " and your " autistic daughter " . They are people

first, not autism! I know all this because I sat in a meeting where

they argued about this--on the national level--for about two hours.

Looking back, I think it was a diversion from real issues. So ends

your " autism history lesson " for today.

We are back to calling our kids " autistic " --I can't after all that.

As long as the " self advocates " remember my less able kid, and

advocate for him as well, thay can call themselves the " Grande

Poobahs " for all I care!

Marie

>

> Hey Ellen:

>

> It is actually a Self-Advocacy Movement. I'm not sure that it

bothers the individuals in the movment. So, I guess I'm wondering

why it should bother you? It reminds me of the story that the last

Exec of The Arc of the US told about something his son said in the

car pool on the way to school. He overheard his son say to his

friend, ''That's so developmental...'' referring to the friend's

behavior. So whether we change from MR to DD or call people self-

advocates because they advocate for themselves or consumers because

they consume services, it boils down to semantics.

>

> I guess I'm wondering about this, since you asked, but also

because HSRI out of Portland is not working on the self-advocacy CFI

for Self- Advocates in Illinois. The first phase of this project

is to identify what self-advocates want to see discussed as issues

on a statewide level and then implement the parameters to set up an

effective self-advocacy organization in Illinois. Perhaps one of

the items they could work on is what they would like to be called.

Just a thought.

>

> You may find the logo link to the information in the ISAIL Project

(Illinois Self-Advocates in the Lead) and application for employment

for people with developmental disabilities & personal assistants on

the www.illinoislifespan.org Site and the www.thearcofil.org Site.

>

> Mike Kaminsky, Director

> www.Illinoislifespan.org

> 800-588-7002

>

> Re: Transition Planning

>

> Why is the label self-advocates bothering me?

> Does it bother anyone else?

> I have been thinking about that terminology and I am wondering if

there is another way to talk about people with disabilities who are

more vocal about their needs...

> Any thoughts on this?

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Re: Transition Planning

>

>

> I reread your message regarding a panel of self advocates versus

providers

> and determining how much time to alot to each. . The Arc has

taken to an

> annual Expo where providers set up booths, and have break out

sessions at

> the same time, a good ompliement to each other. The lnger I do

this owrk,

> the more I see the value of self advocates playing a bigger and

bigger role

> . Often providers tell us what they can offer, but in reality

they may ot

> have the resources to actually provide. Self advocates often

tell the story

> of how they actually got what they want/need. Good luck to you

in this

> work.

> Cindi Swanson

>

[Guest guest]

Mike:

You are right of course about the issue of labels being all about semantics. What bothers me is an advocate is an advocate, whether the advocate is a family member, a direct care or agency employee or the person with a disability. I was wondering why the need to differentiate, since we do not label other advocates, e.g.; parent-advocate, agency-advocate. Perhaps, self-advocates rather like the notion of their advocacy efforts standing out and being defined as THEIRS...But I was also wondering whether self-advocates would rather NOT be separated out from the other advocates...

This is why I don't sleep at night

These picky little issues are just mind games that give us a break from the real substantive issues, like actual lack of supports and services vis a vis no funding!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Transition PlanningI reread your message regarding a panel of self advocates versus providers and determining how much time to alot to each. . The Arc has taken to an annual Expo where providers set up booths, and have break out sessions at the same time, a good ompliement to each other. The lnger I do this owrk, the more I see the value of self advocates playing a bigger and bigger role . Often providers tell us what they can offer, but in reality they may ot have the resources to actually provide. Self advocates often tell the story of how they actually got what they want/need. Good luck to you in this work.Cindi Swanson

[Guest guest]

> I guess I feel stupid that I am not familiar with the Will Conty

Fair? Also when and where, etc. Thanks

> Gloria:

> I agree completely. If your focus is helping families, then

families must come away with practical, useful information they can

implement. There is no benefit in churning the matter over or

restating the problem or citing the depressing statistics over and

over again. Families need to know what to do and how to do it in

terms they can understand. They will learn best from others who have

been there and done it.

> You must know who your audience is, what they need/want, and how to

give it to them.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Transition Planning

>

>

> I am a member of the Will County Transition Planning

Committee. My

> focus this year is on Transportation and resources for the

Parent day

> at the annual conference, which will be held in March or

April. I am

> on this committee to represent parents, and so I would love

your input.

> If you are at this stage of the game (individuals with

special needs

> from about 12 and up, or planning ahead for that time), what

would you

> like to see presentations on? If you are aware of any

transportation

> that is working in any community, would you send me that

info. We

> aren't going to solve the problem, but would like to come up

with some

> workable alternatives. Thanks for any input.

>

[Guest guest]

Anyone know about the Will County Fair?

I don't...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Transition Planning> > > I am a member of the Will County Transition Planning Committee. My > focus this year is on Transportation and resources for the Parent day > at the annual conference, which will be held in March or April. I am > on this committee to represent parents, and so I would love your input.> If you are at this stage of the game (individuals with special needs > from about 12 and up, or planning ahead for that time), what would you > like to see presentations on? If you are aware of any transportation > that is working in any community, would you send me that info. We > aren't going to solve the problem, but would like to come up with some > workable alternatives. Thanks for any input.>

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the group. You’re right – there are TONS of resources on the

internet regarding transition planning, and it can quickly get overwhelming.

Our group has a Files section at

IPADDUnite/files/. This link takes you to

our table of contents for files that IPADD members have either created

themselves or found helpful. Scroll through the contents til you get to

Transition Planning – that’s where I’d suggest you start.

If you look at the templates for Day or Week at a Glance, that’ll give you a

pretty good idea of what your end zone goal is going to be.

Then skim through any of the materials uploaded by Meadowlark and you’ll find

Illinois State Board of Education materials on transition planning. These can

also be very helpful, and your school district should likely be familiar with

them as well, which is always good!

Ask us any questions you like – most of us are fairly recently through the

transition process, or are going through it right now. It’s definitely a

process, a journey, but one that does have a definite end date, too. So let us

know what you need, we’ll try to help in whatever way we can.

Laurie

From: Amy Hebel

Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 10:02 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: transition planning

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I have a 14 year old daughter and

we're starting transition planning or at least I am for her. Anyone have any

good resources so I can learn this? I've been going to Google U. and am getting

overwhelmed.

Thanks,

Amy

[Guest guest]

I have been only a reader of this group as of late and my 17 yr old son has made

it known that I really need to invest myself more in it. He is very anxious

about what life will be like for him. How will he work, what will he do when we

die and many other ?'s. He attends a therapeutic day school that decided to

take a full break of 2 wks for the first time. He needs the routine and is

currently falling apart at the seams. Just calmed him down alittle but I have a

feeling I will be sleeping with him close by tonight. Ahhh love him dearly and

just wish I could make it go away.

mom to Shane

transition planning

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I have a 14 year old daughter and

we're starting transition planning or at least I am for her. Anyone have any

good resources so I can learn this? I've been going to Google U. and am getting

overwhelmed.

Thanks,

Amy

[Guest guest]

,

Breaks can be such difficult times for our sons/daughters, as well as for those

who love (and live) with them. Hopefully he returns to familiar school/life

routines on Monday.

Remember this break, when you next talk to his school team about transition

planning. It’ll give you a really concrete feel for what routines, pacing,

supports, etc your son may need once he reaches adulthood. And then you can

start to really plan for the future, one day at a time.

Take care,

Laurie

From: Klippert

Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 7:40 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: transition planning

I have been only a reader of this group as of late and my 17 yr old son has made

it known that I really need to invest myself more in it. He is very anxious

about what life will be like for him. How will he work, what will he do when we

die and many other ?'s. He attends a therapeutic day school that decided to take

a full break of 2 wks for the first time. He needs the routine and is currently

falling apart at the seams. Just calmed him down alittle but I have a feeling I

will be sleeping with him close by tonight. Ahhh love him dearly and just wish I

could make it go away.

mom to Shane

transition planning

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I have a 14 year old daughter and

we're starting transition planning or at least I am for her. Anyone have any

good resources so I can learn this? I've been going to Google U. and am getting

overwhelmed.

Thanks,

Amy

[Guest guest]

,

Chat with the school folks about volunteering--this is easier to do before

transition is over.  (Afterward, everyone gets hung about about whether or not

that's free work, and whether or not your kid is being exploited--never mind

that volunteering can be a stepping-stone to a paying job.)

Also, look into what your local SRA offers.  Some have a few extra activities

when school's not in session.

If you have family or friends in the area, consider chatting with them about

doing something with your son on a regular routine when school's out--Starbucks

every other week, or library, or a walk.

Try to talk with him about the short-term questions.  Maybe get a calendar just

for him to use in his planning.  Consider seeing what's out there in your town

and others nearby, to create a bit more routine for the slow times.  In my town

each summer there's a weekly vintage car show downtown.  There's a lot of the

same cars each week, but my son likes to go and take photos, and stop for a

snack.  At least one family member or another is always willing to go.

-Gail

________________________________

From: Klippert <KlippertC@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2012 7:40 PM

Subject: Re: transition planning

 

I have been only a reader of this group as of late and my 17 yr old son has made

it known that I really need to invest myself more in it. He is very anxious

about what life will be like for him. How will he work, what will he do when we

die and many other ?'s. He attends a therapeutic day school that decided to

take a full break of 2 wks for the first time. He needs the routine and is

currently falling apart at the seams. Just calmed him down alittle but I have a

feeling I will be sleeping with him close by tonight. Ahhh love him dearly and

just wish I could make it go away.

mom to Shane

transition planning

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I have a 14 year old daughter and

we're starting transition planning or at least I am for her. Anyone have any

good resources so I can learn this? I've been going to Google U. and am getting

overwhelmed.

Thanks,

Amy