Free Online learning opps from MN

[Guest guest]

In case anyone's New Year's Resolutions included gaining more advocacy skills,

here are some free, online sources for you to consider.

Overview

The goal of Partners in Policymaking is to educate participants to be active

partners with those who make policy. They will become partners in policymaking.

The idea is to develop partnerships that are based on positive relationships. In

today's political climate of radical change, Partners graduates must work harder

than ever to prevent the loss of basic rights for people with disabilities.

Partners graduates can change the future by influencing public policy today.

The conversion of the Partners program to an e-learning site gives Partners

participants the opportunity to supplement their learning; Partners graduates

can refresh their skills and stay current on best practices; and others can

increase their knowledge and understanding of best practices in the disability

field, and learn how to communicate effectively with their elected officials.

Five online courses are now available to anyone who would like to increase their

knowledge and skills:

Partners in Living

This seven-hour self-directed e-learning course has been created to help people

with developmental disabilities, their parents, family members and friends,

educators and service providers understand the important concepts of

self-determination, family support, community living and assistive technology.

The course focuses on helping people with developmental disabilities, their

family and friends explore these four important elements that, together, can

help them create a meaningful life that is independent, inclusive, productive,

self-determined and integrated. Last updated in 2011.

www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/living

Partners in Time

This eight-hour self-study was created to help people with developmental

disabilities, their parents, family members and friends, educators and service

providers understand the history of society's treatment of people with

disabilities from ancient times through the present. The course focuses on the

way that people with disabilities lived, learned and worked throughout history

and growth of the Disability Rights Movement. The course also introduces some of

the individuals and groups whose efforts resulted in new ways of thinking about

people with disabilities and their rights. Last updated in 2011.

www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/history

Partners in Education

This three-hour self-directed course was created to help parents of children

with developmental disabilities understand and maximize the special education

system. The course focuses on a child's right to a free appropriate public

education, the laws that protect those rights and offers practical ways that

parents can ensure that their children benefit from an inclusive education. The

course reviews IDEA 2004 and includes current thinking on educational reform and

the importance of teaching children to use digital technology to improve

educational outcomes and better prepare children to work in the future. Last

updated in 2011.

www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education

Making Your Case

This three-hour self-study course is designed to help people with disabilities

and their families create positive change through advocacy. The course helps

participants understand the legislative process, the essential elements of good

advocacy, identify and research personal issues, then advocate for systems

change as individuals and as part of larger community efforts. The course

includes opportunities to put what has been learned into practice through a

series of interactive exercises. Last updated in 2011.

www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase

Partners in Employment

This six-hour self-study course is designed to help people with developmental

disabilities find meaningful jobs and plan a career. In this course,

participants will create a resume or portfolio of their strengths, skills, and

interests; learn how to network and identify potential employers; prepare for an

interview; and understand the hiring process. The course has been updated to

include information on ways that people with autism and other developmental

disabilities can find competitive, meaningful employment in the emerging

" digital economy. " Last updated in 2011.

www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------