WCD Expo News Releases: Gov Bush to speak

[Guest guest]

-----Original Message-----From: Holly Bortfeld

EXCITING NEW FEATURES TO HIGHIGHT

WCD IN OCTOBER!

The World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities (WCD) is fast approaching. Coming October 3-5, 2002 to the Orange County Convention Center, this event has matured into an event which producer H.A. Bruno, LLC and all the sponsors and supporters can be proud of. The WCD is sponsored in association with EP (Exceptional Parent) Magazine, and Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals as a gold sponsor. Over 40 national and local organizations, along with 11 publications, support and promote the event throughout the year.

The conference program, developed by the EP Foundation for Education, Inc., is sponsored by UPMC Health System, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, and supported by EP (Exceptional Parent) Magazine and the National Institute of Health’s Office of Rare Diseases. The program has expanded to over 200 sessions including many sessions for people with disabilities and their families, medical professionals, educators and many others. Included this year are over 60 adapted physical activity sessions and more than 50 topics specific to employment for people with disabilities.

The exhibit floor of the WCD will have more product and service providers than ever before. “Companies that exhibited with us previously are back again, and through word of mouth over the last two years many more new exhibitors are participating,” said Director of Sales Rich DelGiorno.

In addition to the increase in educational seminars and the exhibit floor, numerous special features will be offered at this year’s show in our new location, Orlando, Florida.

Scheduled Special Guest Speaker, Governor Jeb Bush

On Friday, October 4th at 5:30 p.m., Governor Jeb Bush will take time out of his very busy schedule to present a keynote address at the WCD. Governor Bush earned a bachelor's degree in Latin American Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. He came to Florida from Texas in 1980 as a businessman with a small family and big dreams of opportunity. He later served as Florida's Secretary of Commerce where he ardently promoted Florida's business climate worldwide. Following an unsuccessful bid in 1994 for governor of Florida, Bush founded a think tank, the Foundation for Florida's Future and helped launch the state's first charter school in Liberty City.

Governor Bush was elected the 43rd governor of the state of Florida on November 3, 1998. During his first three years in office, Governor Bush and his administration have honored their commitments to the people of Florida to improve public schools; provide substantial, broad-based tax relief; fight the battle against illegal drugs; protect the natural environment; get tough on criminals who use guns; and reform social services to better serve children, elders and those with disabilities.

Dental, Vision and Speech-Language Screenings

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine and College of Optometry faculty and students will conduct complementary dental and vision screenings, while the Fischler Graduate School of Education will provide screenings for speech-language and communication disorders. And all right on the exhibit floor.

Wednesday Workshops

Even though the exhibits and conference program begin on Thursday, October 3, three adapted activity workshops have been scheduled for Wednesday, October 2. “Physical Fun for Everyone,” addressing modifications and instructional ideas for children’s activities, and “The Top Down Planning Model,” which will focus on the implementation of Individualized Education Program goals and objectives for physical education, will take place in the afternoon. The evening session, “The Circle of Rings – Collaboration between Teachers, Therapists and Families,” will be a lively panel discussion on family issues related to adapted physical activity. All sessions are participatory and attendees should come dressed accordingly.

Continuing Education Credits

CME and CEU accreditation is being offered through the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. CEU accreditation has been awarded for nurses (12 hrs), athletic trainers (16 hrs), speech-language pathologists (1.2 hrs), social workers (16 hrs) and OB/GYNS (10 cognate hrs). CEUs for OTs, PTs, recreational therapists and family practitioners are pending. CEU accreditation for educators (1.3 hours) is available through the Council for Exceptional Children. The conference program is developed by the EP Foundation for Education, Inc., a 501©3 not-for-profit organization, with the assistance of EP (Exceptional Parent ) Magazine. (For accreditation updates, please call x 852.)

Employment Symposium and Pavilion

Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services are sponsoring a 55 session Employment Symposium for those seeking employment as well as potential employers, and an Employment Pavilion, with dozens of companies looking to hire individuals with disabilities, which is also sponsored by Mc’s Corporation.

Election Day

It is important that every American eligible to vote take advantage of the opportunity. So get out and make your vote count. However, you can not vote if you are not registered. Voter registration will take place at the WCD. This opportunity comes around but once every four years. Be Heard.

Wheelchair Service and Repair

Custom Mobility will offer up their expertise for emergency service to manual and power wheelchairs to keep them mechanically safe, including flat tires, tightening wheels, wheel locks, etc. This service is free of charge to all WCD attendees. “We are looking forward to sponsoring a service center at this year’s World Congress and Exposition on Disabilities. We will be available for emergency service throughout the event. If you have any questions about the servicing and maintenance of your wheelchair we will be glad to discuss this with you,” said Customer Service Manager Kriebel.

WCD’S MOVE TO FLORIDA

ALLOWS FOR MORE INTERACTION

The World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities (WCD) will offer many special features at this year’s event in Orlando, Florida on October 3-5, 2002. Our move to Florida brings about many exciting developments including the addition of an Employment Symposium and Pavilion. Sponsored by Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), a 50 session symposium has been planned to provide participants, individuals with disabilities, VRS staff, employers, and others with an opportunity to engage in various employment focused discussion sessions.

The mission of the VRS is employment and increased independence for people with disabilities. They provide services to eligible persons with physical or mental disabilities who seek to prepare for, secure, regain, or retain employment. Anyone may apply for services. The physical or mental impairment must constitute or result in a substantial impediment to employment. The individual's employment outcome must benefit from VRS. The individual must require VRS to prepare for, to obtain, to retain or to regain employment.

The Employment Pavilion, sponsored by Mc’s Corporation, will include human resource managers from dozens of companies including local and national corporations and government agencies for the purpose of discussing hiring opportunities for those seeking employment.

Another Florida connection will produce our Assistive Technology Learning Center. The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc., (FAAST) is a nonprofit organization responsible to provide consumers of assistive services and technology with awareness, access and advocacy for the variety of assistive technology available in the world today. They are a membership organization that helps individuals with disabilities acquire assistive technology and achieve their goals in school, work and recreation. FAAST assists individuals when working with Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Services and other organizations and agencies.

At the Learning Center, you will be able to see demonstrations, participate in hands-on applications, and ask questions about the latest in assistive technology. The pavilion will include special keyboards, pointing devices and accessible computer software that will allow you to work on the computer. There will be furniture on display that will adjust to your needs in a wheelchair or a specialized office chair. The WCD and FAAST hope that you will experience success and productivity using equipment that is readily available. Stop by and try it out.

In addition to work-related equipment, FAAST will also display assistive technology for independent living. They will have many different products for activities of daily living; personal care, grooming, eating and food preparation. FAAST has assistive technology for improving the quality of your life, from working to living as independently as possible.

Last but not least, America’s Athletes with Disabilities (AAD) is proud to host the Sports and Recreation Activity Center at this year’s WCD. America’s Athletes with Disabilities is a national organization with the mission to promote and sponsor sports, recreation, leisure, health and fitness events for children and adults with disabilities. More than 100 disability sports events occur each year under the banner of the Victory Games.

The Activity Center will feature on-site individual and team competitions, demonstrations and training by elite athletes and opportunities to try-out different sports and sports equipment. Physical fitness and recreational activities for those with more severe disabilities will be included in this year’s programming. Visits and autograph sessions with celebrity sports stars are also planned. Throughout the WCD, the Center will be the home for several participating disabled sports organizations and teams from throughout the USA. A visit to the Activity Center can introduce you to the sport and provide you with the opportunities and contacts that you need to join the game back home.

Further to the special features, this year’s WCD will offer a conference program of over 150 comprehensive sessions, sponsored by the EP Foundation for Education, Inc., designed to educate many disciplines within the disability community. Attendees will also have an opportunity to examine a wide array of the latest products and services from more than 250 exhibitors representing pharmaceutical, assistive technology, automotive, mobility, durable medical equipment, personal care, insurance, computer, nutrition and many other industries. Visit the ARN Homepage! http://www.geocities.com/ARNFL