Vision For Equality

The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will host "Smart Beginnings," - a three-day virtual mini-conference on August 27-29 from 2:00 - 3:30pm ET each day. There will be presentations by OSEP leaders and subject matter experts. The sessions are designed to help families, providers, and leaders better support and promote developmental outcomes and educational excellence for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families.

Sessions will include a live question and answer session with presenters.

Don't miss this opportunity! Click here to get more details and register: https://osepideasthatwork.org/federal-resources-stakeholders/topical-issues/smart-beginnings-2024

We Want to Hear from You!
Are you a person with a disability or a family member/caregiver of someone with a disability?
We are conducting focus groups to understand the dental care needs of the disability community, and we need your input!

Focus Group Details:
Who: People with disabilities and their family members or caregivers who get health services in Philadelphia.
When: August 26th from 1-3 pm or September 30th from 2-4 pm
Where: Liberty Resources
112 N 8th St. 19107
2nd Floor Wade Blank Room

All participants will receive a $25 online gift card for their time and participation.

* Share your experiences and needs regarding dental care.
* Help improve oral health care for the disability community in Philadelphia.
* Make your voice heard.

How to Participate:
Schedule a time to join a focus group by contacting Rachel McMullen at
[email protected] or call 205-403-5490.

Did you know that if you have an ACCESS or EBT card, you can visit over 1300 museums, gardens, zoos, theaters, and other sites across the United States for free or at a reduced rate? From Longwood Gardens to the Hershey Story Museum to the Carnegie Science Center, there are nearly 80 participating locations right here in Pennsylvania! Use the QR code or this link to find out more and see the list of participating locations: Museums for All (museums4all.org)

The end of summer also means preparing for back to school. Setting routines can help everyone transition more easily to school /program schedules. Bedtime and morning routines are often the hardest but going to bed an hour earlier and/or waking up an hour earlier are small tweaks that can help.

NEW Housing Workshop!

Join us for the launch of "Housing Myth Busting," a program highlighting the importance of self-determined housing choices for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism.

Monday, August 26th
7:00 pm
Register Here- bit.ly/3yj00p3

-This peer-to-peer initiative will educate audiences on creative ways to plan for housing, finance homes, find supports, and identify services where needed.

-During this introduction, we will share information gathered from a peer-developed survey across Pennsylvania to build content for our program "Housing Myth Busting."

-Our goal is to provide accurate information and practical housing options outside residential settings through lived experiences and the expertise of Housing expert, David Gates, Esq.

Voices Rising for Justice is committed to raising awareness and advocating for system policies and practices that will promote safety and protection; we intend to amplify our voices, demanding accountability from the systems meant to support and protect the most vulnerable, and to bring access to justice to the victims so those who do them harm will never harm anyone again.

We need you to join us in our efforts!
For more information, go to:

https://www.visionforequality.org/programs/voices-rising-for-justice/

Self-care does not have to be fancy or expensive. Enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, getting some fresh air, or listening to your favorite music can all be forms of self-care. What’s one thing you can do today just for you?

Join the Philadelphia Parent Support Groups (PPSG), EnVision New Possibilities and Speaking for Ourselves for a Voting Information Day on August 20th at 11am. There will be a voting booth, you can register to vote, learn how to send in a mail in ballot and more! Registration is required. We look forward to seeing you on August 20th!

Únase a los Grupos de apoyo para padres de Filadelfia (PPSG), EnVision New Possibilities y Hablando por nosotros mismos para un día de información sobre la votación el 20 de agosto a las 11 a.m. ¡Habrá una cabina de votación, podrá registrarse para votar, aprender cómo enviar una boleta por correo y más! Es necesario registrarse. ¡Esperamos verte el 20 de agosto!

The Philadelphia Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing endangered person Woodley White. Woodley was last seen August 7, 2024, at 9:33 PM on the 74xx block of Henslow Place.

He is 41 years old, 5’4’’, 160 lbs and was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, plaid pajama pants, black crocs. He is known to frequent Forman Mills, Walmart and any paint supply stores.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Woodley White is urged to contact Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183 or 267-252-3663.

Join the Philadelphia Parent Support Groups (PPSG), EnVision New Possibilities and Speaking for Ourselves for a Voting Information Day on August 20th at 11am. There will be a voting booth, you can register to vote, learn how to send in a mail in ballot and more! Registration is required. We look forward to seeing you on August 20th!

Summer is winding done, but there is still time to enjoy some summer fun and make more memories. What’s something your family didn’t get a chance to accomplish yet? Can you make it happen before summer is over?

Our Closet In Your Neighborhood (OCIYN) is a free mobile program that provides those in need across our city with the basic necessities of food and clothing, as well as access to services and benefits.

On Thursday, August 8th, there is an event at James Logan Elementary School. For more information, please go to:
http://www.jfcsphilly.org/our-closet-in-your-neighborhood/

Having a community is very important for our wellbeing. How can you connect with other caregivers to learn and be supported? We suggest trying out our virtual pop-in sessions this summer. Self-care can be community care!

It is going to be really Hot in Philadelphia 8/2, 8/3 and 8/5. Please check on your loved ones and neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

Resources to stay cool

👉Stay in air-conditioning at home or in a cool public space. Visit www.art-reach.org or call (267) 515-6720 for free or discounted indoor activities.
👉The hottest part of the day is from about 11am – 4pm. Try to stay out of the sun and avoid strenuous activities, if possible.
👉Stay hydrated. Drink water or fruit juice even if you don’t feel thirsty.
👉If you are hot and don’t feel well, call a doctor. Call 911 if you think someone is having an emergency.
👉These resources may also be helpful when it’s very hot out:
👉The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Helpline (215)-765-9040
Residents can call to get heat safety tips and be connected to resources, including help affording fans and AC.

👉The Office of Homeless Services.
If you see someone on the street who needs help, call (215) 232-1984 or 911.

👉Philadelphia Extreme Heat Guide: www.phila.gov/heat

Extreme heat guide | Department of Public Health Information about extreme heat, including who's at risk, how to stay safe, why it's getting hotter, and resources.

Our team gathered at the Community of Practice Transition Confernece to gain new knowledge and share information.

One new initiative that we focused on was our Housing Mythbusting Grant, supported by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC). This peer-to-peer initiative will educate audiences on creative ways to plan for housing, finance homes, find supports, and identify services where needed.

The True Friendships Project with Values Into Action invites YOU to attend our Learning Sessions all about healthy friendships!

There is a session designed for Self-Advocates and family members, and a session designed for professionals, with information and learning opportunities unique to each group.

We will also hold Technical Assistance sessions for each group that will dig deeper into the tools, tips, and tricks for building friendships through communication.

SESSION DATES:
For Self-Advocates and Family Members:
Learning Session: Wednesday, August 7th, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM.
Technical Assistance Session: Wednesday, September 11th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

For Professionals:
Learning Session: Thursday, August 15th, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM.
Technical Assistance Session: Thursday, September 26th, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

For more information and to Register for a session,
go to: https://valuesintoaction.org/the-true-friendships-project/

As your family is making memories this summer, don’t forget to capture those moments. Take a picture. Record a video. Journal about it. Create a collage to remember the experience. Then later, look back to the happy times and/or learning opportunities you had as a family.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED for a study on caregiver strain and quality of life among caregivers of offspring with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Are you a caregiver of a child or adult child of any age with an intellectual/developmental disability who has lived with you for at least the past 12 months? If so, please consider completing this brief (about 10 min)survey, and feel free to share with other families who might also like to participate. The information you provide is confidential, and will be used to help support families like yours.

Survey link:

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

The White House Office of Public Engagement cordially invites you to attend the White House Disability Pride Month Convening on Monday, July 29th.

Join senior disabled Biden-Harris Administration leaders and advocates for a conversation about the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability pride, and our shared commitment to build a nation where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunities, independence, and respect we deserve.

WHAT: White House Disability Pride Month Convening

WHEN: Jul 29, 2024 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

WHERE: Register in advance for this webinar: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_6_o_Bm5kSeqNbusCLs13Zw
ASL and CART will be provided. Access StreamText: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=BIS-WHO-7294773

This program will be recorded and available for viewing via White House YouTube.

Featured speakers:
Kelly Buckland, Disability Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Transportation
Karla Gilbride, General Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Haben Girma, Author and Human Rights Lawyer
Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director of External Affairs, Disability Rights California
James Ian, Singer, Songwriter, and Actor
Rachel Patterson, White House Domestic Policy Council Disability Policy Director
Sachin Pavithran, Executive Director, U.S. Access Board
Anna Perng, Senior Advisor, Office of Public Engagement
Mychal Threets, Literacy Ambassador

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on July 22nd. The summit was a tremendous success, filled with learning, networking, and empowerment.

Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Vision for Equality, Audrey (Dee) Coccia, commented on the event: "We must link arms and pursue our common goals together. We all have the same goal—for our families to be safe and healthy and to have happy lives. Policies and practices will only change with the unified spirits of families and self-advocates pushing forward together."

Event Highlights:

-Michael Gamel-McCormick, Senator Casey’s Disability Policy Director, delivered a powerful update on federal disability policies.
-Liz Weintraub, a nationally recognized advocacy leader, shared insightful strategies for effective legislative advocacy.
- Vision for Equality unveiled its Statewide Unified Family Advocacy Agenda, aiming to unify and strengthen family advocacy efforts across Pennsylvania.

We are grateful for the support from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) and all the incredible advocates, families, and individuals who participated. Together, we are stronger and more empowered to create positive change!

Do you need cooling assistance? Did your family receive LIHEAP assistance last winter? Please see the flyer below for more information on how to get help with staying cool this summer.

Taking time to reflect can be very helpful, both in the moment and in the future. Plan a few minutes to reflect on your day, your experiences, the places you go and the things you do. Ask yourself:

What went well? What could have been better? What would you do differently next time? Who can support you in that?

Check out this week's Family Connections Newsletter!

Family Connections Newsletter: Celebrating Disability Pride, Supportive Technology Open House, PA Able Webinar, Points of Transformation Awards Upcoming events, the latest news, resources, and more! Family Connections Weekly Newsletter Dear Jill, Stay up to date on news stories, upcoming training opportunities, events and resources by conti

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs invites you to a

SUPPORTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE AUGUST 6

Tuesday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

TechOWL Community Space (Temple University Main Campus in lower level of Morgan Hall, next to Insomnia Cookies)
1392 Cecil B Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Register at this link: https://disabilities.temple.edu/technology-open-house

If you have questions or need more information,
Please email Ho-Jung Mardorff at [email protected].

Due to extremely hot conditions, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued a Heat Health Emergency beginning today, July 15 at at 8 a.m., and continuing through Wednesday, July 17, until midnight. Please check on neighbors and loved ones, especially the elderly and disabled. Learn more about the services that will be available: ow.ly/f9l750Smi6p.

Cooling Centers: (listed by zip code)

https://www.phila.gov/media/20240712165905/Sites-July-15-17-2024.docx?mc_cid=a2f4452681&mc_eid=64781f9cd6

The heat is on, again: Philadelphia declares second Heat Health Emergency of summer beginning Monday, July 15 | Board of Health The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has declared the summer's second Heat Health Emergency.

Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan 2024-25 Budget

Supporting Pennsylvania’s Intellectual Disability and Autism Community and Direct Support Professionals:
Governor Shapiro has met with Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A), caregivers, and advocates all across the Commonwealth – and he has heard their plea that something must be done to support home and community-based services and address the shortage of direct support professionals in our Commonwealth.

For years, the ID/A community has demanded real help. Governor Shapiro heard them loud and clear – and this budget finally stands up for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and the direct support professionals who care for them with major investments:
✔️ $354.8 million in federal and state funding to provide more resources for home and community-based service providers, a 7 percent rate increase.
This includes $280 million to help raise wages for the direct support professionals who care for Pennsylvanians and $74.8 million to begin the process of clearing the emergency wait list entirely – ensuring more Pennsylvanians receive the care they need and deserve.