Progressive Community Services

OSD is offering online ASL I and II for this fall semester again! It's FREE! It is for anyone who want to learn ASL to be able to communicate with a Deaf person.

The registration for Online ASL Classes for ASL I and II is now open until September 30th. The Online ASL Classes for ASL I and II will begin on September 16th and continue until December 30th. These classes are non-credit level courses. This is a "go at your own pace" class.

To register: https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/
On the website, scroll down to read FAQ.

Register for this FREE webinar series to learn how to navigate the Special Education Process.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VspRCSYrTgOaMsDmwGuQ7A #/registration

Myth: We can't help someone who is struggling with their mental health.
Truth: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference in someone else's life by supporting them and connecting them with resources. 💙

You may want to put this on your calendar - definitely worth checking it out!

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is offering a free webinar on Alternatives to Guardianship

Looking to learn more about Alternatives to Guardianship?
Join the webinar on September 19, 2024, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CST for a discussion on supported decision-making and other options. During the workshop, the Charting the LifeCourse toolkit for supported decision-making will be used, and real-life examples will be shared.

Register Here: bit.ly/4dkdyA1

By attending this workshop, you will:
▪️Learn practical ways to support decision-making in all life domains at a young age through transition to adulthood.
▪️Explore ideas for incorporating decision-making skills and experiences into everyday life, including IEP and transition planning.
▪️Learn about tools for supported decision-making to explore the need, plan for it, and put the supports into place well before the transfer of rights occurs at age 18.

Congratulations to St. Louisan Sarah Adams, the first woman to play on the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby team!

Your voice matters! Click on one of the links below to complete the survey. Your feedback is very important. Legislators need to hear from you!

The Legislative Priorities Poll is open now!

Each year the Governor's Council on Disability (GCD) distributes a Legislative Priorities Poll to gain a greater understanding of issues important to Missourians with disabilities and those who work and live with them. The compiled responses are sent to state legislators and elected officials by our office.

Please provide your feedback at https://moexperience.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezAVsCGDnWWtlhY

More information and alternate versions can also be found on the Legislative Priorities Poll web page at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/legislative_priorities_poll.htm

Poll responses must be received by Friday, November 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Please share with your friends, family, colleagues, clients/consumers/patients, and any other interested parties so they have the opportunity to participate.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the GCD at 573.751.2600

Yes!! This is such great news. Hopefully those in the hospitality industry will take note and start to make this the rule instead of the exception!

'Ultra-Accommodating' Hotel Concept Goes Beyond ADA Accessible A new hotel designed to provide accommodations for people of all ages and abilities is in the works and major chains including Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt are vying to have their name on the door.

Fall Storytimes begin next week!

Add this to your calendar! A favorite day for many!

Museum Free Day is September 21, 2024! Visit all of the participating museums Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art Andrew County Museum Black Archives Museum of St. Joseph Glore Psychiatric Museum Pony Express National Museum Robidoux Row Wyeth-Tootle Mansion (Hours may vary)

The One Page Description is another great way to incorporate CtLC into your Back to School planning!

👨‍👩‍👦 Families can use it as a "get to know me" tool by identifying their personal strengths and supports they might need.

🍎 Educators can use the tool as a fun activity in the classroom as a way to learn more about the students they will be supporting this year.

Download your copy of the person-centered portfolio at https://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/foundational-tools/person-centered/

"Voting is not only our right - it is our power." - Loung Ung

Sean knows how important it is to vote. He’s one of the 17.7 million people with disabilities who voted in the last presidential election. That's huge, and we know we can make that number even bigger this year!

It only takes a minute to check your voter registration status and register. Use this simple form to get started: https://bit.ly/3WHbg85

Don't let anything stand between you and your right to vote!

Register at: https://sjpl.librarymarket.com/event/unconventional-art-club-18262
Join us at the Downtown Library Wednesday, August 28 at 4 p.m. to design some wacky creations that you might not see in the average art class. This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. This program involves paint or other materials that can be messy. Please wear clothing that is okay to get stained.

Community Block Party! Help us kick-off the 2024/2025 school year at our new youth building @ 228 Cherokee. FREE Food, Games, Music & FUN! See you there!

COMING UP TOMORROW, AUGUST 13! ☺️🐶

The Reading Dogs will be at the Belt Branch tomorrow! Kids, bring your parents (you're too young to drive) so you can read to these lovable dogs. While you're doing that, your drivers can look for dog-centered novels to read during National Dog Month!

Children aged 0-6 and their caregivers are invited to learn and play together in the East Hills Storytime Room with the early literacy toy collection. In addition, we will sing songs and fingerplays featuring rhythm instruments, ribbon wands, scarves and/or shakers.

August is national dog month and we have a TON of adult fiction and mystery titles featuring furry friends to celebrate: https://rollinghills.biblionix.com/?booklist=97172

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) will host webinar on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

“Ticket to Work Health Assurance (TWHA) in 2024: Another Look into How This Works,” is open to everyone. This free webinar is the second presentation on how work income affects Medicaid and disability benefits. Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (moddcouncil.org)

Event details:
Thursday, August 29, 2024
12-1:30 pm CST

Register at link https://bit.ly/TTWMedicaid2024
image caption graphic with event details as listed above.

Special Healthcare Needs Good Life Groups

What does a good life look like for your child and family? It's never too early or too late to start thinking about your vision for the future and begin working to make it happen. Join other families of children experiencing special healthcare needs to get ideas, think about resources, and create a vision of your family's good life.

🔹Tuesday, Aug 13
🔹Tuesday, Aug 20
🔹Tuesday, Aug 27

For your convenience, we will be offering the meetings twice a day at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. CT

Register for our afternoon session - https://tinyurl.com/3kzwhj8v
Register for our evening session - https://tinyurl.com/5d64k3c5

First Student is inviting first time bus riders to Meet the Bus at Bartlett Park located at 31st and Duncan Street. They will go over bus safety and practice getting on the bus. Four sessions are available before school starts. The first 25 students in each session will receive a special surprise.

📆Saturday August 10
Session 1: 10am-11am
Session 2:11am-12pm

📆Saturday August 17
Session 1: 10am-11am
Session 2:11am-12pm

It is wonderful to see Yelp adding this accessibility information to their business pages. Business owners can add these attributes to their Yelp page for free by logging in to their Yelp for Business account and editing their “Business Information” section.

Yelp unveils new accessibility features to help people with disabilities connect with local businesses At Yelp, we remain committed to connecting people with businesses that best address their individual needs and preferences. This includes introducing eco-friendly attributes for those looking to patronize establishments that prioritize sustainability, as well as enabling businesses to indicate if th...

Mighty Girls Go For The Gold: 30 Children's Books About Female Olympians A Mighty Girl's top picks of children's books about female Olympians, from gymnastics greats to soccer stars!

Pre-schoolers, Kindergartners, 8th & 12th graders need their vaccine records reviewed and will likely be due for boosters. The health department clinic has you covered! Records from Missouri based medical providers and all the immunizations students need. First come first serve give-aways as a thanks to kids who get their shots here!

A big thank you to this group of volunteers who helped Stuff the Bus this past weekend! .Joseph

For more information, visit https://GoVoteMissouri.com to find your polling place & contact information for your local election authority.

Supports are extremely valuable in people's access to vote: "When organizational supports are in place, people are 2.3 times more likely to exercise their right to vote."