IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

Join the Corporation for Supportive Housing for a Training Opportunity for Illinois IDD Service Providers to learn about Supportive Housing for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. "This training opportunity is designed specifically for IDD service providers who are interested in learning about supportive housing, with a potential interest in exploring what it might look like to be involved in developing or providing services in a property." Wednesday, September 25
1:00pm – 3:30pm. Tiger Senior Apartments. 309 S. Main St. Paris, IL. Register at this link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vK2HCzLQsEqPub8P6GjWchSjnTTlTa5PnbxJMmuZit5UQkNSREJXTDZDSjEwWkFRWUo1WUkzMkQyVy4u&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-91LdZbbU7QEQkiOWmDyCX713kVmnC3jHEHcqUFRtrNUasaVuaAcoEPoezbQ27UIXc-5PgBbZ_TU1muIUSL9XMVFJY3JJ0b_zkay8-7Hock0FV0BEs&_hsmi=320166259&utm_content=320166259&utm_source=hs_email

Illinois Partners in Policymaking is now accepting applications for Class Six

The Application Deadline is Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m.

Partners in Policymaking® is a leadership training program originally designed for parents of school age children with developmental disabilities and adults with disabilities.

Partners teaches leadership skills necessary to develop positive partnerships and working relationships with elected officials and other policymakers who make decisions about the services and supports that you and/or your family use. Partners is accessible, informative, and empowering.

The Illinois Partners in Policymaking program will kick-off Class 6 in October. The first in-person session will be Friday, October 25. Prior to the first session, there will be three virtual orientation sessions: October 15, October 17 and October 19.

Adults with developmental disabilities, parents of children under the age of 21 with developmental disabilities, adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities, legal Guardians, and supporters in Supported Decision-Making Agreements for individuals with developmental disabilities are welcome to apply.

Applications for Class Six of Partners in Policymaking are now available. Applications are due by 5pm Saturday, September 7, 2024 to be considered for Class 6.

Please review the schedule below and make certain you can attend all sessions before applying. A commitment to participate in all sessions is mandatory in order to be considered as a participant in Class 6.

Orientation Sessions

1. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7 pm to 9:15 pm
2. Thursday, October 17, 2024, 7 pm to 9:15 pm
3. Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:30 am to 12 pm

In-Person Sessions

1. Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, 2024
2. Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, 2024
3. Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 2024
4. Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21, 2025

In-Person Springfield Session

1. Tuesday, April 1, 2025
2. Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Virtual Sessions

1. Friday, January 10, 2025, 1 pm to 6:30 pm
2. Saturday, January 11, 2025, 9 am to 2 pm
3. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 7 pm to 9:15 pm
4. Friday, February 14, 2025, 1 pm to 6:30 pm
5. Saturday, February 15, 2025, 9 am to 2 pm
6. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 7 pm to 9:15 pm
7. Friday, May 16, 2025, 1 pm to 6:30 pm
8. Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9 am to 2 pm
9. Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 7 pm to 9:15 pm

Please follow these links for the application:

• Class Six Application (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FPJPV5CeFlkvWq-XZw1DmXtGczJzbsFn/view

• Class Six Application (Spanish): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RM2Tqh_FcYttk0GHKgb9nZucJw9kNzZb/view

On August 6, 2024, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed a proclamation celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Here is one piece of the proclamation. "I, JB Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim 2024 as the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and celebrate the Council's tremendous contributions to the State of Illinois and its residents with disabilities." Thank you Governor Pritzker and the State of Illinois.

Here is another photo from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities 50th Anniversary Celebration. This photo includes Illinois Council staff members with Carole Rosen of the Illinois Going Home Coalition and REV UP. The REV UP Campaign increases the power of the disability vote.

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Here are a few photos from the event. Thank you to everyone for your support of the Illinois Council and its mission to "lead change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom."

50th Anniversary: Council Members and friends were in Springfield on August 7 to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Council.

Illinois Partners in Policymaking® is now accepting applications for Class Six, which begins in October of 2024.

Partners in Policymaking® is a leadership training program designed for people with developmental disabilities and for family members of people with developmental disabilities. Partners in Policymaking® was created by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities more than 35 years ago and has since been offered nationally and internationally.

Partners teaches leadership skills necessary to develop positive partnerships and working relationships with elected officials and other policymakers who make decisions about the services and supports that you and/or your family use. Partners is accessible, informative, and empowering. The graduates of Partners often become members of boards, councils, task forces and advisory committees. Some run for elected office, and some secure employment in disability advocacy or service organizations.

The Illinois Partners in Policymaking® program will kick-off Class 6 this fall with three virtual orientation sessions in early October. Classes begin on October 25 and will continue through June 22, 2025.

Adults with developmental disabilities, parents of children under the age of 21 with developmental disabilities, adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities, legal Guardians, and Supporters in Supported Decision-Making Agreements for individuals with developmental disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Do you know someone who lives in an underserved or unserved area of Illinois such as outside of Metropolitan Chicago, south of Springfield, Western Illinois, and the Quad Cities area who may be interested? Partners in Policymaking® is making a concentrated effort to reach those areas. Please help us disseminate this information to people in those areas.

Here is a link to the application in Spanish: https://selfadvocacyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IL-PIP-Class-6-Brochure-SPANISH-2024-FINAL-Approved-PDF-.pdf

Here is a link to the application in English:https://selfadvocacyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IL-PIP-Class-6-English-Application-Final-Approved-.pdf

The Arc of Illinois presents: A Webinar from the Illinois Life Span and Family to Family Health Information Center -- Transition Rights. Participants will learn: What does the law say your rights are? Should/Can my child stay in school? What if my school is pushing graduation? Do we have to accept a diploma? What are my child's options: stay in school or something else? This webinar is August 13 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Central. Register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rqEg1_GATDGklu6pO4vMHw #/registration

The Comprehensive Customized Employment Course begins on Tuesday, August 6.

There are still spaces open. Time is running out to register.

With training experts from Marc Gold & Associates [MG&A], this course brings to Illinois a Customized Employment Training Series for service provider staff and those with professional interest in learning more about Customized Employment. Participants can expect quality interactive training conducted by subject matter experts from MG&A, a founding leader in Discovery and Customized Employment. Registration is limited to 25. Reminder, sessions begin on August 6. The opportunity to register is almost gone. Visit this link for registration and more information:

CCE Course, Summer Session Offering learners all the foundational information and basic competencies of Discovery and Customized Job Development.

This is from the NACDD Page: Congratulations to the NACDD 2024 Champions of Equal Opportunity Award Winners and to the new members of the Self-Advocacy Leadership Circle.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞:

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with nationally known training experts from Marc Gold & Associates [MG&A], is bringing to Illinois a Customized Employment Training Series for service provider staff and those with professional interest in learning more about Customized Employment. Participants can expect quality interactive training conducted by subject matter experts from MG&A, a founding leader in Discovery and Customized Employment.

Registration is limited to 25. Sessions begin on August 6. Visit this link for registration and more information:

CCE Course, Summer Session Offering learners all the foundational information and basic competencies of Discovery and Customized Job Development.

Here is another photograph from the National Association of Councils for Developmental Disabilities Conference last week. In this photo, a group from Illinois gets a picture with Illinois Representative Michael Bost, who represents the 12th District.

Here is the latest Speak Up and Speak Out Advocacy Moment from Tavarus at the Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance. This Advocacy Moment is a follow up on a previous post about appreciation and accepting praise. This one looks at praise coming from organizations. Nice work Tavarus. Nice work Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance

Hey everybody.


Last time I reminded self-advocates to accept the praises for doing amazing things. Those amazing things can include being on committees and workgroups, doing presentations, or achieving a personal goal.


Now it’s time to focus on the staff and agencies/organizations that support us.


I’ve heard staff give a self-advocate the praise they deserve. After staff give praise, I’ve also heard staff say, “we don’t have anyone else like you” or “we don’t have anyone like you who can do that.” You may be thinking that staff aren’t hurting anyone when they say those things, but it can hurt when other self-advocates hear those words because they feel like they aren’t special or good enough. Self-advocates have told me on numerous occasions that language like that is hurtful and offensive.


Here’s the thing: each self-advocate is unique, with their own gifts and talents. Each self-advocate can do amazing things if they are given the opportunity and support.


One of my responsibilities as a self-advocate and as the Advocacy Coordinator is helping my peers get their voices across when they feel attacked or burdened by language.


To the staff and agencies/organizations that support us, continue to do the amazing work that you have done. I would ask that you try to put yourself in a self-advocate’s shoes who has been through a lot of hurdles, trials and tribulations in their life. They are not doing things for glorification; they are happy to have the successes they’ve had. They just want to show you what they can do.


I challenge you to rethink the statements of “we don’t have anyone else like you” or “we don’t have anyone like you who can do that.” Instead, consider saying, “we have many self-advocates who can do amazing things with opportunity and support.” And then take the next step in learning about the gifts and talents of the self-advocates you support. Provide opportunities for them to learn and grow and shine. And always remember to give praise.

At the end of the day, it's all about self-advocacy so speak up and speak out!

Happy Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Here is a picture of some Illinois Staff, Council Members and allies in Washington DC for the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Conference.

A contingent of Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Members and staff are in Washington DC this week for the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Conference. Today, the group went to Capitol Hill. Here is a group outside the office of Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. In the second photo, the group is meeting with Mia Mercer of Senator Duckworth's Staff.

Here is a story from Capitol News Illinois about upcoming court proceedings for the Ligas Consent Decree. Illinois seeks to end court oversight of its effort to transition people with developmental disabilities in the community. "Illinois faces backlash over bid to end oversight of disability services."

Illinois faces backlash over bid to end oversight of disability services SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) - As Illinois seeks to end federal court oversight of its disability...

Starting on August 1, the Ligas Family Advocate Program will host several webinars about "options under the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Illinois."

The webinars are from 12 pm to 1 pm and will be hosted virtually, over zoom.

Follow this link to register and for more information:

www.thearcofil.org

Here are two images from the Disability Pride Parade on Saturday, July 20. First, a picture of the Department of Human Services parade group. Second, a picture of performers on stage during the program that followed the parade.

July 20 was the 2024 Chicago Disability Pride Parade. Here is a photo with the Parade Marshal's, including Council Member Curtis Harris (holding banner and wearing sunglasses), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (second from right) and Commissioner Rachel Arfa (far right) of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

Here is post from the Chicago Disability Pride Parade. Tomorrow is the 2024 Chicago Disability Pride Parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m. And tonight is the Annual Disability Pride Parade Open Mic, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Check out the Chicago Disability Pride Parade page for more information.

Join us this Friday from 6-9pm for Disability Pride Open Mic!

Location: Chicago Temple at 77 West Washington in Chicago.

Schedule:
6-7pm Snacks & Socializing
7-9pm Performances

We hope to see you there!

From the Administration on Community Living Grassroots Project: Coalition Building: Strategies and Perspectives in Disability Advocacy. Featuring Carole Rosen and Lila Zucker. Today: Thursday, Jul 18, 2024 12:00 PM.

ACL’s Grassroots Project was launched in 2023 to support national, state, and local disability advocates in building networks to stay informed about the policies that affect people with disabilities. This national webinar provides an opportunity to hear from community organizers and disability advocates about building coalitions by collaborating with local, state, and regional partners. Follow this link to register:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Coalition Building: Strategies and Perspectives in Disability Advocacy. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. ACL’s Grassroots Project was launched in 2023 to support national, state, and local disability advocates in building networks to stay informed about the policies that affect people with disabilities and to work together to ensure their perspectives, priorities and preferences are reflected in disa...

The 2024 Chicago Disability Pride Parade is this Saturday, July 20. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. The theme of this year's parade is "Disability Pride Will Not Be Denied." Congratulations to this year's Grand Marshal, artist Genevieve Ramos. Here is more information:

DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE PARADE "Disability Pride Will Not Be Denied"

Happy Friday everyone. Sharing this story from Disability Scoop. This is reposted from the page of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Feds Weighing Changes To Subminimum Wage Program Federal officials are rethinking the government program that allows people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage, with a new proposal expected soon.

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with nationally known training experts from Marc Gold & Associates [MG&A], is bringing to Illinois a Customized Employment Training Series for service provider staff and those with professional interest in learning more about Customized Employment. Participants can expect quality interactive training conducted by subject matter experts from MG&A, a founding leader in Discovery and Customized Employment. Registration is limited to 25. Sessions begin on August 6. Visit this link for registration and more information:

CCE Course, Summer Session Offering learners all the foundational information and basic competencies of Discovery and Customized Job Development.

Today, Illinois Council staff learned about the "Self Determination Channel" on YouTube. The Self Determination Channel is a project of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. The channel is dedicated to "sharing our voices about making choices and speaking up for ourselves." Visit the channel at this link:

Self-Determination Channel Do you see life as a journey? Are you looking for a path that empowers you? We are a group of self-advocates with developmental or intellectual disabilities who believe self-determination is essential to living our best life--the life we all deserve. This channel is dedicated to sharing our voices a...

Join the Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance on Tuesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. Central Time for a Webinar on Supported Decision Making. Adam Wiser of The Alliance and Teresa Parks of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission will co-host the webinar. Here is a link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrduuhpj0vHtakAbmePrB-FdcdbAKQgCnL #/registration

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: The Alliance's July 2024 Webinar: Let's Learn About Supported Decision-Making in Illinois. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is an alternative to guardianship for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who need help in making decisions. In February 2022, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed into law the Supported Decision-Making Act. This presentation will provide an overview o...

Here is the latest Advocacy Moment from Tavarus at The Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance. In this Speak Up Speak Out moment, Tavarus talks about the importance of embracing recognition that you deserve. Thank you Tavarus and The Alliance.

Hey everyone!

I’d like to talk about something that has weighed on my mind for years, and I was reminded of recently. The time for me to speak on it is now.

As self-advocates, we have been going through it and are still going through it. We have jumped powerful hurdles in our lives. We deserve recognition of all the hard work and growth we’ve had to get to where we are now.

If people praise you about the hard work you’ve done, accept the praise.

People may also say that not every self-advocate can be like you. That is true and in a way it is offensive. I definitely understand that. Try not to get too angry when they say there will never be another like you. You can remind people that you are you, and there is nobody else like you.

There are lots of amazing self-advocates, and many are just waiting to receive recognition for the hard work they’ve done.

Accept your flowers and praises, my friends.

At the end of the day, we are self-advocates…so speak up and speak out!

Join the Illinois Lifespan and Family to Family Health Information Center on July 9 for "Knowledge is Power: The Transition to Adulthood." This virtual event from The Arc of Illinois will be at 1 p.m. on July 9. Spanish Captioning is available.

Visit this link for more information and to register:

www.thearcofil.org

The 2024 Disability Pride Parade in Chicago in less than three weeks from now. The parade is Saturday, July 20 in downtown Chicago. This year's theme is "Disability Pride Will Not Be Denied." Here is information about participation and registration. https://www.disabilityprideparade.org/