Values Into Action

Come join us for the Disability Rights and Resource Fair and Voter Registration! All are invited. Please join us! There will be food trucks and resource tables. Speak with disability support organizations, learn about disability history and rights. And – you can register to vote! Stop to take a picture with The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 on its national tour!

When: August 28, 2024 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Soldiers' and Sailors' Grove
Commonwealth Avenue and State Street
Harrisburg, PA
17101
Cost: Free

National Council on Independent Living
Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council
Center for Independent Living of Central PA
The Arc of Pennsylvania
Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education
Disability Empowerment Center
Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living
Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

Becka Hoover, Housing Resource Coordinator with Values Into Action PA, wrote a blog discussing the importance of offering people a seat... and a microphone.

"Offering someone a seat and a microphone shows an individual that we value them. It shows we value their opinions. It shows that we will make time and space for that individual to share their ideas. That we want to know what they have to say. That what they say is valuable and necessary. That they are a part of the collaboration."

Read Becka's blog post and other blogs about and by visiting our website.

https://valuesintoaction.org/2024/08/dont-forget-the-microphone/

In celebration of , we are sharing information on the True Friendship Project.

Check out the True Friendship Project’s Relationship Resource Guide! This guide is for self-advocates, their families, and the professionals who support them. Inside, you'll find tips and tools for making friends, ideas for meeting friends in person and online, and materials from our past Learning Sessions.

You can explore the guide and learn about upcoming events on the True Friendships Project webpage here:

https://valuesintoaction.org/the-true-friendships-project/

The True Friendships Project is funded by Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

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.

Click the True Friendships Project link in our bio to learn more and register!

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.

Image description:
First image is a graphic that says "True Friendships Project Learning Sessions: Healthy Friendships and YOU."

Second image shows the Learning and Technical Assistance Session dates.

Open Future Learning Disability Pride Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's Education for All Coalition, Inc. - PEAC Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

Mark your calendars for a FREE Virtual Conference!

PPL’s New Jersey Self-Direction Summit will be a day of inspiration and information. This event is perfect for self-directed participants, loved ones, advocates, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of self-directed services.

When: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET
Where: Virtual - Join from anywhere!
Cost: Absolutely FREE!

Highlights Include:
Personal Success Stories: Explore the transformative impact of self-direction on individuals’ lives
Practical Strategies: Learn to leverage self-directed services effectively
Legislative Insights: Get up-to-date on how recent legislation affects self-direction
All from the comfort of your own home!

Sign up today to save your spot! Register Here: https://cvent.me/w1D9mm
Registration is FREE but spots are limited, so don’t wait to sign up!

PPL New Jersey Self-Direction Virtual Summit

July is Disability Pride Month! How are you celebrating this month?

Happy Disability Pride Month to everyone! Did you see how we used the disability pride flag colors in our post?



Check out what we are doing at our website!

ASAN condemns overturning of Chevron Doctrine - Autistic Self Advocacy Network The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) condemns the United States Supreme Court ruling on two combined cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce. The decision overturns a decades-old legal principle known as the Chevron Doctrine, which gives federal agen...

Please consider taking action to

Action Alert: Call Now to #StopTheShock! - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Last week, we wrote to you about a bill that was being voted on in a subcommittee of the House of Representatives. The bill is the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Some Members of Congress added a new section to the bill, Section....

Please share this important advocacy item with your networks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/24/24 National ADAPT Calls on North Carolina HHS Secretary Kody Kinsley to Uphold the Olmstead Decision. June 24, 2024                                                CONTACT:      ADAPT                                                                         Nicky Boyte                               ....

The True Friendships Project is excited to announce a new free in-person event! We and our partners at Disability Pride PA are hosting a Day at the Museum. Below are the details of the event:

WHEN: Wednesday, August 14. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

WHERE: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

DESCRIPTION: We will have a private tour of museum exhibits. After the tour, we will have lunch together. Please note you must either bring your own lunch or bring money to buy lunch at the museum cafeteria.

Capacity is limited! Please only register if you can join us. Anyone under 18 must have a guardian with them. Support staff and guardians must also register to attend.

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-at-the-museum-with-the-true-friendships-project-tickets-910804810707?aff=oddtdtcreator

Disability Pride Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's Education for All Coalition, Inc. - PEAC Open Future Learning Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

We are proud to be invited to collaborate on the important and necessary work to remove barriers for NJ's Black residents with disabilities.

Rutgers summit discusses how to remove barriers for Black people in NJ with disabilities Experts and advocates gathered to discuss inequities in education, employment, healthcare and other topics: "It's about dismantling the barriers."

Today, we celebrate , a day of freedom, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of equality. As we honor this pivotal moment in history, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing rights and ensuring freedom and equity for all.

Let's stand united in advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and justice. Together, we can create a world where everyone is free to live, thrive, and be heard.

CALL TO ACTION!

Our best chance to is now at risk. Some House Representatives are pushing for a bill that would take away the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ability to ban devices like the one used to torture disabled people at the JRC. For years, our community has been advocating to the FDA about the need for a ban — this bill would take away their ability to listen and respond to our advocacy. With the clock ticking, we must convince the House that we won’t allow this torture to continue.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is supposed to be a tool that tells the FDA and other Federal agencies what their budget is and how they can spend the money. The House is proposing a rider — an add-on to the bill — that says the FDA cannot ban a device that is used by court order. A court has already approved every use of the electric shock devices used by the Judge Rotenberg Center. That means that this bill text would stop the FDA from banning these devices, taking the choice to out of the public’s hands after more than a decade of advocacy.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee will mark up this bill — including the rider stopping the FDA ban — TONIGHT. They’re trying to sneak this in without us noticing. They think they can avoid listening to the people they represent. Don’t let them.

Please click on link to find out more!

Action Alert: URGENT #StopTheShock Phone Action — Call Now! - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Our best chance to is now at risk. Some House Representatives are pushing for a bill that would take away the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ability to ban devices like the one used to torture disabled people at the JRC. For years, our community has been advocating to…

We are honored to share a blog written by Robert Zotynia, "I Am Olmstead!"

“Thanks to Olmstead, I have the support I need to live in my own home. I have a job I love. I have friends that I chose. I am part of a community. And I have the right to choose if and when I want to make changes.”

https://valuesintoaction.org/2024/06/i-am-olmstead/

I Am Olmstead! This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Olmstead Decision. I am personally grateful to the United States Supreme Court for the impact this has

The True Friendships Project with Values Into Action is excited to share our new Relationship Resource Guide! This guide is made for self-advocates, their families, and the professionals who support them.

We are grateful for all the people both on our team and from the community who worked so hard to find these great resources. Here’s a sneak peak at what information you’ll find in the guide:

-How to Make Friends: Tips and tools for starting conversations and understanding what friendship looks like.

-Where to Meet Friends: Ideas for in-person and online events, social activities, and finding friends on social media.

-Research and Resources: Information on the science of friendship and other helpful resources.

-Learning Session Materials: Materials from our past Learning Sessions, including presentations and tools.

You can find the guide on the True Friendships Project webpage here: https://ow.ly/kFbr50RRJQM

Explore the guide and discover new ways to make and keep friends!

This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Open Future Learning Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) Pennsylvania's Education for All Coalition, Inc. - PEAC Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education Disability Pride Pennsylvania

Lynn and Susan, from our Supports Brokerage with Values Into Action PA, presented at the LifeCourse Nexus Showcase 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The topic was "Charting Self-Directed (Not Service-Directed) Lives" which explored how self-directed models provide people with increased choice and control over their lives.

Values Into Action is representing and presenting at the 8th Annual LifeCourse Nexus Showcase 2024. Pictured from left to right: Susan Rowell, Marian Frattarola-Saulino, Kristian Smith-Diaz, Lynn Alexander, and Rachel Milano-Davis.

The True Friendships Project with Values Into Action invites YOU to attend our Learning Sessions all about safely making new friends!

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.

To learn more and register, visit https://valuesintoaction.org/the-true-friendships-project/

Open Future Learning Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education Disability Pride Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's Education for All Coalition, Inc. - PEAC

Celebrating Paul Ahner-Hein: A Testament to Personal Achievement!

On behalf of the In-Home and Community Team and Values into Action, we wanted to take a moment to spotlight and honor Paul Ahner-Hein with his most recent achievement.

At the 2024 Lehigh & Northampton County Celebration Awards Event, Paul was the recipient of the Northampton Personal Achievement Award!

Paul for the last year or so has been on an amazing journey of growth and adversity. His recent transition into life sharing, marked a significant turning point in his life! Since then, Paul has adapted to his new environment and has thrived in ways that have left those around him in awe!

Paul's achievement reminds us all that regardless of the challenges we face in life, we have the ability to rise above and look forward. His journey and achievements serve as a reminder that with the right support, determination, and belief in oneself, anything is possible!

Congratulations, Paul, on this well-deserved recognition. Your journey is an inspiration to us all!

-post written by Kristian Smith-Diaz, Community Support Facilitator with Values Into Action PA.

image 1: Pictured from left to right: Paul Ahner-Hein and ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens

image 2: Pictured from left to right: Brian Petocz, Paul Ahner-Hein, Kassie (Paul’s Sister), Annie Kisilewicz, and Kristian Smith-Diaz.

The Administration for Community Living is hosting a webinar on April 24, 2024 from 2:00-3:30PM:
Finding One’s Advocacy Community: Stories and Insights from the Disability Community

"The Administration for Community Living (ACL) Grassroots Project: Engage. Connect. Advocate. launched in 2023-2024 with the goal of supporting national, state, and local disability advocates to build networks and grow advocacy leadership, with the intention of driving disability policy and supports to robustly and wholly serve disabled people and communities.

One of our tasks includes an environmental scan identifying organizations and resources supporting grassroots disability advocacy. Through this scan, we seek to understand the range of disability advocacy, resources, services, and supports that people rely on. Learning how individual advocates act as catalysts in their communities has played an important role in our understanding of the advocacy landscape. We acknowledge that advocates come from complex and multi-varied backgrounds encompassing a breadth and depth of experience, goals, and desires.

In this first national webinar, we seek to learn from disability advocates and hold a conversation about how advocates stay informed, work together, and mobilize to make change in their communities and services systems. This webinar provides a chance to hear from advocates about the steps they took in finding their disability advocacy community, the trials and tribulations along the way, any tips for success, and ultimately how they see disability advocates maintaining a sense of connection in their work together.

ASL interpretation, Spanish interpretation, and live English captions will be provided during the webinar."

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lCKOLPaaTIegVi0azUKZvg #/registration

Values Into Action wishes a Happy Easter to those who celebrate! May your weekend be filled with joy and hope.

Image Description: Peeps marshmallows in spring colors on a light pink background with the phrase, "check in on your peeps" in orange bubble font.