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The
Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County is a cross-disability
resource and advocacy organization for people with
disabilities.
Its
basic values are 1. Consumer primacy; 2. empowerment; and 3. a belief
that the problems of disability are located in society, not in the
individual.
Thus,
the work of Centers for Independent Living is directed primarily at
advocating for the removal of physical and psychological barriers and
assisting consumers in dealing with those barriers.
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DRCFC
THIRTY-SECOND
ANNUAL
MEETING
MONDAY,
MAY 13, 2013
5:00-8:00
PM
The Disability Resource Center of
Fairfield County will hold its thirty-second Annual Meeting on Monday, May
13, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 PM at St. Joseph’s of Stratford National
Catholic Church (1300 Stratford Road. Stratford,
CT 06615). An assisted buffet supper will be served at 5:00 PM.
KEYNOTE
PRESENTATION: Join DRCFC as we
recognize the retirement of Tony LaCava as Executive Director
with a look at the Past and Future of Independent Living as seen by CT
Center Directors:
Tony LaCava (DRCFC -
Stratford)
Candace Low (IU -
Hartford)
Eileen Healy (IN -
Naugatuck)
Cathy Ferry (DNEC -
Norwich)
Marc A. Gallucci (CDR -
West Haven)
The Annual Meeting will also
feature performances by the Triumphant Fire Choir.
The Annual Meeting invitation, in
PDF format, can be downloaded here.
RSVP: Joe at (203)
378-6977 or jeckert@drcfc.org by May
7, 2013.
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CONSUMER
OPEN ACCESS COMPUTER WORKSTATION
State Plan for Independent
Living (SPIL) funded the purchase of a desktop computer, loaded with
adaptive software, and an accessible workstation. Consumers of DRCFC
can use the computer:
* To be assessed or trained by
BESB Rehab Technologists and contractors;
* For personal web searches,
emails, document development;
* For education, pre-employment
activities and searches
The computer includes software
for the visually impaired, including GUIDE hands-free, Scan and Read
Pro, and Zoom Text. Staff are available to assist and/or orient
consumers to the computer and software. Please contact DRCFC at (203) 378-6977
to
schedule a convenient time.
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YOUTH
TRANSITION PROGRAM
Free services to youth with
disabilities, ages 16-21
DRCFC is now offering free services
to high school juniors and seniors with any significant disability
through our new Youth Transition Program. The program focuses on the
student’s goals and plans, and helps them to build the skills they
need to be successful whether they plan to transition to secondary
education or into a career. The Youth Transition Program’s primary
focus is on self-determination, and helping students develop the skills
they need to be successful.
Students
will work in a group to train in important vocational “soft-skills”
such as effective communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Some
examples of activities include filling out job applications, performing
mock job interviews, and effective communication exercises. In addition,
students will develop self-determination and self-advocacy skills, learn
about student rights and responsibilities, as afforded by the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), and discuss and prepare for the Planning
and Placement Team (PPT) process.
A peer-facilitated support group
will give individuals an opportunity to develop leadership skills, to
share their concerns regarding their disability and the transition
process, while learning from one another how to be better
self-advocates.
We will be working from Skills
to Pay the Bills, a text developed in cooperation between the
Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy,
focusing on key skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.
We
will also use Building a Bridge, a guide for high school students
with disabilities to help them make choices and become successful
self-advocates.
If you would like more information about
the Youth Transition Program at DRCFC, please
contact Amanda Landi, Youth Transition Advocate, at alandi@drcfc.org
or (203) 378-6977 ext. 105.
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AGING
& DISABILITY
RESOURCE NETWORK (ADRN)
DRCFC and Southwestern
Connecticut Agency on Aging (SWCAA) have joined together to establish
the Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN). This network has been
established to provide "one stop shopping" to the aging and disabled
communities. With the assistance of our 14 city and town community partners,
those looking for resources can contact DRCFC or SWCAA and get the help they
need without making numerous telephone calls. They will be transferred to the
correct service provider immediately through special telephone technology; this
will prevent the consumer from having to tell their story again or having to
hang up and dial another number.
ADRN will work with the 14 community partners to expand
awareness of the programs that are available through DRCFC & SWCAA. Also,
ADRN will work with these partners to expand awareness of their programs.
If you would like more information about ADRN, please
contact Fran Sinish, ADRN Coordinator, at fsinish@drcfc.org
or (203) 378-6977 ext. 111.
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HABLAMOS
ESPANOL
If you speak Spanish and need
assistance, please contact Dot Healy, Independent Living Advocate, at dhealy@drcfc.org
or (203) 378-6977 ext. 114.
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GREATER
BRIDGEPORT
DISABILITY
ADVOCATES
The
Greater
Bridgeport Disability Advocates meet monthly (every third Thursday) from 12pm until 2pm, at Bridgeport City Hall,
45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport. For more information on participating in the
Greater Bridgeport Disability Advocacy Collaborative, please contact Larry
Robinson at lrobinson@drcfc.org
or (203) 378-6977 ext. 115.
For more information about Greater
Bridgeport Disability Advocates and upcoming meeting dates, please click here.
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DRCFC
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Use the links below to join the the Disability Resource Center of Fairfield
County (DRCFC) on social media sites. It's a great way to keep
in touch with the DRCFC and other friends!
DRCFC
on Facebook
DRCFC
on Twitter
DRCFC
on MySpace
DRCFC
on Google Plus
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DRCFC
MESSAGE BOARD
The DRCFC
Message Board is a FREE support service, discussion forum, and/or
message board provided by the Disability Resource Center of Fairfield
County, Inc. This service is available to everyone statewide,
nationwide, and worldwide with Internet access. The goal of the DRCFC
Message Board is to bring people with disabilities, those who work with
people with disabilities (privately, and on the state, local, and
federal levels), and those simply interested in advising, mentoring, and
making a positive difference in the lives of individuals together to
communicate with each other, discuss relevant issues, and share
resources, advice, support, and inspiration. You DO NOT have to have a
disability to join this community. Everyone is invited to join in and
participate!
Several resources and
publications are available on the DRCFC Message Board. These
include:
CONNECTIONS
- NEWSLETTER OF THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
NEAT
CENTER AT OAK HILL EVENTS
Additional resources and
publications can be found in the PUBLICATIONS,
NEWSLETTERS, AND BULLETINS forum.
* The most current
issues of these resources/publications can always be found at the end of the message board thread.
National and local
disability-related news and events can also be found in the DISABILITY
ISSUES AND ADVICE forum.
More information about the
DRCFC Message Board can be found here.
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