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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. _______________________________________________
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!
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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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_______________________________________________ Website
Hosted by Optimum/Hostway Maintained
by Sean K. (DRCFC Website and Social Media Manager) Original
Site Design: Vincent J. S., 1997 Updated Weekly: R-042513-SK _______________________________________________
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