Inclusion - We All Benefit

cac IB Photo By Isaac Baldry

YouTube Video including Isacc's Presentation

First, I want to thank you, for taking the time, to be part of a conversation, about inclusion. I really wanted to be a part of this webinar, because of how important inclusion is to me. When I started thinking about, and planning what I wanted to say, it felt like such a big project. I decided to start, with why do I feel the way I do, about inclusion.

If you have heard me speak before, you've heard me talk about being part of a big family. I think my views on inclusion, were again impacted by the values of my family.

It seems odd to say this, but I don't think, growing up, my younger siblings, even knew, I had a disability. My disability was just a part; of who I was. The expectation, was that we were all, doing everything together. Anyone of us could have needed something, in order to participate. We just looked at what did we want to do, and what would be needed to accomplish it. In the community, we had to consider wheelchair access, for me to participate with my family. If lack of access meant I couldn't participate, then no one participated. If it wasn’t something we could do together, then it didn't have value to our family.

Feb. 9 Webinar

Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Careers and College through an Evolution of Pre-ETS Activities - Part 1

Thursday, February 9, 2017
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM MST

This webinar is the first of a two-part series discussing the array of activities that students can participate in within the five required Pre-ETS categories: Job Exploration Counseling, Work-Based Learning Experiences, Counseling for Post-Secondary Education, Workplace Readiness Training, and Instruction in Self-Advocacy.

January 24th Webinar: Inclusion - We All Benefit

transistion employment

Is your school developing inclusive classrooms? Is your community promoting inclusion for people with disabilities? Is your place of business trying to establish an inclusive workplace? Inclusion is a popular term, but what exactly does it mean? (And just as importantly, what doesn't it mean?) What does it look like? Why does it matter? How can we make it happen? How do we ALL benefit from true inclusion? Join our webinar to hear answers to these questions and more.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MST
Reserve your webinar seat now

Please note: If you are unable to attend on the scheduled date or if registration closes because the session is full, the webinar will be recorded and archived to the Transition and Employment Projects website.

Health Care Reform Initiatives

As a member of a national organization (AUCD), the Rural Institute supports efforts to ensure that vulnerable populations are not harmed by current health care reform initiatives (see: http://www.montanabudget.org/aca_repeal_threat/ and http://c-c-d.org/fichiers/CCD-FactSheet-on-ACA_12-5-16_Final.pdf).

If you have questions, or would like to voice your concerns, below is a list of the Montana elected official websites.

Senator Tester’s ACA information site: http://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4903
Senator Daines does not have an ACA-specific site. His general email link is: https://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve
Representative Zinke does not have an ACA-specific site. His general email link is: https://zinke.house.gov/contact

Transition: Fulfilling the WIOA Mandate of Competitive Integrated Employment

Health Insurance Enrollment Resources for People with Disabilities

Enroll in or change 2017 Marketplace health insurance right now until January 31, 2017! The American Association on Health and Disabilities has made enrollment easier with disability-related resources for Marketplace Navigators to provide health insurance information and support that is relevant to consumers with disabilities.

The Montana Disability & Health Program has organized these resources for use during Open Enrollment at: [http://mtdh.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/?page_id=7107] to get started!

Also, to begin health insurance enrollment, Cover MT can help you find a Navigator near you!

The Safety Project poster for AUCD

Greetings All,
For those of you who won't be at AUCD this year, this is the poster that we will present on The Safety Project. It's been one of the most enjoyable and important projects we've done!

Thanks for all of your support. Enjoy!

Rosemary and Trinity

Movin' On in Montana

Movin' On in Montana is a transition seminar for high school students with disabilities who are considering college. It is hosted at the University of Montana by the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. Forty-eight Montana high school students have participated since 2015.

Self-Advocacy: Speaking Up for What You Want and Need

View this webinar from these expert presenters, all of whom have lived experience as self-advocates, to discover ways of teaching these skills to others and fostering them in yourself.

Up Coming Webinars from Transition & Employment Projects

November 29th Webinar: Self-Advocacy: Speaking Up for What You Want and Need
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MST
Do you know someone transitioning into adulthood that could use support building self-advocacy skills?

Fulfilling the WIOA Mandate of Competitive Integrated Employment (Pre-ETS).
December 8, 2016 from 3:30-5 MST
The first Pre-ETS webinar of the school year is coming up

PLUK presents an "Un-Typical Workshop"

November 14, 2016 (Monday morning) 9:00am - noon (FREE brunch)!
St. Francis Catholic Church Reception Center, 411 S 5th St, Hamilton, MT 59840
Help parents/caregivers of children with special needs and friends connect & ask questions related to any family, school, medical, or life issues
RSVP required by Monday, November 7 at http://RSVP.PLUK.ORG, or to receive follow-up information if you are not able to join in person.
Contact Jennifer Gaston-Smith, Western MT PLUK Family Support Partner at (406)255-0540 x707 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download flyer

Hope without Hype

The Latest in Alzheimer's Research An Alzheimer’s Association presentation
Offered for clinicians, researchers, students, aging-services providers, and caregivers.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 9:00 - 10:00am
Skaggs Building Foyer Coffee and conversation with Dr. Hartley10:00 - 11:00am Skaggs, room 114

No cost to attend. Registration is apprecieated. Visit alz.org/montana or call 800=272-3900

Rural Institute - Promoting Inclusive Communities