Words cannot describe how grateful we are for the amazing program Wheels Across Montana made possible through a Dana & Christopher Reeve foundation High Impact grant!  Because of this program, Jace was able to actually ride a bike—all by himself—for the very first time.  The pure joy he felt was seen through his huge smile while pedaling this super cool bike.

This webinar is the second of a two-part series discussing the array of activities that Montana 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. Presenters will provide examples of activities in each area, illustrate how many of the areas can be addressed through combined meaningful activities, and demonstrate through examples how an evolution of Pre-ETS services for each individual student best prepares them for college and careers.  

 

Information on bills that are important. Important for families to call or e-mail members of committees. Attending would be great as well.

1.  SB 198 Require DPHHS to follow federal regulations for Early Periodic Screening and Diagnostic. Sponsored by Senator Caferro

Hearing on Wednesday February 15th at 3:00pm room 317 Senate Public Health. 

http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2017/billpdf/SB0198.pdf

Member Public Health Committee	Assignment	Town
David Howard  (R) SD 29	Chair	Park City
Cary Smith  (R) SD 27	Vice Chair	Billings
Mary Caferro  (D) SD 41	Member	Helena
Jen Gross  (D) SD 25	Member	Billings
Steve Hinebauch  (R) SD 18	Member	Wibaux
Frederick (Eric) Moore  (R) SD 19	Member	Miles City
Albert Olszewski  (R) SD 6	Member	Kalispell
Diane Sands  (D) SD 49	Member	Missoula
Jason D Small  (R) SD 21	Member	Busby

By Isaac Baldry

View Isaac's Slide Presentation (PDF)

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.

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.

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.

 

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

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!

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