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12/19/2001:
The Iowa Department of Public Health and the IANet Task Force has put together an on-line brochure of guidelines to improve communication with people who have disabilities. The seven-page Communicating about Health Care with People Who Have Disabilities is available as a pdf file at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/sa/guides.pdf. For more information, please contact Roger Chapman, Bureau of Disability and Injury Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas Building, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 (email rchapman@health.state.ia.us).
Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader® is required to read this document; it can be downloaded free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. See http://access.adobe.com/acrobatmain.html for information about tools to help visually disabled users whose screen reader software is not compatible with the Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.
12/17/2001:
The Division of Persons with Disabilities in partnership with the Department for the Blind and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is sponsoring a leadership training program for students with disabilities. Approximately 30 juniors and seniors with disabilities will be selected. Students will be diverse in disability, gender, ethnicity, and geographical location. The forum will be held in Ames, Iowa, from July 28 through August 2, 2002.
This forum is open to high school juniors and seniors with disabilities who have demonstrated leadership capabilities in their communities and schools. Approximately 30 students will be selected to attend with expenses paid by the Youth Leadership forum. The forum provides opportunities for participants to develop their leadership skills, increase awareness of career options through presentations, activities and small group discussions, and to learn with and from young people with disabilities from across the state. Application deadline is February 4, 2002. Sponsored by the Division of Persons with Disabilities in partnership with the Department for the Blind and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. For a copy of the application, contact the Parent-Educator Connection at 1 -800-392-6640.
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12/11/01
The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an organization to develop a program to improve the provision of services to dually diagnosed adults. The program can provide direct services, education, or training aimed at improving service delivery and awareness of co-occurring disorders for adults with mental illness and substance abuse issues. The RFP requires the acquisition of matching funds for the substance abuse portion of the program. The successful bidder will be expected to ensure consumer participation in all aspects of development and implementation of the project and designate a portion of the funds for evaluation of the project.
The mental health portion of the project will be funded with federal Community Mental Health Block Grant funds. Funds in the amount of $80,000. These funds are available for this project for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2002. Eligible bidders include units of local government, public agencies, or private, non-profit or for-profit organizations with an interest in mental health and substance abuse services for adults.
There is a brief description of the RFP online at http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/RFPOnline.asp (you may need to scroll down this page) with a link to a Microsoft Word document file of the full RFP.
Individuals or firms without access to the Internet and wishing to receive a copy of the RFP must submit their request in writing by mail, e-mail, or fax to:
Notices of Intent to Bid are due by December 21, 2002. Proposals are due by January 22, 2002.
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11/28/01
Drake University is offering a two-year Master of Science in Rehabilitation Administration designed to prepare individuals to work in positions of leadership within rehabilitation agencies. Specific emphasis is placed on supported employment, job placement, employer development and client evaluation. The program will start with the Winter Semester of 2002 in Kansas City, Missouri. Classes will meet one weekend a month, all day Saturday and half a day Sunday morning.
Grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration are available that will pay all of most of the tuition (depending on the number of students) and an additional stipend to defray the cost of books.
For more details or to request a packet with application materials, call 402-614-8773, email nancy.kaywood@drake.edu or see http://soe.drake.edu/KC/
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10/3/01
The purpose of the MEPD program is to provide health care to persons who have disabilities and who work. MEPD provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to increase earnings without losing health care access and to have health care access in instances where the employer's insurance coverage may not address pre-existing conditions. MEPD has higher income and resource limits than other Medicaid coverage groups. When the person's income is over 150% of the poverty level, health coverage continues to be available, subject to a monthly sliding scale premium. For more information, call your county Department of Human Services office. See http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/locations/locations.asp for links to county DHS offices.
9/21/01
The deadline to apply for a Community Living Transition grant has been extended to October 15. See http://disabilitytraining.org/consortiumgrant/Default.htm for information about the transition grants and http://disabilitytraining.org/consortiumgrant/application.html for the grant application itself
8/28/01:
Call for Papers: Iowa Association of Community Providers 2002 Annual Convention and Trade Show, April 9-11, 2002, Iowa State Center, Ames, Iowa. Abstracts of papers due by October 1. Purpose of Convention: To share your expertise and experience in working with people with disabilities. Your presentations will make this conference a unique sharing experience. For more information, call 515-270-9495.
Call for Proposals: 4Cs Annual Early Childhood Care and Education Conference, April 6, 2002, Iowa City, Iowa. Proposals due by December 15. Topics include, but are not limited, to: Curriculum, Music, Movement, Art/Crafts, Dramatic Play, Thematic Units, Literacy Development. For more information, call 319-338-7684 or email fourcs@inav.net
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8/3/01:
Six Policy Roundtables have been scheduled in August that will feature noted presenters and experts as well as participant discussions. These focus on six distinct mental health policy categories. If you are an employer, parent or family member, policymaker, advocate, provider, media, consumer of services, labor organization, business or corporation, farmer, teacher, health care provider, community based organization, or any member of the public interested in the well-being of Iowans, please attend one or all of these Policy Roundtables. There is no registration fee and the public is welcome. To RSVP or for more information, call Beth at (515) 243-2000 or email bwiller@sppg.com.
The Iowa Mental Health Forum is a coalition of mental health professionals, academics, providers, advocates, parents, public officials, and interested Iowans who are working together to increase awareness of the value and the shortcomings of the state's mental health system. At the same time, the Forum is providing resources and expertise to policymakers looking to reform Iowa's system.
7/13/01:
For more information about the Center for Disabilities and Development, please:
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7/12/2001:
IOWA CITY – The 11th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be celebrated with a rally, art show, and a training session on grassroots organizing on Saturday, July 28, at the Iowa City Public Library and the Pedestrian Mall.
The ADA, a civil rights act for people who have disabilities, was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Celebrations of the ADA have become an annual tradition in Iowa City and other communities across the country.
Mike Oxford, President of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), will be the keynote speaker. Oxford is also the Executive Director of the Topeka, Kansas, Independent Living Resource Center and an organizer with Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT).
Artwork by persons with disabilities will be displayed and for sale from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the Pedestrian Mall near the library. The rally begins at 11:00 AM. After lunch, Oxford will speak and conduct a training session on community organizing from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Public Library.
Oxford will also speak at noon on Monday, July 30, at the Center for Disabilities and Development (formerly University Hospital School).
All activities are being coordinated by the Evert Conner Rights & Resources Center for Independent Living and numerous community co-sponsors. For information about participating in the art show or training session, call Harriet Gooding at 338-3870.
For more information, call Karen Kubby at 319-337-2112.
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Iowa Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc. will be conducting focus groups across
the state and invites people with disabilities, family members, and consumer coalition
members to attend. Your participation will assist us with setting program goals and
priorities for the 2002 fiscal year.
Public meetings will be held at the following dates and locations:
If you have any questions about Iowa Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc. or about the upcoming focus groups, please call (515) 278-2502 or (800) 779-2502.
6/27/2001:
The Iowa Commission of Persons with Disabilities has eight award categories: Governor's Award, Employer of the Year Awards, Distinguished Service Award, Commissioners' Award, Media Awards, Local Committee of the Year Award, Youth Service Award, and Best Accessible Design Award. Each honors people and employers for their contributions toward public awareness in employing people with disabilities. We are asking for no more than three to five (3-5) letters of recommendation, newspaper articles, and other supporting documentation which will be given full consideration by the selection committee. The deadline for each nomination is July 31. For more information, call 888-219-0471 or 515-242-6172.
DES MOINES, IOWA - The ASK Family Resource Center will hold an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. on July 9th to celebrate the opening of its new offices at 317 and 321 East Sixth Street in downtown Des Moines. The resource center brings together a variety of statewide non-profit organizations dedicated to assisting parents and other professionals with disability related issues. Among the organizations involved are the Parent Training and Information Center of Iowa, Iowa Family Support Initiative, Iowa Respite and Crisis Care Coalition, The Legal Center for Special Education, and Family Voices of Iowa.
The ASK Family Resource Center provides information, advocacy, training, and referral services at no charge. Legal services specific to special education issues will also be available to families at a reduced cost based on income. While most of the organizations involved are funded primarily through Federal grants and private donations, the center itself was made possible through a donation from Prairie Meadows to cover initial operating expenses. For more information, contact Erik Anderson, ASK Resource Center, (515) 243-1713.
6/8/2001:
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation sponsors applications for a Public Policy Fellowship for outstanding professionals and parents who have demonstrated a commitment to persons with mental retardation and their families, and an interest in how policy is developed in Washington. This one-year fellowship carries a tradition of contribution to the policy making process, working with Members of Congress and their staff or with key Executive Branch Agencies.
Past Public Policy Fellows have assisted with a variety of legislation, such as the Developmental Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Ticket to Work/Work Incentives Act, the Foster Care Independence Act and bills expanding health care opportunities for people with disabilities. Some fellows have assisted with the implementation of the Administration's efforts in broad policy areas. All have enjoyed and profited from their extraordinary opportunities.
Should you know of outstanding individuals, please have them forward their resume and at least three letters of recommendation to the Foundation to the attention of the Public Policy Fellowship Program. The deadline for all applications is July 31, 2001.
For more information, contact: Sue Badeau, 202-393-1250 ext 316 or sbadeau@aol.com or visit http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/jpkf/index.html.
The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has released an RFP to develop Transitional Services for Correctional Consumers with Mental Illness. This RFP is for an organization to develop a program to:
Integrate correctional consumers who have psychiatric illnesses into their chosen communities upon discharge from correctional facilities to probation or parole. Assist correctional services consumers who have psychiatric illnesses in making connections with a variety of supports and services to promote stability in the community, addressing mental health needs, locating employment, and connecting to financial and health-related resources. Assist correctional consumers who have psychiatric illnesses to reduce inappropriate hospitalization and avoid further involvement with the correctional system. Assistance in the development of natural supports within the family and community, along with the direct services provided, will achieve outcomes of improved stability, health, safety and self-sufficiency. The successful bidder will be expected to collaborate with two similar programs already funded and operational.
This project will be funded with federal Community Mental Health Block Grant funds. Funds in the amount of $81,747. These funds are available for this project for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2002. Eligible bidders include units of local government, public agencies, or private, non-profit or for-profit, organizations.
A link to the RFP can be found on the MHDD website at http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/RFPOnline.asp
Individuals or firms wishing to receive a copy of the RFP must submit their request in writing by mail, e-mail, or fax to: Lila P.M. Starr, Issuing Officer, Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Iowa Department of Human Services, Hoover State Office Building, 5th Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114, FAX 515-281-8512, e-mail Lstarr@dhs.state.ia.us.
Notices of Intent to Bid are due by June 1, 2001. Proposals are due by June 27, 2001
5/30/2001:
The Iowa Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Personnel, will invest in improved employment practices that result in the increased recruitment, employment and retention of individuals with disabilities in positions in state government that are consistent with their needs, interests and abilities. It is also the intent of the Council that those improved employment practices form the basis for a model that can be replicated in other employment settings across the state.
From the issue date of this RFP until announcement of the successful bidder, bidders may contact only the Issuing Officer. The Issuing Officer will respond only to questions regarding the procurement process. Questions related to the interpretation of this RFP must be submitted in writing to the Issuing Officer by 4:30 p.m., CDT, May 25, 2001, or be submitted at the bidders' conference June 5, 2001. Unauthorized contact regarding the RFP with other state employees or Council Members shall result in disqualification.
For more information, contact:
Janet Shoeman, Issuing Officer
Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council
617 East Second Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
800/452-1936 (TTY & Voice)
515/281-9087 (Fax)
Important Dates:
Bidders’ Conference June 5, 2001
Response to Questions June 8, 2001
Closing Date for Receipt of Proposals June 25, 2001
5/10/2001:
Iowa is one of 20 states awarded a significant federal grant to assist in developing and examining options to expand health insurance to all Iowans. Iowa, along with 10 other states, was awarded a State Planning Grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services in the fall of 2000. Nine additional states have recently received funding in a second round of awards, making Iowa one of 20 states sharing the $23.8 million provided by the federal government to develop plans for providing access to health insurance coverage to all citizens.
The Iowa Department of Public Health is managing the grant program using a multi-faceted strategy based on public input and research. During May, regional forums will be held across the state to unveil findings of health insurance coverage options for Iowans, as identified by firms conducting research as part of this grant program. All of these forums are open to the public. The state is interested in hearing the perceptions of Iowans on expanding the availability of health insurance. Locations for the regional forums include:
All times include 30 minutes for registration prior to the start of the presentation.
The department's goals include building a complete picture of Iowa's uninsured population based on data, as well as Iowans' beliefs on expanding access to health insurance, and designing coverage options that will incorporate these elements. In addition, the department will create a strategy to achieve the goal of expanding access to health insurance. Each grant-recipient state will prepare a report to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which can be used by other states to expand access to health insurance. To accomplish its goals, Iowa has formed a Strategic Planning Grant Citizen's Alliance to oversee the project. Led by Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, the Citizen's Alliance will consider findings gained from the extensive research and public input and create a strategic plan to move Iowa toward implementation of policies and programs leading to all Iowans having health insurance.
For more information about Iowa's State Planning Grant Program, contact Anne Kinzel, Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, Sixth Floor, Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/281-4346
5/4/2001:
Iowans with disabilities who are interested in starting a small business in Iowa can now register to attend a two-day Exploring Entrepreneurship self-employment seminar in Council Bluffs, Wednesdays, May 16 and 23. This seminar on both days will be for three hours at the Council Bluffs Community Hall, 209 Main Street. To register, call BASE at 1-866-684-8983 or (641) 932-3003 or via e-mail at amsray@lisco.net.
5/2/2001:
The National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake University is currently accepting applications for the fall 2001 semester. The Rehabilitation Institute offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the field of rehabilitation:
Classes are offered in both evening and weekend formats. The Institute currently has three long-term training grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration that allows it to offer students up to a full scholarship.
Interested? Contact the Rehabilitation Institute at 515-271-4842 or 1-800-44-DRAKE ext. 4842 or see http://soe.drake.edu/nri/
3/13/2001:
Disability Rights Advocate in Iowa CityNorman Kunc is an educational consultant, family therapist, and disability rights advocate from British Columbia, Canada. He has spent the last twenty years working to ensure that people with disabilities are able to take their rightful place in schools, workplaces, and communities. Norman and his wife Emma travel throughout the world to talk with school districts, human service agencies, employers, and advocacy groups. Two years ago Norman spoke to several large audiences in eastern Iowa. This spring he will give two presentations in Iowa City. Both of Norman's events are free and open to the public.
On Thursday, April 26, at 7:00 PM, Norman will speak at the Iowa City Public Library on "Interpersonal Alchemy: Turning Resistance into Collaboration." On Friday, April 27, at 8:00 AM, Norman will speak at University Hospital School on "Ethical Issues Surrounding Physician-Assisted Suicide." For more information about these events, call 319-353-6448. For more information about Norman Kunc, visit http://www.normemma.com/
3/11/2001:
Disability, Culture & Education is a "quarterly, refereed journal of international scope devoted to publishing the highest quality interdisciplinary scholarship and research based in the humanities and the humanities-oriented qualitative social sciences. The goal of the journal is to support scholarship that examines, critiques and interprets disability as a construct and a human experience embedded within cultural beliefs, practices and social institutions."
Editors Scot Danforth and Susan Gabel have issued a Call for Papers for the new periodical which will be launched in 2002. Details on technical requirements, language, format and references available from: Susan Gabel, Ph.D., College of Education. Department of Curriculum and Foundations, Cleveland State University, 1860 E. 22nd Street, Cleveland, OH 44114.
3/5/2001:
The theme of this year's Annual Convention is "2001: A Professional Odyssey."
Of special interest to ASHA members and colleagues in other disciplines are the four
special day-long sessions on: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Literacy Across the Years;
Cross-Cultural Issues in Training, Treatment, and Research; and Brain-Behavior
Relationships Across the Life Span. The themes for the Audiology technical papers are:
Hearing Aid Fitting and Evaluation; Early Identification of Hearing Loss and Follow-Up;
Clinical Electrophysiology (including Auditory Neuropathy issues); Genetics and Hearing
Loss (including Counseling); and Practice Management/Reimbursement. The conference will be
held November 15-18, 2001 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The deadline for the 2001 Call
for Papers is April 4, 2001. For more information, e-mail papers@asha.org or see web page at http://professional.asha.org/convention/abstracts/welcome.asp
3/2/2001:
The Iowa Association of Community Providers Program Committee invites submission of program abstracts for the 2001 Mental Health Conference, Life Transitions: Mental Health Issues From Womb to Tomb, October 10-11 at the Iowa State Center, Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa. The conference will feature a variety of topics, including clinical, administrative, client/consumer employment, and educational issues. All submissions must be postmarked on or before March 16, 2001. Send proposals to Suzanne Gebel, IACP, 7025 Hickman Road Suite 5, Urbandale, Iowa 50322. For more information, call 515-270-9495, fax 515-270-1035, or e-mail sgebel@iowaproviders.org.
2/26/2001:
A brown bag lunch discussion will be held on Wednesday, March 7th, 2001 from 12:00-1:30 PM in the Iowa City Council Chambers for a presentation on design elements that address issues of accessibility. The sponsors for this program include Iowa City's Housing Inspection Services, Planning & Community Development Department and the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. Keynote speaker for this event will be James de Jong, Project Director and Principal Investigator of the ADA Project in Columbia, Missouri. Mr. de Jong currently serves on the U.S. Access Board Advisory Committee. This program is free and open to the public. Drinks and desserts will be provided. For additional information, please contact Heather Shank at 356-5022 or Angela Williams at 356-5244.
2/19/2001:
Beginning in October, individuals with disabilities will have a new avenue for obtaining the skills they need to compete effectively for the jobs of their dreams. Avenues Unlimited, Inc. will award training scholarships on a competitive basis to persons between the ages of 16 and 29 who have a physical, mental, sensory, or emotional disability.
Avenues Unlimited is a private, nonprofit organization that trains youths and adults with disabilities in the skills of job seeking and self-advocacy.
Each training will consist of one-on-one sessions in which the scholarship recipient learns the keys to conducting an independent job search: developing and carrying out a plan of action; utilizing local and national resources; writing and customizing resumes and cover letters; and giving effective interviews. Trainees will also learn how to manage the effect of disability and accommodation issues on their employment goal.
A cornerstone of the training will be Avenues' highly acclaimed Rehearsal Job Interview Program, which provides job seekers with a videotaped interview with an employer. "Over the years I have become convinced that Avenues provides the most realistic and effective rehearsal interview program that we could ever hope to find," Miguel Bueso, Transition Coordinator for The Pathways Schools, recently said. (Pathways serves the needs of students with severe emotional disturbances. Avenues has been providing the Rehearsal Job Interview Program to Pathways students since 1996.) Board member Jeane Warkentin, Warkentin Company Realtors, who chairs Avenues' Marketing Committee, developed the Scholarship Program, saying that "it's time we made it easier for more job seekers to receive our training services."
Any person with a physical, mental, sensory, or emotional disability between the ages of 16 and 29 is eligible to apply for an Avenues Unlimited Scholarship. Interested individuals should write a letter to the Scholarship Committee detailing why they want the training and what they plan to do with what they learn. They must also include a biographical sketch, home address, and telephone number. The Committee will acknowledge all applicants and inform them of the results. Send scholarship applications to:
Organizations and individuals who would like to sponsor a job seeker with a disability to receive Avenues' training services should call Fritz Rumpel, Avenues' Executive Director, at (301) 585-2608 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail him at frumpel@avenuesunlimited.org. Each scholarship is worth $300 and is tax deductible. Sponsors will receive information on and correspondence from the individual they are supporting, and will be kept informed about the progress of his or her job search once the training is over. Unless anonymity is requested, all sponsors will be publicly acknowledged.
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2/16/2001:
Come to the Iowa Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council Issue Forum and have lunch with your legislators on Thursday, February 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the State Capitol, Room 116 and discuss the Olmstead Decision.
2/12/2001:
The Program Committee of the Iowa Association of Community Providers invites the submission of program abstracts for its 2001 Mental Health Conference, to be held October 10-11 in Ames, Iowa. Proposals are welcome from individuals and organizations involved in all aspects of the delivery of mental health services to consumers, advocates, providers, family members, regulators, policy makers, administrators and funders. The conference will feature a variety of topics that will interest the diverse audience, including clinical, administrative, client/consumer employment, and educational issues. All submissions must be postmarked on or before March 16, 2001. Send proposals to Suzanne Gebel, IACP, 7025 Hickman Road, Suite 5, Urbandale, Iowa 50322. For more information, phone:(515) 270-9495, fax:(515) 270-1035 or e-mail sgebel@iowaproviders.org.
2/7/2001:
The Arc is requesting proposals for workshop presentations at its 52nd Annual Convention, October 18-20 in New Orleans. Workshops must focus on The Arc’s core values. The committee is particularly interested in presentations addressing family issues, although quality workshops not specifically targeting families will also be considered.
Presenters must register for the convention and pay their own expenses. The Arc will provide the following audio-visual equipment free of charge: transparency projector, slide projector, projection screen, VCR and monitor, easel, pad and markers and microphone. Additional equipment may be rented through the convention audio-visual contractor.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact: Sharon Davis, (301) 565-5478, e-mail davis@thearc.org. Proposals must be postmarked by March 16, 2001.
1/31/2001:
Persons with disabilities who are interested in starting a business can now register to attend a 10-week self-employment seminar to be held each Monday beginning March 5 through May 7. The training program will take place each week for three hours at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Des Moines.
Kimberley Ray, administrator for BASE, says the seminar is designed to help entrepreneurs learn if their idea is viable, what it takes to succeed in business, and how to build a business plan among other topics. BASE provides answers to individual questions about starting or expanding a business and has resources about business ownership. Participation in the program costs $25 and reservations are limited to 15 persons. A limited number of scholarships are available for those who qualify. Special accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and materials in alternate formats will be provided upon timely request.
The seminar is made possible through Business Assistance Services for Entrepreneurs (BASE), a jointly sponsored program of the University of Iowa's Law, Health, Policy & Disability Center and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
To register, call BASE at 1-866-684-8983 or (641) 932-3003 or e-mail amsray@lisco.net.
The Huntington's Disease Society of America is pleased to announce the first annual "Celebration of Hope" Dinner for the benefit of the Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence at The University of Iowa. The Center provides medical care, counseling, referral and education for patients and their families. The Honorable Tom Harkin is serving as the event's Honorary Chair. The dinner will take place on Monday evening, April 16, 2001, in the Wayne Richie Ballroom in the University of Iowa's Memorial Union, with a reception, dinner and awards ceremony. Tickets begin at $75 per person. For more information, contact Elizabeth Penziner at (319) 353-4307.
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1/28/2001:
University Hospital School in Iowa City is now offering short-term, temporary respite care for people with disabilities. UHS developed this service in response to needs expressed by Iowa families and service providers. It is available year round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on a space available basis. Services are located in the UHS Inpatient Unit in Iowa City. While we prefer advance notice, in some situations (depending on available space) care can be arranged with only a few hours' notice.
People of all ages, with a wide range of disabilities -- including people with severe, multiple disabilities -- can use this service. It is also available for individuals who:
This service is not available for individuals who are are actively suicidal, likely to run away, criminally violent or aggressive, or subject to unpredictable manic episodes.
Individuals who come to UHS for respite care have round the clock access to routine nursing care. They can also participate in UHS recreation activities, which include interaction with other staff and patients, as well as activities in the Iowa City community.
A variety of payment options exist to help families pay for this service. For example, some HCBS waivers provide respite coverage, and other DHS funding may also be available. UHS staff will be happy to talk with families about various payment options. For more information about the UHS Respite Service, or to schedule respite care, please contact: Lori Hilmer, 319-353-6915 (voice), 877-686-0031 (toll-free, voice), e-mail lori-hilmer@uiowa.edu.
At UHS, you’ll find staff with expertise in: aging and disability, assistive technology, asthma, behavior disorders, bowel and bladder management, brain injury, cognitive disorders (LD, ADD, ADHD), communication disorders (speech, language, hearing), computer access, dentistry, diabetes, education, genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, mobility, myelodysplasia, spina bifida, nutrition, feeding, and growth management, physical disabilities, postural support, sleep disorders, vision impairment, wheelchair and seating.
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1/24/2001:
The Iowa Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council has announced the anticipated availability of funds totaling up to $80,000 for one and/or two years for projects in the area of transportation. The Council intends to invest in initiatives that demonstrate collaboration and cooperation and result in reliable, efficient transportation which helps assure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities of access to their community as other community members.
Council Target: By 2003, as a result of Council initiatives, 200 additional Iowans with developmental disabilities will use affordable, reliable, efficient transportation that meets their individual needs.
The Request for Proposals will be issued after February 12, 2001. You may request a printed copy by calling Ann Hunt at 800/452-1936 or 281-9082. Letters of Intent are due to the DD Council Office by 4:30 p.m. (CST) Friday, February 2, 2001. More information is available online at http://www.state.ia.us/ddcouncil/new.html#notice.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced the launch of AFB's completely redesigned Web site at http://www.afb.org/.
The new AFB site contains a range of features that make it compatible with the use of assistive devices and therefore accessible to people with disabilities. For example, graphics are labeled with text that can be read aloud by screen readers, and the site offers low vision users a "change colors" feature that enables them to choose the color combination that is easiest to read. In addition, all audio on the site is also available in text in order to be accessible to those who are deaf or hearing impaired.
The AFB site is unusual in that it combines complex functionality with an attractive visual environment and is designed to be accessible to people with all types of disabilities. It meets the stringent AAA guidelines of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) established to help organizations build Internet sites that are accessible to people with disabilities. The AFB site could also serve as a model for compliance with the newly published accessibility standards for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998, which require that all federal government sites providing information to the public be accessible to people with disabilities, since these standards are based on the WAI guidelines.
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1/19/2001
Those who want to apply for a federal student loan, find the nearest veterans hospital, or reserve a campsite at a national park can find answers at a new one-stop government Web site. The site, www.firstgov.gov, which officially opened in September, 2000, consolidates about 27 million government Web pages.
"Up to this point, the problem has been finding the information" in the maze of government Web sites, said Thomas Kalil, special assistant to the president for economic policy. "It's been like a library without a card catalog." The site allows Internet users to browse government information by topic or search by key words, rather than by agency. It is intended to reduce the time Americans spend traveling to government offices and waiting in line. The site can handle millions of searches a day.
1/18/2001
The Wellmark Foundation’s year 2001 health improvement agenda focuses on community initiatives that measurably improve health through preventive health services or health promotion. Wellmark’s first cycle grant conference is scheduled for January 24, 2001. The conference is two hours in length with one hour dedicated to explaining the grant criteria and the application process. These conferences will be broadcast over ICN at the following locations:
For more information, e-mail WMFoundation@wellmark.com, telephone 515-245-4706, or see the Wellmark Foundation information at http://www.wellmark.com/community/wellmark_foundation/wellmark_foundation.htm
Clinical psychologist and best-selling author Mary Pipher will visit Iowa City February 20 to discuss families and aging. During her visit Pipher will attend a reception at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and read from her work on the popular "Live From Prairie Lights" radio series.
The reading and lecture will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 20 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Iowa City. The event is free and open to the public and will be carried live on public radio station WSUI-AM.
An informational fair on care giving and intergenerational relationships, featuring experts from community organizations and UI programs, will precede Pipher's talk beginning at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton. Also, Riverside Theatre's Ron Clark and Jody Hovland will present "I'm Herbert," a short sketch on growing older, immediately prior to Pipher's talk.
Pipher, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, is best known as the author of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, which topped the New York Times bestseller list for 27 weeks.
Pipher's visit, expected to be her only appearance in Iowa in 2001, is sponsored by the UI College of Nursing; the Eastern Iowa International Year of Older Persons Committee; Lensing Funeral and Cremation Services; Mercy Hospital of Iowa City; the Iowa City Press-Citizen; Silvercrest Assisted Care; Iowa City Hospice; Iowa State Bank and Trust; Hills Bank and Trust; Prairie Lights; Sheraton Iowa City; and the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center.
For more information, contact Lori Benz, Center on Aging, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: lori-benz@uiowa.edu or phone 319-335-6546.
1/8/2001
Partners in Policymaking is now actively seeking applications from highly motivated men and women who have a disability or are parents of a young child with disabilities.
Partners in Policymaking is a training program federally-funded by the Governor's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council. Partners is an International Program that is designed for individuals with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with disabilities. They provide up-to-date, state-of-the-art information about disability issues from local and nationally-recognized presenters.
As a Partner participant, you will attend nine, one-day sessions. The sessions will be one Saturday per month beginning in February and ending in November, excluding August. Sessions will typically run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Training sessions are held in the Des Moines area and are free of charge for participants. Overnight lodging will be provided for those participants living more then two hours from Des Moines. Meals will be provided during the session. Mileage is reimbursable. Personal assistant services and childcare may be reimbursable, decided on a case-by-case basis. Participants MUST make a commitment to attend ALL sessions, to complete and turn in homework assignments between sessions as well as complete the forms recording times spent on disability-related issues.
Session topics include, but are not limited to:
If you would like an application or would like to learn more about this training program, please call Ann Hunt at 1-800-452-1936 or (515) 281-9082, or via email at: abaule@dhs.state.ia.us.
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Updated 11/12/08 01:33