Having an internal company newsletter ... - empower: abilities · 1/1/2020 · Having an internal...
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OUR VOICE To remove barriers and empower independent living for all people with disabilities. Advocacy . Information & Referral . Peer Support . Independent Living Skills . Transition Services CDS . In-Home Services . Assistive Technology . Education . Home Modifications . Youth Services . Veterans To assist all people with disabilities to live their fullest life and participate in an accessible world of social equality. 2019 on the surface was a year of change. A new name that better reflects our mission was rolled out and along with that a new website and awareness campaign, AdaptNation. We took a leap of faith in changing our name, hoping we wouldn’t lose our identity. What we found was a renewed interest in who we are and what we do, an opportunity to share the heart of our mission with others. Not only does empower: abilities shift the focus to the intrinsic value of all people living with a disability, but aligns us with what is going on in our community and beyond. Aside from an updated look and name, we remain a group of advocates; a team of passionate, dedicated individuals; a force for change. Our staff, leadership and board are all working together to increase opportunity and expand access. By educating legislators on the impact and effects of legislation, we create awareness and accountability. By working with community partners we expand inclusion and opportunity. By working with individuals we empower ability. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Shannon Porter CEO
Transcript of Having an internal company newsletter ... - empower: abilities · 1/1/2020 · Having an internal...
OUR VOICEnews and information on disability matters
VOLUME 37 , I SSUE 1 . JANUARY -MARCH 2020
MISSION:
To remove barriersand empowerindependent living forall people withdisabilities.
Advocacy . Information & Referral . Peer Support . Independent Living Skills . Transition ServicesCDS . In-Home Services . Assistive Technology . Education . Home Modifications . Youth Services . Veterans
To assist all people withdisabilities to live theirfullest life andparticipate in anaccessible world ofsocial equality.
VIsion:
2019 on the surface was a year of change. A new name thatbetter reflects our mission was rolled out and along with thata new website and awareness campaign, AdaptNation. Wetook a leap of faith in changing our name, hoping we wouldn’tlose our identity. What we found was a renewed interest inwho we are and what we do, an opportunity to share theheart of our mission with others. Not only does empower:abilities shift the focus to the intrinsic value of all people livingwith a disability, but aligns us with what is going on in ourcommunity and beyond. Aside from an updated look and name, we remain a group ofadvocates; a team of passionate, dedicated individuals; aforce for change. Our staff, leadership and board are allworking together to increase opportunity and expand access. By educating legislators on the impact and effects oflegislation, we create awareness and accountability. Byworking with community partners we expand inclusion andopportunity. By working with individuals we empower ability.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing thatever has.” - Margaret Mead
Shannon PorterCEO
Shannon Porter, CEO
Advocate . Educate. Empower
Board of Directors 2019President
Randy CusterVice President
Tyler ReuthebuckTreasurerChris CobbSecretary
Melissa Caffey
At Large Members:Leslie Cockrum
Ryan FraseChandler Moore Sanders
April SwansonJennifer GreeneDanny Perches
Aaron KlusmeyerLes WhiteJan White
Megan Weaver
"OUR VOICE" NEWSLETTER
If you have suggestions for stories orcontent you would like to see in thenewsletter, please [email protected].
January - March 2020 www.empowerabilities.org Page 2
Restaurant Access Program (RAP)
We are launching our Restaurant Access Program, which
sets out to increase accessibility for all in our community
at our restaurants.
If you are interested in surveying local restaurants, we
are looking for YOU! In order to survey, you must
complete a training course through empower: abilities.
Training opportunities:
Friday, January 10th
9-10 am & 2-3 pm
empower: abilities
Community Room, Building B
If you are unable to attend a
training but would still like to
assist in surveying local
restaurants, please contact
Allison Robertson at
empower: abilities.
VISIT
WWW.EMPOWERABILITIES.O
RG
FOR ALL EVENTS-January EVENTS -
All Amp'd Up
January 3, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Live and ThriveJanuary 8, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Social CLubGame Day
January 15, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Crafts and SewingClocks
January 24, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Youth Social ClubMovie and Popcorn
January 9, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Team AccessJanuary 10, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Women Inventing TomorrowJanuary 9, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
January - March www.empowerabilities.org Page 3
OUR VOICEnews and information on disability matters
VOLUME 37 , I SSUE 1 . JANUARY - MARCH 2020
OUR VOICEnews and information on disability matters
VOLUME 37 , I SSUE 1 , JANUARY -MARCH 2020
Post-Polio:Even months -3rd Mon 1:30 - 3:30
Contact [email protected]
Youth Social Club Springfield2nd Thursday 4:30-6:30
Contact [email protected]
Circle of Friends Social Club Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:30
Women Inventing Tomorrow
Odd Months - 1st Thursday 1:30 - 3:30 Contact
Craft GroupOccurs monthly 1:30 -3:30
Contact [email protected]
for dates
Spinal Cord Injury Support GroupBeyond Mobility
3rd Thursday 4:00 - 5:30Contact [email protected]
Live and Thrive
Wednesdays 1:30-3:30 Contact
Cooking ClubThursdays 11:30-1:30
for datesJanuary - March www.empowerabilities.org Page 4
We had the honor of adding Hallmark CMO, Lindsey Roy
and TV's Queer Eye star, Wesley Hamilton as the latest
portraits and narrative to our project AdaptNation. We
will be showing our full exhibit this spring which will now
include a short film on the everyday of those living with
disabilities. We can not wait to share the incredible
stories of struggle and strength with the community and
beyond. AdaptNation is not just about individuals with
disabilities adapting their lives to their unique
circumstances, but it is also about us as a society,
adapting our thoughts, our views and our interactions to
be more inclusive in a world that is oftentimes blind to
the struggles of the largest minority group in the world.
Big things are coming! We will use this exhibit to share
the voice of those with disabilities and inspire a
MOVEMENT of inclusion, access, acceptance and love.
We held our first community fundraiser AdaptNation on October 23rd at Farmer's ParkPavilion. It was a special night that included guest host Sarah Jenkins from The MysteryHour, delicious food from The Traveling Chef and musical guest Randall Shreve. Thefundraiser was set to raise money for the area's first-ever open adaptive gym. This gym isdesigned to improve the overall health and long-term well-being of those who are unableto use conventional gym equipment. Thanks to our generous community, we raisedalmost $23,000. empower: abilities is teaming up with Shane Campbell of Training DaySports and the gym is set to open sometime mid to late January. Upon completion of this ground-breaking establishment empower: abilities has committedto providing memberships to individuals living with disabilities who qualify and areinterested in actively participating in the program.
January - March www.empowerabilities.org Page 5
OUR VOICEnews and information on disability matters
VOLUME 37 , I SSUE 1 . JANUARY - MARCH 2020
Meet Shane Campbell
January - March www.empowerabilites.org Page 6
Shane Campbell grew up in SouthwestMissouri where he was active in sportsand developed a love for the "game."He attended Missouri State Universityfor Athletic Training and spent thefollowing 17 years working in physicaltherapy clinics and becoming a mobilityspecialists where he worked withindividuals to gain back their mobility.Shane has spent the last 10 yearsworking in Complex Rehabilitationwhere he specializes in custom mobilityequipment for pediatrics and adults.Shane has taken his experience and hispassion and co-founded ATOPOutdoors, a 501 (C) 3 non-profit thatprovides adaptive sporting and outdoorequipment for people with disabilities. empower: abilities has teamed up withShane to provide the area's first openadaptive gym. The adaptive gym will belocated inside Shane's gym TrainingDay Sports, located at 3052 S. CliftonSte. C500 in Springfield. The adaptiveportion of his gym is set to open mid tolate January. Look for more informationto come!
Congress Passes the Renewal ofMoney Follows The Person (MFP)
MFP is a Medicaid program that gives states funding to pay forempolyment supports, housing and other services so thatpeople with disabilities can transition from nursing homes andother institutional facilities to homes in the community. MoneyFollows the Person officially expired in 2016 and has beenteetering on collapse. States have received nearly $3.7 billion totransition more than 91,000 into the community since 2006through this program. Under the new plan, the program will befunded at $450 million annually for the next 10 years. This has been stated as one of the decade's most significantlegislative victories for community inclusion and the providerswho make it possible. The Transitions Program at empower:abilities is just one of the many services we offer. For moreinformation, contact Steve Wright [email protected].
This is an important year for voters andvoters who have a disability are a powerfulvoting bloc. In 2018, Missouri votersincreased by 17.4%. Please help the trendcontinue and get out and VOTE! If you need to register to vote or find moreresources to become an educated voter,call us and we will help guide you. Upcoming Election dates and registrationdeadlines:https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2019cal
January - March www.empowerabilities.org Page 7
First Friday ForumLast Friday of every month starting
January 31, 20201:30pm - 3:30pm
We will cover a topic that’s important toyou! Check out our website for dates andtopics. Our kickoff will be January 31 andwe will talk about how to make a plan foryour advocacy. Learn how to prioritizeissues important to you and how to makea plan to get involved and take action.
Team Access2nd Friday of each month starting
January 10, 2020 10am-12pm
Join us as we kick off a new year! Ifaccessibility in your community is importantto you and you want to work together in agroup setting to improve access this is foryou.
Missouri Legislative Session
The 100th General Assembly begins theirwork at noon on January 8th. Priorities forempower: abilities this year will be increasingIndependent Living fund dollars, restoringcuts in hours to those who greatly need homeand community based services andchampioning efforts to increase affordablehousing and transportation in ruralcommunities. If you are interested in getting more involved,please call Shelby Butler at (417) 886-1188 ext. 214.
Help make the world a
healthier and greener place
by going paperless.
Email:
to receive your electronic copy
of Our Voice.
NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Springfield, MOPermit No. 246
Main Office:2864 S. Nettleton Ave.Springfield, MO 65807 Voice/TTY: 417.886.1188Toll Free: 800.676.7245Fax: 417.886.3619Email: www.empowerabilities.org Please contact us to receive acopy of Our Voice.
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Restaurant Access Program (RAP) Cont.
We will be gathering thecommunity together for a
day of surveys onTuesday, February 18th!
Who: Individuals who use mobility devices,such as a wheelchair, walker or cane. Eachperson must provide their owntransportation to a local restaurant or be ableto ride the city bus. Participating individualswill receive $10 to assist with the cost of theirlunch. Each person will be paired with astudent going through an OccupationalTherapy program at Cox College. Together,students and consumers will survey arestaurant.
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