July 2008 Calendar of Events Enhancing the effectiveness of disability activism by organizing and empowering individuals, families, groups, and organizations! Empowerment! Opportunity! Justice! To include events in next month’s Calendar please contact us Jayne Kleinman, 203-631-4800 or JayneKleinman@ct-dac.org Stan Kosloski, 860-635-0695 or StanKosloski@ct-dac.org Website: http://www.ct-dac.org/contactus.htm Please let us know if you need this calendar in an alternative format! Ongoing Events The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities is sponsoring a series of workshops on “Life Threatening Public Policy” during 2008. The workshops are free but registration is required.  Several workshops are co-sponsored by Developmental Disabilities Network partners.  The Network includes the Council, the Office of Protection and Advocacy and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. See dates below (Sept. 19, Oct. 24 and Nov. 14). You may also find a very comprehensive listing of upcoming events and announcements relevant to children with disabilities and families in Fairfield County by going to www.spednet.org . July Events Monday – Thursday, July 7-10, Yale Autism Program--4-day seminar on autism spectrum disorders – oriented to professionals in the field, including physicians – the event will be held in the Harkness Auditorium - 333 Cedar Street - New Haven - for more details go to http://cme.yale.edu/conferences/conference_index.asp?ID=243&linkID=0. Wednesdays, July 9, July 16, and July 30 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, “Behavioral Challenges at Home and in the Community” - the Benhaven Learning Network will present a three part series for parents who have children on the autism spectrum at the Benhaven School, 125 North Plains Industrial Road in Wallingford. Parents are urged to attend all three sessions - the fee for the series is $75.00 (includes all three sessions, handouts and refreshments). Call Stacy Hultgren 203-234-1996 x 336 if you have questions or wish to register. Thursday, July 10, 6 pm, “Music Within,” New Haven Public Library. The City of New Haven Public Library will be hosting this free showing in celebration of the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the life story of Richard Pimental, a Viet Nam vet who loses his hearing during the war and his life’s work becomes a process of fighting for the rights of others. For more information go to www.musicwithinmovie.com. Saturday, July 12, 12 noon to 4:00 pm, Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center Annual Friends and Family Summer Picnic at Camp Harkness in Waterford (301 Great Neck Road) - this year's picnic will feature Children's Yoga and a Traveling Touch Tank from the Mystic Aquarium! To RSVP call CPAC at 800-445-2722 or email them at cpac@cpacinc.org. You can also register online at www.cpacinc.org. Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council meeting at the NEAT Marketplace in Hartford – for more information contact Evelyn Oliver Knight at 424-4871, 1-800-537-2549 (toll free), 860-424-4839 (TTY), or evelyn.knight@ct.gov. Friday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon - the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will host a presentation by Joan Beasley, Ph.D. entitled, "How to Use Positive Behavior Support Plans: An Overview for Caregivers and Case Managers."  The workshop will take place at the Kenney Center, 200 Main Street in Wethersfield - for more information contact Julie Bouchard at DDS, at 860-418-6050 or at julie.bouchard@ct.gov. Wednesday, July 30, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Connecticut State Independent Living Council meeting at the Center for Disability Rights in West Haven – for more information contact Debbie Melaragno at 860-523-0126, or deb.ctsilc@gmail.com. August Events August 11-14, Annual Autism Summer Institute – “Emotion, Behavior, and Belonging: New Perspectives on Including Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Differences in School and Community” – at the University of New Hampshire, Holloway Commons, Durham, New Hampshire – sponsored by the Institute on Disability (UCED) in New Hampshire - 603-228-2084. September Events September 4-7, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) National Self Advocacy Conference – in Indianapolis, Indiana - if you need more information contact Laura Hastillo at l_hastillo@yahoo.com or go to the SABE web site: www.sabe2008.org. Sunday, September 14th, 2 pm and 7:30 pm A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Audio Descriptive Event - Beth Rival and fellow members of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind have been working with Hartford Stage Company to offer audio descriptive performances of events held at its theater in Hartford. For more information contact Jenima Manson at 860-520-7244 or JManson@hartfordstage.com. Wednesday, September 17, 9:30 am, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), State Rehab Council meeting at 184 Windsor Ave., Windsor – for information call 860-602-4000, 860-602-4221 (TDD), or e-mail BESB@po.state.ct.us. Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council – location to be arranged – for more, information contact Evelyn Oliver Knight at 424-4871, toll free 1-800-537-2549, 860-424-4839 (TTY), or e-mail evelyn.knight@ct.gov. Friday, September 19, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, “Culture of Death,” at the Institute of Technology and Business Development, Central Connecticut State Univ., New Britain – sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Council – to register call 418-6157, or toll free 1-800-653-1134. Wednesday, September 24, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Connecticut State Independent Living Council (SILC) Annual Meeting – site to be determined, for more information contact Debbie Melaragno at 860-523-0126, or e-mail deb.ctsilc@gmail.com. Thursday, September 25, 10:30 am, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) Board meeting at 184 Windsor Ave. in Windsor - for more information call 860-602-4000, 860-602-4221 (TDD), or e-mail BESB@po.state.ct.us October Events Saturday, October 4, 9:30 am, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) Consumer Advisory Committee meeting at 184 Windsor Ave., Windsor – for more information call 860-602-4000, 860-602-4221 (TDD), or e-mail BESB@po.state.ct.us. October 15, 2008 - final date to apply for your 2008 Stimulus Payment - persons who qualify for the payment must file a 2007 tax return. To find an IRS office near you, go to IRS.gov and click on “Contact IRS,” then “Contact Your Local IRS Office.” Friday, October 24, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, “Protecting the Lives Of Hospital Patients,” at the Institute of Technology and Business Development, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain – sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Council. To register call 860-418-6157 or toll free 1-800-653-1134. Saturday, October 25, “Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficits through the Lifespan” at the Stamford Marriott Hotel – sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities - call 203-838-5010 for more information. October 28 – 30, 2008, “Aging is Changing!” will give you access to the vitality of greater New England’s aging network. Sponsored by the Senior Resources Agency on Aging – to be held at Waters Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook - For more information contact Lisa Reynolds, 860-887-3561, ext. 123 or go to www.seniorresourcesec.org/news/conference.html.  Thursday, October 30, 2008, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, ADA Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC) Annual Meeting, Luncheon & Awards Presentation, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cromwell. The cost to attend is $35/person and for table sponsors the cost is $350. Join the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut as they honor state residents who have helped further the cause of the ADA. Contact Project Director Lisa Caron by e-mail at adacoalition@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 860-297-4383 for more information. November Events TUESDAY, November 4, ELECTION DAY Voting is an important way to participate in the affairs of America and to uphold our democratic traditions. To register to vote in Connecticut, you must: - be a United States citizen - be a resident of a Connecticut town - be at least 17 years old (you can vote when you turn 18) - have completed confinement and parole if previously convicted of a felony and have had your voting rights restored. There are several ways to register to vote. The easiest way is to print and complete the online State of Connecticut Mail-In Voter Registration form (it is a .pdf file), then mail it to the Registrar of Voters in your town. As specified in the form, you will need to provide a copy of proof of identity either at the time your form is mailed or when you visit the polling place to vote for the first time. You may also visit your local town hall in person to complete a Voter Registration form and show I.D. If you move, you must fill out a new Voter Registration form and submit it by mail or in person to the Registrar of Voters in your new town of residence. The 2008 election will be held on November 4, so the deadline to register is October 21. Alternatively, you may register in person with your Registrar of Voters by the 7th day before the election. Questions? Call your local Registrar of Voters or the Secretary of State's office at 860-509-6100 or toll free, 800-540-3764. Friday, November 14, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, “Understanding Vital Organ Donation,” at the Institute of Technology and Business Development at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain – sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Council – to register call 418-6157, or toll free 1-800-653-1134. Saturday, November 15, Statewide Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities at the Carol Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities at St. Joseph College, West Hartford - sponsored by the Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT), in partnership with Young Audiences Arts for Learning Connecticut (YAC), the state's VSA arts affiliate. For more information contact Susan Docker at susan.docker@ct.gov. Wednesday, November 19, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council – location to be arranged - contact Evelyn Oliver Knight at 424-4871, toll free 1-800-537-2549, 860-424-4839 (TTY), or e-mail Evelyn.knight@ct.gov. Wednesday, November 19, 1:00- 4:00 pm - Connecticut State Independent Living Council (SILC) meeting – contact Debbie Melaragno at 860-523-0126, or e-mail her at deb.ctsilc@gmail.com for site location. Sunday, November 2 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Resurrection, an Audio Descriptive Event - Beth Rival and fellow members of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind have been working with Hartford Stage Company to offer audio descriptive performances of events held at its theater in Hartford. For more information contact Jenima Manson at 860-520-7244 or JManson@hartfordstage.com. December Events Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 am, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) State Rehab Council, 184 Windsor Ave., Windsor – for more information call 860-602-4000, 860-602-4221 (TDD), or e-mail BESB@po.state.ct.us. Thursday, December 18, 10:30 am, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) Board meeting at 184 Windsor Ave. in Windsor – for information contact 860-602-4000, 860-602-4221 (TDD), or e-mail BESB@po.state.ct.us. For three years the Calendar was supported by a grant that the Disability Advocacy Collaborative received from the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. In addition, in-kind support is being provided by the UCONN Center on Disabilities, and Communitas, Inc. serves as the project’s fiscal agent. To all three we extend our deep appreciation. DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of an event, article or legislative initiative does not imply endorsement by CDAC, nor can CDAC guarantee that all information provided is accurate or current.