The Arc News in Indiana Report from the State House Page 4 Thank You to Donors Pages 6 and 7 2012 Achievements Page 10 Achieve with Us
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The Arc News in Indiana Report from the State House Page 4 Thank You to Donors Pages 6 and 7 2012 Achievements Page 10 Achieve with us. Vol. 56, No. 1 www.arcind.org Spring 2013 Film Series Shows Hiring People with Disabilities is Good Shawn Rector, Empowered for Business, Good for People and Good for the Economy to Lead The Arc of Indiana has produced business and civic organizations, at Best Buddies and Special Olympics. a documentary film series, “Pathways public events, etc., to help educate He is a man dedicated to making to Employment,” which celebrates others about the value of employing the world a better place for others. six unique Hoosiers who have not people with disabilities. “Networks of Support – Cheryl let their developmental disabilities A new “Guide to Community Thompson, Bloomington” stand in their way of becoming Employment and Vocational Reha- Cheryl Thompson grew up in employed. The six short films are bilitative Services,” also produced by a protective family environment. designed to share the message that The Arc, provides a step by step guide It was only after the family moved Ryan Steele, hiring people with developmental to how vocational rehabilitative ser- to Bloomington that her sister and The Dream Job disabilities is “Good for Business, vices can help people with disabilities staff at Stone Belt Arc helped her Good for People and Good for the become, and stay, employed. take little steps out into the world Economy.” The DVD, tool kit and guide to of community and employment. You can find all of the films on The community employment can be Today Cheryl works for the IU Police Arc of Indiana’s YouTube channel, ordered by contacting The Arc of Department, does assembly work for www.youtube.com/arcadvocate, in the Indiana at 317-977-2375 or 800- Cook Incorporated, and enjoys her playlist, “Pathways to Employment.” 382-9100 or [email protected]. many friends and social activities. The films are also available on DVD. Her willingness to try new things and You can also download the tool Melody Cooper, her positive outlook on life inspire Advocate The Arc has also produced a tool kit and employment guide by visit- for Change all who come to know Cheryl. kit to help individuals and organi- ing www.arcind.org and clicking on zations use the films in schools, with “News and Events.” “The Dream Job – Ryan Steele, Lafayette” Pathways to Employment Ryan Steele’s family encouraged Film Synopsis Ryan to embrace his love of sports while he was in high school by “Passion to Opportunity – Drew being involved in any way he could. NON-PROFIT Dietrick, Indianapolis” ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. 1715 PERMIT These experiences helped him find INDIANAPOLIS, IN U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE Drew Dietrick has always had a Drew Dietrick, his dream job – working at Purdue Passion to passion and keen understanding of University in West Lafayette in the Opportunity animals. He participated in a number Sports Equipment Room. Ryan also of wildlife related opportunities as he works at Wiley Food Court on the grew up in Indianapolis. After earn- Purdue Campus. Ryan loves both ing a degree in Wildlife Conservation jobs and enjoys meeting and working from Unity College in Maine, Drew with all those he comes in contact began working for the Indianapolis with, whether a star basketball player Zoo and the Marion County Board or a typical Purdue student. of Voter’s Registration. Drew’s “An Entrepreneur’s Vision – Cheryl Printed on recycled paper Printed personal slogan is “New Day, New Thompson, Opportunity.” Brandon Boas, Columbus” Networks of Brandon is a highly motivated, Support “Empowered to Lead – Shawn talented, self-employed photogra- Rector, Lafayette” pher. His family encouraged him Shawn Rector’s career path at to learn photography skills, but he Wabash Center in Lafayette has spearheaded the process of turning it evolved from consumer to employee. into a business. Brandon knows how Over the years Shawn has assumed to promote himself, his work and his greater roles of responsibility not message. He readily shares his vision only at work, but also as a volun- that we should all discover what we Brandon Boas, An teer. Shawn serves on the boards of Entrepreneur’s love and make that our life’s work. Vision Self-Advocates of Indiana and The Arc of Indiana, and participates in Continued on page 5 The Arc of Indiana The St. 107 N. Pennsylvania Suite 800 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-977-2375 The Arc of Indiana Spring 2013 and how these jobs help them be a visit our legislators at the Indiana Self-Advocates better person. State House. We made some nice The other special event in January cards, delivered candy and got to of Indiana was a visit from Judith Snow. She is talk to them. We also got to meet from Toronto, Canada. She is a good with our new Lt. Governor, Sue President’s person and has lots to share about her Ellspermann, and Glenda Ritz, the life and what it means – and what it State Superintendent for Indiana Corner doesn’t mean! – to have a disability. schools. Thanks to all the self-ad- Her message to us challenged the vocates who came! Melody Cooper Melody Cooper President, Self-Advocates of Indiana way we look at disabilities and see Things that are coming include disabilities. From her perspective, sharing the “Pathways to Employ- job. In mid-January, SAI and The As always, SAI is keeping busy, it really isn’t more than a label. I ment” videos, pushing a new health Arc of Indiana had a premiere night, always on the move! learned from Judith’s visit that I can campaign, celebrating Disability showing the “Pathways to Employ- In the last few months, we have have the courage to do more and to Awareness Month throughout ment” film series, which celebrated be able to work with people in the March and planning ahead for a started a few new self-advocate six unique individuals who work in chapters and have a few more in community more. She encouraged special 2013 SAI Conference in the community. the works. We are talking to more me to work hard at everything I do October! We are excited to be so people to tell them that they can From the zoo, to the police depart- and just do my best – not only for busy. Look for more updates from have a good life. One thing about ment, to their own businesses, their myself, but for all of us. us later in the year. Until then, keep having a good life is having a good stories shared how they got their job On Valentine’s Day we went to on advocating, and being yourself! Participants praise Make a Difference Project Make a Differenceis a person-cen- staff participating to really “make a have been comforting, but as we conversation. What I had dreaded tered planning and organizational difference” in the lives of the individ- soon found out, this circle was not being a part of had actually turned development process originally uals they support. We have already about comfort. It was about stepping out okay. I overcame some of my designed by Beth Mount and John learned that we are more alike than outside of familiar and comfortable initial fears and started seeing the O’Brien. The process engages direct different, and together we have the boundaries, about being honest with transformative power of Make a support professionals (DSPs), people power to strengthen our community. yourself and exploring why you are Difference. served, management staff and com- We were most amazed by the level here. Was it hard? Yes. Am I worried munity members in building better of participation from individuals Over the next 2.5 hours, barriers about next month’s circle? Yes. Was it supports and better communities. who have a history of behaviors that were broken, trust was built, and worth it? Yes. Does it have potential? Make a Differenceempowers DSPs to previously have interfered with group the group started to engage in real Absolutely! fully contribute their own gifts and participation. talents and to use their knowledge of Director: I initially met some the people they support in connect- resistance, negativity, anxiety, excuses ing people in community life. The and disinterest (about our agency A View from My Window process centers on pairing one DSP participating in this project). How- Hosted by Michelle Fischer with one person they support in a ever, the outcome of the first meeting learning journey about themselves, has been incredible. Individuals The Arc of Indiana welcomes you to listen in to A View from My Window, their interests and the local com- and their staff are excited about the our podcast hosted by Michelle Fischer. munity. This is fully a partnership opportunity to explore their interests Visit www.arcind.org/AViewfromMyWindow to listen to the latest edition and where the gifts, talents and interests within the community without the past broadcasts of A View from My Window, including these recent shows: of both people involved are explored constraints of agency procedures and celebrated. and/or funding concerns. During A View into Medicaid Expansion and Medicaid Managed Care Make a Difference Indiana began our meeting … I was actually able to in December 2012 when agencies observe the light bulbs go off for our A View into Changes to Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver Program across the state were invited by The DSPs and for them to have an “aha A View into IN-abled with Chad Moore Arc of Indiana to apply to partic- moment” and this was so rewarding.