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| 2011 Board of Directors | | |
Officers
President Jackie Doig
Center for Civil Justice
Chairperson John Peck
Grand Valley State University
Vice President Dan Vivian
Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.
Vice President Judy Cerano
White Lake
Secretary Lou Reinwasser
Office of the Attorney General
Treasurer Charlie Hawes
Yeo & Yeo, Lansing
Directors at Large
Mickey Hirten
Lansing State Journal
Andrea Sarto
North Country Community Mental Health
J.J. Jackson
Okemos
John Lawton
Lansing
Neil Sauter
Gaylord
Seth Warschausky, PhD
University of Michigan David Miller
Comerica Bank |
| UCP Michigan Staff Contacts | | |
Executive Director
Kathleen Brockel
brockel@ucpmichigan.org
Glenn Ashley
Grants Manager/Project Coordinator
ashley@ucpmichigan.org
Sara Stech
Community Work Incentives Coordinator
stech@ucpmichigan.org
Linda Carey
Office Manager
carey@ucpmichigan.org
Anne Shell
Communications Coordinator
shell@ucpmichigan.org
Sara Menzel
AT Center Manager
menzel@ucpmichigan.org
Lynn Ross
WIPA Coordinator
ross@ucpmichigan.org
Jack Anderson
Community Work Incentives Coordinator
anderson@ucpmichigan.org
Michele Seybert
Loan Funds Manager
seybert@ucpmichigan.org
Tisha Robinson
Secretary, I & R
robinson@ucpmichigan.org
Michelle Sneathen
Special Needs Advocate
sneathen@ucpmichigan.org
Lisa Bucher
Community Work Incentives Coordinator
bucher@ucpmichigan.org |
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UCP Michigan News
Thank you for your support of UCP Michigan during our two August fundraising events, Macy's Shop for a Cause on August 27th, and our free community recycling event on August 19th. We are always accepting old and unwanted cell phones, PDAs, iPods, digital cameras, inkjet cartridges, and laptop computers throughout the year at our office at 4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102, East Lansing. Call us at 203-1200 or email us at ucp@ucpmichigan.org with questions.
Just a reminder that we still need more supporters to sign up with the Kroger Community Rewards Program: simply sign up in-store for a Kroger Plus Shopper's Card, and then register online at krogercommunityrewards.com and designate UCP Michigan (organization number 90828) as your charity of choice. All proceeds will fund UCP Michigan programs and services. |
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Ishpeming Man Benefits from Assistive Technology | |
A collaboration has been formed in the Upper Peninsula between the UCP Michigan AT Center, the United Way of Marquette County, and the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL). Through the generous funding of the United Way and the knowledge and experience of the AT Center and SAIL, people with disabilities living in Marquette County have access to assistive technology that increases their independence. This past year, Doug Roberts of Ishpeming was a recipient of this collaboration. He received two AT items to assist him in gaining independence. These items included Dragon Naturally Speaking Premium V11 and a BIG Trackball mouse by Infogrip. Written in Mr. Robert's own voice, his story is as follows:
"Four years ago I snapped my neck after diving off of a dock into a shallow lake. I now use a wheelchair and have quadriplegia; more specifically, I am classified as a full quad, the result of snapping the C-5 vertebrae - a potentially deadly level. However, I obviously survived...at least psychologically, if not so much physically. Before my accident, I was very active and focused on the fitness of my body. I was also curious and enjoyed learning and thinking about many subjects. Now I get the opportunity to use my brain to learn and think through and develop a strategy to cope with being physically handicapped. I have to admit, it is a challenging endeavor. But I believe I can do it, despite my fear and apprehension, through faith, ingenuity, tenacity and an interesting gizmo called a laptop computer. And because of Sarah Peura, at the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, I am able to actually use one of those aforementioned "interesting gizmos".
The laptop computer, with the help of the BIG trackball mouse, has allowed me to explore, learn and at least participate in the world vicariously through other people. It gives me a certain amount of freedom from the confines of the building, as well as the confinement of being trapped inside a paralyzed body. When I watch martial arts fighting techniques, special forces counter terrorism training, fighter aircraft and missiles from around the world, meditation techniques, music videos from around the globe, travel to interesting places through cyberspace, and watch a fascinating array of news media personalities, it takes the edge off of an unfortunate situation. I also kind of like plunking away on the Microsoft Word 2010 Starter and using the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. Expressing myself and advancing my thoughts about the world, by way of the printed word, helps me to cope and better understand complex issues so I can adapt better to change in all situations, and in the process, develop more independence."
-Doug Roberts
Thank you to Mr. Roberts for sharing his story and to the United Way of Marquette County for financial assistance. He has shown courage and determination to increase his quality of life through technology. If you or someone you know is in need of an AT evaluation, please contact SAIL at 1-800-379-7245. |
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Survey: Your Help is Needed! | |
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the United States Department of Education is coming to Michigan later this year to examine the delivery of special education services in our state. The Michigan Alliance Parent Training and Information Center is responsible for providing feedback to OSEP from parents in Michigan. Please fill out this survey so that your voice can be heard and share it with any other parents/parent groups. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-552-4821. Deadline: September 30, 2011. Survey: 2011 OSEP Parent Survey |
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Social Security Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Coordinators | Social Security Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects are funded by the Social Security Administration. UCP Michigan is one of these projects.
The purpose of WIPA is to help people with disabilities who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), to understand what will happen to their SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid and other benefits when they start or return to work. We also talk with young people over the age of 16 who have disabilities about working and benefits.
1) How much does this cost?
Nothing. This service is paid for by Social Security.
2) Who does this?
Social Security WIPA Projects employ Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC's) to advise Social Security beneficiaries, including their families and support people, on how to manage their income and benefits while working. CWICs have been extensively trained and have ongoing technical support provided by the Social Security Administration to keep up-to-date on information.
Social Security and the State of Michigan have work incentives available to help people maintain their benefits while transitioning into the work force. CWICs talk individually with people to help them understand which work incentives are best for each unique case and how to utilize them.
4) How do I find a CWIC?
Michigan has four Social Security WIPA Projects that divide the state geographically. UCP Michigan CWICs cover part of this area. Please call the UCP Michigan office at 800-828-2714 to find the CWIC for your county. |
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Workshop: Understanding Assistive Technology Services | |
Understanding Assistive Technology Services
with Sara Menzel of UCP Michigan
This workshop will explain how a device or tool can be used in the classroom to help enhance the functional independence of a student with a disability.
This workshop will be offered on the following dates:
Wednesday, 9/21 5:30-8:30
Houghton BHK, 700 Park Ave., Houghton
Thursday, 9/22 10-1
Baraga Best Western
Friday, 9/23 10-1
Dickinson County Library, Iron Mountain
Friday, 9/23 5:30-8:30
Gogebic Ontonagon ISD in Bergland
Topics covered in this presentation include:
- what is assistive technology
- SETT (Student Environment Tasks Tools) framework
- how to request an AT evaluation through your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Who should attend: families of children/young adults with disabilities or learning challenges, and interested community members
Registration required, pizza and beverages will be served
RSVP by 9-19-11 with Lisa (906) 483-0442 or 1-800-552-4821
lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
If you require accommodations or materials in an alternative format, please let us know one week before the workshop.
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Please Note- Change to Upcoming Events | |
Please note that there has been a change since our last newsletter- the Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Symposium, organized by the DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan and the company Hocoma, will no longer be held in September- the new dates are March 2-3, 2012:
Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Symposium 2012
New technology in neurorehabilitation, motivating children with virtual environments, surgical and pharmacological interventions, and research in pediatric neurological pathologies are the main topics of the Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Symposium 2012. This event is organized by the DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan and the company Hocoma and will be held from March 2 - 3, 2012, at the Detroit Marriott Livonia, MI (USA).
Stay tuned for more information on the Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Symposium 2012 which will be available soon on the Hocoma website.
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We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues who may be interested in reading it. We appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
Kathleen Brockel
Executive Director
United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan
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