Wheeling with new wheels- another program

It's time to get another disability awareness program started. I'm glad I waited because it will be easier to get recomendations from staff at Arbor Place where it is working well. I'd like it to be at a YMCA or YWCA and I'd like to do it to be on employment. I wrote to the chamber about doing a presentation for employers. I would show a video and discuss terms such as reasonable accommodations and undue hardship important for employers. I may get further with Rep. Gingrich's office backing me. Hopefully I will also benefit by the help of Scott from the Recumbent Bikes Store. That man has many customers.

Wheeling with new wheels- Arbor Place

The weekly classess on disability awareness for kids seem to be going well. Thus far I have had speakers with disabilities or those who have programs for people with disabilities. Every time I thik I'm out of topic ideas since I don't have many contacts, I realize someone else I know who can present something. Next week is adapted cooking and Betsy will talk bout all the meals she's made over the years. Then I called an OT to ask if I could borrow some cookig tools and the lady is considering coming ad bringing them in to show the kids. I would be thrilled with her just talking about Occupational Therapy. I have good pictures of many many kitchen tools I can make interesting to the kids.

Wheeling with new wheels - a scout program

I am used to adapting things to work for me. I did some research on the scout program in other stated, as requested by my boss. Some of the problems started out with kids who were unmotivated and grew due to the scouts thinking outside the box. I really want to try adapting a program based on out of the box thinking. I would like to think that kind of thought process would work, it's worth a try. I believe in the kids, even the ones with poor behavior. If people (my parents) gave up on me I would not be driving a van right now. My paperwork indicated I was not capable of driving. Those kids need someone (a professional) to believe in them. The scout program is about giving kids opportunities to grow.

Wheeling with new wheels- motivation

Appearantly my Infobility speech wasn't as bad as I thought. I got a message from someone who has many consumers looking to be more active. She heard my talk and wants me to do a program on motivation for her office. I never thought something good would come out of the experience since my timing was so off. It's exciting for me to reach an untapped resource. I think this topic is so very unique for most people they will consider. The system is arranged so that people with disabilities do not have to be motivation. Everything is optional so if someone doesn't want to be involved participated that is unfortunate because in our society we do not usually get a pass on life tasks. If there was no interest in daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, household chores, shopping, working etc.) and there was no money to hire someone else to do those tasks, families would be in decline and other concerns would be investigated.

Wheeling with new wheels - networking by volunteering

I volunteered in a gift wrapping booth for an agency. I felt pretty useless cause I knew I couldn't do the job but I was told I could distribute literature. So I showed up and sat with the cash box. I then realized I could fold boxes. I did a few but it was really really slow. I then mentioned Infobility and the Chili coookoff- who knows. Helping other groups with their holidays events is a good means of networking. Chamber Mixers are not the only means of learning what else exists in the community. Those events require that the person is social and outgoing. This is not the method for everyone. Business groups are expensive and require that you have contacts to share in order to promote someone else.

Wheeling with new wheels- chilli cookoff

I hope I get good participation from United Disability Services since their involvement is the key. When I chose to work with Excentia for the forum in May I got 40 parents because they are so well respected. I think this is the same sort of thing should show similar results. Also to get radio spots I must be a nonprofit. UDS offers so much and I could really use their help after this activity concludes. They have the consumers (with mostly physical disabilities), the services, the programs, the history, the connections and contacts. I am starting out small with one program and hopefully good word will spread. There are many other service groups, who need the money, have not shown me loyalty it was time to look elsewhere. I couldn't keep spinning my wheels, "just do it" like Nike says. It will get the name of my organization out. That's the goal.

Wheeling with new wheels- motivation

I think conducting programs directed to consumers are worthwhile. Motivation is such an

Wheeling with new wheels- Guest speaker from Lehigh Valley CIL

Later today I will participate in a disability meeting at DEC. The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living will have a few representatives to discuss and find out what has been happening in this area with consumers. I will be interested in hearing what is going with our CIL but I'm much more interested in hearing what has been going on in the other Pennsylvania CIL's. Of course I'll mention Infobility but I mostly need to listen. It is important for consumers and agencies to listen to what is being said and apply it to their own. I have not heard what is happening here in Lancaster. It is much easier to implement a program that is successful elsewhere than to create one from scratch. The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living has always been full of positive and innovative events.

Wheeling with new wheels- a housing opportunity

I completed the application for HDC Board. It would open up many opportunities for me and enable me to help them qualify for grants. My perspective, that of disability, is unique to the rest of the world and it needs to be considered by big businesses. The experience/opportunity would really validate what I have to offer, increase my confidence, and generate interest in Infobility. I'm treating it like a job and am taking it really seriously. It is important to have the consumer perspective. I am not one to just listen and not offer any input so hopefully that will not be the case. It would be a worthwhile experience and I would like to get their consumers motivated enough to get involved with issues from their own housing programs.

Wheeling with new wheels- an outreach idea

I found a unique way to reach employers- I belong to a group called "Lighten Up Lancaster." They are comprised of business people and agency staff. The issue is health and wellness, Lighten Up Lancaster has ongoing programs and meetings of their subgroups. Recently I was asked to develop strategies for making the workplace wellness accessible. I came up with ten ideas and offered to include a food awareness component to the program as a whole. Rather than sending my job accommodations information to employers in my roladex. I will do it through this program- it wil be a more effective and efficient way. There are always new networking ideas to try.

Wheeling with new wheels

I replied that I was interested in serving on the board of my Housing Company. Yesterday I received a call that the Executive Director was interested in meeting me for lunch. I assume it's to get to know me and then make his decision. I'm not the only candidate who replied so I'm be cautiously optimistic but it's a neat opportunity to meet someone I never would have. I'm told it's a new concept to have a resident on the board of my management company- it shouldn't be. I guess I'll mention Infobility to him. That will enable me to stand out from others and surely I want him to know about it; he'd have contacts.

Wheeling with new wheels- disabled dancing

I met a great lady who wants to start a dance group. The lady in charge was a professional dancer for years and then had to quit due to a physical problem. Eventually she became interested in adapting dance for people with a disability. It sounds great and feels good when the person is involved. In the west coast there is a large dance movement for those with disabilities. I hope that it catches on and generates more attention. It is interesting for people who do not get out much in the community. If the group includes people without challenges, which is logical to help others perform, it becomes an inclusive program. That is even better and can be promoted throughout the east.