Halloween Horror

Kids rang my doorbell but I couldn't get it open. As it is people ignore me and now I don't even open my door on the biggest candy night of the year! That's a Halloween horror! So I wrote the office to ask if they'd share with others that I want to have a Halloween redo so I can make up for not participating. Finally I will meet a few people. I hope people come, I don't want to be disappointed all over again. This could be my opportunity to be friendly. Thus far I have not and I feel very isolated. I really want the chance to turn it around.

New path

I always thought that the key to Infobility being successful is being part of a bigger company and having regular planning meetings. I am going to talk with a man who runs a well established business and is very involved with community activities. I want to discuss the benefits of having a small program like mine as part of his business. He can use this news to inform his customers as well as the public as a way of generating interest for me as well as him. I want to continue to do some disability programs but also implement "Working on Wheels" on a small scale; I think it will gain momentum and prove to be a fun and educational activity. Large program attempts will be put on hold for awhile. The other idea is to have small programs at popular places in the community starting with the employers who did not show- Home Depot and Go N Banana's. I can turn this bad experience around.

Connections

That is my method of choice. I don't know a person as well as (s)he knows himself. The person has more of a stake in something if (s)he performs some of the work independently. Also their should be a certain level of motivation. On the other hand too many people say "it's not my area" and end the conversation. One may not know the solution but could do a bit of research to find the right path. When a business is just starting out, making connections is crucial. Everyone knows something another does not. Everyone knows someone different. One never knows how valuable a connection can be. I always keep this in the back of my mind and often share that simple fact with others.

Futures Planning

Disability Dialogue is spreading...even if programs don't go exactly how they are supposed to the inclusion message is being heard by more people and in more places. Next week I'll meet with a parent regarding "Futures Planning" a topic that is all about inclusion and securing a quality of life for individuals when their aging parents (the main caregivers)aren't around. This is something that has been introduced but really to get flushed out and moving. It has been discussed but presentations are no yet underway. A parent from Ephrata and I will be planning at least one group on this issue. It may have some kinks but they will get ironed out as we go forward. It fits perfectly as an Infobility program.

Employer Recognition

Today is "Making Work, Work for Everyone." I just want to honor Disability Employment Awareness Month and appreciate employers who have hired people with intellectual challenges. I do not want this to come off as some sort of exploitation of people with disabilities. After all, I belong to this population. I just want to increase inclusion in Lancaster County. I think this will eventually happen with my version of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Someone from a big company has asked to do "Working on Wheels." I am certain that once results are put on social media, others will want to participate. It's is a great way to simulate disability and thus not be fearful of it. There is a man who does facebook videos on staff so that will happen without my spending much bucks for it. It's time my unending pursuit of Infobility shows results.

Angles

There are so many service agencies created in the name of helping people. Many start off well but are over whelmed, underfunded and the staff are just burnt out. Others resort to the same old, often, unsuccessful techniques because of government constraints. Once in while there are a few that have new, innovative ideas that look at problems from different angles. When that happens from the start there are different types of solutions. Once people who are not accountable to the system view the issues new angles are developed and outcomes considered. There are existing agencies that can make change happen but it is necessary to start from an entirely different perspective.

Housing

I attended the preproposal on that topic. First of all there are two. Why separate it into a demonstration project and an advocacy project? I read most of the 19 topics and I don't understand the need for a separate grant. I think they should just award multiple projects, housing is in such dire need. Another issue is the logic to the criteria. I understand the mandate to involve consumers with intellectual disabilities in all of the processes. However, I can't imagine that a consumer is going to be actively involved with the closing of a house. Another issue I wonder about is the mandate to involve different disparate populations. Most CIL's do not work much with veterans or Hispanics unless they have disabilities. The third issue is the mandate that the awarded agencies must collaborate. Therefor, if a center from Erie gets the Housing Advocacy grant and a center from Bethlehem gets the grant for the Housing Demonstration grant on what do they have to collaborate?