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The Year Of
Unlocking Voices ~ 2005 |
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VIDEO CONFERENCE TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT
The right to communicate is a basic human right often disregarded or minimized for people with developmental disabilities. A lack of effective communication between people with developmental disabilities and others results in limitations of rights, choices, opportunities and independence. Every person should be provided with the necessary supports to enable him or her to communicate!
The Communication Task Force is sponsoring three training opportunities to raise the level of awareness of these issues, and provide training about communication supports to important stakeholders. Each training session provides information on important components of successful communication. All stakeholders are encouraged to attend including Self-Advocates, Family Members, Providers, HHSS Administration, Services Coordination, School Transition Professionals, Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals, and others.
Each training session is free, but you must register to participate. Attendance at all three sessions is not required, but is encouraged. See the table further down on the announcement for a list of the 12 training locations for this video conference. The first session is now complete, but you will find each video conference web-streamed on the Munroe Meyer Institute website approximately two weeks after each session: http://www.unmc.edu/dept/mmi/index.cfm?webtype=graphics&L1_ID=49&CONREF=18 click on Conferences / Workshops.
The Communication Task Force has also designed a Communication Resource Guide. This free Guide has been distributed to People First, the state and each local chapter of The Arc of Nebraska, each Developmental Disabilities provider, HHSS Administration, each Services Coordination office, and others. This important Guide has training and resource information. To view (and print) the guide, visit either of the following websites:
1. Munroe Meyer Institute ~ http://www.unmc.edu/dept/mmi/index.cfm?webtype=graphics&L1_ID=49&CONREF=18 click on Conferences / Workshops
2. The Arc of Nebraska ~ http://www.arc-nebraska.org/ click on “An Introductory Guide To Communicative Support
The Communication Task Force is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.
READ ON for a description of each training session, and the training dates.
I. Communication Basics – March 24, 2005 COMPLETED A video of this training is archived on the Munroe Meyer website. To watch this session, log on to their website at: http://www.unmc.edu/dept/mmi/index.cfm?webtype=graphics&L1_ID=49&CONREF=18 and click on Conferences / Workshops.
This presentation will explore the basics of communication. Starting from the question “What is communication?” participants will examine the myriad of communication methods used by individuals. Too often we think of communication as speech and language. However, humans use a variety of techniques to communicate with others. We will begin with a discussion of the elements of communication and the forms these elements take in the non-traditional methods used by individuals who have difficulty with speech and language.
II. Tools for Communication Allies – May 10, 2005 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon CST
This session will provide participants with tools that can be used to improve their skills as communication allies. Not all individuals use the same communication methods and as communication allies we need to have a toolbox full of techniques that will encourage people who have difficulties express themselves. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with others and practice methods that have been tried successfully.
III. The Future and Beyond – August, 4 2005 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon CST
Where do we go from here? Too often we attend workshops and develop our skills but it ends there. This session will help participants develop a path for unlocking voices that extends beyond 2005. “Each One Teach One” is a phrase that has been used for many purposes from literacy to knowledge of important health information. This phrase forms the backbone of this last presentation. Once we have developed the skills of good communication allies we must pass these skills on to others. This session will explore the resources that can be accessed to expand our knowledge of communication and techniques we can use to communicate it to others.
About The Trainers Carrie O’Brien is a self-advocate and business owner. O’Brien & Associates provides training and consultation to people from the perspective of a self-advocate. Carrie was recognized as the Self Advocate of the Year by Nebraska People First in 2004. She has a passion for teaching self-advocacy classes. Pat Cottingham has a M.Ed in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Psychology. As the behavior training coordinator with Region V Services she has focused on developing ways to help people communicate more effectively and help staff to listen better. |
