News at a Glance
New Spanish-Language Web Site
for Hispanics with Paralysis
Washington—More
than 37 percent of Hispanics have a personal connection to paralysis,
yet more than half are unaware of the resources available in their
community, according to a study conducted by the Paralysis Resource
Center (PRC), a service of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
(CDRF). To break down these information barriers, the PRC today
launched the first Spanish-language online paralysis resource,
www.paralisis.org.
The Web site is designed to help Hispanics living with paralysis
and their families to improve their health and quality of life, connecting
Spanish-speaking individuals with services in their community and
making information about paralysis available around the clock. The
site will also create the unique opportunity for Hispanics living
with paralysis to build relationships with others sharing similar
experiences. Through an online paralysis community, users can make
friends and create national and international networks of support.
The site also contains a searchable lending library where users can
find and check out books and videos in their native language.
“The PRC supported our family at a time when we needed it
most. The information they shared allowed us to make the right decisions
and overcome the odds,” said Joseph Briseno, whose son Jay
lives with paralysis after being critically injured in the Iraq war. “The
word impossible is no longer in our vocabulary and our hope is that
this Spanish site can make the same true for other families.”
The Web site complements an
existing toll-free number that connects Spanish-speaking paralysis
resource information specialists to those living with paralysis and
their families. These specialists are available from 9 a.m. to 8
p.m. ET. ![]()
Source:
www.paralysis.org, www.paralisis.org
U of M Offers Summer Courses in
Person-Centered Planning,
Disability Services
This summer the courses
Person-Centered Thinking and Planning for Persons with Disabilities
(EdPA 5080) and Disability Policy and Services (EdPA 5356) will
be offered by the Institute on Community Integration and the
Department of Educational Policy and Administration at the University
of Minnesota. Both courses are designed for practicing community
professionals, as well as University students and others who are
interested.
Person-Centered Thinking
and Planning for Persons with Disabilities is a 3-credit course
for which CEUs are also available; it’s
held July 9–20, from 8–noon, Monday through Friday. This
course will draw on the expertise of University faculty and researchers,
as well as individuals with disabilities, family members, and community
professionals, to provide an overview of person-centered thinking
and planning in relation to persons with disabilities, with an emphasis
on individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
It will include a focus on the evolution of person-centered thinking,
and in-depth examination of contemporary applications. Among topics
discussed are self-determination, community inclusion, self-advocacy,
rights/choice, person-centeredness, dignity/respect, cultural sensitivity
and collaboration.
Disability Policy and
Services is a 3-credit course offered June 11–22, from 8–noon,
Monday through Friday. It will examine current policy, research
and practices related to services that support individuals with
disabilities and their families across the lifespan, emphasizing
policy development and implementation, and collaborative and interdisciplinary
approaches to services. Its primary focus will be on individuals
with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in life domains
such as education, employment, health, recreation, community living
and family supports.
For more info about course
content contact Marijo McBride at the Institute on Community Integration,
612/624-6830 or mcbri001@umn.edu ![]()
Source:
Institute on Community Integration
Bus Route from Courage
Center
to Change
Metro transit bus service
to Courage Center will be changing June 2, 2007. Route #19 will no
longer be coming out Golden Valley Road. Route #14 will be the new
service.
The new Route 14 will leave Courage Center bus stop on Golden Valley
road to Morgan Avenue. North on Morgan one block to Broadway, then
go east on Broadway to Washington Ave and south on Washington to
get downtown.
Metro Transit has yet
to decide on the final details for this route. Watch for more information
on their Web site, www.metrotransit.org or
call 612-374-3333 for more information. ![]()
Source:
Courage Center
