The National Alliance for Full Participation (AFP) is interested in how Indiana is doing on the path to the ambitious goal of 50% employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in five years. They have created a “scorecard” of possible benchmarks for state Alliances. This scorecard was created to help Indiana review the state policies, practices, and strategies that impact on opportunities for integrated employment. The answers on this scorecard will help Indiana identify priorities and set goals for employment initiatives and outline a strategy for doubling our state’s rate of integrated employment by the year 2015.
Please take a moment to complete this survey by visiting http://surveys.cwlab.org/s-a2r0d-265617.
For more information on the National Alliance for Full Participation http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/. For information on the work of the Indiana Alliance, visit their webpage at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=7&newsId=218&newsType=0. To access the Indiana Alliance Facebook page visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indiana-Alliance-for-Full-Participation-State-Team/168304808253
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
DSI a Big Winner in Indy 500
Indianapolis not-for-profit a big winner in Graham Rahal's 12th place 500 finish!
Graham Rahal's 12th place finish in this year's Indy 500 gives a big boost to Down Syndrome Indiana! Graham, who likes to help organizations through his professional racing, chose Down Syndrome Indiana as his charitable organization of choice for this year's Indy 500 race. Not only did Down Syndrome Indiana benefit from the publicity it garnered by having their logo plastered on the front of Graham's #30 Quick Trim Special, which started on the inside of Row 3, but the Bobby Rahal Foundation (a charitable foundation started by Graham's father and 1986 500 champion, Bobby Rahal) also made a $2,500 contribution to DSI. In addition, Graham Rahal personally matched the contribution for a total of $5,000 given to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by the Rahal Letterman Racing Team.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the partnership!" said DSI Executive Director Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez. "One of the great things about being in my position as a professional race car driver is that I can use my position to help organizations like Down Syndrome Indiana" said Graham Rahal. "We are genuinely pleased that we could help DSI …" Said Johanna Maher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Rahal Letterman Racing.Graham's decision to support DSI was clinched when he met 11 month old Catalina Joyce as she and her father, Jeff Joyce, visited Netheads. "He was such a nice, down-to-earth guy", said Jeff, "And he was genuinely interested in helping our organization to create awareness about acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome.
In the words of Jeff Joyce, father of Catalina Joyce with Down syndrome, “This goes to show what a stand-up guy Graham is for following up on this for us. You can’t imagine how much this can help our organization, Down Syndrome Indiana, and my Daughter Catalina. ….Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Racing are first class operations.”
About Down syndrome
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one out of every 733 live births and there are approximately 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome living within the United States. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is caused by a triplication of the 21st chromosome. It is indiscriminate of race, religion or economic status. Therefore Down syndrome affects all walks of life. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in civic, educational, occupational, social and recreational activities in the community.
About Down Syndrome Indiana
Down Syndrome Indiana is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our mission is to serve as a conduit of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which promotes growth and inclusion in the community.
For more information about Down Syndrome Indiana, or this particular story, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez at lisa@dsindiana.org or by calling 317-925-7617.
Graham Rahal's 12th place finish in this year's Indy 500 gives a big boost to Down Syndrome Indiana! Graham, who likes to help organizations through his professional racing, chose Down Syndrome Indiana as his charitable organization of choice for this year's Indy 500 race. Not only did Down Syndrome Indiana benefit from the publicity it garnered by having their logo plastered on the front of Graham's #30 Quick Trim Special, which started on the inside of Row 3, but the Bobby Rahal Foundation (a charitable foundation started by Graham's father and 1986 500 champion, Bobby Rahal) also made a $2,500 contribution to DSI. In addition, Graham Rahal personally matched the contribution for a total of $5,000 given to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by the Rahal Letterman Racing Team.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the partnership!" said DSI Executive Director Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez. "One of the great things about being in my position as a professional race car driver is that I can use my position to help organizations like Down Syndrome Indiana" said Graham Rahal. "We are genuinely pleased that we could help DSI …" Said Johanna Maher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Rahal Letterman Racing.Graham's decision to support DSI was clinched when he met 11 month old Catalina Joyce as she and her father, Jeff Joyce, visited Netheads. "He was such a nice, down-to-earth guy", said Jeff, "And he was genuinely interested in helping our organization to create awareness about acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome.
In the words of Jeff Joyce, father of Catalina Joyce with Down syndrome, “This goes to show what a stand-up guy Graham is for following up on this for us. You can’t imagine how much this can help our organization, Down Syndrome Indiana, and my Daughter Catalina. ….Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Racing are first class operations.”
About Down syndrome
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one out of every 733 live births and there are approximately 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome living within the United States. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is caused by a triplication of the 21st chromosome. It is indiscriminate of race, religion or economic status. Therefore Down syndrome affects all walks of life. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in civic, educational, occupational, social and recreational activities in the community.
About Down Syndrome Indiana
Down Syndrome Indiana is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our mission is to serve as a conduit of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which promotes growth and inclusion in the community.
For more information about Down Syndrome Indiana, or this particular story, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez at lisa@dsindiana.org or by calling 317-925-7617.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
DSI Gets Marketing Opportunity of a Lifetime
[Indianapolis, Indiana] Local nonprofit organization, Down Syndrome Indiana gets the marketing opportunity of a lifetime when Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Racing agreed to place its logo on his car during the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday!
Inspired by Catalina Joyce, a child with Down syndrome and the Joyce Family of Indianapolis, when Graham Rahal was asked to place the logo on his car, he agreed and according to Johanna Maher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Rahal Letterman Racing, “ Graham Rahal likes to have an organization to stand behind and hadn’t found one yet, so when Jeff Joyce asked, we agreed”
Not only did Rahal Letterman agree to put the logo on the car, the Bobby Rahal Foundation agreed to make a donation to the organization for every lap completed by Graham and to double the donation if he finishes in the top three! In addition, Graham Rahal agreed to make a personal donation as well.
In the words of Jeff Joyce, father of Catalina Joyce with Down syndrome, “This goes to show what a stand-up guy Graham is for following up on this for us. You can’t imagine how much this can help our organization, Down Syndrome Indiana, and my Daughter Catalina. ….Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Racing are first class operations.”
Down Syndrome Indiana Executive Director, Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez had this to say, “ Down Syndrome Indiana is thrilled to partner with Graham Rahal and the Rahal Letterman Racing Team to promote awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome at this year’s Indy 500! We wish Graham the best of luck. It is a huge victory for individuals with Down syndrome to have our logo displayed on Graham’s car. It will go unbelievably far in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, not only in Indiana but across the United States as well. This is truly a dream come true for our families to have their children embraced by the racing community. We are incredibly fortunate for this amazing opportunity and completely impressed over and over with the generosity of Graham Rahal. “
About Down syndrome
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one out of every 733 live births and there are approximately 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome living within the United States. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is caused by a triplication of the 21st chromosome. It is indiscriminate of race, religion or economic status. Therefore Down syndrome affects all walks of life. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in civic, educational, occupational, social and recreational activities in the community.
About Down Syndrome Indiana
Down Syndrome Indiana is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our mission is to serve as a conduit of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which promotes growth and inclusion in the community.
For more information about Down Syndrome Indiana, or this particular story, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez at lisa@dsindiana.org or by calling 317-925-7617.
###
Inspired by Catalina Joyce, a child with Down syndrome and the Joyce Family of Indianapolis, when Graham Rahal was asked to place the logo on his car, he agreed and according to Johanna Maher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Rahal Letterman Racing, “ Graham Rahal likes to have an organization to stand behind and hadn’t found one yet, so when Jeff Joyce asked, we agreed”
Not only did Rahal Letterman agree to put the logo on the car, the Bobby Rahal Foundation agreed to make a donation to the organization for every lap completed by Graham and to double the donation if he finishes in the top three! In addition, Graham Rahal agreed to make a personal donation as well.
In the words of Jeff Joyce, father of Catalina Joyce with Down syndrome, “This goes to show what a stand-up guy Graham is for following up on this for us. You can’t imagine how much this can help our organization, Down Syndrome Indiana, and my Daughter Catalina. ….Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Racing are first class operations.”
Down Syndrome Indiana Executive Director, Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez had this to say, “ Down Syndrome Indiana is thrilled to partner with Graham Rahal and the Rahal Letterman Racing Team to promote awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome at this year’s Indy 500! We wish Graham the best of luck. It is a huge victory for individuals with Down syndrome to have our logo displayed on Graham’s car. It will go unbelievably far in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, not only in Indiana but across the United States as well. This is truly a dream come true for our families to have their children embraced by the racing community. We are incredibly fortunate for this amazing opportunity and completely impressed over and over with the generosity of Graham Rahal. “
About Down syndrome
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one out of every 733 live births and there are approximately 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome living within the United States. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is caused by a triplication of the 21st chromosome. It is indiscriminate of race, religion or economic status. Therefore Down syndrome affects all walks of life. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in civic, educational, occupational, social and recreational activities in the community.
About Down Syndrome Indiana
Down Syndrome Indiana is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our mission is to serve as a conduit of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which promotes growth and inclusion in the community.
For more information about Down Syndrome Indiana, or this particular story, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez at lisa@dsindiana.org or by calling 317-925-7617.
###
Friday, May 28, 2010
Self Advocates and College
Do you dream about your son or daughter going to college when they graduate high school? You should! And DSI is here to introduce you to a few DSI Self Advocates who have attended college and want to tell you about their experiences.
Join the Down Syndrome Indiana Self Advocates as they discuss their college experiences on June 1st 2010 from 6pm to 8pm in the Marott Community Room at 2625 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Come hear about the programs they have attended, how they feel it has helped them in life and learn a little bit about the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and what you can expect from the group in the future. Featured panelists currently include: Jessica Green, Joel Persinger, Kelley Schreiner, and Sarah Strouse with group moderation by Cindy Cobb.
No matter what age your child is now, this is a great meeting to attend so you can start setting your expectations high!
Please RSVP to register@dsindiana.org or call 925-7617 so we can order the right amount of food!
Please pass this info on….. If you know any Self Advocates who have attended a college program but that are not currently on the panel and would like to participate, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director at lisa@dsindiana.org or call 317-925-7617 for more info.
Join the Down Syndrome Indiana Self Advocates as they discuss their college experiences on June 1st 2010 from 6pm to 8pm in the Marott Community Room at 2625 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Come hear about the programs they have attended, how they feel it has helped them in life and learn a little bit about the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and what you can expect from the group in the future. Featured panelists currently include: Jessica Green, Joel Persinger, Kelley Schreiner, and Sarah Strouse with group moderation by Cindy Cobb.
No matter what age your child is now, this is a great meeting to attend so you can start setting your expectations high!
Please RSVP to register@dsindiana.org or call 925-7617 so we can order the right amount of food!
Please pass this info on….. If you know any Self Advocates who have attended a college program but that are not currently on the panel and would like to participate, please contact Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director at lisa@dsindiana.org or call 317-925-7617 for more info.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Speak your mind
SPEAK YOUR MIND!
Rate your community’s implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
People with disabilities, their family members, and their advocates are invited to complete the 2010 ADA POLL, a survey about how Indiana communities are doing with implementation of the ADA. It’s important that your voices are heard when accessibility and discrimination issues are being addressed in your community! So don’t delay – let us know what you have to say!
The 2010 ADA POLL is available online at: www.ThePollingPlace.org
It is also available in alternative formats – see below
The ADA has been in effect since 1990 - nearly 20 years have passed for communities to remove physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from becoming active participating citizens. Progress has been made, but there is still need for further compliance. The 2010 ADA POLL asks Indiana citizens to identify how they view current implementation of the ADA in their own communities. Here is your opportunity to provide opinions and ideas about where to improve accessibility!
The results of the 2010 ADA POLL will be used to "grade" your community +on its response to the ADA and will become a tool to educate policy makers, administrators, and the general public about the ADA. We hope that you will join us in this effort to learn more about community responses to the ADA.
To request the survey form in an alternative format, or for additional information, contact Dr. Vicki Pappas by phone: 1-800-825-4733 or e-mail: beheard@indiana.edu.
The 2010 ADA POLL is being conducted by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, in conjunction with the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services, and the Great Lakes ADA Center.
Rate your community’s implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
People with disabilities, their family members, and their advocates are invited to complete the 2010 ADA POLL, a survey about how Indiana communities are doing with implementation of the ADA. It’s important that your voices are heard when accessibility and discrimination issues are being addressed in your community! So don’t delay – let us know what you have to say!
The 2010 ADA POLL is available online at: www.ThePollingPlace.org
It is also available in alternative formats – see below
The ADA has been in effect since 1990 - nearly 20 years have passed for communities to remove physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from becoming active participating citizens. Progress has been made, but there is still need for further compliance. The 2010 ADA POLL asks Indiana citizens to identify how they view current implementation of the ADA in their own communities. Here is your opportunity to provide opinions and ideas about where to improve accessibility!
The results of the 2010 ADA POLL will be used to "grade" your community +on its response to the ADA and will become a tool to educate policy makers, administrators, and the general public about the ADA. We hope that you will join us in this effort to learn more about community responses to the ADA.
To request the survey form in an alternative format, or for additional information, contact Dr. Vicki Pappas by phone: 1-800-825-4733 or e-mail: beheard@indiana.edu.
The 2010 ADA POLL is being conducted by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, in conjunction with the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services, and the Great Lakes ADA Center.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Lending Library at IU is great resource
Here in the office at Down Syndrome Indiana, the staff are always trying to learn about new resources and organizations that we can then share with you.
This week we spent some time with our friends at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) at IU. While we learned about a ton of resources, there is one in particular that I would like to share with all of you; and that is their lending library!
In the IIDC lending library, over 8,500 books, videos, and kits are available that may be borrowed by anyone in Indiana for free. We were told shipping is free as well. The materials cover disabilities (including Down syndrome, of course) across the life span, life areas (such as education, employment, and recreation), and disciplines. To access the lending library, please go to this link: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/CEDIR/ and click on “Search our collection”. You may also go straight to this link: http://www.iucat.iu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/j6DfH0H0J0/B-CEDIR/270381193/60/1185/X
For more information or questions about the lending library, you can call 1-800-437-7924 or 812-855-9396.
Also, don’t forget that DSI has a lending library as well (but we don’t have 8,000 books)!
It is my pleasure to serve you!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez
Executive Director
This week we spent some time with our friends at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) at IU. While we learned about a ton of resources, there is one in particular that I would like to share with all of you; and that is their lending library!
In the IIDC lending library, over 8,500 books, videos, and kits are available that may be borrowed by anyone in Indiana for free. We were told shipping is free as well. The materials cover disabilities (including Down syndrome, of course) across the life span, life areas (such as education, employment, and recreation), and disciplines. To access the lending library, please go to this link: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/CEDIR/ and click on “Search our collection”. You may also go straight to this link: http://www.iucat.iu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/j6DfH0H0J0/B-CEDIR/270381193/60/1185/X
For more information or questions about the lending library, you can call 1-800-437-7924 or 812-855-9396.
Also, don’t forget that DSI has a lending library as well (but we don’t have 8,000 books)!
It is my pleasure to serve you!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez
Executive Director
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A Family Mission
What does your family stand for? Have you tried to figure that out together? If not, I would highly encourage you to do so by creating a family mission statement together. It has had an amazingly positive impact on my family and I believe it can have one on yours too! According to Stephen Covey, one of my most favorite authors, in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, “A family mission statement is a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about and the principles you choose to govern your family life.”
I have to admit, it took my family a loooonnnnggg time to create our statement but I am so glad we did. It gives us something tangible to look at and say, “you know treating another family member like that isn’t part of what we stand for” or “yes, we will take that volunteer project on” together because it is what we as a family stand for. The process of putting the statement together was just endearing! Over the course of time, I would ask my children what was important to our family, what our family stood for etc. and file their responses away. I will never forget asking my three year old what he thought was important in our family and he said, “We’re best friends!”. Of course after posting the statement on the chalkboard, my oldest then wrote something to the effect of, “this sucks” all over it but deep down inside I know it brings him a sense of pride, LOL! After all as country singer Aaron Tippen says in his song, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
Here is a link to help you get started on your mission statement: http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/
It may just change your life…
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
I have to admit, it took my family a loooonnnnggg time to create our statement but I am so glad we did. It gives us something tangible to look at and say, “you know treating another family member like that isn’t part of what we stand for” or “yes, we will take that volunteer project on” together because it is what we as a family stand for. The process of putting the statement together was just endearing! Over the course of time, I would ask my children what was important to our family, what our family stood for etc. and file their responses away. I will never forget asking my three year old what he thought was important in our family and he said, “We’re best friends!”. Of course after posting the statement on the chalkboard, my oldest then wrote something to the effect of, “this sucks” all over it but deep down inside I know it brings him a sense of pride, LOL! After all as country singer Aaron Tippen says in his song, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
Here is a link to help you get started on your mission statement: http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/
It may just change your life…
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
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