What Students are Saying about the IUPUI S.I.T.E. Program

Down Syndrome Indiana recently checked in with the IUPUI S.I.T.E. program and talked with its staff to find out how the program is progressing. After an absolutely inspiring conversation, I would like to share with you a little bit of what I learned and why the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition feels making college programs available to individuals with an intellectual disability is so important…
 

 

What the Students are Saying about the IUPUI S.I.T.E. Program
 

·         “It’s Great. There’s a lot of nice, friendly people here. There’s a lot more space you can 
               walk around in.”

·         No uniforms;
 

·         Nicer students – they want to be here;
 

·         IndyGo bus trips in different parts of Indianapolis;
 

·         Taking one class;
 

·         Make lots of friends (a lot of nice people);
 

·         Learning the different bus routes;
 

·         Doing the mural project;
 

·         The library;
 

·         No fights – it’s peaceful here;
 

·         F200 Mentors.
 

What Have the Students Learned so far at IUPUI (mid October 2012)…
 

·         How to ride the IndyGo bus from home to campus and from campus to home. I am learning
            different routes too so I know how to get other places in the city – get around;
 

·         How to do PowerPoint presentations and how to put them together;
 

·         How to budget money (for lunch) so I don’t run out of money for the week;
 

·         How to put in job applications;
 

·         What to do in a job interview;
 

·         Why it is a good idea to volunteer and where I could volunteer;
 

·         How to drive my power wheelchair on the sidewalks, cross the street, get in and out of
          campus buildings, and get on and off the IndyGo bus;
 

·         How to use a cell phone to make and answer calls;
 

·         How to do my receipt sheet;
 

·         How to log in the computer and my e-mail – how to write and send an e-mail;
 

·         How to take photographs with a digital camera;
 

·         How to find my way around campus-to my bus stop, all around the Campus Center, the
           Natatorium, the IUPUI library…etc.

 

The Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition (of which DSI is part) envisions a world in which young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities have the option of electing postsecondary education as part of the person-centered planning as they transition from high school to the adult world.   To find out more, please visit www.thinkcollegeindiana.org.

 

Buddy Walk

SAVE THE DATE:

THE 16TH ANNUAL BUDDY WALK

WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013!

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Can we raise an additional $50,000 online by the end of this October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month? I believe we can! In order to do this, we only need 200 of our 238 fundraisers to raise $250.00. Sound hard? It’s not; and here’s how we can raise the money and have a huge positive impact on Down Syndrome Indiana:

How to Raise $250 in Only Ten Days

Day 1. Make your own $25 contribution = $25

Day 2. Ask your significant other to also contribute $25 = $50

Day 3. Ask your Mom and Dad to contribute $25 = $75

Day 4. Ask your best friend to contribute $25 = $100

Day 5. Ask your boss to contribute $25 = $125

Day 6. Ask your best friend at work to contribute $25 = $150

Day 7. Ask your sister or brother to contribute $25 = $175

Day 8. Ask your in-laws to contribute $25 = $200

Day 9. Ask a neighbor to contribute $25 = $225

Day 10. Ask a businessperson you support to contribute $25 = $250


Did you know that in the 2013 budget, DSI has to double the amount of money it spends on New Parent Packets because DSI is reaching so many new families? It’s true thanks to your help!

Get Involved. Be Inspired,


Lisa Wells, Executive Director

Buddy Walk 2012

Everyone at Down Syndrome Indiana could not be more excited, and we hope that your family and friends will join us as we celebrate and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome within our community!

 

We will gather, once again, in Celebration Plaza of White River State Park on Saturday, October 13^th. Registration will open at 9:00am, with the walk beginning at noon. While you are waiting for the walk to begin, please feel free to experience some the exciting activities throughout the park. There will be an enlightening Information Tent, awesome performances by Chris Burke and local artists, and exhilarating hot-air balloon rides that are sure to provide awe-inspiring views of the Buddy Walk®!

 

If you have not already assembled a team of walkers and would like to do so, please use this link to start registering yourself and team members. Should you have any issues, this short video provides a step-by-step guide in registering yourself and others.
 

For more information on this year’s walk, schedule of events, or how to get involved, please visit Down SyndromeIndiana’s Buddy Walk® website. If you have specific questions I would be happy to help any way that I can. Please direct all inquiries to buddywalk@dsindiana.org.

We are also in need of volunteers for the day. If you are interested in volunteering for the Buddy Walk®, we would be honored to have you be a part of our big day. Please contact Jessica Hadsell at 317-925-7617 or buddywalk@dsindiana.org for more information about volunteer opportunities.
 

Thank you so much for your continued dedication and support; we appreciate everything you do.
 

I look forward to seeing you all at the Buddy Walk® - let’s make 2012’s walk the biggest and best yet!
 

 

Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan

Don’t miss this opportunity right here in central Indiana so please take a moment to review the conference topics and presenters that include keynote speaker Michael Remus, Dr. Mary Ciccarelli of CYACC, John Dickerson, Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana, Cindy Cobb, and Joe Meares, D.A.D.S. National just name a few!

Event: Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan will occur on Sep 28, 2012 at 8:30am to 4:30pm

Location: Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46241

Description: Cost: 99 Note: additional family scholarships for registration and lodging are available. See page 11 of brochure: http://www.utsprokids.org/journeytosuccess.asp

“Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan Scholarship Application Form

Two different scholarships are available for Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan due to the generosity of the Russell Best Family and Consumer Investment Funding which was obtained from theGovernor's Council for People with Disabilities. One or both parents can each apply for both scholarships.

1. Conference fee scholarship: provides $75 (approximately 75%) of the $99 conference registration fee. Which comes out to a $24 conference fee after you do the math!

2. Lodging scholarship: covers the room rate and applicable taxes to stay at the host hotel on the evening of September 27, 2012. You must reside at least 50 miles from the conference site to receive the lodging scholarship.”

Value: 7 (7 instructional hours or .7 credential units)

Keynote speaker Michael Remus will share some memories and experiences that will continue to enrich his life forever. He will share his stories of getting his two sons with disabilities what they needed and yet do it with a sense of humor and with the passion that the audience has for their sons and daughters.

Contact: www.registration@utsprokids.org

More Info: www.utsprokids.org

Download a copy of the brochure here: http://www.utsprokids.org/journeytosuccess.asp

TAKE ACTION!

Dear Down Syndrome Indiana families,

 

I am writing to you today on a very important matter to the Down syndrome community, the ABLE Act. This is the most important piece of legislation to be introduced in years. As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, please take a moment to contact Senator Dan Coats and encourage him to support the ABLE Act.  Below is sample text that you can use:

 

SAMPLE LETTER

 

The Honorable Dan Coats

United States Senate

493 Russell Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

Today’s Date

 

 

Dear Senator Dan Coats,

 

As a resident of Indiana that cares about individuals with a disability and their well-being, I am writing to you today to ask you to co-sponsor the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2011 (S. 1872/H.R. 3423).

 

The ABLE Act, when enacted into law, will give people with Down syndrome and their families the ability to save for the future just like every other American family. Currently, barriers to employment, independent living, and ultimately, economic self-sufficiency, exist because individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities must rely on services like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) proved, however, to qualify for these services individuals with Down syndrome may not have more than $2,000 in assets, and earn no more than $674 in a monthly income.

 

The ABLE Act will eliminate barriers to work and saving by preventing dollars saved through ABLE accounts from counting against an individual’s eligibility for any federal benefits program. The legislation also contains Medicaid fraud protection against abuse and Medicaid pay-back provision when the beneficiary passes away. The ABLE Act has been endorsed by over 50 national disability, religious, and nonprofit organizations. By cosponsoring and passing the ABLE Act, you will give more individuals with a disability and their families the ability to save for their child’s future just like every other American family!

 

Sincerely,

 

[Insert your name and contact info]

 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to make your voice heard!

 

P.S. Down Syndrome Indiana will also have preprinted postcards on this topic that you can sign and send in at the Buddy Walk® on October 13^th. Look for them in the info tent!

 

Journey to Success: Down syndrome through the Lifespan on Sept. 28

Don’t miss this opportunity right here in central Indiana so please take a moment to review the conference topics and presenters that include keynote speaker Michael Remus, Dr. Mary Ciccarelli of CYACC, John Dickerson, Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana, Cindy Cobb, and Joe Meares, D.A.D.S. National just name a few!

Event: Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan will occur on Sep 28, 2012 at 8:30am to 4:30pm

Location: Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46241

Description: Cost: 99 Note: additional family scholarships for registration and lodging are available.  See page 11 of  brochure:  http://www.utsprokids.org/journeytosuccess.asp 

“Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan   Scholarship Application Form

Two different scholarships are available for Journey to Success: Down Syndrome Through the Lifespan due to the generosity of the Russell Best Family and Consumer Investment Funding which was obtained from theGovernor's Council for People with Disabilities. One or both parents can each apply for both scholarships.

1. Conference fee scholarship: provides $75 (approximately 75%) of the $99 conference registration fee.  Which comes out to a $24 conference fee after you do the math!

2. Lodging scholarship: covers the room rate and applicable taxes to stay at the host hotel on the evening of September 27, 2012. You must reside at least 50 miles from the conference site to receive the lodging scholarship.”                                                                    

Value: 7 (7 instructional hours or .7 credential units)

Keynote speaker Michael Remus will share some memories and experiences that will continue to enrich his life forever. He will share his stories of getting his two sons with disabilities what they needed and yet do it with a sense of humor and with the passion that the audience has for their sons and daughters.

Contact: www.registration@utsprokids.org

More Info: www.utsprokids.org 

Download a copy of the brochure here: http://www.utsprokids.org/journeytosuccess.asp