"together for independence"
October 2009
NEW ADVENTURES
Doesn’t each new school year seem like a new adventure? Well, a new adventure started early for Project Reach’s long-time Project Coordinator and the Chief Administrator for the Philip J. Rock Center and School. In June, we said “Congratulations” and “Happy Retirement” to Christine Lechnick, our very own “Tina”. Tina had been with the Philip J. Rock Center and School for over twenty years. She started as the school principal, and soon moved into the position of Chief Administrator for PRC and Project Coordinator for Project Reach. She provided oversight for the educational program and environment of the school as well as the statewide technical assistance activities of Project Reach. Some of the activities that she led included the establishment of a sensory nature waking area and a new playground for the PRC students, statewide Family Training weekends, and personal visits with legislators to remind all about the importance of the work done at PRC and by Project Reach. Tina handled her multiple responsibilities with wisdom, humor, and a very genuine concern for the children, families, and those with whom she worked. To say that she is missed is an understatement! However, as we wish Tina all the best retired life has to offer, Project Reach continues to move forward.
Congratulations to Peggy Whitlow, the Chief Administrator for the Philip J. Rock Center and School. As the Chief Administrator, she oversees all school and Project Reach activities. The day-to-day grant funded activities of Project Reach are now supervised by Michelle Clyne, Project Coordinator. In addition to the duties of Project Coordinator, Michelle is still available for technical assistance activities as she was when she was a Deaf-Blind Specialist for Project Reach. Peggy Pausche, who has been an administrative assistant with both the school and Project Reach for many years, has been promoted to the position of Executive Assistant to both Peggy Whitlow and Michelle Clyne.
The restructuring of these positions have provided a great deal of stability during this transition. Another strength for Project Reach are the very experienced Deaf-Blind Specialists and Family Specialists that continue to work with families and schools of children who are deaf-blind. Carla Beck, Jean Deptolla (formerly Osterby) and Karen Windy have been with Project Reach for many years. Karen Olehy, Family Specialist, has also been with the Project for years. Our newest staff person, family specialist Yolanda Lopez, is starting her second year with us and is bringing fresh ideas to the Project. So, as we start out on this new school year, please feel free to contact any Project Reach staff member at any time.
We look forward to sharing your new school year adventure with you!
Michelle Clyne, New Project Reach Coordinator
(630) 790-2474
mclyne@philiprockcenter.org
Peggy Pausche, Executive Assistant
(630)790-2474
ppausche@philiprockcenter.org
Deaf-Blind Specialists:
Karen Windy, serving Central and parts of Northwest Illinois
(815) 223-2037
windy61@sbcglobal.net
Carla Beck, serving Southern Illinois
(618) 483-3062
carlabeck@frontiernet.net
Jean Deptolla, serving Northwestern Illinois
(630) 790-2474 or (630) 709-1232
jdeptolla@philiprockcenter.org or jeansnewlife@aol.com
The Family Specialists are:
Yolanda Lopez
(773) 427-9770
jdglopez@sbcglobal.net
Karen Olehy
(309) 694-9072
kjo@bradley.edu
ILLINOIS ADVOCATES FOR THE DEAF-BLIND
Illinois Advocates for the Deafblind (IADB) is a statewide organization for Illinois families of individuals who are deafblind. IADB was formed in 1994, by several dedicated families who were receiving services from the Philip Rock Center, in collaboration with the Philip Rock Center and the Helen Keller National Center/Technical Assistance Center, and with additional assistance from the National Family Association for the Deafblind and the Hilton/Perkins Foundation.
IADB is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to protect the rights and advocate for the needs of all people who are deafblind. Our mission is carried out by the timely collection and sharing of information, advocacy efforts which promote community awareness of the unique circumstances and needs of those who are deafblind and result in improved services for the entire lifetime of individuals who are deafblind.
When you become a member of IADB, you become connected to families throughout the entire state of Illinois who have members who are deafblind and are working to ensure that anyone who is deafblind is able to live a full and productive life. You will also receive the IADB newsletter and you will be invited to events that provide opportunities to network with other families and educators, and service providers.
We have much to learn from one another, and joining IADB or renewing a current membership will enable our goals to be met. IADB offers one-year memberships for only $12.00, or lifetime memberships for $100.00.
To join, please make checks payable to IADB and mail to:
IADB Membership
818 DuPage Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
NEW RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY FOR FAMILIES
Book available for free on-line:
Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois
There is a new tool for families, as well as others who would like to better understand special education in Illinois. “Education Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois” is now available online at http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/parent_guide_english.pdf. The guide was developed in collaboration with The Task Force for Accessible Special Education Parent Materials; staff from the Illinois State Board of Education, other educational entities, and various parent and legal groups. The forward, written by Elizabeth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent Special Education and Support Services (ISBE) describes the book. “The guide is for parents, teachers, administrators, and others to learn about the educational rights of children who have disabilities and receive special education and related services. — It has been revised to incorporate the changes made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the Illinois special education rules and regulations which became effective June 28, 2007. Special education laws and procedures are complicated and can be hard to understand. — This guide will clarify some of the procedures of special education; however, it is not a complete explanation of all the special education laws. — The guide does contain information about many of the most common things readers may want to know.”
Website for Families with Questions about Assistive Technology:
The Family Center on Technology and Disability.
This website describes finding technology information this way: “Knowing where to begin and how to proceed can be daunting”. We're here to help. The Family Center on Technology and Disability provides a wide range of resources on assistive and instructional technologies, from introductory fact sheets through CEU's for practitioners and educators. Try setting aside 30 minutes a day to review an FCTD resource. Before you know it, you'll know a lot more about both established and emerging technologies that can improve the lives of the children and youth with whom you work and live. Of course, we're here for your just-in-time information needs as well. We hope you'll visit our site often!” Sections that look very interesting include Assistive Technology Success Stories, Assistive Tech 101, and resource Reviews. Check out this free resource at http://www.fctd.info/
Project Reach was invited to join the National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) in hosting the first-ever Illinois Deaf-blind Family Leadership Training Program. NCDB developed this training to support family members in honing their leadership and mentoring skills so that they can have a strong voice in the decisions being made about services and supports for children with deaf-blindness. There were three face-to-face trainings, each beginning on a Friday evening and concluding on a Sunday. Topics completed during these weekends included general information on deaf-blindness; Educational Systems; Department of Health and Human Services Systems; Medical Systems; Opportunities for family Leadership in Systems; Telling Your Story; and Communication and Building Agreement. An emphasis was also placed on finding ways to care for yourself while you care for others. At the completion of each training, participants received a brief follow-up assignment to help them use what they learned. Each participant also developed their own personal leadership goal. Ongoing support will be provided by the Illinois Deaf-Blind Project (Project Reach) staff and fellow participants in the training to help our graduates achieve their goals.
Please join us in congratulating Stacey Barrago, Laura Black, Yolanda Lopez, Maria McCarrick, Karen Olehy, Dorothy Owens, Maria Roeters, and Jody Wolfe!
October 28-31, 2009 -
TIA 2009 Chicago: Showcasing Excellence in Assistive Technology
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL
www.atia.org
October 29, 2009 – 9 am – 2 pm
“Deaf-Blind Leaders Can Make a Difference” Deaf-Blind Celebration
Chicago Lighthouse
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
deafblindinfo@chicagolighthouse.org
November 8-10, 2009 –
5th Annual Statewide Illinois Transition Conference
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center
Schaumburg, IL
www.illinoistransitionconference.org
November 13-15, 2009
AER Regional Conference
Featuring COMA’s O & M Conference Within a Conference
Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
www.aerbvi.org/regionalconf
November 17, 2009
Private Health Insurance for children with Special Needs in Illinois
Shriners Hospital for Children
2211 N. Oak Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60707
866-931-1110 ARC of Illinois
February 18-19, 2010
IL AER Vision Conference: DAER to Share: Helping One Another and Our Profession Grow
Holiday Inn Select
1801 N. Naper Blvd., Naperville, IL
www.Il.aerbvi.org or call Dianne Finn 815-964-0937
March 5-6, 2010
Illinois Teachers of Hard of Hearing & Deaf Individuals
Springfield, IL, www.ithi.org
April 29-30, 2010
IAASE Conference
Gateway Center, One Gateway Drive,
Collinsville, IL
Doubletree Collinsville Guest Room Block
(618)345-2800 Room Rate: $109 Single/Double
June 9-12, 2010
Illinios Deaf-Blind Retreat
(must be at least 18yrs old to attend)
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired
Jacksonville, IL
deafblindinfo@chicagolighthouse.org
July 20-25, 2010
2010 AER International Conference
Little Rock,Arkansas
www.aerbvi.org
Do you know somebody who does? There is a new resource specifically for families that include a member of the military and a person with disabilities. STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) is an information and training center for military parents whose children have medical or education needs. To find out more, check out http://www.stompproject.org/
The ARC of Illinois Family to Family Health Information and Education announces our newest resource, a guide to Medicaid eligibility for children and adults with disabilities. As we prepare for Medicaid voluntary conversation, it is especially important for families and consumers to understand the Medicaid eligibility process and to enroll in Medicaid on a timely basis. Our booklet explains Medicaid eligibility options for both children and adults (over age 18) with disabilities in Illinois, including instructions on how to apply, plus a detailed resource guide for more information. If you have any questions, or would like more information, please call us at 815-464-8647 or email us at familytofamily@thearcofil.org.
Private Health Insurance for Children with Special Needs in Illinois: Registration is now open for our Private Health Insurance for Children with Special Health Care Needs seminar on November 17th at Shriners Hospital in Chicago. We have a great roster of speakers, and are offering CEUs. Parent stipends are available for this event- parents can apply by calling 866-931-1110. Look forward to seeing you on November 17th!2009 Assistive Technology Resources
CD-Rom - From Family Center on Technology and Disability Academy for Educational Development.
Check out their website www.fctd.info
Assessing Communication & Learning in Young Children Who are Deafblind or Who have Multiple Disabilities by Design to Learn Projects. – This book is for professionals who are responsible for assessing and developing intervention for young children who are deafblind.
Teaching Language Arts, Math, and Science to Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities by Diane M. Broder and Fred Spooner, 2006. Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.
Thank you!
A Publication of the Philip J. Rock Center and School…Serving individuals who are both auditorily and visually impaired. 818 DuPage Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 – Voice: (630)790-2474, Fax: (630)790-4893, TTY: (800)771-1158, www. project-reach-illinois.org; email: PRC@aol.com
Newsletter design donated by Engage Creative 630.645.2265, engagecreative.com
Philip J. Rock Center and School
818 DuPage Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
PRC is operated by the Illinois State Board of Education