WRA Newsletter Archive
 WRA
Newsletter, Spring 2008 |
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Awards, education, and a good time at the annual RFW/WRA Rehabilitation and Transition Conference
| 2008 conference highlights by Michael Hermsmeier and Dennis Carriere Blast off…to the Stars! This was the theme for the RFW/WRA annual conference at the American Club in Kohler, WI. on April 9-11. Over 450 attendees were able to participate in seven conference tracks, including Transition, Employment, Special Interest, Autism, Mid-Management, Collaborative Partnerships and Best Practices. Thursday included a full day track on Ethics as well. In addition to great food and lodging, the conference had over 42 exhibitors. Thursday night’s “Alien Encounter” theme party featured music by “Finderz Keeperz” Keynote speakers included Judy Endow MSW, author of “Making Lemonade: Hints for Autism’s helpers. On Thursday, Paul Wesselman spoke on Building Boundaries to Prevent and Decrease Burnout. Paul is the editor and creator of the Ripples Project, and sends out inspirational emails each Monday morning to encourage and motivate over 17000 subscribers. On Friday, the keynote was Greg Reisberg CSP MSW, author of Humor with a Message gave us a postcard illustrating that there is a city named “Hope” in every U.S. State. The Rehabilitation Leadership Award was presented to Tom Lutzow PhD, and the Government Leadership award was presented to Sinikka Santala, DFHS Division Administrator. The Legislative Leadership award was given to Senator Dave Hansen of the Wisconsin State Senate. WRA president Dennis Carriere reports that this conference has “gone green” by presenting a limited number of handouts. Conference attendees can access materials and more conference info at www.RFW.org. Mark your calendars for the next Wisconsin Rehabilitation and Transition conference from April 1-3, 2009 at the American Club, Kohler, WI. |
 Outstanding Students! WRA scholarships for the Rehabilitation Conference were given to Jeanette Schermann (upper right) and Courtney Hilgendorf (Center) The WRCEA Thorton Fund Scholar was Rachel Swotloski (upper left). Two students were also recognized for their leadership with the UW-Stout Rehabilitation Club, Katrina Pearson and Jamie Denn (lower right/left). Each of these students is distinguished scholastically, and has a history of service to persons with disabilities. Congratulations students! Our future is in your hands. A special thanks is also in order to Dr. Susie Eberhard and the scholarship committees of WRA/WRCEA for finding these individuals. Inside this issue: |
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“AREA 51” alien encounter conference party. Do you know any of these creatures? |
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 Dennis Waving |
 Universe Needs All Kinds |
 Favorite Martians |
 Smiling Faces |
 The Party Starts |
 Techno Bug |
On a more serious note…. | ||
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The 27th annual NRA Government Affairs Summit was a success Cayte Anderson, WRA legislative affairs chair, Timothy A Carey, WRA legislative affairs co-chair The National Rehabilitation Association (NRA) continues to take an active role in conducting outreach to legislators and providing quality information on the milieu of issues connected with maximizing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The 27th Annual Government Affairs Summit was held on March 9-11th in Alexandria, VA, and was an overwhelmingly positive event. Although the WRA board opted not to send representatives to the Summit this year, we historically have sent at least one Wisconsin representative and plan to do so again next year. Given that the legislation pertinent to supporting the work we do was not up for reauthorization, we decided to err on the side of conserving funds this year, and send at least one representative in 2009. The NRA Issue Statements developed for the Summit cover a wide range of topical areas and are available for review through the NRA website www.nationalrehab.org. We encourage you to visit and learn more about the current key issues including reasonable appropriations to support the Rehabilitation Act (i.e. funding for the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation program), infrastructure funding for the One-Stop Centers, Governors’ waiver authority, Supported Employment, The Mental Health Parity Act, and more. |
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More Articles |
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM COMING UP! By Jenny Neugart The Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association and the Youth Leadership Forum are again collaborating on a Legislative Affairs Day on Tuesday, June 24th at the Madison Public Library. The Youth Leadership Forum is a week long leadership training and career awareness program for 30 high school students with disabilities. The YLF is being held June 24-27th on the Edgewood College campus in Madison. Part of the leadership training program includes learning about state government and understanding that we have a right and responsibility to be active citizens. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton has been invited to give opening remarks. We will also energize and inspire the youth about their responsibility to vote and their ability to influence the political process, not just to learn about it. As part of the Legislative Affairs Day, the youth will tour the State Capital and meet with their legislator. For most youth, this will be the first time they have put a face on government. Mentors (that means you—editor’s comment) are being sought to accompany the youth to their appointments to provide support, if needed. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or would like more information about the YLF, please contact Caroline Leung, YLF coordinator, at carolinebleuing@yahoo.com National Association of Disability Benefits Specialists (NADBS) By Cayte Anderson, NADBS President Are you interested in learning more about economic development opportunities for people with disabilities? Do you want to be connected into the networks that are actively sharing information about the ever changing public benefit programs? Do you have a keen desire to learn more about the interplay between benefits and earned income? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it sounds like you are a great candidate for membership in the National Association of Disability Benefits Specialists (NADBS). NADBS is the newest division within the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA), and we’re actively recruiting new members. You don’t need to be trained or working as a benefits specialist to join, you simply need to be interested in the quest for knowledge and the desire to be part of the fastest growing division within NRA. If you’re interested in finding more information, please visit our website at www.nadbs.pbwiki.com. Our website is currently under development and more content will soon be added, but you’re welcome to download one of our brochures. Additionally, you can go directly to the NRA website at www.nationalrehab.org if you’d like to join online. WHICH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SHOULD I VOTE FOR ?? It’s up to you…but if you’re tired of sound bites and TV ads, there is a website that can help you make an informed choice on how each of the major candidates stand on disability and rehabilitation issues. Go to the website for the American Association for People with Disabilities at www.aapd-dc.org/ and click on the “2008 Presidential Action Center” for summaries of each candidate’s response to a disability issue questionnaire, and their track record on disability related legislation. Check it out! |
| WRA Newsletter c/o Jim Hill VECS 876 Jean Circle Oregon, Wi. |
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Calendar of Events |
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Assistive Technology Resource Fair May 16-17, 2008 Assistive Technology Resource Fair June 3, 2008 Seminar-Supporting Successful Communication for People with TBI- 2nd Bi-Annual Wisconsin Legislative Affairs Day. June 24, 2008 2008 National Career Development Association Global Conference- July 9-11, 08 “Finding our voice and making it heard” 2008 National Rehabilitation Association Annual Training Conference- Did we forget anything?? If so, contact the WRA newsletter editor,
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WRA Newsletter, Spring 2008 |
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