Congratulations to our Youth Leaders who will go to Newport News in July for the Youth Leadership Forum. The forum goal: Empowereing Young Leaders of the 21st Century. IEC interviewed five energetic and thoughtful youth, and we encouraged YLF to accept each of them for this year’s forum. The winners’ names have not been released yet, but more information will be included in our next issue. Stay tuned!
from Spring 2007 Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 2
“If one considers people who now are disabled those likely to develop a future disability and people who are or will be affected by the disabilities of family members or others close to them, it becomes clear that disability will eventually affect the lives of most U.S. residents.” (Alan Jette, Director of the Health and Disability Research Institute at the Boston University School of Public Health)
Continue reading the From The Executive Director by Mary D. Lopez, Ph.D. article
A new Cross-Disability Support Group is starting in Manassas. The first meeting will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane (on the first floor), Manassas, Virginia, on Tuesday, June 19, from 3:00pm - 4:30pm. The speaker will be Steve Wasilewski, Occupational Therapist for LivinRite Home Health Services. Ms. Debbie Branham (pictured above) is forming the group and can be contacted at 703-392-9224 or by email at colors594@juno.com. Call or email Debbie if your are interested in becoming part of the group or need more information.
from Spring 2007 Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 2
The following piece on “Disability Etiquette” is an excerpt from the United Spinal Association “Tips On Interacting With People With Disabilities.” These tips are designed to help you understand what to do and what not to do when in the company of a person with a disability.
People Who Use Wheelchairs or Have Mobility Impairments
People who use wheelchairs have different disabilities and varying abilities. Some can use their arms and hands. Some get out of their wheelchairs and even walk short distances. Wheelchair users are people, not equipment. Don’t lean over someone in a wheelchair to shake another person’s hand or ask a wheelchair user to hold coats. Setting your drink on the desktop attached to someone’s wheelchair is a definite no-no.
It’s summertime, if you are otherwise able, you may want opportunities to be out of the house and enjoy yourself! One problem can derail your plans for fun and that is inaccessibility. Many places still have not opened themselves up to people with disabilities and therefore miss your patronage. Here is your opportunity to help benefit places that are accessible. Your support of these businesses and organizations help spread that word to others that you have every right to partake in events as anyone else. Here are just a few examples of things that are accessible to people with disabilities in Northern Virginia:
Continue reading the Summertime Fun Ideas by John Hayes article
As spring brings new growth to the world, it also brings new growth to IEC. In the coming weeks, I will begin to have office hours every Wednesday & Friday, at the offices of the Fauquier Community Action Committee (FCAC): 50 Sullivan Street, Suite A, Warrenton, Virginia, 20186, (540)347-7000, Ext. 113. My voicemail and appointments within this office will be active as of 3:00pm, Friday, May 11, 2007. This will give Fauquier County Residents a local point of contact for phone calls and appointments.
Continue reading the Growth & Expansion by Andrew Coffron article
Our latest addition: Gimp by Mark Zupan. The star of Murderball explains in his memoir that, in a way, getting hurt was the best thing that could ever have happened to him. Despite prejudices, he shows a guy in a chair still gets to have sex with his girlfriend, party with his friends, and even crowd-surf at Pearl Jam shows. This book will appeal to anyone ready to be motivated by a captivating and heartfelt story about triumph over adversity.
Continue reading the Video & Reading Library by Pat Scott article
Is there any appropriate disaster plan for the deaf and hard of hearing? Does the Commonwealth of Virginia have enough resources set aside for citizens with hearing impairments? Do the state and local responders know how to reach people with hearing impairments in order to evacuate them from the disaster area(s)? What are we, including myself, supposed to do when “hearing” (using the sense of sight) a weather warning or environmental hazard happens?
Please join the IEC staff, board members and friends for the Annual Meeting. There will be sandwiches and drinks provided. IEC is a consumer-based and consumer-driven organization. We encourage community participation in this event. IEC membership fee is $5.00 for an individual. The Executive Director has the discretion to waive that fee. Please contact us at 703-257-5400 or email us at info@ieccil.org for more detailed information.
Continue reading the IEC Annual Meeting by Stephanie George article
Independence Empowerment Center (IEC) will be hosting a fair to celebrate the 17th anniversay of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! The fair will be held at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas on July 24, 2007 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. All are encouraged to attend and learn more about how the ADA can benefit people with disabilities and those who love them.
Continue reading the Come Join Us at the Fair! by Roberta McEachern article
