Independence Empowerment Center held its Second Annual Commemoration of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 19, 2008. It was a fun filled day of networking, community participation and information gathering.
Thank you to Senator Colgan who stopped by to support IEC. We also had an abundance of community support from local businesses, non-profit organizations and government Continue reading the Celebrating the ADA by Stephanie George article
The fact that the Olympics occur every four years is widely known, but that those games are shortly followed, in the same venue, by the Paralympic Games, is not such common knowledge. The name “Paralympic” is derived from the Greek “para” (alongside), and has no reference to paralysis. This Continue reading the From The Executive Director Dr. Mary Lopez article
Tiffany Tibbs was born and raised in Manassas, Virginia. She comes from a very tight-knit family, and she is the middle of her five siblings. Besides her three boys, she is also the mother of a little girl who was born with CP, and has had to make many challenging decisions as well as overcome many difficult obstacles regarding the well-being of her daughter. Continue reading the Introducing Tiffany Tibbs article
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is Wednesday, October 15. DMD helps to create a partnership with individuals with disabilities and their communities. DMD promotes inclusion of persons with disabilities into the workforce. It is about job shadowing and hands-on career exploration.
Last year we had participants who came to IEC, one of whom became our “intern,” Kat Kaczmarski. We would like to wish Continue reading the Come To IEC For Disability Mentoring Day by Stephanie George article
In Prince William, in Fauquier, in Manassas and in Manassas Park, the number of citizens with disabilities makes a strong voting population. In Prince William, about 8% of the population over age 5, or 25,892 people reported having a disability in 2006. In the same year, Fauquier County reported 8,690 people over age 5, or 13.6% of their population had disabilities! Together with those from Manassas and Manassas Park, we can expect to have a large voting population in November’s presidential elections.
Continue reading the Feel The Power of The Disability Vote by Jane Burnette article
Time for Change: Use your Power! Was the theme for this years NCIL conference held in Washington, DC. This was a 5 day event where Centers for Independent Living in the United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands came together to devise a plan of action for increasing awareness and support from our elected officials.
One of the most powerful events of the week was the annual march to the US Capitol. For this event, people with all types Continue reading the The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Conference by Roberta McEachern article
We are celebrating Dr. Mary Lopez’s birthday at Bob Evans on Monday, October 27 from 6pm-9pm at 10830 Promenade Drive in Manassas. IEC will earn 20% of sales when you join us for Friends, Food & Fundraising! Bring your famly, visit with IEC staff and have some dinner. The evening will be a great reason for you to catch up with old friends, or meet new ones. If you would like fliers* or more information, contact Stephanie.
*YOU MUST PRESENT A FLIER WITH YOUR BOB EVANS GUEST CHECK FOR IEC TO RECEIVE A DONATION*
From Summer 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 3
The following piece on disability etiquette is an excerpt from the United Spinal Association’s “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 Look Different
A different issue confronts people who may not be limited in their life activities, but who are treated as if they have a disability because of their appearance. Such as, people with facial differences, such as cleft lip or palate, cranio-facial disfigurement, or a skin condition or people who are way above or below the average height or weight. People who may Continue reading the Disability Etiquette Tips article
Public Hearings Planned For Proposed Fare Increase and Indexing Policy
PRTC has scheduled six public hearings (see below) to present its plan for addressing the effects of the rising cost of fuel, which includes a proposed FY 2009 bus fare increase and a fare indexing policy to guide fare pricing in later years. Each hearing will begin with a presentation, followed by a question and answer period. The public hearings are part of a public Continue reading the Potomac Rappahannock Transit Commission (PRTC) Service Updates article
