Office of Deaf Services The deadline for submission for the October issue is September 30th. Send e-mail submis- sions to the editor at dhr.dsci@iowa.gov SUBMITTING ARTICLES, NEWS, RECENT EVENTS, OR INFORMATION SIGN of the TIMES E-NEWS September 2010 ANNOUNCEMENT CONTINUED Visit DSCI website: www.deafservices.iowa.gov Questions or Comments? Email us: dhr.dsci@iowa.gov WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A COMMUNITY? Here’s an opportunity. We encourage Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals to join commissions, boards, and councils. The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service is looking for a Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual or someone who serves the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community to serve on the “A- Team”, our target demographic would be someone located in western Iowa. Here’s the information... The Iowa Accessibility Team (A-Team) functions separately from, but in tandem with, the Iowa Com- mission on Volunteer Service. The Iowa Commis- sion receives funding for AmeriCorps programs via the Corporation for National and Community Ser- vice. In order to ensure that “everyone can serve” in AmeriCorps, the Corporation awards each state a substantial amount specifically for disability inclu- sion outreach, recruitment, training and technical assistance. The A-Team was formed to help the Commission best utilize those funds and be as in- clusive as it can possibly be in the realms of na- tional service. The team is comprised of persons with disabilities and disability service professionals (some both) that have a vested interest in promoting AmeriCorps opportunities to persons with disabilities as a pathway to employment, education, skill build- ing or empowerment. Now, the Accessibility Team members are not actual Commissioners, but we value them just as highly. Like Commissioners, A-Team members are encouraged to partner and promote AmeriCorps and volunteerism whenever they can throughout Iowa and can receive mileage reimbursement for attending meetings. Commissioners are also Gov- ernor appointed and go through a formal application process. Unlike the Commission, there is little pol- icy making, voting or by-laws on the A-Team, although, we would like to develop a strategic plan for the A-Team down the road. If you’d like to be on the A-Team, all you need do is say you’re interested. Simple as that. A few things we have done in 2010 thus far: . Review and award $500 mini-grants for inclusive service projects in our Ameri- Corps portfolio . Outreach to the Iowa Youth Leadership and College Leadership Forum and other strategic events . Partnered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ADA in July . Provide inclusion training and technical assis- tance to AmeriCorps Program Directors that may include accommodation assistance, recruitment, interviewing, universal design, accessibility and so on as needed . Strategically promote AmeriCorps throughout the employment and disability services networks . Plan and provide the Serve Iowa Mini Confer- ence on October 18 . General oversight as needed For more information, contact: Sarah Hinzman Program Development, Training & Disability Inclusion Coordinator Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service 515.725.3091 or Toll Free: 1.800.308.5987 sarah.hinzman@iowa.gov Website: http://www.volunteeriowa.org/ 9/10: 6:00 pm: American Sign Language Social hosted by Deaf Awareness and DMACC located at ALL-Play 615 - 3rd Street, Des Moines. Games, eat and drink. 9/11: 2:30—4:00 pm: Quad City Illinois Associa- tion of the Deaf—QCIAD General Meeting located at Heritage Church Discipleship Center Room 2 (Across from Goodwill & next to Interstate Battery CO.) in Rock Island, IL. 9/13: 1:30—4:30 pm: Free Seminar Opportunity “Community Hospitals, The Patient Flow Proc- ess,” for Non-Metro, Rural Based Interpreters hosted by Mercy Interpretation Services located at Mercy West Lakes, 1601—60th Street, West Des Moines. Pre-registration required. To register or for more information email: tvonwalden@mercydesmoines.org. 9/26: 5—7:00 p.m. Relay Iowa / Hearing Loss Association of Central Iowa Family Fun Picnic hosted by Betty Hebard and Lori Sporrer located at Scottish Rite Park, 2909 Woodland Ave, Des Moines. Enjoy swimming, play pool, games, and more! Food—Fun—Giveaways. Event for Iowans who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Speech Impaired. Bring your family! Please RVSP by September 10th to: Lori Sporrer, Relay Iowa Outreach Project Manager at 712.653.2440 V/TTY or by email to lori.sporrer@hamiltonrelay.com. 9/28: 6:30 pm: Magic Morgan with Special Guests World Deaf Magicians located at East High School, 815 E. 13th Street, Des Moines. More information/Buy Ticket: Call 866-933-6855 for Ticker and Information Online, check website: www.magicmorgan.com/tour Email: tour@magicmorgan.com or order@magicmorgan.com Admission: Advanced: $10.00; At Door: $15.00. Office of Deaf Services SIGN of the TIMES E-NEWS September 2010 ANNOUNCEMENT CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit DSCI website: www.deafservices.iowa.gov Questions or Comments? Email us: dhr.dsci@iowa.gov PANEL DISCUSSION ON DEAF CULTURE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010 8:00 A.M.—NOON DMACC- ANKENY CAMPUS (DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE) 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd. BUILDING 6 AUDITORIUM FREE ADMISSION! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Interpreters will be provided. Ever wonder what it's like to be deaf in America? What life experiences do the deaf bring to our diverse American Culture? Join us and find out. Join DMACC's ASL/Interpreting Program for an insightful discussion with a diverse group of people and their family members. Topics to be discussed include: - Interpreting - Oppression - Discrimi- nation - Deaf Education - Cochlear Implants - Deaf Identity - Parenting - Race - Culture - Audism and much more CEUs Available, RID Approved Sponsor (DSCI) 0.4 CEUs PS for attending this event. For more information, contact James Halischak at jmhalischak@dmacc.edu