community education workshops...check back frequently for new events!
Workshops Available Upon Request include...
People First Language
Presenter: Joyce Smith
This workshop can be tailored to meet the needs of any group. This interactive presentation addresses the importance of recognizing strengths in differences. Participants will learn how to speak to and about individuals with disabilities in order to encourage understanding of diversity.
Legislative Process Training
Presenter: Joyce Smith & Friends
This workshop empowers individuals with disabilities and their support networks to become active in influencing the public policies that affect their lives. While the workshop can be altered to meet the needs of the group, the legislative process as a whole is explored. Participants will learn how to access legislative information, who their legislators are and how to communicate with them and how to draft and deliver testimony.
Past Workshops have included...
Laughter Yoga
Presenter: Tahna Stetson
Throughout the interactive Laughter Yoga sessions, Tahna discussed the benefits of intentional laughter and how the physical action and sounds of laughter integrates mind, body and spirit. Laughter makes it easier to cope with life's challenges. When practiced consistently, the health benefits are obvious.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Presenter: Emma Lewis-Sullivan
Emma, a disability rights advocate and motivational speaker from Indianapolis, highlighted the timeline of significant events over the past twenty years and discussed the various titles of the ADA, the amendments of 2008 and ended the afternoon with a rousing game of ADA Jeopardy!
Emergency Readiness: Training & Action Plans for Empowerment
Presenters included: Kathleen Donahue of ND Department of Emergency Services, Corinne Hofmann of ND Protection & Advocacy Project, Ron Kunda of the Bismarck Fire Department, Gary Stockert of Bismarck Emergency Management, Tom Szymanski of KXMB TV, Brannen Ulrick of FEMA, Cheryl Underhill of Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Sarah Werner of ND Citizen's Corps.
This multi-day training allowed individuals with disabilities and their support networks to learn about different types of emergency situations. Participants developed personally tailored action plans and checklists and found out how to connect with community supports and resources.
In conjunction with this conference, The Arc of Bismarck produced a video in an effort to encourage personal responsibility in emergency readiness planning and to showcase the importance of including all people in the systemic planning process. Conference participants not only learned about emergency readiness, but also shared personal stories pertaining to emergency situations. This video offers an educational opportunity and a personal perspective that encourages personal preparedness. To view the full movie click here.
Emergency Readiness: Disasters Decisions & Disabilities Part 1
Emergency Readiness: Disasters Decisions & Disabilities Part 2
This workshop explored how technology can open doors and break down barriers for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. Whether in the classroom or workplace, assistive technology (including devices, software, recordings, and much more) can increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Attendees had a chance to see how quality of life is enhanced by having control of one's environment. A hands-on demonstration of Assistive Technology devices was used to highlight points throughout this presentation.
Computer Accessibility & Assistive Technology for People with Learning Disabilities
Presenter: Richard Dodds
This workshop provided many practical tips on utilizing applications already available on most computers operating systems. Participants gained knowledge about accessibility settings such as screen readers, magnifiers, accessible cursor options and much more.
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
The Arc of Bismarck, with the Protection and Advocacy Project, hosted a Town Hall meeting on December 8th, 2011, on the Affordable Care Act and what it will mean for North Dakotans. This legislation will bring about many practical changes in health care such as:
-Expanding Coverage to the 30 Million Americans without Health Insurance
-Banning lifetime "caps" on insurance coverage
-Banning denial of coverage because of pre-existing conditions
-Chain Restaurants must now display nutrition information
-Health Care Exchanges in each state that provide information on coverage options and recommendations for individuals
