THE EMPIRE TIMES
AN EMPIRE STATE APSE PUBLICATION
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1
In this Edition
* Presidents’ Welcome
* New APSE Crew
* Committee Updates
* Success Stories:
The Power of Hello
Role Model
WWW.NYSAPSE.ORG
ONE
WORLD WORKS!
By Jim Blessing
One World Works: Building Business on Purpose is a
partnership that began between people with disabilities, a
woman’s group in a village in Uganda, the staff of the Rensselaer
NYSARC and the general community to promote and support
cross-cultural learning through shared business opportunities.
On a local level, several people with developmental disabilities
work with the staff of the Rensselaer NYSARC in a 6 month to
one year process to explore their interest in developing their
own small business and learn the skills needed to make their
dream become a reality. There are three main components:
•
Cynthia Segars
* Grant Opportunities
•
* NYS APSE Conference
* Disability Awareness
* Membership Info
SPRING 2007
•
Personal and career exploration – People are supported
in completing a personal exploration workbook entitled
A Framework for Planning that is an intensive selfexploration of who they are as a person and how it may
relate to being a successful small business person.
Business training – The Rensselaer NYSARC has worked
with a community partner, Hudson Valley Community
College (HVCC), to develop a 10-week course on building
your own small business. This course will be taught on the
HVCC campus and will be populated by people without
disabilities except for the two people supported by the ARC.
Hands-on experience – One World Works is also
an import business owned by the ARC that exists
to provide a hands-on learning experience in which
an individual actually manages a small business. Exquisite woven goods are purchased
from our partners in Uganda, imported and sold on a retail basis. The “general manager
interns” staff the booth at local and regional selling events. These events allow for individuals
to experience direct customer service to be exposed to all of the benefits and challenges involved.
One World Works is a risk-free opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to learn about operating a
small business while supporting the prosperity of a village in Uganda. In other words, Building Business on Purpose!
1
Jeffrey Tamburo
PRESIDENTS’ WELCOME
It is an honor and a pleasure to be serving with Leslie as your
Empire APSE Co-President! I have been involved with APSE in
some way for about ten years. The primary reason I became as
involved as I did with APSE is because of my fellow Syracusan,
former coworker and Empire APSE past president, Valerie McNichol,
a person who has always maintained such a tremendous passion,
commitment and vision for APSE and for the fair and equitable
employment of persons with disabilities in our society. It was
because of Val that I was introduced to some of the pioneers in the
field of supported employment, including Pat Rogan, Dale Dileo,
Tom Golden and Norciva Shumpert, to name a few. I will be forever
grateful to the mentoring, guidance and support that immediate
past presidents Wendy Quarles and Tom Hughes offered me in my
role as a regional representative, and now in my role as president.
Leslie Addison
Hello and welcome to you all. When asked to write a brief
introduction about myself for the Newsletter, this simple
request soon became an unexpected exercise on how and
where to begin. I came to realize that my passion for the
field of “disability” began long before my professional career.
I came from a middle-class family with six children. Dad worked and
mom stayed home. We all learned to speak loudly to be heard, gain
strength from each other and right or wrong, family matters were
private … sometimes even unspoken. My childhood was filled with
all the ordinary activities and challenges one would expect with
the exception of something I surely believed no other family had
or understood; mental illness. Even through the eyes of a child,
I saw the embarrassment, pain and stigma associated with this
illness despite the appearance of normalcy in every day living. Yet
somewhere within those years of uncertainty grew compassion, a
voice and a determination to change the community for those we love.
A native of Syracuse, I spent 14 years working in the field of supported
employment, initially as an Employment Consultant/Job Coach
providing job development and job coaching to persons with various
disabilities for five years at Enable. I obtained my Master’s Degree
in Social Work at Syracuse University in 1997 and until 2006 worked
as Director of Employment Services at Enable where I began to
develop my new passions: systems change and community building.
My career choice began with a Social Work degree from the College
of St. Rose in 1983 soon-after acquiring a job with an upstate agency
now called Northeast Career Planning. Funding for Supported
Employment had just been released by OMRDD and VESID; programs
needed to be built from the ground up. It was through those years of
developing diverse and integrated employment options that my job
evolved from Counselor, to Program Manager, to the current position
of Director of Employment Services across a nine-county region.
Professional affiliations of which I have served include N.A.M.I.,
Office of Mental Health Community Services Board committees, Job
Placement Consortium of the Northeast, NYSRA, Tech-Valley NonProfit Business Council, and P.E.E.R. liaison for the National Center
for Disability Services (Abilities!), and non-profit Board Member.
In October 2006 I accepted a position with SUNY Upstate Medical
University in Syracuse as Project Administrator for the newly-funded
New York State Institute for Health Transition Training. The goal
of the institute is to promote self-determination, to optimize health
and well-being, and to improve the access and quality of health
care delivered to young people with developmental disabilities in
New York State. I am very grateful to my new employer for their
support and encouragement of the work I am doing with APSE.
I presently serve as the State Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator
in addition to my duties as a consultant for SUNY RRCEP at Buffalo
where I provide training for the Job Coach Certificate Series.
Other posts I have held over the years include Commissioner for
the Onondaga County/Syracuse Commission on Human Rights,
Chair of the Central New York Integrated Employment Council,
and two terms on the AIDS Community Resources board of
directors. I am also a foster and adoptive parent and a member of
a New York State initiative to recruit and mentor new foster parents.
What I hope to offer APSE as Co-President is a leadership guided by
structure, collaboration, and evolving activities, influenced by individual
member talents, passions and expertise in their respective fields of
work or life. Through my work, as a mother of four boys, and now in
representing you, my hope is to raise our combined voice and continue
making our community a bit more tolerant, a bit more understanding, and
a place of greater access for all. I am honored to stand with you in APSE.
Sincerely,
Leslie
R.
Addison
As always, I am always available to discuss your issues, ideas and
concerns. I look forward to working together over the upcoming year!
[email protected]
Sincerely,
[email protected]
2
The Empire Times: New Crew and a New Look!
Welcome to the first NYS APSE Newsletter of 2007! During the recent Executive Board Retreat in Lake Placid a newsletter
committee was formed to further develop the ever-informative and always growing NYS APSE Newsletter. The Empire
Times strives to provide relevant supported employment information to providers, consumers and families from around New
York State. Perhaps more importantly, The Empire Times will allow those who are unfamiliar with APSE to have a glimpse
of supported employment and provide the information necessary to access services or become involved in their region.
With the help of the other Executive Board committees, we intend to provide information concerning both state and national issues. Supported
employment is a hugely diverse field, constantly growing and evolving. We hope to encourage outreach and involvement by prompting the
question, “What is supported employment?” While never concrete, APSE members are on the front lines, constantly redefining the answer.
We will look to members from around the state to contribute to The Empire Times by providing updates and feedback from your
area. Please contact your regional representative if you are interested in contributing information or an article to the newsletter. Go
to www.nysapse.org to find out who your regional representative is and to check out even more NYS APSE information! Please
pass on The Empire Times to consumers, families, providers and members of your community to strengthen our cause and to
spread the word about supported employment!
Committee Updates
The Empire APSE board held a retreat in Lake Placid in November, where we began to establish priorities for the upcoming year. The
board broke out into smaller committee areas for part of the retreat to focus on the work that needs to be done in the following areas:
Marketing, Membership, Legislation, Training/Conference Planning, and Newsletter. Through these avenues, we have a vision of
heightening the visibility of Empire APSE, building our membership opportunities, communicating our issues and concerns to public
officials, while continuing to offer quality training opportunities and a top-rate state conference.
Marketing: The Marketing Committee had initially brainstormed a long list of focus areas while at the November retreat in Lake Placid.
Recently they held a conference call and were able to narrow the list down to the following priorities: web site development; advertisement of
the annual conference; the creation and updating of display materials; and the use and dissemination of National APSE’s marketing materials.
According to Jeffrey Tamburo, APSE Co-President and committee head, these efforts are driven by the needs of the other committees.
Legislative: The Legislative Committee has discussed how best to position APSE to have the most access to legislative information and to
have the greatest effect on the Legislature itself. To do this they have decided to engage legislators and appointed commissioners by writing to
request meetings and by attending legislative hearings. Also, they plan on having individual and stakeholder meetings with both OMRDD and
VESID. An upcoming position paper is also in the works. Through these efforts, the committee hopes to advocate for supported employment.
Membership: The Membership Committee has outlined strategies to increase the quality of orientation and services to new
APSE members, as well to identify and promote future APSE leadership. Plans include strengthening APSE’s infrastructure
through geographic contact lists for Regional Representatives, state and regionalized e-mail directories, new member “meet and
greet”, and standardized printed materials such as Empire APSE letterhead and note cards for personalized contacts. Renewing
and non-renewing members will be given a Satisfaction Survey so as to obtain feedback throughout the year. Results will be
used to guide future strategic planning. Additionally, the intent of this Committee is to increase New York State membership
by 10% to strengthen the pursuit of the APSE mission. Consultation is being planned between Empire APSE with state and
national APSE chapters to identify best approaches for diversifying and increasing membership of consumers and families.
Training/Conference Planning: Please go to www.rcep2.buffalo.edu for the most recent RCEP (Rehabilitation Continuing Education
Program) calendar. For information on the upcoming NYS APSE conference please see “NYS APSE Conference 2007” on page 6.
Newsletter: Please refer to the article above “The Empire Times: New Crew and a New Look”
3
THE POWER OF HELL0
By Mark Williams
It’s a few minutes before noon, and Eric B. takes
a break from delivering mail at the Armonk law
firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner. It’s time for lunch.
After heating up a frozen pizza, he sits down
beside Andres, a co-worker, and begins talking
about eBay. Sounds like a typical day at the office,
but for Eric, who has a developmental disability, it
represents a professional and personal triumph.
Eric joined the law firm two years ago through
Westchester Arc’s STAR (Students in Transition
Accessing Resources) program, which partners with local high schools to prepare students for the working world. The Life
Planning staff worked with Eric, his family and school faculty to identify his interests and abilities using person-centered
planning, then helped him develop a career plan. Like other students his age, Eric had tried other job placements with limited
success. The individualized approach coupled with one-on-one sessions with a S.T.A.R. career counselor covered employer
expectations and interview techniques, while an on site job coach helped Eric adapt his skills to the employer’s needs.
“Westchester Arc went to great efforts to understand Eric and find a job that would complement his abilities, dreams and
desires,” comments his mom, Susan. Working at Boies, Schiller & Flexner proved to be a natural fit. After a few days, Eric
was collecting, sorting and delivering letters and packages with little supervision. He was energetic and enthusiastic about the
job. “I really like it here,” he confides. But there remained a part of work that still made him uncomfortable--relating to others.
“One of the biggest challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities who work in the community isn’t
performing the job, it’s feeling comfortable enough to socialize,” explains Kim Spahn, Westchester Arc Assistant
Executive Director. Boies, Schiller & Flexner understood this and devised a simple but powerful plan. Every
day, each staff person made a concerted effort to greet Eric. Even a “hello” would make a world of difference.
“It’s like Eric is a different person now,” comments Michael Flanagan, the firm’s managing clerk. “In addition to
doing an excellent job, he’s more outgoing and initiates appropriate business conversations. I’m really amazed
by his progress.” “Any job is a partnership,” notes Rochelle Saks, S.T.A.R. Director. “Boies, Schiller & Flexner is
a great example of how a little bit of thought can change a person’s life and solidify a professional relationship.”
The 18th Annual National APSE Conference will take place from July 1618, 2007 in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s conference challenges you
to join in shaping the future of supported employment!
Register online @ www.apse.org
4
ROLE MODEL IN THE WORKPLACE
By Maryann Ansell
Cynthia Segars was 36-years-old in 1989, when she suffered an
aneurysm, had a stroke and lapsed into a coma for three months.
When she woke up in the hospital, she discovered that she would
have some mobility limitations and would need to use a wheelchair.
Since 1998, Segars has worked for Aspire of Western New York as Assistant
to the Coordinator at the Community Employment Office (CEO), which was
located at the Walden Galleria Mall. She was well-known there as she
traveled the mall gathering job leads from the businesses located there. In
July of this year, Walden Galleria embarked on a massive reconstruction
and the CEO has been relocated to the Buffalo Employment and Training
Center One-Stop, where she immediately became a part of the team.
In cooperation with the Western New York Placement Partnership, the CEO
is an alliance of 30 public and voluntary agencies working together to promote
integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Prior to being hired by the CEO, Segars began individualized
computer training at Aspire’s Technology Today program in May
1998. Because she has limited use of her right arm, she learned
how to access the computer with a trackball set up for a left-handed
user. Upon completing the three-month program, Segars was
ready to join the workforce and secured the position at the CEO in
part through the efforts of Aspire’s Specialized Support Services.
“Cynthia is a true role model for individuals with disabilities who come to our
office,” said Chuck Root, community employment office project coordinator.
“I’ve enjoyed watching her growth over the years, as she started with basic
computer skills and now uses databases and updates our Web site daily.”
When the CEO began in 1998, the office was originally funded
to secure 20 placements a year. “That first year, we secured 65
jobs for people with disabilities,” said Root. “Since then we’ve
been averaging one placement per week for the past eight years.”
Segars has been there almost from the start, and Root said she is one
reason for their success. “Cynthia is a success story and she works
every day to make it happen for others. She says, ‘If I can do it, you
can do it.’ Her cheery attitude has been an inspiration to everyone.”
Segars says she is delighted to work at the CEO. “It’s a joy to
come here every day and help others like me. It’s a good feeling
to know I’ve accomplished something. People with disabilities
come in not knowing what to expect, but they leave with
information to help them get a job and they seem more relaxed.”
5
NYS Division of Housing and
Community Renewal Grant
Opportunities
Individuals with disabilities may be able to access
grant opportunities to fund their home modifications.
The Division of Housing and Community Renewal
is responsible for the supervision, maintenance
and development of affordable low and moderate
income housing in New York State. While the
program offers loans, these loans are forgiven after
five years. This type of financial assistance can be a
great resource for consumers and families of low and
moderate income.
Go to http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ocd/progs/acc/
ocdaccahp.htm for more information.
You can also go to http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ocd/
progs/acc/ocdaccfaq.htm to access frequently asked
questions.
Also, check out http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ocd/
progs/uf06awds.htm to see where more than
$5,000,000 in DHCR grants went in 2006!
From April 29 through May 1 NYAPSE members,
including providers, families and consumers, will
descend upon the Adirondack town of Lake Placid to
discuss supported employment in the Empire State.
This year’s conference looks even more diverse and
exciting than past years. Richard Pimentel of Milt
Wright and Associates, Inc. will kick off the conference
with the Opening Keynote address on Monday morning. Richard delves into his own history during The Music Within, and will focus on how we
as individuals can tap into our personal leadership qualities. VESID will have a strong presence this year, presenting three sessions on Monday
and also participating in the State of the State of Supported Employment address along with OMRDD, OMH and CBVH. The State of the State
is an always informative and pertinent overview of supported employment from the perspective of our state agencies. Transition to Adulthood
is also a strong focus this year and is aimed specifically at families. Three sessions on Monday focus on transition services and the resources
available, while Tuesday continues with Effective Collaboration with Parents, Students and Schools. Finally, Beth Mount, founder and national
consultant with Graphic Futures, will be sending us off inspired with the Closing Keynote address Building a Vision of Employment for Everyone.
Through her work with Graphic Futures and other affiliations Dr. Mount has 30 years of experience advocating for individuals with disabilities.
APSE RETURNS TO
LAKE PLACID!
One thing Empire APSE knows how to do is have fun! For those arriving on Sunday the Ben and Jerry Ice Cream Social is a great
way to begin the conference by meeting fellow APSE members from around the state, followed by music and dancing with rock
band The Flame. Monday evening continues with the annual Silent Auction and Karaoke competition in the Dancing Bears Lounge.
For
be
more
information
go
found on the website.
to
www.nysapse.org
or
Be sure to register
contact
your
regional
representative,
early as this year’s conference will
who
can
surely sell
also
out.
2007 Empire State APSE Awards
The Empire State APSE Awards Committee is soliciting nominations for the 2007 Best Practice Award and the Personal Achievement Award. The awardees
will be recognized at the 2007 Empire StateAPSE conference held in Lake Placid fromApril 29th to May 1st.To ensure the awardee will be present at the conference
to accept the award, Empire State APSE will cover the registration fee (which includes hotel accomodations) for the awardee. Please follow the guidelines
below and submit your nominations to Ralph Szur at Westchester ARC via e-mail [email protected] or fax (914/428-0322) by March 23rd, 2007.
The Best Practice Award recognizes an agency, an individual employee (job coach, job developer, employment specialist), or a family or family member that
exhibits strong commitment and creativity to best practices in employment of individuals with disabilities in one or more of the following areas: individualized
planning and job supports, creative use of natural supports, job development or marketing, strengthening of bonds between employer and employee,
innovative funding arrangements, successful adaptations of supported employment to address “new and different” disability issues, innovative advocacy
strategies, sustainable initiatives that may be replicated in the future. To submit a nomination, send a letter to Ralph Szur that includes the following information:
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Name of nominee (individual, agency or family)
Name of nominator, agency or affiliation, e-mail address and phone number
A description of the agency, program, family or individual that you are nominating.
How do you think this effort makes a significant difference to individuals served?
Why do you think this effort surpasses or is distinct from current or usual way of doing business?
Why do you think this effort involves a new or creative approach, method or idea?
Please note that Empire State APSE will cover the registration of one member of an agency or family if an entire agency or family is awarded.
The Personal Achievement Award recognizes a supported employee for outstanding achievement in employment. Your nomination letter should
include the following:
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ß
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Has the nominee been employed at least 6 months?
Explain the type of work the nominee performs.
Obstacles the employee has overcome to be employed.
List at least 2 goals the nominee has achieved.
What are the nominee’s long-term goals?
6
Disability Awareness Month In the Southern Tier
A coalition of agencies in New York’s Southern Tier planned several events to be
celebrated in recognition of October’s Disability Awareness Month. These events
marked the first attempt in this area to plan and execute three major events.
The first event was an Assistive
Technology & Health Awareness
Expo at the Oakdale Mall,
Binghamton,
NY
on
October
5,
2006.
This event featured 44 exhibitors displaying medical equipment, visual,
speech and hearing devices, agency and association information,
therapies, health screenings and travel information for the disabled.
The event ran from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and was a great success.
The second event was held on October 18, 2006 and is the first time
a Disability Mentoring Day program was held in Binghamton. Thirteen
employers acted as mentors to 28 participants. A kick-off breakfast was held
with Ed Placke, Assistant Commissioner of VESID, as the key-note speaker.
The third event was a Film Festival held on the Binghamton University
Campus featuring “The Keeper of the Kohn.” This documentary received many
awards and details the life of Peter Kohn, who is the retired team manager
of the Middlebury College Lacrosse Team and believed to have undiagnosed
autism. The film’s Director, David Gaynes, attended the festival in order to facilitate discussion. There were 55 attendees and not a
dry eye in the theatre. All three of these events were free to all vendors and the public and were considered a great first-time success.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE SOUTHERN TIER: Please contact NYAPSE’s
Regional Representatives:
Donna Cupina
Director, Partnership Employment Center
SWS Inc.
204 Court St.
Binghamton, NY 13901
(607) 722-8253
[email protected]
7
Penny Wedd,
Vocational Services Director
Chemung ARC
711 Sullivan Street
Elmira,NY 15901
(607)734-6151 x164
[email protected]
MISSION & PURPOSE
The Empire State Chapter of APSE: The Network on Employment. APSE is a membership organization formed in 1988
as the Association for Persons in Supported Employment to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities,
services, and outcomes for persons with disabilities. To accomplish this mission, APSE:
*Provides advocacy and education to customers of supported employment (SE), i.e. supported employment
professionals, consumers and their family members, and supported employers.
*Addresses issues and barriers which impede the growth and implementation of integrated
employment services.
*Improves supported employment (SE) practice so that individuals and communities
experience SE as a quality service with meaningful outcomes.
The purpose and mission of APSE is supported by and
dependent upon its members. Membership demonstrates
*Promotes national, state, and local policy development which enhances
support for the organization and the full inclusion of people with
the social and economic inclusion and empowerment of all persons
disabilities in the workforce. APSE is a grassroots organization
that is reliant upon its membership to live out the mission. It is made
experiencing severe disabilities.
up of individuals who are out in the field providing services each and
every day, supported employees and their families, university colleagues, and
*Educates the public and the business community on the
member organizations.
Membership is the heart and soul of what APSE represents. And it is easy to join!
value of including persons experiencing severe disabilities
as fully participating community members.
For more information, e-mail a member of Empire State APSE’s Membership Committee
Leslie Addison at [email protected], Anne Valliere at [email protected]
Donna Cupina at [email protected], Jim Scutt at [email protected], or Penny Wedd
at [email protected].
Non-Profit organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
White Plains, NY 10606
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