 A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY
New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. (NHU) is a non-profit organization based in Milwaukee with a mission to make information and life experiences accessible to people with life-long disabilities, their families and caregivers. To learn more about our mission and activities, please visit the New Horizons Un-Limited website at www.new-horizons.org or e-mail horizons@new-horizons.org.
Emergency PreparednessDon't have an emergency plan? Now is the time to make one!With the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita still fresh in our minds, we thought it timely to remind you how very important it is to have a plan in place in the event of a natural or other disaster. Your health and safety during such an emergency depend upon your preparedness. Following are a few bits of advice and resources to help you develop an emergency plan of your own. (The following has been derived from American Red Cross' prepare.org): Know your Environment. What kind of disasters could strike your area? How could such disasters impact your ability to escape? Complete a Personal Assessment. What type of assistance will you need before, during and after a disaster? Create a Personal Support Network. Which of your family, friends, relatives, neighbors, or co-workers could assist you at a moment's notice? If feasible, do not rely on just one person; always have several back-ups in place. Make an Emergency Contact List. Who should others call in case of emergency? Be sure to include the names and numbers of out-of-town contacts, as well as everyone in your network. Compile a Medical Information List. What is your specific Medical condition? Which medication and dosage do you require? Do you require adaptive equipment? Also, be sure to include the names and numbers of your doctors. Other Medical Issues. Always keep at least a seven-day supply of medications on hand. If you undergo treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, ask your provider how to prepare for a disruption caused by a disaster. Know your Home. Identify all potential evacuation routes out of your home as well as any safe places in your home you could go during a disaster. Identify the main utility cutoff valves in your home and learn how and when to disconnect them during an emergency. Prepare your Home. Clear hallways, stairwells, doorways, and windows of any obstructions that may prevent you from leaving your home quickly. Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit. This kit should include essentials such as food, water, a first aid kit, adaptive equipment, batteries, supplies for your pets or service animals, etc. You may also want to consider including some form of ID. You may wish to prepare a kit for each location you regularly spend time (home, work, car, etc.). Complete a Plan Summary and Distribute to everyone in your Support Network. Make sure everyone in your support network is on the same page. Include all details, including evacuation routes, medical information, and any other important instructions. For more practical tips, visit the American Red Cross online at www.prepare.org/disabilities/disabilities.htm. You may also wish to visit the Department of Homeland Security Emergencies and Disasters Disability Preparedness Resource Center, which includes even more practical information: www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0660.xml.
Check it Out!Computer freeware: The Hidden Jewel of Computer Software Did you know that there are thousands of free software programs just waiting for you to download? Freeware is software that is written by program enthusiasts and distributed free of charge, generally via websites. While Freeware is no doubt a wonderful discovery, you must download such software with care. It is not uncommon for such downloads to include viruses, which can wreak havoc on your computer. Before downloading anything from the Internet, please take special care in evaluating the source of the download and remember, never download anything without having a properly updated virus protection program. Following are a few safe sites from which you can download numerous, free and safe, software titles.
FreewareFiles.com
OpenOffice.org
Typing Master - Free Demo
It's Time to "Mousercise"
National News2006 Disability Policy Seminar Save the date - February 6-8, 2006!The Disability Policy Collaboration, a joint initiative of The ARC and United Cerebral Palsy, will be hosting their 2006 Disability Policy Seminar at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington DC on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 6th -8th. Seminar participants will learn what is really happening in national politics, particularly on policies that impact people with disabilities. The first two days will feature discussions that will provide answers to the following tough questions: Other possible issues to be discussed include Tax, Reform Employment, Disability Rights, Housing and, Transportation, among others. The third day of the seminar will present participants with an opportunity to spend a day on Capitol Hill to educate Members of Congress and their staff on these and other issues important to the disability community. For more information, e-mail Richard Price, Director of Communications and Grassroots Advocacy, at price@thedpc.org or call The ARC at (202) 783-2229 or UCP at (800) 872-5827. Lifeline Program Can Make Cellular Service More Affordable Did you know that Lifeline, the Federal Universal Fund program, which makes telephone service more affordable for qualified low-income households, also applies to cellular service? At this time, a leading cellular service company is extending the program to residents of Iowa, Maine, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. Those who qualify for Lifeline will receive discounted monthly service, which includes free nationwide long distance, and have the activation fee waived. Participants may also purchase a phone for just 1 penny. If you are located in one of the above states, call (800) 447-1339 to learn how Lifeline can help you obtain cellular service. If you are not in one of the states listed above, contact your local cellular provider to learn if they offer this program. National Disability Mentoring Day If you have been dreaming of a particular career but are not quite sure of all the details, here is your opportunity to learn more. Spearheaded by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), "Disability Mentoring Day (DMD): Career Development for the 21st Century," will be commemorated on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 as the official kick-off for a year-round effort. According to Andrew Imparato, AAPD president and CEO, Disability mentoring day "builds relationships between mentees and mentors working in fields that interest them and building a year-round career exploration program. [This day] helps to create a pipeline of qualified workers and gives people with disabilities greater direction and motivation." DMD offers students and job seekers with disabilities an opportunity to evaluate personal goals, target career skills for improvement, explore possible career paths, and develop lasting mentor relationships while spending their day visiting with a volunteer mentor from a business or government agency that matches their interests. To learn more, contact your local Disability Mentoring Day coordinator. To locate your coordinator, contact the American Association of People with Disabilities at (800) 840-8844 or visit their DMD website at www.dmd-aapd.org/.
Wisconsin News and ResourcesDare to Dream" About Your Future as a Wisconsinite with a Disability The Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities is in the process of developing their 5-year State Plan, which will outline important goals and activities that will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. To ensure that their plan meets your needs, the Council will be hosting a series of "Dare to Dream Cafés," which are modeled after a typical coffee shop café, where people come to discuss topics of interest. In this case the topic of the day will be people with disabilities. People who attend each Café will be asked two questions: (1) Imagine Wisconsin five years from now. What changes do you most want to see for people with disabilities by then?; (2) Specifically, what are some things the DD Council can do over the next five years to make the changes you want happen? Several events remain for the month of October:
Milwaukee
Stevens Point Participation is free, but reservations are required. Please allow adequate time to process special accommodation requests. To reserve your attendance, contact Helen at the WCDD office by e-mail at hartmha@dhfs.state.wi.us or by telephone at (608) 266-3047. 30th Annual TASH Conference in Milwaukee TASH, a national non-profit organization working for equity, opportunity and inclusion for people with disabilities, will be hosting their annual conference on November 9-12, 2005 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee. The conference features three inspirational keynote speakers from diverse backgrounds who will share their experiences in an effort to energize attendees towards their personal best. The conference also features workshops that focus on inclusion in education and employment. Also offered are full day Saturday Institutes, which include discussions on advocacy, raising and nurturing children with disabilities, and ensuring meaningful academic outcomes for children with significant disabilities. Beyond the presentations, attendees will also have an opportunity to browse through the many exhibitor booths. For more information, visit the TASH Conference website at www.tash.org/tash2005 or call TASH at (410) 828-8274. New Accessible Trail opens in Harrington Beach State Park The Quarry Lake Hiking Trail, a new wheelchair accessible hiking trail has opened at Harrington Beach State Park in Belgium, Wisconsin. The 636-acre park, which is just 30 miles North of Milwaukee, offers a mile-long Lake Michigan beach and opportunities for hiking, fishing, picnicking, nature watching and cross-country skiing. For more information, call (262) 285-3015.
Fall Computer ClassesCome and learn all there is to do with a computer!Starting October 18, 2005 New Horizons Un-Limited will be offering regularly scheduled computer classes at our downtown office located at, 811 E. Wisconsin Avenue. Classes are designed to give an introductory overview of the most commonly used functions of the computer. We will offer everything from mouse and keyboard exercises to basic e-mail and word processing instruction. These classes are perfect for those just getting started on a computer. Classes will take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and early afternoons. As outlined on the schedule below, each day features four 1¼-hour cumulative sessions. Students may choose to attend all 4 sessions in one day or spread the sessions over several weeks. Each day costs just $5 for as many sessions as you wish to attend. The lab will feature several adaptive devices, including a Big Keys Keyboard, a Trackball, and a Head mouse. You will also have an opportunity to explore the built in accessibility features of Microsoft Windows 2000, including the narrator, magnifier, and on-screen keyboard. Sign up early, as class size is limited. Individual, advanced instruction is also available by appointment. For more information or to request a registration form, please call (414) 299-0124. Weekly Tuesday Schedule Session 1: Just the Basics (Self-paced) - 9:00 a.m. Session 2: Hardware and Software - 10:30 a.m. Session 3: Navigating the Computer - 12:00 p.m. Session 4: Creating / Opening Documents and Folders - 1:30 p.m Weekly Thursday Schedule Session 1: An Introduction to Word Processing - 9:00 a.m. Session 2: More on Word Processing - 10:30 a.m Session 3: Introduction to the Internet - 12:00 p.m. Session 4: Introduction to E-mail - 1:30 p.m.
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If you have questions or ideas, information and solutions that you would like to share with us, we can be reached by e-mail at: horizons@new-horizons.org or to use our NHU E-Mail Form or NHU Community Discussion Board, click on the links below.
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