GCDD News September 2024 Edition

Jon,

Can you believe we are at the end of September?

As the vibrant spirit of Arkansas comes alive with football season, the beauty of changing leaves, fairs & festivals, the GCDD continues to pursue our mission of Inclusion, Integration, and Independence for individuals with disabilities.

There has been a lot going on this month! The week of September 9-13 marked Disability Voting Rights Week, a vital time for us to empower the disability community by enhancing civic engagement and ensuring that elections are accessible for everyone. Additionally, September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, a crucial reminder for all of us to prioritize emergency readiness in our families and communities. This year's theme, "Start a Conversation," encourages open dialogues about preparedness, fostering a culture of safety. We end the month supporting a voting education event and candidate forum in Springdale with our partners in the Arkansas Disability Policy Consortium. Look for more Candidate Forums across the State in the coming weeks!

We sincerely hope you find this email update informative and engaging. Please consider sharing this newsletter with family, friends, coworkers, and others who are eager to make a positive impact in Arkansas. Together, we can accomplish amazing things!

Thank you,

GCDD Staff

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Congratulations Jon!

We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our Executive Director, Jonathan Taylor, being appointed to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Board of Directors for a two-year term. This significant achievement not only underscores Jonathan's exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering dedication to advocacy but also better positions the Council to influence policy change that ensures that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can live the life they want in the community.

With Jon in this influential role, we are more connected with collaborative efforts that will shape policies and practices designed to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are fully included as valued members of their communities and have equal opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Disability Voting Rights Week

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) hosts Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) each September.

The disability community makes up an important voting bloc. Disabled voters are a part of every community. Yet, systemic barriers prevent many people with disabilities from accessing their right to vote. AAPD has coalitions across the country to create opportunities for advocates to deepen their engagement with a national movement. You can make a change! Learn more here.

Important Dates for Voters in Arkansas

Registration Deadlines

· In-person at local election office: Oct 7

· By mail (postmarked by): Oct 7

Absentee ballot deadlines

· Request ballot: Oct 29

· Return ballot by mail: Nov 5 by 7:30 p.m. CST

· Return ballot in person: Nov 1 by Close of Business

Voting deadlines

· Early voting: Oct 21 - Nov 4

· In-person: Nov 5

Check out our DVRW Blog including a personal story from GCDD staff member, Kim Gatewood, along with helpful links for Arkansas voters.

READ THE BLOG

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, the campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies & disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe. The Ready Campaign aims to ensure all of our friends & neighbors have the tools they need to prepare for disasters & build resilience. This year's theme, "Start a Conversation," encourages dialogues about preparedness to foster a culture of safety. Click the National Preparedness Month image to learn more.

Disability intersects every demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders or national origin. And, disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Visit Ready.gov/disability

Community Spotlight:

Arkansas Disability Coalition

This month, we want to shine our community spotlight on the the Arkansas Disability Coalition. Arkansas Disability Coalition is our state's Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2Fs). F2Fs are family-led organizations that support families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).

Established in 1976, the Arkansas Disability Coalition (ADC) is a statewide non-profit 501(c)3 organization, serving families and individuals with disabilities.

One of ADC's other programs is the Leadership Gym. This program focuses on leadership development and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. It aims to enhance self-advocacy skills and promote active participation in decision-making processes. Be on the lookout on social media as we share upcoming Leadership Gym dates and opportunities!

Help our partner fill an important position!

ADC is looking for a Northeast Arkansas Family Specialist to join their team. The Northeast Arkansas Family Specialist will help other Families, of Children/Youth with special health care needs, navigate health system(s). Parents or Guardians of Child/Children with special health care needs are preferred. Also, the Family Specialist would need to reside in Northeast Arkansas.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested in the position, please share this opportunity and have them apply by emailing info@ardisabilitycoalition.org

You can find more about the Arkansas Disability Coalition and its programs by visitng their website at https://ardisabilitycoalition.org/home/

In the News

Neuralink's 'Blindsight' Gets FDA's Breakthrough Device Designation - Reuters
People with Disabilities Face Hurdles for Housing - PBS News Hour
New Ad Campaign - Disability Is ‘Not A Dirty Word’ - Disability Scoop

Access to Good Jobs for All

Next month is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the Office of Disability Employment has chosen Access to Good Jobs for All as its theme for 2024. Each October, during NDEAM, we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM’s purpose is to confirm our commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year. That’s the spirit behind this year’s official theme: “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

GCDD has exciting NDEAM events coming up - mark your calendars and be sure to join us throughout the month!

Click the flyer image, button, or event links below to get more information.

October 1

Kickoff at the State Capitol

Little Rock

10 am, 2nd floor Rotunda

October 7-9

APSE Conference

Hot Springs Convention Center

October 22

Business Inclusion Summit

Fayetteville

Graduate Hotel, 8 am-4 pm

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YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE, YOUR WAY.

Inviting the Arkansas disability community to come together for voter education sessions and candidate forums across the State in September and October!

We build up the power of the disability vote through increasing civic engagement in the disability community. Voter education makes us ready and comfortable to vote. Interacting with candidates helps us understand how they may represent our interests when they are policymaking.

These events are hosted by the Arkansas Disability Policy Consortium (ADPC), in partnership with Disability Rights Arkansas, and other member organizations. The GCDD is a member of the ADPC.

ASL interpreters will be available.

ADPC Contact for these events:

Sherice Smith

ssmith@disabilityrightsar.or

501-296-1775 or Toll Free 800-482-1174

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September 30th from 3-7 PM

Springdale

The Jones Center, Room 228

922 East Avenue, Springdale, AR 72764

October 8th from 4:30-7:30 PM

Hot Springs