[GreaterPhilly] Fwd: Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Fall 2021 Newsletter

Tue Sep 14 20:03:17 UTC 2021

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> From: Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities <claudia.tasco at phila.gov>
> Date: September 14, 2021 at 3:25:06 PM EDT
> To: DBrown8827 at aol.com
> Subject: Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Fall 2021 Newsletter
> Reply-To: Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities <claudia.tasco at phila.gov>
> 
> 
>  
> Fall Issue | September 2021
> 
> Welcome to the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities'
>  Newsletter and Fall 2021 Issue! 
> In this Fall Issue:
> Message from the Executive Director 
> Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities Updates
> Featured Article: Mikayla's Voice 
> Upcoming Community Events 
> Adrienne's ADA News You Can Use
> Claudia's Constituent Corner
> Employment Spotlight
>  
> Message from Executive Director, Amy Mathewson Millar: 
> We continue to be dedicated to serving residents with disabilities in Philadelphia.  As we enter the fall season, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities is sharing exciting happenings, opportunities, and resources.  Our office has been hard at work; our summer accomplishments can be found here.
> 
> I encourage you to share our newsletter and sign up for our virtual mailing list so you can stay up to date with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. 
> 
> As we look forward to fall, we will be updating our resources and webpage so stay tuned for more to come from our office as we continue to forge equitable and inclusive connections and opportunities for all residents of Philadelphia. 
> 
> I invite you to check out the rest of our Fall Newsletter and join us for the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities’ upcoming public virtual Fall Town Hall on Wednesday October 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. via Zoom (more information is available below). Be well and happy fall to all!
>  
> Amy Mathewson Millar
> Executive Director, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
> Back to School Highlight:
>  
> Mikayla’s Voice
> 
> Inspired by Mikayla’s successful inclusion in her school and community, Mikayla’s Voice® was founded to include kids of all abilities, but their mission has taken on an even greater purpose since the worldwide pandemic and renewed focus on social justice. Mikayla’s Voice is in the perfect spot to help now more than ever. All students should feel valued and welcomed in their school and community and understand that it’s their responsibility to help others to feel the same. They challenge kids to create a kinder, more inclusive world where everyone has a friend.
>  
> Mikayla’s Voice offers virtual and in-person programs to build positive and equitable culture in our schools and communities, while supporting social and emotional well-being. For everyone. These include:
> Diverse books for kids
> Inclusion assemblies
> Wheels of Friendship® wheelchair painting program
> Tri for Inclusion® youth triathlon
> Mikayla’s Bookshelf enrichment website
> Staff training on Trauma-Informed Care and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
>  
> As Mikayla’s mom was packing her car after Mikayla’s Voice art program at The School of the Future, a veteran classroom aide who had helped with the project called out to her.
> After offering condolences regarding Mikayla’s passing, she praised how important Mikayla’s life and message had been, specifically commenting on how she (through recent inclusion assemblies) had been able to impact so many students “who look nothing like her.” She acknowledged that Mikayla’s Voice transcends all differences and truly speaks to everyone.
> 
> What started with one child, was never just about her or her disabilities. Mikayla’s Voice has always celebrated diversity of all kinds, promoting kindness and friendship for everyone. Mikayla herself never spoke a word, but hers is a voice we all need to hear right now.
>  
> Learn more about ways that Mikayla’s Voice can come to your school or community setting. Contact Mikayla's Voice at mikaylasvoice.org/contact/. 
> Watch a video about the impact of Mikayla's Voice
> Upcoming Community Events
> 
> The Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities
> invites you to join us for our: 
> Virtual Fall Town Hall 
> 
> October 27, 2021, 7 - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
> Register in advance for this event.
> 
> Join us for updates from the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the ADA Transition Plan for Philadelphia. There will be a designated time for open comments.  
> 
> *ASL and Closed Captioning will be provided; to request additional ADA accommodations please email or call Claudia Tasco by October 21 at Claudia.Tasco at phila.gov or 215-686-2798.
> 
> Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
> 
> Interested in learning more about the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and staying connected to the Commission’s work and events? Contact Claudia Tasco at Claudia.Tasco at phila.gov
>  
> Register Now
>  
> Art-Reach presents its 2021 Cultural Accessibility Conference. 
> September 21 - 23, 2021
> 
> Join us for a three day conference built for cultural professionals to learn the latest accessibility trends and best practices from leaders around the world. Attendees will build tools, knowledge and an international network of allies and resources to increase accessibility and inclusion in arts and culture. Scholarships available.
> Registration Open Now - Art-Reach
>  
> Upcoming Community Autism Events
> SAVE THE DATES:
> Save the Date - The 6th Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Rethinking, Reimagining, Resilience will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 17 through Friday, November19, 2021. All are welcome to attend this FREE virtual conference. If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Philadelphia Autism Project: (215) 571-3209 or (215) 571-3152 or by email: phillyap at drexel.edu. Learn more online today.  
> 
> Save the Date - The Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC) 2021 will be held October 5-7, 2021 and will explore the theme of integration! PATC will be virtual again this year and free for autistic individuals and their family members. More information is available online.
> 
> Please join us for the third installment of “Life on the Spectrum: A Workshop Series Developed by and for Autistic People” for a conversation on Sex Ed and Dating, featuring a one-hour presentation on sex ed by author/consultant/advocate Michael John Carley. This will be followed by a one-hour panel conversation of adults with autism discussing their experiences with and perceptions of dating and relationships. When: Saturday, September 18, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST. Register Here!
> ADA News You Can Use 
> by Adrienne Ewing, Director of ADA Compliance
> 
> Philadelphia ADA Transition Plan Update: 
> The Philadelphia ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan was published on December 30, 2020.  It includes 537 buildings, sites and facilities identified to improve accessibility throughout Philadelphia.  Two public meetings were held in November 2020.  There are recommendations for corrective actions, a guide for creating accessible Word documents and best practices for virtual events.  An update on the ADA Transition plan will be provided at the October 27, 2021 Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities’ Fall Town Hall.
> 
> Brown University Reaches Resolution around the ADA
> Brown University reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice after allegedly violating Title III of the ADA.  The University was not allowing students who took medical leave for mental health reasons to return to school.  The settlement agreement protects the rights of students with disabilities to have equal access to Brown’s educational programs and ensures that Brown will make reasonable modifications to its policies for students with mental health disabilities seeking to return from medical leave.
> 
> Access at the Movies
> RC Theatres Management LLLP, (owner/operator of Queensgate RC Theaters) located in York, PA has taken steps to meet ADA compliance by purchasing audio descriptive devices.  Learn more about RC Queensgate Theatres accessibility online: Accessibility  
> 
> Philadelphia Police Training related to the ADA
> The Philadelphia Police Department will train personnel on effective communication and interaction with individuals with disabilities.  An agreement was made with the U.S. Department of Justice and allows an additional year to complete the trainings. Learn more about other efforts under way from the Philadelphia Police Department here. 
>  
> Claudia's Constituent Corner: 
>  
> 
> COVID-19 Vaccine Access 
> Accessibility at Community Clinics: Know Before You Go | Department of Public Health
> The City of Philadelphia is committed to making the vaccine available and accessible to all Philadelphians. All City-run vaccine clinics provide many different services for those who require/prefer functional assistance, language interpretation, or are sensory sensitive.  Learn more here. 
>  
> Food Services-Fall 2021
> City of Philadelphia:
> The City of Philadelphia listing of Food Distribution Sites is available
> online here.
> 
> MANNA cooks and delivers nutritious meals to neighbors in the Greater Philadelphia area who are battling a serious illness. 
> More information is available online here:
>  
> Employment Highlights:
> Did you know that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)?
> 
> The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Learn more and find helpful resources for jobseekers and employers at the NDEAM official webpage.
> 
> Employment Opportunity Spotlight: 
> Job Posting: Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Director of Inclusion 
> Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) is pleased to announce the department is conducting a search to hire its first Director of Inclusion.  The Director of Inclusion will be responsible for the strategic planning and program design to ensure that all our parks and recreation centers are inclusive spaces for individuals of all abilities. The Director serves as a member of the PPR leadership team focused on the development and implementation of diverse programming, training, and cultivating a network of community stakeholders and partners to support the adaptive and inclusive efforts of the department.  
> Learn more and apply today online.
> Please forward this link to your networks and people that you think would be strong candidates for this very important role! 
>  
> 
>  
> Careers with the City of Philadelphia:
> 
> Learn more about current available job opportunities with the City of Philadelphia here. 
> Have an article, event, or resource you would like to see featured in our next newsletter?  Connect with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities below. 
> 
> 
> Copyright © *|2021|* *|Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities|*, All rights reserved.
> 
> 
> Connect with us today! 
> Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities | Homepage | City of Philadelphia
> City Hall, 2nd Fl. Room 260D 
> Philadelphia, PA 19107
> Phone: 215-686-2798
> 
> Inquiries can be directed to Claudia Tasco: Claudia.Tasco at phila.gov 
> 
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