WVA's Newsletter "The Advocare, September 2010" is now available.

WVA's 2010 General Election Voting Guide is available.

This guide answers questions you may have regarding the voting process and the rights of people with disabilities in the voting process.

WVA's Fiscal Year 2011 Priorities and Objectives are now available.

Also the public comments submitted to WVA during the drafting of these Priorities and Objectives is available.

September 13, 2010, 8AM – 5PM

Free to attend.

$25 for 6.6 hours of Continuing Legal Educations units (CLEs) (pending).

West Virginia Advocates is pleased to sponsor a seminar for attorneys, architects, landlords and advocates. This full day of training is being presented by two experienced professionals, who have years of experience in the area of disability law and housing.   Michael Jansen, J.D.,  is the Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in HUD’s Pittsburgh Field Office.   George Williams, D.P.A., is an independent consultant with years of experience presenting training on HUD’s behalf about the requirements of the Fair Housing Act.  The seminar will focus on the requirements of the Fair Housing Act as it impacts individuals with disabilities, including issues related to accessibility and reasonable accommodations.   The professionals attending this seminar will learn what the Fair Housing Act requires when constructing a new building, and when renovating an existing building, as well as what buildings are not subject to its requirements.

Schedule

Speakers

George D. Williams, Sr., DPA
President & CEO
Diversity Dynamics, LLC

George Williams has more than 30 years experience in fair housing/civil rights program management, administration and enforcement. He was Regional Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for HUD in two of HUD’s ten regions.   Dr. Williams was appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of CA as a fair housing, civil rights and public policy expert and Consent Decree Monitor for a major fair housing and civil rights case in the City of San Francisco, CA. The Consent Decree and Order settled a major federal Fair Housing Act lawsuit against the San Francisco Housing Authority. Dr. Williams has his own consulting business, Diversity Dynamics, and is also a trainer for Fair Housing Accessibility First.  He holds the degree of Doctor of Public Administration (DPA).

Michael Jansen, Esq., Director
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Pittsburgh HUD office

Michael Jansen is the Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in HUD’s Pittsburgh Field Office.  His office performs Title VIII and Other Authorities investigations, and the full range of civil rights program work within HUD.  Mr. Jansen has an undergraduate degree in History with a secondary teaching certificate.  He is a licensed attorney, and attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude, was a member of the law review staff and Editorial Board, and was appointed to the Order of the Coif.  He practiced management-side labor and employment law for approximately six years.  He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard, where he served on both a full-time (ten years) and part-time (18 years) basis as a navigator in three different aircraft, and as a Staff Judge Advocate.  He is married and has two adult children.

Registration

Deadline to Register: September 3, 2010

Please request accommodations/sign language interpreters by September 1st.

• By Mail: Attn: Fair Housing, West Virginia Advocates, 1207 Quarrier St Ste 400, Charleston, WV 25301
• By Phone: 800.950.5250
• By Fax: 304.346.0867

Fair Housing Registration Form (pdf)

WVA is seeking individuals to serve on its PAIMI Advisory Council.

If you are interested in becoming a member of WVA's PAIMI Advisory Council, please fill out this application, and return it to WVA by:

• E-mail: wvainfo@wvadvocates.org
• Mail: 1207 Quarrier St Ste 400, Charleston, WV  25301
• Fax: (304) 346-0867

WVA has Wrightslaw products available for purchase at a reduced prices!

• "Legal Requirements of IEPs" CD-ROM (1.25 hours) - $11.22
• "Understanding Your Child's Test Scores" CD-ROM (1.5 hours) - $11.22
• "Law and Advocacy" CD-ROM (6.5 hours) - $37.46
• "Wrightslaw: All About IEPs" Book - $10.00

If you have questions about the products or would like to place an order over the phone, please call West Virginia Advocates at 1-800-950-5250 ext. 53.

Below is WVA's recent radio commercial advertising the CAP program.

MP3 of CAP radio commercial

Transcript to CAP commercial

The United States Census Bureau is conducting the 2010 Census. The Census is very important to West Virginia and especially to people with disabilities as many funding decision about how much funding our state qualifies for from the federal government for programs that are important to people in with disabilities will be made based on the information from the Census results. West Virginia Advocates is encouraging all West Virginians to participate in the Census. West Virginia Advocates would like to share information with you about protecting your safety and identity during the Census process because the process does contain some potential risks.

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

• The United States 2010 Census' home page.
• The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "Protecting Your Personal Informaiton" has information on how the Census Bureau protects your personal data.
• The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "More Security Topics" has some information and resources for identifying legitimate census workers.
• The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "Phishing, Email Scams & Bogus Census Web Sites" has information on the Census Bureau's use of e-mail and websites, and has information on how to report fraudulent attempts to get your personal information.
• The Better Business Bureau's article on the 2010 Census is also a good source of practical advice for you to protect yourself.

• Article from the Charleston Gazette
• Article from WV Public Broadcasting (with audio)

As people have learned about the Special Education Forum, they have started joining, and we expect more activity with the start of the school year. If you have questions regarding Special Education in West Virginia, please register for WVA's Special Education Forum at http://seforum.wvadvocates.org/

Consumer Affairs Committees support the mission of the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services by working to empower people with disabilities in making informed choices and achieving equality of opportunity, meaningful employment, independent living, and economic and social self-sufficiency.

The committees plan and carry out a broad range of activities in cooperation with community leaders in business, government, health care and education, along with other interested organizations and individuals.  The committees’ activities address shared goals, including public awareness and support for the rights, individual dignity, personal responsibility, full inclusion, equal access, self-determination and community involvement for all people with disabilities.

With local leadership, the Consumer Affairs Committees work independently as concerned citizens.  Membership is open to all persons desiring to participate, whether or not they are persons with disabilities.  All committee members are volunteers, and all committee meetings are open to the public. 

The Division recognizes and values the contributions made by Consumer Affairs Committees.  To maintain and strengthen this longstanding partnership, the Division provides guidance, information and other resources to committees statewide through its District Offices and the Consumer Affairs Office. 

To learn more about the committee nearest you or to volunteer as a member, telephone either the District Office serving your area or the Consumer Affairs Office at 1-800-642-8207 (V/TDD) or 304-766-4845.

Due to an unforeseen circumstance with the presenter, the WVDDC's workshops on Devaluation and the Service Worker’s Role (September 7 in Morgantown, and September 8 in Charleston) are cancelled. The WVDDC hopes to be able to re-schedule this workshop for a time in November or December of this year.

The public is invited to attend a meeting of people in the Weirton and Wheeling areas who are interested in disability and family issues. The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 23 at the Family of God Christian Center at 4215 Wells Street in Weirton. Food and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

This meeting is to connect people in the area who are interested in disability and family issues. Our goal is to learn the needs of the community and to begin local groups who will meet regularly in the Weirton area to address the issues discussed at the forum.

This forum is sponsored by Brooke Hancock FRN (Family Resource Network), Hancock Autism Chapter, the Fair Shake Network, and Family Leadership First.

The 19th Annual Community Connections Conference

October 8-10, 2010

Charleston Town Center Marriott

Registration Deadline: September 1, 2010

Registration Form

Stipend Form

An opportunity to learn about strategies, programs and services designed to smooth the transition of children and youth with exceptionalities from birth to successful postsecondary life. Presentations will focus on various transition points as a student moves from pre-school services through the educational system to adulthood.

Sessions addressing different instructional levels will be provided as well as opportunities to network with other special educators and other individuals who serve students with exceptionalities.

Seamless Beginnings Brochure with registration information.

WVCEC's website