World Report on Disability

The WHO/World Bank is launching its first World report on Disability (See description below) in the U.S. on September 12 & 13 . DoubleTree Hotel Crystal City, Arlington , VA. September 12 & 13, 2011. (The international launch is at the UN on June 9 when the Report will be released.) The September 12-13 U.S. launch/symposium is free but you must register. For registration, please go to http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/conferences/2011/

The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) will conduct a two-day symposium, September 12 & 13, 2011, on the World report on disability, which is being released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank on 9 June, 2011. This USA launch event will be conducted in cooperation with WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Bank, the Interagency Committee on Disability Research, and the United States International Council on Disabilities.

What is the World report on disability?

The World report on disability summarizes the best available scientific evidence on disability and makes recommendations for action in support of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The product of a multi-year effort by over 300 contributors from all parts of the world, the World report provides documented evidence of the social and economic status of persons with disabilities, the state of disability services, the problems and good practices, as well as recommendations for needed research and development. It will also include the first update of WHO's global disability prevalence estimates for more than thirty years. For the topics discussed, it represents the best single source of knowledge on disability at the global scale.

What is the purpose of this symposium?

The objective of the September meeting is to introduce the report to U.S. audiences. WHO has encouraged member states to conduct national events to disseminate the report to key stakeholders in each country, especially policy makers and practitioners. The U.S. launch is aimed at moving the report's recommendation forward through U.S. policy, practice and advocacy. The symposium will examine the implications of the World report for the U.S. domestically and internationally.

What will the symposium be like?

The first morning will feature representatives of international organizations and U.S. federal government agencies that develop and implement disability policies and fund research related to disability, as well as representatives of disability rights organizations. The next day and a half will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of the eight chapters of the Report. Discussion will focus on the implications of each chapter for the U.S. , both domestically and internationally.

The chapters in the World report comprise:

• Understanding disability
• Disability - a global picture
• General healthcare
• Rehabilitation
• Assistance and support
• Enabling Environments
• Education
• Work and employment

Who should attend the symposium?

This meeting will be of interest to all those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the global state of disability, with particular reference to the U.S. These include policy makers, practitioners, researchers and persons with disabilities. There is no registration fee, but participants will be required to register and registration will be capped at 120 persons on a first-come-first-served basis.

Further information about the program, the speakers and logistics will be forth coming on the conferences website (http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/conferences/2011/).

CIRRIE is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education.

AIRS Conference - Alliance of Information and Referral Systems

What is AIRS?

The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) improves access to services for all people through quality information and referral.


AIRS provides a professional umbrella for all I&R providers in both public and private organizations.

Comprehensive and specialized I&R programs help people in every community and operate as a critical component of the health and human service delivery system.

The Mission of AIRS is: "To provide leadership and support to its members and Affiliates to advance the capacity of a Standards-driven Information and Referral industry that brings people and services together."

AIRS is …

• … the international voice of Information and Referral (I&R).
• … a professional membership association of more than 1,200 organizations, supporting 28 state and regional affiliates, that brings people and services together.
• … in partnership with the United Way Worldwide, the premier leader in the development of the 2-1-1 movement that has transformed access for human services.
• … the driving force behind the development of clear and consistent professional Standards that benchmark every aspect of quality I&R.
• … the administrator of an accreditation program that measures an organization’s ability to meet the AIRS Standards, and a certification program that evaluates the competence of individual I&R and I&R/A practitioners.
• … a provider of training, support and technical assistance that culminates in an annual international conference that attracts more than 700 delegates to participate in nearly 100 workshops.
• … a national leader in human services that participates in critical partnerships with the United Way Worldwide, the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities, the National Emergency Number Association, the American Association of Suicidology and InformCanada.
• ... a non-profit organization as determined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• ... a membership organization committed to serving our members at the same level that they serve their clients.

AIRS Conference 2011

REGISTRATION BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE (JUST CLICK HERE!)

Want to share? Want to develop? Want to explore?

... then become a Presenter at the AIRS Conference ...
... all you need to do is click on and complete the ...

CALL for PROPOSALS 2011 !

Deadline for submissions: March 15th.
All proposals received before March 1st will enter into a draw
for one of 5 free Conference registrations

Information on AIRS Conference Scholarships

Interested in exhibiting at the AIRS Conference?

Check out the 2011 Conference Prospectus

and if you have any questions, please contact
Sharon Galler at sharongaller@airs.org)

The I&R world will be gathering together again for the next AIRS Conference in

Detroit/Dearborn, Michigan

at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn (opposite the Henry Ford Museum)

from June 5th to June 8th 2011.

Attendees are responsible for making their room reservations directly with the Hyatt Regency Dearborn hotel. Early reservations are encouraged to ensure rooms at special discounted rates of $124.00 single/double occupancy, plus tax. Government rates are $95 single/double plus tax with appropriate government identification. Reservations must be made before May 3, 2011 to receive this special pricing. Be sure to reference AIRS to receive these low rates.

The registration brochure should be ready in a couple of weeks. For those budgeting, these are the Early Bird prices and will be available only until April 8th. After that date, the prices for all categories will increases (e.g. the Standard AIRS Member price will go up from $425 to $525).

Early Bird Prices for Full Conference
Basic Level AIRS Member: $425
Standard Level AIRS Member: $425
Premium Level AIRS Member: $340
Aging Network Member (unless also an AIRS Premium Member): $425
Michigan AIRS Member $340
Non-Member $550
Early Bird Prices for Single Day Registration
Single Day AIRS Basic and Standard Member: $240
Single Day AIRS Premium Member: $140
Michigan AIRS Member Single Day: $140
Non-Member Single Day $340

(If you have never been before, check out the content of

previous AIRS Conferences)

AIRS Conference - Alliance of Information and Referral Systems

HCBS / More Info:Achieving Better Chronic Care at Lower Costs Across the Health Care Continuum for Older Americans

Summary

A conference was held to inform potential solutions to improve the cost and quality of care across the health care continuum for older Americans. Synthesizing the conference, this report addresses many of the challenges facing individuals with chronic conditions and functional impairments, and identifies new opportunities for the integration of medical services and social supports tailored to older Americans and supported by new payment designs.

Available Files

• Report PDF (723K, 14 pages)
• Report Off-site link (14 pages)

White House Disability Group Monthly Conference Call

In order to help keep you more informed, the White House Disability Group is hosting monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the federal government.

This call is off the record and not for press purposes.

The next call will be Monday, January 10 at 3:00 PM Eastern.

The conference call information is below.

Dial in: (800) 230-1093

Title: Disability Call (use instead of code)Date of Call: 01/10/2011

Start Time: 3:00 PM Eastern

For live captioning, at time of call, log onto:
http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1679107&CustomerID=321

HCBS Conference 2008 – Archived Agenda and Presentations

The 24th Annual Home and Community Based Services Conference was held in Boston in October, 2008. Administrators, researchers, educators and providers met to learn about policies, research, and new waiver and technical assistance and training opportunities. The full range of HCBS issues was covered including Medicaid basics, creativity in wavier design, balancing long term services, nursing home diversion issues and quality management strategies. Topic(s): Accessibility, Aging Issues, Consumer Direction, Deficit Reduction Act, Financing HCBS, Housing, Long-Term Care, Mental Health, Money Follows the Person, Physical Disabilities, Quality, State/Agency Information, Transition/Diversion from Institutions, Waiver, Workforce/Direct Care

SAMHSA Conference Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces SAMHSA’s Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants program (also referred to as SAMHSA Conference Grants). The purpose of the Conference Grant program is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. It is not the practice of SAMHSA to provide total support for planned meetings and conferences. The maximum Conference Grant award is $50,000 for a 12-month project period. Only direct costs will be funded under this program. Not all SAMHSA’s Centers will be awarding Conference Grants in any given year. Please visit the SAMHSA Web site at www.samhsa.gov to learn which Centers are providing funding and the number and size of awards for any specific year. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus areas 11 (Health Communication), 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders) and 26 (Substance Abuse). Closing Date for Applications: Mar 31, 2009

SAMHSA Conference Grants

The purpose of the Conference Grant program is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. It is not the practice of SAMHSA to provide total support for planned meetings and conferences. The maximum Conference Grant award is $50,000 for a 12-month project period.

Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants Program Announcement

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces SAMHSA’s Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants program (also referred to as SAMHSA Conference Grants). The purpose of the Conference Grant program is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. It is not the practice of SAMHSA to provide total support for planned meetings and conferences. The maximum Conference Grant award is $50,000 for a 12-month project period. Only direct costs will be funded under this program. Not all SAMHSA’s Centers will be awarding Conference Grants in any given year. Please visit the SAMHSA Web site at www.samhsa.gov to learn which Centers are providing funding and the number and size of awards for any specific year. SAMHSA’s Conference Grants are authorized under Sections 520A (Priority Mental Health Needs of Regional and National Significance), 516 (Priority Substance Abuse Prevention Needs of Regional and National Significance) and 509 (Priority Substance Abuse Treatment Needs of Regional and National Significance) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and subject to the availability of funds. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus areas: 11 (Health Communication), 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders) and 26 (Substance Abuse). Current Closing Date for Applications: Sep 30, 2008

Public Health Conference Support Program

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-PA-HM09-901 The purpose of the program is to provide partial support for specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention, educational programs, and applied research. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2010” focus area(s) of

• Access to Quality Health Services;
• Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic Back Conditions;
• Cancer; Diabetes;
• Disability and Secondary Conditions;
• Educational and Community-Based Programs;
• Environmental Health;
• Food Safety;
• Health Communication;
• Heart Disease and Stroke;
• Injury and Violence Prevention;
• Maternal, Infant and Child Health;
• Mental Health and Mental Disorders;
• Nutrition and Overweight;
• Physical Activity and Fitness;
• Public Health Infrastructure;
• Respiratory Diseases;
• Tobacco Use (among youth); and
• Vision and Hearing.

Current Closing Date for Applications: Mar 02, 2009 Letter of Intent Deadline: Cycle A - November 10, 2008 Application Deadline: Cycle A - December 8, 2008 Letter of Intent Deadline: Cycle B - February 2, 2009 Application Deadline: Cycle B - March 2, 2009

Louisiana Disability Summit 2009 Call for Presentations

The Louisiana Disability Summit is preparing for its 2nd event from March 30 - April 2, 2009, in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Disability Summit is a statewide conference providing a platform for discussion of home- and community-based service delivery for persons with developmental disabilities in Louisiana and is supported by consumer, family, professional, and provider groups, as well as the state Department of Health and Hospitals. The 2007 conference attracted over 500 participants. The Program Selection Committee is soliciting proposals for presentations at the Louisiana Disability Summit 2009. Varieties of proposals are requested. The Committee is seeking a diverse range of presenters. Proposals detailing advances in service arenas, collaborative efforts in service delivery, community advocacy, research, and the accomplishment of personal success stories are all welcome. The central theme for the Disability Summit is "partnership and collaboration". The theme focuses on innovative ways of addressing the most critical issues that impose challenges for acquiring rich and satisfying community lives for us all. Some of those issues include but are not limited to: Housing, Employment, Health Care, Support Services, Transportation, Education, Friendships and Relationships, Community Participation and Inclusion. Presentations should outline how strategic alliances with others in the community are formed to create opportunities and resources that address a challenge or issue. Idea(s) discussed should address improvements in quality of services, quality of life, and/or availability/access to supports. Presentations should also speak to how the idea(s) presented result in better communities, including the best possible outcomes for all people in the community.

PROGRAM PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO: LOUISIANA DISABILITY SUMMIT 2009 C/O RESOURCE CENTER ON COMMUNITY INCLUSION 3501 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE C2 LAKE CHARLES, LA 70607

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS, CONTACT (318) 741-5327 • jlott@dhh.la.gov

n4a Conference to Address Critical Issues for America’s Aging Population

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) will host its 33rd annual conference in Nashville, TN. The conference, which convenes more than 800 local leaders on aging, focuses on a wide range of issues to help address the needs of the current and coming wave of older Americans. Aging leaders will be on site to address many issues, including: the impact of high gas prices on senior services; expanding the aging services of the network through a proactive model of preventive home and community-based services targeted to prevent premature nursing home placement; strategies to help older adults through the digital television transition; as well as meeting the needs of older adults during disasters such as the recent floods in the Midwest. The conference also works to acknowledge innovations in aging with awards for cutting-edge programs, to salute newly trained leaders at the Leadership Institute’s graduation ceremony, and to provide information on a host of issues, including community preparedness for a growing aging population, family caregiving, Medicare Part D enrollment assistance, serving diverse cultures, Senior Transportation, chronic care management, integrating technology into aging services, and more.