HDC Spotlight: Maria Blanco, M.Ed.

Maria Blanco, M.Ed. has worked at HDC for 15-years. She designs projects that increase access to quality early learning experiences for young children and families; she supports early childhood staff to implement projects with a high level of excellence; and she represents HDC’s interests, and those of children and families, on state and local policymaking bodies. Maria is currently the Director for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) and the Director for HDC’s newest program, Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood (IPEC).

See the IPEC flyer here

Hurricane Ida Resources

Here is a collection of hurricane resources collected by HDC staff that benefit individuals, children, and families.

Click or Treat 3: Annual Virtual Conference, October 26-28, 2021

Join the LA-AEM team, in collaboration with Outreach, for the third annual Click or Treat Conference! The conference is being hosted virtually this year, and features three strands: assistive technology, visual impairments, and deaf/hard of hearing. Note that some sessions combine strands, such as our DeafBlind presentation. The conference is FREE, so don’t miss this opportunity!

HDC LADBP Director Michael C. Norman and Coordinator and Coordinator Rose Angelocci will present the topic entitled “A Day in the Life of a DeafBlind Intervener” on Thursday, October 28.

First Conference on Deafblindness in Africa: Participation and Sponsorship

In May 2022, Deafblind International will hold its first Africa Conference in Nairobi. It will connect people with deafblindness, parents, families, practitioners and researchers across the continent and far beyond. In doing so, the conference will showcase 10 brand new African research projects made possible through DbI’s African Researchers’ Initiative (ARI). It will serve as a platform and exchange hub for young res

Researchers and practitioners from around the world by including the DbI Young Researchers’ Conference. And it will link with the WFDB’s Helen Keller World Conference immediately preceding it, which will also be held in Nairobi. Get excited about the current state of the conference website and start planning your participation and other attendees from your professional environment today: https://dbi.andyspeaks4snp.co.ke/

The Africa Conference is extremely important in providing perspectives for people with deafblindness, their families, caregivers and teachers in Africa, and in giving a boost to local research and education. Education about deafblindness, as well as skills training, are great needs in Africa. The pandemic has further worsened the situation of those affected and, with the discontinuation of services that were marginal anyway, has led to often stark isolation and great challenges for the few professional services and training programs available. Like every conference, however, the Africa Conference also involves financial expenditure. Currently, the local committee expects a (moderate) cost of about 70’000 USD for a hybrid conference during 3 days (on-site and online) for about 200 participants on-site. Ticket costs in the range of 350 USD plus costs for travel and accommodation and for possible reduced professional income during the conference days are high for many participants from Africa. We therefore very much invite you to become a sponsor of the Africa Conference. Please view our sponsorship opportunities here: https://dbi.andyspeaks4snp.co.ke/sponsorship/ . Alternatively, you may want to evaluate a sponsorship for conference participants from Africa, who otherwise could hardly afford a participation.

Social Security Announces Electronic Self-Reporting Forms

Social Security recently announced a new online service that allows disability beneficiaries to electronically complete, sign, and submit the Work Activity Report for Wage Employment (Form SSA-821) and Self-Employment (Form SSA-820). Beneficiaries may use this online service as an alternative to completing a paper version of this form. To complete the form online, beneficiaries need a valid email address. Simply click on the web links below to find the online forms with instructions.

• SSA-820 – Work Activity Report (Self-Employed Person) Provides Social Security with work activity information for self-employed individuals applying for or receiving disability benefits.
• SSA-821 – Work Activity Report – Provides Social Security with work activity information for individuals applying for or receiving disability benefits.

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) Launched

Administration for Community Living (ACL) announces the launch of the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) to help people with disabilities access vaccinations and to connect to information and services to overcome barriers to vaccination. Please share the attached infographic with your constituents. For more information, see https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/hhs-launches-hotline-improve-access-covid-19-vaccines-people.

Louisiana School for the Deaf and Special School District Outreach Services

The Louisiana School for the Deaf and Special School District Outreach team provides FREE support for staff and families working with Deaf and hard of hearing children. They will come to you (virtually or in-person) and help you maximize your district, school, and classroom settings for access to your students. See the attachment for services provided. Fill out the intake form to set up a time or contact statewide outreach director of Deaf education, Dr. Natalie Delgado, for immediate questions and needs at ndelgado@lsdvi.org.

HDC Spotlight: Carmel Polk, MS, CESP

As a Transition Specialist, Carmel Polk helps PAY Check participants transition to life after high school by teaching them community and work-related skills that are crucial for independent life. PAY Check’s mission to nurture young people’s abilities for full community participation is what attracted Carmel to the position.

It is important that we ensure students have the tools and skills to live independently in society. We want young people to be the best version of themselves in every capacity.

– Carmel Polk, MS, CESP

NDEAM Poster Now Available

In their latest weekly newsletter, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) released the official poster for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2021. NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. This year’s theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” and is available for download in English and Spanish. The poster conveys 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.

Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs (GODA) Annual Conference

The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs (GODA) will host its annual conference virtually via Zoom during the week of July 26 – 29, 2021.  This year’s conference will span four (4) days, and will feature breakout sessions pertaining to accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, voting, emergency preparedness, self-determination, leadership, advocacy, interactions with law enforcement, and more. Several representatives from HDC will be presenting at the conference including Stuart Simon and Sue Killam. Click Here for the conference schedule and links to the presenters’ bios and websites. The GODA Conference is presented free of charge and is open to the public.