2023 SARTAC Zoom Meetings
Many valuable resources have been shared during SARTAC's weekly online Zoom meetings. Below you will find links to the presentations, videos, guides and more.
December 7, 2023 - SARTAC Fellowships
What is a Fellowship? Click here to get Slides
A SARTAC Fellowship is a one year self advocacy project. The project should help the fellow grow their own skills as a leader. The project might work on finding new ideas to help solve problems many people have. It must end with a report or products others can use after the project is over. The Fellows will work on their projects about 6 hours each week. SARTAC pays Fellows $5,000 to complete their projects. Six Fellows will be chosen this year.
Application Booklet to download
You can also complete an application online. Click here for the online application
November 2, 2023 - Discussion About Paying Parents to be our staff
The government has rules about paying parents. The rules say a state must make sure you are okay with your parents being paid to be your staff person. The state must check in with you to see how it is going.
But now the government is making new rules. In the rules, they removed the words "in the best interest of the participant." Many self-advocates are telling CMS they must check with us before paying our parents to be our staff.
To Speak up Click Here Click on the green button that says Submit a comment. You must write by November 13th.
October 28, 2023 - Paying People with Disabilities at least Minimum Wage
The government wants to meet with people with disabilities on November 15th from 5:30 PM -7:00 PM EST. The meeting is on pay for people with disabilities
You must sign up. CLICK HERE to sign up. Check the box that says you want to speak.
In the USA workers must be paid at least $7.25 an hour. But there are special laws that say it is okay to pay people with disabilities only $2 or $3. The special law is called 14-C or subminimum wage.
TIME TO SPEAK UP! Do You Think This is Fair? Is it okay to pay people with disabilities less money?
September 28, 2023 - HCBS Rules
We discussed new tools to use to explain the government's rules for services.
We need to teach our peers about our rights and to know the rules agencies must follow.
What does the HCBS rule do? A video by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
September 21, 2023 - SMART Home Technology
Here are short videos of people with disabilities explaining and showing how they use technology to live their lives.
They were made by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
September 14, 2023 - Voter Voice
SABE and TASH made a website for self-advocates and their allies to contact Congress on disability issues. It has information about bills Congress is working on. It helps you find your legislators. You can use the website to send a message to Congress.
September 7, 2023 - COVID Update
Covid-19 update stock illustration.
You may be so done with COVID…
but it ain't done with you!
The updated COVID vaccine for 2023-2024
will be available after September 15, 2023.
August 17, 2023 - Mental Health
Resources from Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition and Oregon DD Council
August 3, 2023 - SSI and SSDI - What is the difference?
S
Most people find this information difficult,
We hope our handouts make it so you can understand it
or at least know to ask questions.
Click here to get our handouts
July 31, 2023 - Formatting Basics
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits
Learn how to use computer programs like InDesign or Illustrator to format plain language and Easy Read documents.
Click here to review a recording of this training
July 27, 2023 - What the ADA is?
We need to understand the concepts connected to our everyday lives!
July 13, 2023 - Person-Centered Service Plans
You have a lot of choices about your services. You can make these choices by using a person-centered plan. The government has a long list of standards providers need to follow when supporting you to make your person-centered plan. Green Mountain Self-Advocates drafted a plain language version of the CMS standards for person centered service plans. Peer leaders reviewed this document and made suggestions to make it easier to understand.
July 10, 2023 - Easy Read Icons
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits
You don't need to be able to draw to make great icons for Easy Read documents.
Learn how in this webinar!
July 6, 2023 - Ending Subminimum Wage
Fifteen states have passed laws to eliminate subminimum wages
for people with disabilities. SARTAC provided an update on
efforts to move people out of sheltered workshops to working
real jobs for real pay.
June 29, 2023 - Body Mapping and Cartoon Healthcare Handouts
June 26, 2023 - How To Format or Arrange Pictures and Text on a Page
A webinar for self-advocacy organizations
Learn how to use a computer program like InDesign or Illustrator to format plain language and Easy Read documents.
June 22, 2023 - Draft Access Rules for Services
June 15, 2023 - Air Travel
Flying is a challenge for many people with disabilities.
Learn about a new Bill introduced in Congress that would explore ways for people to use their own wheelchairs to get on a plane.
Get travel tips to reduce problems
June 12, 2023 - Easy Read Icons
A Webinar for Self-Advocates
You don't need to be able to draw to make great icons for Easy Read documents.
Learn how in this webinar!
June 8, 2023 - Interacting with Police
What people with disabilities need to know when they interact with police. What police need to know when they interact with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
June 5, 2023 - Easy Read Text
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits Agencies
Writing in Easy Read text is different than writing in plain language. Learn what makes Easy Read text unique and important. Learn how to write in Easy Read text -- in this webinar! Interpreters for the Deaf and Live Captioning Provided.
May 25, 2023 - Educating Doctors on Interacting with People with Disabilities:
| We will share some ways self-advocates are training healthcare providers. There will be an opportunity to work in small groups to share training ideas. |
May 22, 2023 - Easy Read Text: A Webinar for Self Advocacy Organizations
Writing in Easy Read text is different than writing in plain language. Learn what makes Easy Read text unique and important. Learn how to write in Easy Read text. -
May 18, 2023 - Debt Ceiling: What Is It and Why It Matters!
| SARTAC explained the Debt Ceiling in Plain Language. |
May 8, 2023 - Plain Language - A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits Agencies
Click here for slides used for this session
Click here for a recording of the session
May 1, 2023 - Plain Language - A Webinar for Self-Advocacy Organizations
Click here for slides used for this session
Click here for a recording of the session
April 20, 2023 - Am I Eligible to Get Covid-19 Vaccine Booster?
In March the government put out new guidance about COVID vaccine shots. Eligibility for an updated COVID shot depends on:
-> Your age
-> If you are at risk of getting really sick with COVID
-> OR when you got your most recent COVID vaccine shot
Click here to review the recording of this session
April 17, 2023 - Overview of Accessible Formats:
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits Agencies Why write in accessible formats? What's the difference between plain language and Easy Read? What principles should everyone follow when writing in an accessible way? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this brief introductory webinar, with time for questions and answers. Interpreters for the Deaf and Live Captioning Provided.
Click here for slides used for this session
Click here for a recording of the session
April 13, 2023 - Meet Filmmaker Ned Castle
Ned Castle held a feedback session with self-advocates. Ned is making a documentary called All You Hear Is Noise. The film is about U.S. athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They travel to Abu Dhabi to compete in the Special Olympic World Games. Watch the athletes weather the pressures of international competition. Follow them as they return home to the joys and challenges of daily life. The audience considers the many ways ableism exists today in our world.
Here is a website about the film. (It is not streaming yet)
Contact nedcastle@gmail.com
April 6, 2023
And three more Amazing SARTAC Internships!
Kenneth Kelty created a podcast with the movers and shakers in disability advocacy.
Jordan Anderson explored ways to streamline getting durable medical equipment.
Nathan Turner's project promotes self-direction with direct care services.
Click here for Kenneth's slides. Click here for Jordan's slides. Click here for Nathan's slides
March 30, 2023
Three Amazing SARTAC Internships!
Susan Parker taught her peers how to use the tool Charting My LifeCourse.
Eddie Hall expresses self-advocacy through adaptive recreation.
Nathaniel Livernois describes how the lives of people who left an institution have changed
Click here for Susan's slides. Click here for Eddie's slides. Click here for Nathaniel's Slides
March 16, 2023 - Medical Advocacy
SANYS is the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Their New York City team created a medical advisory presentation. How speaking up can make a difference in the healthcare we get.
Click here for slides used for this session
March 9, 2023 - SARTAC Tribute to Judy Heumann
Judy Heumann, a true, powerful advocate and leader for people with disabilities has passed away. She was a pioneer who changed the landscape for individuals with disabilities. She led the fight for getting the Americans with Disabilities Act into law to make discrimination toward people with disabilities illegal.
Judy's Book for Youth:
Click here to review the slides used for this session.
March 3, 2023 - Partnerships with High Schools
1. Things to keep in mind when you are interacting with high school students
2. Connecting schools to a local self-advocacy group
3. Holding a youth summit
Click here for slides used for this session
February 23, 2023 - The Power of Language
A session about Person First vs Identity First language.
What is the difference?
Presenters Mike Rogers and Sophia Roberts from SANYS will share
ways to think about how you want to be defined.
Click here for slides used for this session
February 9, 2023 - Dating Like a Pro
How To Date Like A Pro - Handout
January 12, 2023 - What is Leadership?
Leadership is about what we do.
It's not about the role we are in.
For example, our groups have presidents and chairs. Leadership is not about your title but really about what actions you take when you are in that job to create change.
Click here for slides used for this session