June 2011

#8 June 2011

 Brought to you by:The Florida Office on Disability & Health http://fodh.phhp.ufl.edu

“Accessibility for All”

 Florida Office on Disability & Health

The Florida Office on Disability and Health (FODH) was created in 2007 through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The mission of FODH is to maximize the health, well-being, participation, & quality of life, throughout the lifespan of all Floridians & their families living with disability.

**Please visit our newly remodeled website, full of great accessibility features and newly re-designed inclusive image library!

Upcoming Events:

2011 Emergency Preparedness Conference for Persons with Disabilities

Stocking your cupboards and buying batteries aren’t the only ways to plan for emergencies. The Emergency Preparedness Conference for Persons with Disabilities has brought life saving information to the area for four years. On Thursday, June 23, The ILRC will host its fifth annual conference bringing together local, state and national representatives to share current and crucial information.

 Date:Thursday, June 23rd, 2011*registration closes June 20th

Time:  9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Location:Jacksonville Public Library: 303 North Laura Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Cost:  Admission is free and lunch is provided.

7th Annual ADA EXPO- Gainesville, FL

Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office, along with the City of Gainesville Office of Equal Opportunity, Alachua County School Board and Center for Independent Living have  partnered again this year to present the 7th annual ADA EXPO, 2011.

Date: July 28, 2011

Time: 11:30-4:00

Location: Sidney Lanier CenterGainesville, FL

Cost: Admission is free and lunch is provided.

The focus of this event is to offer the latest in assistive technology devices, methods and information to a group of approximately 300 -500 attendees.  An emergency preparedness Panel with Q& A will follow the luncheon.

If you are interested in being a vendor or are aware of other businesses that would enhance this event, please invite them to attend and contact Jacquelyn Hart, Equal Opportunity Program/Intake Specialist (352) 264-6956. With your interest no later than June 15, 2011.

Partner Highlight: Florida Division of Emergency Management: Chip Wilson

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) offers resources and information specifically tailored for people with disabilities/special needs and their families to help prepare for emergencies and protect themselves. Chip Wilson, Statewide Disability Coordinator for Emergency Management places emphasis on educating people about the issues persons with disabilities (PWD) face during an emergency. This entails advocating with governmental entities (state and local) to include PWD in their planning process –  and preferably not as an afterthought or annex to their emergency management plan.

He also stresses to the disability community in particular and to local communities in general that responsibility for their safety begins with the individual. This includes proper personal planning as well as being involved in the community – such as volunteering to play a role in a disaster exercise, working with local Office of Emergency Management to ensure their issues are known and planned for. The key is for everybody to know not only their rights but also their responsibilities.

Chip works closely with the Department of Health and has presented at numerous Emergency Preparedness Workshops for People with Disabilities throughout the state. He has also been actively involved in establishing the guidance for Functional Needs Support Services which will break down some barriers PWD have previously faced when going to a general population shelter. For more information on Emergency Preparedness for special populations visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Disability Disaster Page.

 Please visit our website at http://fodh.phhp.ufl.edu

for Florida data, links to national resources about disability and health, and more!

 For questions on this Bulletin contact ctamayo@phhp.ufl.edu

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