What is an advocate? According to www.dictionary.com , one of the definitions is: “A person who speaks or writes in defense of a person, cause, etc.” and “A person who pleads for or in behalf of another: intercessor.”

SKIL has long promoted self advocacy. What is a self advocate? It’s standing up for yourself and your rights, and believing in yourself enough to do so. Though many might tell you otherwise, no one, I repeat, NO ONE, knows what you need more than you do. Standing up for yourself, especially when someone else is trying to convince you of what they think you need and refusing to truly listen to you, is not only important, it is vital. And it can be life-changing.

One of the best examples of self advocacy is with your doctors and other healthcare professionals. Often, in the medical model, healthcare professionals think they know best and they can often convince their patients to believe it, too. Doctors and other healthcare professionals need you to be a good self advocate and tell them what is going on with you. And, they need to give you complete information so that you can make your healthcare decisions based upon that information.

Advocacy is not always easy. It’s not always something we are eager to do. Advocating for yourself can be harder than advocating for others. But its rewards are many. I encourage you to start advocating for yourself today.

All Parsons SKIL offices, including our headquarters, the Assistive Technology Southeast Access Site and K-Loan, will be closed until November 30, 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. I’ll be back with you in my next Hello From Shari column on December 4, 2020.

I wish you all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Stay safe.

Love, Shari

 

The KDOL says it will never ask for you full social security number over text or email.

"The agency is working with law enforcement and is investigating these fraudulent texts," the labor department said in a release.
"Kansas, along with every other state, is seeing a spike in Identity Theft related to Unemployment Claims. If you or somebody you know has been the victim of this scam, please report it at www.ReportFraud.ks.gov."

https://www.kake.com/story/42908802/kdol-warns-of-phishing-scam-targeting-people-via-text-message#.X66loUGQHkg.link

The KS Disability Caucus, Inc. Board has five positions up for election each beginning January 1, 2021 for a two year term. The Board wants to make sure that it represents the faces of Kansans with disabilities, therefore we need applicants from various parts of our population, such as race, ethnicity, disability, age, geographic, sexual orientation, and gender identification. We will review all applications from individuals wanting to join the group to organize and coordinate activities that promote independent living of all people with disabilities through collaboration, networking, education, planning, and peer-to-peer interaction, including the Disability Caucus held during even numbered years. We need individuals that are very committed to work hard in both planning and the hands on work needed to have a successful Caucus. In 1988, a small group of Kansans with disabilities came together to organize the first Kansas Disability Caucus when ninety people attended in Salina, KS. It was these united voices that helped to pass the first self-directed personal care assistance program in Kansas. The Caucus has attracted many national presenters in independent living and disability rights through the years. There have been different focuses for holding the Caucus including education, advocacy, and planning, all of which lead to the independence of Kansans with disabilities. The KS Disability Caucus supports and encourages successful outcomes for people with all types of disabilities of all ages, especially encouraging the involvement of young adults. If you are interested in continuing these activities, please submit your application. The deadline for submission is December 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. We will contact you if you are chosen to join the Board or if we have more questions for you.

Please complete the application if you are interested in applying to be on the Board.

The Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP) is hiring a program officer for the OILP Team! The OILP intends to fill this position with the Schedule A hiring authority.  This means you must be a person with a disability to apply for the current opening.  Information about the Schedule A hiring authority can be found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/#url=Overview .

This is a full time position located in Washington DC.  Relocation expenses are NOT provided.  Due to COVID-19 all OILP staff are currently teleworking from their approved Washington DC metro area telework locations.  ACL anticipates it will resume pre-COVID duty stations and telework agreements at some point in the future.   

This position includes end-to-end management of Centers for Independent Living grant awards, opportunities to develop program guidance and national disability policy, and participation on federal workgroups driving issues important to people with disabilities.  Bring your State experience to Federal government and directly contribute to the exciting future of independent living programs!

Please follow the below instructions:

• Email Corinna Stiles at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (no phone calls).
• The email should include (1) a short statement of interest, (2) acknowledgment of Schedule A eligibility, and (3) a current resume that reflects experience or working knowledge in the Centers for Independent Living program, the Independent Living Services program, and/or any other work that highlights experience in disability services or policy.
• To be considered the email must be received no later than 5:00pm EST Sunday November 15, 2020.
• To be considered you must follow instructions 1-3.

Individuals of interest will receive follow up information the week of November 16.