Second Annual “Day at the State Capitol for Individuals with Disabilities Guest Speaker-Governor Mike Beebe

Second Annual “Day at the State Capitol for Individuals with Disabilities and who are Deaf”

Wednesday, April 16

8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

State Capitol-Rotunda

 

Guest Speaker-Governor Mike Beebe

 

Little Rock – The Arkansas Independent Living Council, the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the Centers for Independent Living of Arkansas cordially invite you to attend the second annual Day at the Capitol for individuals with disabilities and who are Deaf.  This free public event will provide education and awareness in order to help individuals learn the political and legislative process.  The guest speaker for the event is Governor Mike Beebe who will speak in support of the efforts to promote accessibility among providers, organizations and local businesses who serve individuals with a disability.

 

Individuals will hear from members of the current General Assembly who will speak on topics that include equal access to healthcare, transportation, affordable housing,  education, technology and recreation to name a few. Individuals with special needs or challenges should be provided the same equal treatment and access to the components that affect their everyday life.  A staff member from the governor’s office will also speak on “How a Bill becomes a Law”.

 

Individuals who have not registered to vote and want to exercise the right to do so will have the opportunity at the event.

 

Because of the recent passage of the Private option, this event couldn’t come at a better time.  This day is being set aside so that individuals with any special need or challenge to know that they too can have a voice.  This day is all about the individuals with disabilities and who are deaf.

 

In order to promote the awareness and need of increasing equal access and inclusion, the organizations hosting the event will provide the necessary accommodations for individuals that will be in attendance of the event.  There will be interpreters for the Deaf and hard of hearing, an SSP interpreter, and an added accessibility tool that may be new to some but not all,   CART (Communication Access Real time) which is also used for the deaf and hard of hearing.  This will be the first time that CART is being used at a public event at the State Capitol.   There will also be Brailed programs and large print programs for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments.

 

Lunch is being provided for all individuals who confirm their attendance.    Once again, Centennial Bank is the sponsor for lunch for the event.

 

About the Arkansas Independent Living Council (AR-SILC)

 

The Arkansas Independent Living Council is a non-profit organization promoting the independent living philosophy among people with disabilities statewide. The agency was formed under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and incorporated in 1994.  Although the Council is mandated by Federal law and uses Federal funds, the AR-SILC is not a governmental agency, but rather a non-profit 501(c) (3), tax exempt organization. The SILC has a Board of Directors that are appointed by the Governor comprised of majority of the members being individuals with a disability.

The Arkansas Independent Living Council is celebrating 20 years as an organization this year.  This event on April 16 is a kick-off to several trainings and outreach event leading up to the unveiling of a “new logo” that will brand the agency. The unveiling will take place on November 21 of this year at the State Capitol.

 

About the Centers for Independent Living of Arkansas (CIL)

Centers for Independent Living, or CILs, are non-residential places where people with all types of disabilities can go to get services, enabling them to live more independently in their communities.  Arkansas has four such places. Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs and Fayetteville are the locations with their own Directors and staff which cover the state with Independent Living services.  Each of these centers offers four core services: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills training and Advocacy.

 

About the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities

The Arkansas Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Arkansas.

The GCOPWD was established in 1946 by then governor Ben T. Laney at the request of President Harry S. Truman. The current commission was established by passage of ACT 911 of 1985 to advocate for the rights and full participation of persons with disabilities in Arkansas. Members are appointed by the Governor with fifty-one percent or more of the commission made up of individuals with disabilities.

The public is invited to attend this free event.    Lunch is free, however individuals are being asked to confirm by calling 501-372-0607 or email Lclarkarilc@att.net if you plan to eat lunch