ARC Survey

TAKE ONE AND PASS ALONG – THE ARC FINDS SURVEY

The Arc seeks individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families or caregivers to participate in a national disability needs survey. The Arc FINDS (Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports) is a free, online survey designed to tap into the knowledge and perspectives of individuals and families within the I/DD community, including self-advocates on different issues across the life span. So far, thousands of people have taken the survey; more participants are being sought as every opinion will count. Results will provide greater understanding about what services are being received, where gaps exist, and what new supports may be needed from the individual and family perspective. To access the online survey, go to: http://www.thearc.org and link to the survey from the home page – and pass the word along to others. Take one and pass along!

DisABILITY Rights

Participate in One of the Listening Sessions Being Held Across the State -- We Want to Hear from You! Over the next three months, Disability Rights North Carolina will host public Listening Sessions across the State. At these sessions, Executive Director Vicki Smith will lead conversations that will help define our organization's issue targets for the next three years. This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts with Disability Rights NC. Don't miss these Listening Sessions if . . . You are curious about how Disability Rights NC selects the cases it accepts; You want to have input into the types of cases Disability Rights NC accepts; You want to share critical information with Disability Rights NC about the violation of the rights of people with disabilities in our State. All Listening Sessions are open to the public. Pass this along to other people you know who want to ensure that all people with disabilities in North Carolina are treated equally and fairly, and have full access to the community. If you plan to attend and need an ASL interpreter, please contact Janice Willmott at janice.willmott@disabilityrightsnc.org to request assistance.

Mon., August 23 Lumberton 11:00 am - 1:00 pm East Resource Center 1608 E. 5th Street Fayetteville 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Bordeaux Branch Library 3711 Village Drive Wed., August 25 Greenville 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Sheppard Memorial Library Room A, 530 Evans Street Wilson 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Wilson Public Library 249 Nash Street Mon., Sept. 20 Boone 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Watauga County Public Library 140 Queen Street Tues., Sept. 28 Durham 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm East Regional Library 211 Lick Creek Lane Wed., Sept. 29 Weldon 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Halifax Community College Multi-Purpose Room 200 College Drive Tues.,October 5 Charlotte 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Main Library 310 N. Charlotte Street Salisbury 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmRowan Public Library Hurley Room 201 W. Fisher Street Thur., October 14 Asheville 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Public Works Building Room A11 161 S. Charlotte Street Fri., October 15 Sylva (Time and Location to be determined) Thur., October 21 Winston-Salem 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Miller Park Community Center 400 Leisure Lane Reidsville 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm YMCA, BB&T Room 504 S. Main Street

New Director of Advocacy, Policy & Legislation

Greetings!

After a busy short session, the blog is back with a new staff member!

My name is Kay Paksoy and I am absolutely honored to be introducing myself as the new Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation. I graduated from Campbell University in May of 2009 with my BSW. During my years in college, I worked with youth in an organization know as the Governor’s One on One Program that helped juveniles’ find positive mentors. I worked primarily with youth that had been sentenced to community service and helped them find work and other positive outlets during free time on the weekends and holidays from school to help enrich their lives. I also helped promote the organization through advocacy efforts and spreading awareness about the program.
While taking social work classes, my passion always floated towards the macro side of social work. I loved getting to advocate and fight for issues that affect social workers and their clients. In the summer of 2008, I studied abroad in London, England and was privileged to intern with an organization known as Marie Stopes International. While this is primarily an organization that provides health care services for women as well as provide family planning initiatives, I worked in the headquarters with the press department and worked on several projects. The most popular project was known as Zoom In! During this project, we worked with about thirteen other countries and handed disposable cameras to youth in different schools asking them to take pictures of issues that affect them. What an overwhelming response we got! The youth really responded to this project and we complied their stories and pictures into an advocacy effort and presented our findings as well as personal stories from the youth to members at the Houses of Parliament. This was my first true advocacy effort and I was beside myself with excitement and dedication. After that summer, I started my senior year in college and began my internship with NASW. During my work as an intern, I worked on a License Plate bill and Title Protection for Social Workers. I also attended meetings with Jack and Kathy and was also able to reach out to students in local BSW programs. I loved my internship with NASW and was sad to leave at the end of school. I stayed on to do some contract work with Jack throughout the summer. After this, I began working at the Methodist Home for Children in a Level 2 Group Home. I loved my work with the teenagers in the home but my heart kept coming back to advocacy and policy.
Outside of my educational experiences, I have been blessed to work on several mission trip teams both locally and internationally. My more memorable trips have landed me in South Africa. Twice to work with orphans in impoverished areas and also working with an organization in Cape Town, South Africa this past May working with underprivileged kids in not so safe communities helping to provide positive after school care.
I am both nervous and excited to be embarking on this journey and hope it is a positive one for all of us. I am excited to be representing social workers as we gear up for the 2011 Long Legislative Session!