2 minute read
Learn to be
The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities is now accepting applications for the Partners in Policymaking Class 41 advocacy and leadership training program. Deadline is July 14, so don’t delay.
Partners in Policymaking is a leadership training program for parents of young children with disabilities and adults with disabilities.
Created by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities 35 years ago, the Partners program has been offered nationally and internationally. Through informative and interactive sessions, Partners teaches leadership skills and the process of developing positive partnerships with elected officials and other policymakers who make decisions about the services that Minnesotans with disabilities use. Partners is accessible, informative, and empowering. Since 1987, more than 1,100 selfadvocates and parents have graduated in Minnesota and more than 29,000 people worldwide. Many well-known Minnesota disability rights advocates are graduates of the program.
To participate, the Partners program requires:
• A commitment to attend all eight for Families, In Our Own Voice, Family to Family, Positive Psychology, Creating Caring Communities, smoking cessation, a suicide prevention class called QPR –Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities and many more.
NAMI Minnesota’s Online Support Groups moved to a new and improved platform, HeyPeers. HeyPeers provides a safe, easy to access environment exclusively designed for online support
Springboard for the Arts. Funding is available for access needs. FFI: 651-2940907, resources@springboardforthearts.org
Resources to Enjoy!
The Enjoy listings are for arts events as well as banquets, fundraisers and fun events by and for disability services organizations. Schedules may be subject to change. Some venues still may have mask and vaccine requirements. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans.
The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for arts patrons who use accessibility accommodations such as audio description, captioning, ASL interpreting and sensory-friendly accommodations. Link to more details at https://calendar.mnaccess.org. Be sure sessions and to do required homework.
• An interest in learning and practicing new skills in a comfortable and safe environment.
• A desire to build and strengthen a network of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
• A willingness to learn from national and state experts who share our vision and values.
Classes are held in Bloomington. Many expenses are covered. Class size is limited to 35 people.
For a list of frequently asked questions, list of session dates and locations, as well as apply online, visit the Class 41 website at https://mn.gov/mnddc/ partnersinpolicymaking/class41/index.html group meetings.
To request a hard copy application, email Brenton Rice at brenton@TOGevents.com or call 651-242-6589.
The classes and online support groups are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers, and also the general public. Find a complete listing of these classes and how to join in by going to namimn.org and clicking on “Classes” or go straight to https://namimn.org/ education-public-awareness/classes/ scheduled/ to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if an advance reservation is needed for the accessibility service.
Accessible events can be submitted to the MNAA Calendar (and MinnesotaPlaylist.com). A list of other venues follows the event listings.
To receive a free monthly events calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org. Ask for the entire events list or specific lists for ASL interpreting, captioning, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations or disability-related topics.
For other accessibility resources or upcoming webinars presented by MNAA, sign up for emails at https://mnaccess.org