Options for Independence is putting the finishing touches on our annual conference, “A World of Possibilities for People with Disabilities,” scheduled in two weeks. It will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at the Auburn Holiday Inn.
This year's conference, co-sponsored by the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce and Edward Jones Investments, will feature a wide variety of topics. Workshops will include everything from fair housing; elder care: protecting the rights of nursing home and assisted living facility residents and special education; IPE's, 504 plans and beyond to nutrition and wellness; healthy cooking; stress management; introduction to deaf culture and basic sign language, and strength training exercises for everyone.
You can pick and choose what you want to attend, as a consumer, family member, caregiver, advocate, volunteer or just someone who is interested in issues regarding people with disabilities or general health and well-being.
Our luncheon keynote speaker will be Craig MacFarlane. MacFarlane is a nationally-renowned motivational speaker and author who truly embodies the spirit of the Independent Living Movement. Blinded by an accident when he was 2.5 years old, MacFarlane never allowed his disability to limit his activities. As a child, he participated fully in family activities such as fishing, hiking, camping and snowshoeing and also learned to play the piano, trombone, trumpet and clarinet. Sports are his true passion, and MacFarlane has amassed more than one hundred gold medals in water skiing, downhill skiing and wrestling.
He was the first totally blind person in the world to water ski jump - a feat that is incredibly difficult for even a sighted person. This accomplishment was part of the world-famous ski show at Cyprus Gardens in Florida where MacFarlane was employed at the time. MacFarlane's story has been featured in Readers Digest and many other media publications, on shows such as 60 Minutes International, PM Magazine and That's Incredible. MacFarlane is typically on the road 200 days a year, and we are excited that one of his stops will be at our conference.
Also at our conference, we will host a trade show and information booths with information from area businesses and not-for profits throughout our region.
The cost of the event is $25 per person, which includes the choice of a luncheon entree of London broil, chicken or pasta, as well as a conference packet that will be packed with information that you can use.
There are a number of scholarships available to consumers. You can contact our programming director, Tracy Murphy, at our office at 255-3447 for information on the scholarships or the conference.
If you need a brochure to register, please call me at our office, and I will drop one in the mail to you. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 18, and for reasonable accommodations Monday, May 14.
We hope you can join us at what is expected to be an enlightening and fun filled event.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence. She can be reached at Options at 255-3447
You can pick and choose what you want to attend, as a consumer, family member, caregiver, advocate, volunteer or just someone who is interested in issues regarding people with disabilities or general health and well-being.
Our luncheon keynote speaker will be Craig MacFarlane. MacFarlane is a nationally-renowned motivational speaker and author who truly embodies the spirit of the Independent Living Movement. Blinded by an accident when he was 2.5 years old, MacFarlane never allowed his disability to limit his activities. As a child, he participated fully in family activities such as fishing, hiking, camping and snowshoeing and also learned to play the piano, trombone, trumpet and clarinet. Sports are his true passion, and MacFarlane has amassed more than one hundred gold medals in water skiing, downhill skiing and wrestling.
He was the first totally blind person in the world to water ski jump - a feat that is incredibly difficult for even a sighted person. This accomplishment was part of the world-famous ski show at Cyprus Gardens in Florida where MacFarlane was employed at the time. MacFarlane's story has been featured in Readers Digest and many other media publications, on shows such as 60 Minutes International, PM Magazine and That's Incredible. MacFarlane is typically on the road 200 days a year, and we are excited that one of his stops will be at our conference.
Also at our conference, we will host a trade show and information booths with information from area businesses and not-for profits throughout our region.
The cost of the event is $25 per person, which includes the choice of a luncheon entree of London broil, chicken or pasta, as well as a conference packet that will be packed with information that you can use.
There are a number of scholarships available to consumers. You can contact our programming director, Tracy Murphy, at our office at 255-3447 for information on the scholarships or the conference.
If you need a brochure to register, please call me at our office, and I will drop one in the mail to you. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 18, and for reasonable accommodations Monday, May 14.
We hope you can join us at what is expected to be an enlightening and fun filled event.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence. She can be reached at Options at 255-3447
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