Greetings Advocates:
The packet for the 2010 DD Council Awards are now available.
The nominations are due Thursday, December 17, 2009.
If you are submitting electronically, all forms are fill-in enabled.
The forms are on the web at:
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4868_4897-207668--,00.html
Help us make the 2010 awards a success by nominating the person, group or RICC you know has done outstanding work in the Councils goal areas; employment, housing, transportation, education, public policy, health, and family support. The awards packet can be duplicated or you can request hard copies from the council office.
The 2010 Awards will be presented during the DD Council Legislative Day on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, Michigan.
As always if you have any questions or need help completing the forms contact the DD Council for assistance.
We look forward to another successful awards process.
From the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
(517) = 334 = 6123.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Getting There Together Weekly Einstein on a Train
Folks,
I found this story a couple of weeks ago in the book, Art of the Start, and it has been haunting me, so I figured that it was about time I shared it with you.
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure that Princeton can afford to pay for another ticket."
Einstein nodded appreciatively and then got down on his hands and knees to look under his seat for the ticket.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, why not simply buy another ticket. Again, we all know Princeton can afford it."
Einstein looked up at him and said, "Young man, it's not about the money. What I don't know is where I'm going."
It's not about the money. It's about where are we going.
Yes, these words have been haunting me and I keep finding opportunities to share them.
As for the Transit Master Plan for The Rapid, where are we going? Where do you want to see our transit system go?
It is now time to let your opinion be known on where you want to see us go. Head to the Transit Master Plan website where you can complete an on line comment sheet or call the TMP Hotline at 774-1298.
We'll get a chance to talk about the dollars and cents of this vision soon enough. Instead of looking to see what our ticket says, we have a great chance to write the destination on it ourselves!
And if writing or calling aren't enough, there are still two more community workshops next week where you can state your destination:
November 17 Grandville 6:00-8:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 3195 Wilson Avenue
November 18 Walker 6:00-8:00 p.m. Fire Station #2,
4101 Lake Michigan Dr.
Where do you want to go? The Rapid wants to know.
And speaking of where are we going, I'd be remiss if I did not pass on the information concerning the City of Grand Rapids' budget forums. They, too, are asking, "Where do you want to go?" The full details are at the City of Grand Rapids' website.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949=1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
I found this story a couple of weeks ago in the book, Art of the Start, and it has been haunting me, so I figured that it was about time I shared it with you.
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure that Princeton can afford to pay for another ticket."
Einstein nodded appreciatively and then got down on his hands and knees to look under his seat for the ticket.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, why not simply buy another ticket. Again, we all know Princeton can afford it."
Einstein looked up at him and said, "Young man, it's not about the money. What I don't know is where I'm going."
It's not about the money. It's about where are we going.
Yes, these words have been haunting me and I keep finding opportunities to share them.
As for the Transit Master Plan for The Rapid, where are we going? Where do you want to see our transit system go?
It is now time to let your opinion be known on where you want to see us go. Head to the Transit Master Plan website where you can complete an on line comment sheet or call the TMP Hotline at 774-1298.
We'll get a chance to talk about the dollars and cents of this vision soon enough. Instead of looking to see what our ticket says, we have a great chance to write the destination on it ourselves!
And if writing or calling aren't enough, there are still two more community workshops next week where you can state your destination:
November 17 Grandville 6:00-8:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 3195 Wilson Avenue
November 18 Walker 6:00-8:00 p.m. Fire Station #2,
4101 Lake Michigan Dr.
Where do you want to go? The Rapid wants to know.
And speaking of where are we going, I'd be remiss if I did not pass on the information concerning the City of Grand Rapids' budget forums. They, too, are asking, "Where do you want to go?" The full details are at the City of Grand Rapids' website.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949=1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
Friday, November 13, 2009
Service Animals and Public Transportation
Promising Practices and Solutions in Accessible Transportation: Service Animals and Public Transportation
You are invited to join a conference call.
Donna Smith, Training Manager for Easter Seals Project ACTION, will discuss current requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and promising practices from the transportation industry for accommodating customers with service animals on public transportation.
The one-hour program will be
at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time,
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.
Resources related to the presentation will be posted on this page and available one week prior to the conference. These materials are intended as additional resources to provide more in-depth information and it is not necessary to download them for the presentation.
Smith will address the following questions:
* How do I know if it’s a service animal?
* What should happen if other passengers are afraid of or allergic to dogs?
* Is there guidance on how to board service animals?
* What is the best way to train transit operators to serve customers who use service animals?
You must register!!
Dial-in instructions will be in your registration confirmation.
For more information or to register, go to:
http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/Calendar/1098549204?view=Detail&id=29601
This conference call is part of Easter Seals Project ACTION’s Promising Practices and Solutions in Accessible Transportation (PPSAT) series.
You are invited to join a conference call.
Donna Smith, Training Manager for Easter Seals Project ACTION, will discuss current requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and promising practices from the transportation industry for accommodating customers with service animals on public transportation.
The one-hour program will be
at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time,
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.
Resources related to the presentation will be posted on this page and available one week prior to the conference. These materials are intended as additional resources to provide more in-depth information and it is not necessary to download them for the presentation.
Smith will address the following questions:
* How do I know if it’s a service animal?
* What should happen if other passengers are afraid of or allergic to dogs?
* Is there guidance on how to board service animals?
* What is the best way to train transit operators to serve customers who use service animals?
You must register!!
Dial-in instructions will be in your registration confirmation.
For more information or to register, go to:
http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/Calendar/1098549204?view=Detail&id=29601
This conference call is part of Easter Seals Project ACTION’s Promising Practices and Solutions in Accessible Transportation (PPSAT) series.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
September Success Stories
Wayne RICC
- Advocacy efforts convinced Mayor Bing NOT to cut weekend and evening services to DDOT for at least the time being.
- September 25, 2009 will hold a Disability Fair
- The City of Grand Rapids will use federal stimulus money to put sidewalks along a four (4) mile stretch of 28th St.
- The transit provider will be holding another listening session. The first one was a success and it is expected there will be great attendance at the second one.
- CATA will hold two (2) listening sessions in October.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Getting There Together Weekly The What's Green Edition
Folks,
I know if I install a windmill in my Eastown backyard or solar panels on my roof, I'd immediately get cheers from some, scorn from others and just envy from a few. Add what ever intonation you think is appropriate for all three groups would say, "They're green."
But today when just about every product and service has "green" as part of the packaging or advertising, I am forced to ask, "What's green?"
As for "big" green things, check out the latest on The Grand Vision work in Northwest Michigan. (www.thegrandvision.org) This group of citizens have gotten out the green paint and are ready to color their region. They have had the audacity to develop a "land use and transportation study that will provide a framework for the next 50+ years of development in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties." Their talking about a lot of geography and a lot of economic development within that 50+ year planning horizon. Check out what they're talking about for transportation plans. (www.thegrandvision.org/transportation)
Sounds pretty green to me.
And if you're in the traveling mood, they are hosting a group from Albuquerque and Santa Fe to talk about the work in that region. I don't know if a road trip to Traverse City next Thursday, September 17th, would be too green, but it sure would be informative.
As for "local" green things, check out this array of offerings coming for "Green Week" from Green Grand Rapids and the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. Get called, "green," and more by cleaning up the Grand River or taking over a parking space.
Still sounding pretty green.
As for "far away" green things, check out this news piece from the Big D--Dallas. "The 45-mile Green, Orange and Blue Line DART Rail expansion is projected to generate more than $4 billion in economic activity between 2009 and 2014, according to a new study by economists at the University of North Texas. Including prior Green Line expenditures, the total economic activity is more than $5.6 billion."
"45 mile expansion" of light rail? In Texas?
"$5.6 billion" in economic activity as a result?
"Dallas Area Rapid Transit's light rail operations continue to be one of the best examples of the growing importance of transit, in all modes, to sustainable economic and community development," the researchers said.
Now I'm the one green with envy.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
I know if I install a windmill in my Eastown backyard or solar panels on my roof, I'd immediately get cheers from some, scorn from others and just envy from a few. Add what ever intonation you think is appropriate for all three groups would say, "They're green."
But today when just about every product and service has "green" as part of the packaging or advertising, I am forced to ask, "What's green?"
As for "big" green things, check out the latest on The Grand Vision work in Northwest Michigan. (www.thegrandvision.org) This group of citizens have gotten out the green paint and are ready to color their region. They have had the audacity to develop a "land use and transportation study that will provide a framework for the next 50+ years of development in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties." Their talking about a lot of geography and a lot of economic development within that 50+ year planning horizon. Check out what they're talking about for transportation plans. (www.thegrandvision.org/transportation)
Sounds pretty green to me.
And if you're in the traveling mood, they are hosting a group from Albuquerque and Santa Fe to talk about the work in that region. I don't know if a road trip to Traverse City next Thursday, September 17th, would be too green, but it sure would be informative.
As for "local" green things, check out this array of offerings coming for "Green Week" from Green Grand Rapids and the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. Get called, "green," and more by cleaning up the Grand River or taking over a parking space.
Still sounding pretty green.
As for "far away" green things, check out this news piece from the Big D--Dallas. "The 45-mile Green, Orange and Blue Line DART Rail expansion is projected to generate more than $4 billion in economic activity between 2009 and 2014, according to a new study by economists at the University of North Texas. Including prior Green Line expenditures, the total economic activity is more than $5.6 billion."
"45 mile expansion" of light rail? In Texas?
"$5.6 billion" in economic activity as a result?
"Dallas Area Rapid Transit's light rail operations continue to be one of the best examples of the growing importance of transit, in all modes, to sustainable economic and community development," the researchers said.
Now I'm the one green with envy.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
Monday, September 14, 2009
Michigan's Transit Funding Formula
Transportation Allies now has a site on YouTube.
Now you can watch the transit funding formula skit from last summer's UP transportation conference.
Go to www.YouTube.com/transportationallies to see more videos.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Getting There Together Weekly: The Sidewalk Sale Edition
Folks,
It looks like there are some serious concrete purchases on the horizon.
"Grand Rapids hopes to use stimulus funding to add sidewalks along 28th Street SE" read the headline in Wednesday's Grand Rapids Press' online edition--though I preferred the attention grabber on the front page of the print edition: "Ending a walk [or roll] on the wild side."
At least for two miles of the 28th Street corridor, new sidewalks will be present within the year. And as was pointed out in the Press article, transit advocate Casey Dutmer stated, "We've been working on this with [CCIT] for several years." And now the City of Grand Rapids will be buying some more sidewalks.
"Finally," said Jocelyn Dettloff, Disability Advocates' Development Director, in the piece on WOOD TV. "I can't tell you how many times I have actually seen someone in a wheelchair having to go outside from parking lot to parking lot onto 28th Street just to get around."
"It just makes Grand Rapids a more hospitable community for everyone," Jocelyn was quoted in the Fox 17 piece on the topic.
"So that everyone, including those with mobility challenges as well as anybody walking, can easily access businesses they want to travel to and spend their money," said Dettloff.
But why care about sidewalks when we talk about public transportation?
How else do people get from the bus stop to the front doors of the businesses and other places they are headed?
And based on The Rapid's ridership statistics, 777 people used the 28th Street route every weekday in May of this year. So at least 777 people are walking and rolling to and from bus stops up and down 28th Street each workday. Of course, this number doesn't include the people who get off the bus on a route that intersects 28th Street, say the Division or Kalamazoo routes, and then walk the few blocks to their final destination.
Funny how all the transportation options are connected and impact each other for the good and the bad.
And think what more and better sidewalks could do for our community. Others are doing just that. For instance, people in Detroit are concluding: "Slower traffic, more pedestrians could revive cities." Much of this thought comes from walkability expert, Dan Burden. Every once in a while he shows up in Kent County to bring his message of people scale transportation and the beauty of sidewalks. And on one occasion when I got to hear his presentation, I was greatly impressed by his emphasis on accessibility for all. Got to like that.
Finally, if you're looking for a way to better navigate the sidewalks we have, check out the updated Rapid website. There you will find their brand new set of rider tools. The one to feature is recently launched "nearest bus stop" feature. Type in an address and then watch the magic work! You get the closest ten stops and real time information on when the next bus will arrive at your chosen stop. Practical magic indeed.
And when riding the bus, if you discover other places in our community that need a sidewalk or two, let us know. We'll put that stretch of road on our list and work to get another sidewalk sale to benefit us all.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
It looks like there are some serious concrete purchases on the horizon.
"Grand Rapids hopes to use stimulus funding to add sidewalks along 28th Street SE" read the headline in Wednesday's Grand Rapids Press' online edition--though I preferred the attention grabber on the front page of the print edition: "Ending a walk [or roll] on the wild side."
At least for two miles of the 28th Street corridor, new sidewalks will be present within the year. And as was pointed out in the Press article, transit advocate Casey Dutmer stated, "We've been working on this with [CCIT] for several years." And now the City of Grand Rapids will be buying some more sidewalks.
"Finally," said Jocelyn Dettloff, Disability Advocates' Development Director, in the piece on WOOD TV. "I can't tell you how many times I have actually seen someone in a wheelchair having to go outside from parking lot to parking lot onto 28th Street just to get around."
"It just makes Grand Rapids a more hospitable community for everyone," Jocelyn was quoted in the Fox 17 piece on the topic.
"So that everyone, including those with mobility challenges as well as anybody walking, can easily access businesses they want to travel to and spend their money," said Dettloff.
But why care about sidewalks when we talk about public transportation?
How else do people get from the bus stop to the front doors of the businesses and other places they are headed?
And based on The Rapid's ridership statistics, 777 people used the 28th Street route every weekday in May of this year. So at least 777 people are walking and rolling to and from bus stops up and down 28th Street each workday. Of course, this number doesn't include the people who get off the bus on a route that intersects 28th Street, say the Division or Kalamazoo routes, and then walk the few blocks to their final destination.
Funny how all the transportation options are connected and impact each other for the good and the bad.
And think what more and better sidewalks could do for our community. Others are doing just that. For instance, people in Detroit are concluding: "Slower traffic, more pedestrians could revive cities." Much of this thought comes from walkability expert, Dan Burden. Every once in a while he shows up in Kent County to bring his message of people scale transportation and the beauty of sidewalks. And on one occasion when I got to hear his presentation, I was greatly impressed by his emphasis on accessibility for all. Got to like that.
Finally, if you're looking for a way to better navigate the sidewalks we have, check out the updated Rapid website. There you will find their brand new set of rider tools. The one to feature is recently launched "nearest bus stop" feature. Type in an address and then watch the magic work! You get the closest ten stops and real time information on when the next bus will arrive at your chosen stop. Practical magic indeed.
And when riding the bus, if you discover other places in our community that need a sidewalk or two, let us know. We'll put that stretch of road on our list and work to get another sidewalk sale to benefit us all.
All for today.
Dave
David Bulkowski, J.D.
Executive Director
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Empowering Independence
3600 Camelot SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1100, ext. 228; dave.b @ dakc.us
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