An UPDATED Message from the 2009 IAD Conference Chairperson - Part 1

Dana Craig - 2009 IAD Conference Chairperson

Transcript:

Hello! I want to introduce myself. My name is Dana Craig. I'm the chairperson for the 2009 IAD Conference in Bloomington, Illinois. The name of the hotel is the Chateau on Thursday, June 11 - Saturday, June 13, 2009. This will be a wonderful conference filled with a variety of event such as Entertainment on all three evenings, Banquet, Miss Deaf Illinois Pageant, workshops, IAD General Meeting, Open Forums, Senior Citizens Breakfast, etc throughout the Conference.

I want to share with you the theme of our 2009 IAD Conference, "We The People!" Why? The 2009 IAD Conference Committee feels that the vision is that as a Deaf Community, we need YOU. Regardless of your background, age, or where you are from, We ALL need to come together to form a strong bond to work together to become strong again. If all of us within the Deaf Community do not work together, we eventually become weak and the Illinois Association of the Deaf would become weak. Our goal is to pull all of us to come together to the 2009 IAD Conference. This is an EXCITING TIME to see all of the new exciting opportunities and to come together to meet each other and to become a very STRONG Deaf Community again. We hope that you will attend to the Conference and really enjoy yourselves and to bond together again. Thank you!

Stipend Assistance for the 2009 IAD Conference

Many of us understand that the economy right now is bad. Job losses, people losing their homes, state monies freeze, and most recently, our past governor was thrown out of office: a real mess! I understand and the 2009 IAD Conference truly understands, too. The IAD Executive Board understands, too. The 2009 IAD Conference Committee has been looking for ways in which to help those who need assistance to be able to come to the 2009 IAD Conference. Guess what? We did find ONE way in which this will help! We found an application information called "Stipend Assistance". This assistance is for anyone with a disability who can fill out this form and apply to receive some financial assistance so that you can attend the 2009 IAD Conference. This will pay for registration fee, paying for meals (IF it is not included with the combo), may help pay for transportation. FYI: This assistance will NOT help pay for your hotel - That is a separate cost. But don't worry, we will be glad to work with you to help you find a roommate which can help split the cost of hotel room or to help you find another hotel that may be cheaper, etc. The Important thing is that there is assistance available! You can apply for this assistance. Nick, my co-chairperson, will explain in detail in his vlog. If you feel you would like to contact me or any of the 2009 IAD Committee, feel free to come to any of us for help! You can also go to your local Center for Independent Living for assistance in filling out your form. I would like to see many of the Deaf Community to come to the Conference. We will try to find ways to make it possible for you to attend, because, without you, the Deaf Community will not be strong.

Remember, our theme is "We, the People!"

June 11, 2009 - Thursday Evening Entertainment

Thursday evening entertainment! We have a plan for entertainment, but we will not tell you at this time. It is a secret, smiles! If you are curious what this entertainment is Thursday evening, you are encouraged to show up to find out! Smiles! We believe that you will like it! Better come on Thursday evening! Smile!

June 12, 2009 - Senior Citizens Breakfast - Early Morning

Friday Morning from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM is the Senior Citizens Breakfast. Breakfast will be provided. There is a presentation to the Deaf Senior Citizens about the Medical Part D. Four Deaf presenters, who are certified, to discuss Medical Part D and to discuss its benefits and how it works. Deaf Senior Citizens often find this information confusing, But, with our four Deaf Presenters, the goal is to make this easy as possible to understand! When the presentation is finished, Elizabeth Gastelum, Deaf Lawyer, will come to discuss about "Power of Attorney (POA). Elizabeth will discuss about DNR and what it means. She will also discuss about Estate Planning and what to do. All of this will happen during the Senior Citizens Breakfast. This is an EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY you do not want to miss! If you have questions to ask, feel free to stay after the breakfast to ask any questions you have! This is a WONDEFUL opportunity for Senior Citizens and hope you can attend!

*Some information may be subject to change