The Certified Brain Injury Specialist Training (CBIS) Project, funded through the Interagency Outreach Training Initiative (IOTI) at the Center for Persons with Disabilities is offering several training opportunities in 2010. These trainings will be held throughout Utah in the following areas:    Salt Lake City, Provo, Cedar City, Logan, and Clearfield.

All course fees and materials are covered under the IOTI grant, so there is no cost to student.  All applicants must register at least 3 weeks prior to the class and is offered on a “first come first serve” basis.

Two types of training will be provided:
1) CBIS training which leads to a national CBIS certification designed for both entry-level staff and experienced professionals working in brain injury services. These trainings are designed for people who are currently working as professionals and direct care staff in statewide agencies and is not restricted to any one profession or discipline.

2) Basic brain injury training, TBI 101, is customized to meet the needs of groups and/or family members serving people with TBI.

To find out when these free trainings are available, you may go to the CPD Calendar of Events page on our website, or contact Carrie Bambrough at carrieb@phoenixservices.org   or Nita Smith at nitas@phoenixservices.org.

WebAIM is conducting a study on how to make the web more accessible for students with cognitive and learning disabilities. We need your help!  We are looking for students with an IEP from ages 12-18 (7th grade to 12th grade).  There will be compensation for those willing to participate.  If you know a student who lives from Ogden northward and who is interested, please visit this website or contact Dr. Cyndi Rowland.  Thank you!

WebAIM is an initiative of the CPD dedicated to expanding the potential of the Web for people of all abilities.

Governor Gary Herbert has declared the week of January 11-16  as “Influenza Vaccination Week in Utah.”

Although there are fewer H1N1-related illnesses reported in the last few weeks, the H1N1 influenza virus continues to circulate in Utah.  “We’re not out of the woods yet, and it’s not too late to get a flu shot,” said Gov. Herbert.

The Utah Department of Health Executive Director Dr. David Sundwall stated that “It’s certainly possible that we will experience a third wave of illness later this winter or early in the spring.  So far, about 20 percent of Utahns have been vaccinated, but we need as many people as possible to get the vaccine to reach a level of immunity that could fend off a third wave.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are encouraging people with certain disabilities to be sure and get their seasonal flu shots and the H1N1 shots.

CDC states that “people with certain types of disability have a higher risk of getting flu-related complications, such as pneumonia.  Some physical disabilities can affect how well your body fights off infection.  People with conditions that affect their immune system, which controls how well your body fights off infections (including chronic and respiratory diseases), are at increased risk for getting more severe illness and requiring hospitalization.”

Some disability groups are at increased risk of becoming infected or having unrecognized symptoms.  These include:

• People with limited mobility or people who cannot limit coming into contact with others who are infected.
• People who have trouble understanding or practicing preventive measures.
• People who may not be able to tell others of their symptoms of  illness.
• People who are not monitored closely for symptoms of illness.

CDC confirms that those who provide home and community-based health-related services and have close and consistent contact with people with disabilities should also receive a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 shot.

You can check local distributers of seasonal flu shots and H1N1 flu shots in your town by going to the CDC website.

From the CPD Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)

The Utah Legislative Session will convene on January 25, 2010 this month.  February 3rd is the last day for the Legislature to either pass or defeat each base budget bill–by noon.

We have already seen the impact of the budget cuts for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.  We know that further budget cuts are coming.  The Governor’s recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, proposes an additional $10 million dollar cut to the Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities (DSPD).  Cuts in administration, provider rates, high cost services, and even classes of service are unavoidable.

The time for action is now!  Please consider joining with members of the disability community to educate decision-makers about the importance of the supports and services that are essential to persons with disabilities.

The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is asking for persons with disabilities and/or their family members to “tell your stories” to our legislators.  Let them hear how these services benefit those with disabilities.  Let them hear what the impact of losing those services will have on individuals and families.

DDC suggests that you include in your story 1) What kind of needs does a disability create for the individual or their family?,  2) What formal and informal supports is the person with disabilities or their family currently receiving?, and 3) Are your needs currently being met through the services and supports that you use?

Please take the time now to contact your legislators and advocate for the services and supports that are vital to the lives of persons with disabilities.

You can send your stories to:  mhonore@utah.gov/  (a Utah DDC staff member).

Welcome to 2010, everyone!  Here’s to a great new year!

One of the first things that is going to happen this year is the 2010 Census organized by the US Census Bureau. The Census is taken every ten years.  The data from the Census will represent your community for the next ten years until the next count.  Census data is used to help decide the number of seats a state will have in Congress; to help pick locations for businesses or community centers and to make sure updated numbers are given to community programs.

During February & March, households will be receiving by mail the a long or short Census form.  One out of 6 households will be asked to fill out the long form which asks for more details-including questions related to people with disabilities. Questions everyone will be asked include:  Age; Household relationship; Race; Sex; Tenure (whether your home is owned or  rented).

The Census Bureau will not share the information you give that would identify you or people in your household to anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies.

Important dates to be aware of during the Census include:

• February- March, 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered.
• April 1, 2010: Census Day (forms are to be returned to the Census Bureau)
• April-July, 2010: households that did not return a questionnaire by mail are visited.
• December, 2010: Census Bureau delivers counts to the President.
• March, 2011:  Census Bureau completes delivery of data to states.