The 3rd Annual AT EXPO 2015

BUFFALO, NY- The 3rd Annual AT EXPO 2015 (Assistive Technology Conference) Implementing Technology From SmartHomes to SmartSupports will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave. Cheektowaga, NY 14225, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This AT Expo is being sponsored by People Inc., Parent Network of WNY, Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC) and Learning Partners. Assistive Technology (AT) is any kind of technology, tool, device or service that can be used to enhance the functional independence of a person with a disability. A SmartHome is a home that incorporates cutting edge technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of service and supports for people with disabilities. This year’s annual conference: Implementing Technology From SmartHomes to SmartSupports, will feature keynote speaker, Greg Wellems, COO, IMAGINE! on Assistive Technology in the home and community. There will be two sessions on mobility and communication: The Mobile Technology Wave: How to Utilize Tablet Technology for Individuals with Limited Movement and To Engage in Functional Communication by Dr. Katrina Fulcher-Rood, Ph.D. CCC-SLP and  I’m not straight, so please don’t make me! Custom Seating Do’s and Don’ts! by Sheila Buck, B.Sc. (OT), Reg. The third session will focus on Developing Technology as a Core Service featuring keynote speaker, Greg Wellems. The AT Expo is for assistive technology users, their families, educators, clinicians, agency providers and administrators. The AT Expo will include an exhibit room featuring vendors and sponsors who will have an opportunity to speak about their technology products and answer questions throughout the day. The cost of this year’s AT Expo is $150, which includes vendor interaction and CEUs will be available for mobility and communication tracks. Lunch is included. For more information or to register, contact Tracey Kosmoski at tkosmoski@people-inc.org, 716.817.7484 or register online at: tinyurl.com/ATEXPO2015 or www.people-inc.org  

The Global Group Hosting Events for People Inc.

The Global Group is proud to be a part of the upcoming "Better Together...A Night of Celebration" benefiting the People Inc. Foundation. They are hosting a pair of public "gift gatherings" at their locations in Amherst and Blasdell this month. Mention that you are with People Inc. at check-out, and you will receive 20% off any wine and 10% off any liquor purchases from your full-price selections during the times noted below. This is a great opportunity to stock your shelves at home and contribute wine or liquor donations for the People Inc. Foundation's fundraiser,  Better Together . Stop by: Wednesday, April 17  from 6-8 p.m. at Global Wine & Spirits, 4990 Harlem Road, Amherst. This event features tastings of more than 100 wines and personal shopping with Kevin LoVullo from Spiel the Wine.   Thursday, April 18  from 5-7 p.m. at McKinley Wine & Spirits, 3820 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell.    

The Incredible Years Program

Because these should be incredible years for your child People Inc. is offering a free training program, The Incredible Years, to help improve your child's self-image and decrease negative behaviors. This free 12-week program begins soon! Help your child to develop: Improved self-esteem Improved self-concept Decreased negative behaviors at home Decreased peer aggression and disruptive behaviors in the classroom The Incredible Years Program offers research-based, proven effective programs for reducing children's aggression and behavior problems and increasing social competence at home and at school. The Incredible Years Program will teach you how to cope with the stresses of parenthood, avoid power struggles, determine appropriate consequences and develop creative and imaginative play with your child. The 12-week training will begin soon at People Inc.'s Elmwood Health Center, 2128 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo. For more information or to register, call Joann Fall at 716.874-4500, ext. 212. This free training is made possible through a grant by The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation.

The Museum of disABILITY History Blog has been updated!

Please check out the latest Museum blog featuring two fascinating therapeutic instruments from the early twentieth century. I Sing The Body Electric Submitted by Douglas Platt, Museum Curator and Thomas Stearns, Research Assistant   Do you have an idea for a blog article or would like to make a contribution? For more information on how you can contribute, contact Museum of disABILITY History Director David Mack-Hardiman at 716.629.3606.

The next Incredible Years Parent Training Program will begin soon!

Where: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive Annex Conference Rooms Amherst, NY Time: Mondays from 5:30pm-7:30pm Dates: May 9th through August 8th The Incredible Years program is designed for parents of children ages 3-12 years old. The Dinosaur Social Skills Group is available for the children during this time. Please  click here to see our flyer. To enroll, please call Sue Olexenko at 880.3767.

The next Incredible Years Parent Training Program will begin soon!

Where: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive Amherst, NY Time: Thursdays 5:30pm-7:30pm Starting: September 30th, 2010 (12 weekly sessions) It is designed for parents of children ages 3-12 years old. The Dinosaur Social Skills Group is also available for the children during this time. This is a training opportunity for all families (including staff) that have a child with a disability. To enroll, please call Michael Horn at 880.3737 or Jessica Makowski at 880.3827. Click here to view the flyer!

Three Local Disability Advocates Honored at Museum of disABILITY History Fall Fundraiser and Auction Event

Three Local Disability Advocates Honored at Museum of disABILITY History Fall Fundraiser and Auction Event The Museum of disABILITY History Fall Fundraiser and Auction will be held on Thursday, October 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. The event will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and desserts, along with an awards ceremony and auction. During the event, the Museum of disABILITY History will present its inaugural Chris Burke Award for Excellence in Disability Advocacy to three honorees. The honorees, all who reside in Western New York, are: Engelic Everett, Marie Malinowski and Michael Rogers. Through their advocacy efforts, they exemplify the value of contributing significant work in the disability community and make inclusion a priority.  Chris Burke, an actor with Down syndrome, played Corky on the television show, Life Goes On. He has earned numerous awards and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society. He has donated numerous memorabilia items from the television show and his advocacy efforts to the Museum of disABILITY History.  The annual fundraiser will benefit the Museum’s educational programming. For those who would like to support the Museum of disABILITY History, but cannot attend the event are encouraged to donate at gofundme.com/Musedisability . For more information, call 716.629.3626. Established in 1998, the Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is the only one of its kind in the United States and is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. Located in Buffalo, NY, the Museum’s exhibits, collections, publications, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery.

Three Non-Profit Organizations to Receive Donation from McDonald's in Depew

People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House Awarded Donation What: McDonald's Ribbon Cutting for new Depew restaurant - Donations made to three area organizations When: Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. Where: McDonald's 6360 Transit Road, Depew, NY Who: McDonalds's Depew Restaurant Owner Sandra Haefner and McDonald's staff members; New York State Assemblymenber Dennis H. Gabryszak; Cheektowaga Town Supervisor Mary F. Holtz; and representatives from People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House. In an effort to give back to their community, the newest McDonald's location in Depew chose three organizations to make a $250 donation each to: People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House. The store is also celebrating its new location with a ribbon cutting and encouraging new patrons. McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants serving more than 64 million people in 117 countries each day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 10,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. Southeast Works is a non-profit human service agency that energizes people with disabilities individually and within communities to lead independent and fulfilling lives through innovative services. The Lancaster Opera House is a reminder of an early American tradition combining a music hall with a town's main governmental building. As a performing arts and community center, the Lancaster Opera House features plays, musicals, concerts, films and special events.

Three Western New York Businesses Honored for their Commitment to Workforce Diversity

Ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important part of People Inc., Western New York’s leading health and human services agency. More than 150 businesses in the area partner with the agency’s Vocational Services and Supported Employment Program to employ individuals with disabilities. People Inc. is pleased to recognize its business partners for creating an inclusive workforce. Two Walgreens locations were recognized for their dedication at the Western New York Employment Consortium’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Business Recognition Awards in October.   Walgreens on Young Street in Tonawanda was recognized for their understanding of the importance of meaningful work for individuals with disabilities and for their support of Nick Feeterman, who receives services from People Inc. Walgreens embraces Nick as an equal and important part of their team, seeing him for his abilities rather than disability.   Walgreens on Grand Island Boulevard in Grand Island was recognized for their dedication and support to Jennifer Voss who receives services from People Inc. Although Jennifer had no former work experience before joining Walgreens, the team has been extremely supportive.   Also recognized in October was a third business, Scotch ‘N Sirloin on Maple Road in Amherst, which was chosen as the first runner-up for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities’ Works for Me recognition. Scotch ‘N Sirloin was nominated for their caring and understanding of Martinnias Hardy, an individual who receives services through People Inc. A nationwide effort has been made to encourage employers to hire individuals with disabilities, a skilled group who are unemployed at a rate that is twice that of people without disabilities. For more information about partnering to employ individuals with disabilities, contact James Scutt, director of Vocational Services, People Inc., at 716-817-5750.   People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.