| From the CEO
Guiding principles. In a workplace, they set the standards for behavior (
Never criticize, condemn, or complain). The United Nations established theirs in 2011 regarding human rights across the globe for their members (It is the State’s duty to protect human rights).
They aren’t laws. Nor do they supersede existing laws. They are plural. Seldom is there a single guiding principle. One is not more important than another. They are considered as a collective and apply to everyone.
More than a value, they are action oriented rather than simply a belief.
Individuals may set personal guiding principles (Failure is not fatal). Guiding Principles can direct the actions of an industry (Recruit and retain a diverse educator workforce).
When a Foundation defines guiding principles, they share their values and might give an indication of what their funds will support.
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- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (We seek bold and lasting change rooted in the best available evidence, analysis and science, openly debated.)
- Walters Family Foundation (Confronting complex problems in original and unexpected ways.)
- Hewlett Foundation (Promote the values and practice of diversity, equity and inclusion in its workforce, its culture, and its grantmaking)
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In 2023, we drafted our guiding principles. In doing so, our goal was to show grantees or potential grantees, what we valued in grant applications. We value integrative practices over segregated. We value positive statements recognizing potential of the individual over those acknowledging limitations. We value Universal Design over meeting just ADA standards.
In February, these guiding principles were added to our website. Each of the seven statements are paired with a video from grantees telling you how their grant application matched with one of our guiding principles.
What I would ask of each of you reading this newsletter is to help us measure these guiding principles. Look at all seven as a collective value statement. Have we captured the principles that are vital to meeting our mission of supporting those with enduring disabilities to live as independently as possible? Is there something that we missed?
I will end with one of my guiding principles. When someone asks you for your opinion, share it. Maybe they are trying to be a better person.
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Vantage Grant Series: Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana
by Joni Schmalzried
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| All over the country we see that rural areas have less resources than urban areas. People with disabilities who live in these areas often have limited to no options for inclusive programming.
Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana
addresses this issue through their Vantage Grant by providing equitable services in some of their more rural areas (Easterseals Rise in Angola and Auburn, and Easterseals Passages in Columbia City). For the past 2 ½ years they have been building programs and activities in those rural counties to mirror those provided in Fort Wayne and Allen County. These new opportunities have included:
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- The opportunity to take courses in Art, Karate and Ballroom dance from community instructors
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Collaborations with Ivy Tech for additional learning
- Day service club rooms
- A virtual reality collaboration with Trine
- Group music therapy
- Additional staff to support inclusive community experiences
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Transformation for Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana is all about making opportunities for those they serve; branching out into rural communities is helping them do that.
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AWS Foundation News & Reminders
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Attend the Spring 2024 ADA Amplified Symposium on Intersectionality to hear from expert speakers about their experiences of living with a disability.
Free lunch will be provided for those that pre-register.
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We are happy to have members of the community use our universally designed meeting space
for free. Periodically we supply the Community Food Pantries set up by Forward Indiana
. We have set up a bin in our office to take donations for these pantries. If you're using our space and your group would like to help, bring us nonperishable food, hygiene items, formula, or winter supplies (hats, gloves, scarves, or hot hands) and we will be sure these valuable pantries are restocked.
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