ARRM News and Public Relations

DHHS offers technology open house for employers and businesses

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(Sponsored by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Metro Office)

Whether hearing loss is mild or severe, it can adversely affect job productivity and communication in the work environment. The good news is that there is technology available that can help alleviate or minimize communication barriers and improve overall job productivity. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) Metro, a program of the MN Department of Human Services, invites you to attend their Open House for Employers and Businesses scheduled for April 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Download directions.

Did you know that at least 1 out of 10 individuals have a hearing loss? This means that 10% of your workforce is challenged to effectively hear on the job. Perhaps someone struggles to hear on the telephone, while someone else finds it difficult to hear in meetings. You may even have an employee with a significant hearing loss who communicates in sign language. 

Attend this open house and you will not only learn about assistive technology, but you will receive a FREE folder with informational fact sheets, valuable resources, tax credit information, etc. You will also learn about our Pathways to Employment Technology Loan Program where you can sign-up to borrow some of this technology on a short-term basis.

If you have any questions email marie.koehler@state.mn.us or call 651/431-5964.

SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION: Auditory Sciences will demonstarte Interact-AS, a fairly new software product with a feature that instantly displays speech as text on a computer monitor; this product can enhance communication in the work environment.

Save the date for ARRM’s 2012 Technology Showcase

Learn how technology is transforming services and supports for people with disabilities during this two-day conference.

Mark your calendars for March 20^th and 21^st, when ARRM’s Technology Showcase will demonstrate how technology is being used to deliver innovative, person-centered supports to people with disabilities.

As providers of disability services grapple with workforce shortages and state budget shortfalls, technology has become a viable, cost-saving solution to these ongoing challenges. Indeed, a key element of ARRM’s Blueprint for Reform plan is leveraging technology to increase efficiency in the current corporate foster care model.

ARRM's Technology Showcase will bring together people who care about maintaining quality services: Minnesota providers (mid to upper level management and administrators), case managers, county and state staff, self-advocates, guardians, and family members. In recent months, national conferences have showcased technology trends in disability services, but no comparable workshops have been offered here in Minnesota.

That’s why ARRM is bringing a cadre of nationally-known experts to our state in March. These industry leaders -- who have extensive experience providing solutions to the elderly and individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities  -- will deliver keynotes and lead break-out sessions, panels, and roundtable discussions on an array of relevant topics, including:

• monitoring technology (sensors and cameras),
• adaptive equipment and devices,
• enterprise applications (work schedules, keyless entries, time cards).

In addition, Minnesota providers will share their technology success stories and experiences.

Outcomes:
Conference attendees will learn about the latest technology solutions, and will get a glimpse of what disability services may look like in the future. Attendees will also be able to exchange ideas with their peers, meet vendors of technology services, and create new partnerships and alliances. 

There are still opportunities to sponsor this event; please go to ARRM’s website to review our sponsorships and sign up today.

Save the date:
Be sure to block off March 20st and 21st, 2012. The Technology Showcase will be held at the Radisson Hotel Roseville.

In February, watch for blog posts and email blasts about registration, speaker biographies and hotel rates. The maximum number of attendees for this conference will be limited to 250, so be sure to register early.

Stay tuned!
We offer a variety of ways to get information about ARRM events: follow us on Twitter, join our Facebook page and read ARRM’s blogs.

--Barb Brynstad, Communications Director

DHS to offer free hearing loss training

Do you interact with deaf or hard of hearing people in your personal or professional life? Could you benefit from learning about different aspects of hearing loss?

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Metro office, of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is pleased to offer FREE training seminars for the 2011-2012 school calendar year. The agency is offering several new seminars, so be sure to register early. All classes are held in the Golden Rule Building in downtown St. Paul.

• For further details, please view the informational flyer (in PDF format) on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services' website: http://bit.ly/p2MNdE.

• The flyer is also available in large print format: http://bit.ly/o1Xrwd.

If you would like a paper copy of the flyer, please respond via email to: dhhs.metro@state.mn.us, by voice phone at 651/431-5940, or by TTY at 1-888-206-6513.

Registration for the 2011 AAIDD Annual Meeting is open

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES: PATHWAYS TO REALIZING THE VISION

The 135^th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will be held in Twin Cities, Minnesota from June 6-9, 2011. Workshops to be held at the meeting include support planning and delivery with the Supports intensity Scale; strategies for transforming organizational practices; promoting a qualified and competent direct support workforce; and supports and child welfare involvement for parents with intellectual disability. Learn more about the themed sessions, plenaries, and additional workshops to be held. Register for the meeting. Early registration ends May 27. Learn about exhibits and sponsorship opportunities.

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