Home
AnnouncementsPlease visit this page frequently for news updates from SUFU.
For all statewide events please call or e-mail us to reserve your seat!
A message will be on our toll-free number the evening before the event with directions and a confirmation that the event is still taking place.
SUFU toll free: 1-877-207-4077
Monique Stairs: 476-5500 or SUFUNorth@sufumaine.org
Irene Mailhot: 623-3210 or sufucentral@sufumaine.org
Julie Moulton: 933-4422 or sufusouth@sufumaine.org
What: A webinar from Allies in Self-Advocacy
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET
Where: From your own phone.
Follow this link to learn more about this free webinar and to register.
What: Regional SUFU Conference 2013, Let's Make a Difference!
When: June 3, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Registration deadline is May 20, 2013!
Read more about the Regional SUFU Conference and download the registration form here.
What: "Employment for Everyone" conference
When: May 23, 2013
Where: Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME
Featured speakers: Corey Smith, Director of Via Employment Services & David Hoff, Institute on Community Inclusion and APSE President
Visit the Maine APSE website for more information.
A Call for Artwork!
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has
asked SUFU to help them with designing a new logo for the motto "Supporting
Individual Success." This new motto is part of all the changes that have been
happening with DHHS and how services are provided. Self advocates who are
interested can submit a picture showing what they think "Supporting Individual
Success" looks like.
Art work must be submitted to SUFU by May 31, 2013! All pieces will be reviewed by a panel to choose the winner. The winning piece of artwork will become the new logo for DHHS. All artwork might not be returned to the artist who submitted it.
If you are interested please call Monique at 476-5500 for further information.
When: Wednesday June 12th from 10am-3pm
Where: Dorothea Dix, Old Auditorium Bangor, ME
Read more about this Grass Roots Organizing Training here.
When: September 10, 2013
Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) is holding a statewide conference. This conference is celebrating the 20th anniversary of SUFU. Our theme this year: SUFU is Fair for All! We will be holding a 3-hour self advocacy fair. We are seeking local chapters, allies, and others to submit registration forms to be a vendor at our fair. Vendors are asked to make their booth "fair themed." Applications are due by August 5, 2013.
If interested please contact Monique Stairs at 476-5500 to request a vendor application.
Date: September
10 and 11, 2013 This is a 2 day event!
Location: Waterville
Cost: $65
Registration will be coming out soon!
For
more information call Monique at 476-5500.
One of the DRC's projects for this coming year is to highlight and address ADA
compliance for accessible entry and exit to existing swimming pools, wading
pools, and spas. New regulations for accessibility take effect on January 31,
2013, and that is after a grace period granted by the Department Of Justice, so
they have already had extra time to figure it out.
The Disability Rights Center ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) team, are
interested in knowing if anyone with limited mobility has not had access to
pools, wading pools or spas. Please keep this in mind, especially as you go on
vacation or attend conferences.
Please call the DRC @ 1-800-452-1948 v/tty or let a SUFU advisor know.
View the 2013 Calendar of Events for SUFU here.
The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council will host Advocacy Day at the Statehouse Welcome Center during the Legislative Session beginning in January, 2013 on the following Thursdays from 9am-12pm.
January 17
January 31
February 14
February 28
March 14
March 28
April 11
April 25
May 2
May 16
Disability Advocacy Day is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and other interested parties to become familiar with and more comfortable taking an active role in the legislative process.
Everyone interested in learning about the legislative process and talking to your legislators about issues important to people with disabilities and their families is welcome!
Additional dates or times may be available. To register or to request more information about the Advocacy Day program, please contact Erin Howes at the Council office.
Email: Erin.Howes@maine.gov Phone: 1-800-244-3990
Leslie Pohl, Project Assistant for CHOICES CEO Project, at the USM Muskie School of Public Service, was kind enough to send us the following information to share:
As a result of your pre-registering for the Employment for Me Summit that was held at the Augusta Civic Center on November 15th, we are pleased to inform you that the following is the web address for highlights of the Summit as well as many of the materials that were distributed that day.
http://www.employmentforme.org/providers/training11152010.html
The Provider Interview was designed by the Disability Rights Center Advocate and members of SUFU. It is designed for people with developmental disabilities and their families to use when they are looking for a service provider. The sample interview includes questions to use when looking for Home Support and Community Supports. People are encouraged to print it, add their own questions and use it to interview providers when shopping for services.
Download the Interview Questions for Provider Agencies as a .pdf file here or
Download the Interview Questions for Providers Agencies as .doc file here.
The Community Case Management interview was designed by Brenda Wood at DHHS and can be used by individuals shopping for Community Case Management services.
Download the Interview Questions for Adult Community Case Management Agencies as a .pdf file here or
Download the Interview Questions for Adult Community Case Management Agencies as a .doc file here.
Coming soon: A sample interview for people looking for Employment Supports.
Learn how to:
Help preserve an individual's right to make decisions about his or her life.
Find the least restrictive way(s) to provide an individual with the care, supervision, and support he or she needs.
The following links will take you to a website with information and a tutorial to help you learn about Alternatives to Guardianship and/or a booklet you can print and read.
or
This program is a collaboration of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disability (DHHS OACPD), the University of Southern Maine's Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Nutrition Network (MNN) and Center for Learning (CFL), as well as Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) of Maine.
Please check out the Happy, Healthy & Well website.
On-line Self-Advocacy courses for people with Developmental Disabilities and parents of young children with Developmental Disabilities. Partners in Policymaking was created in Minnesota by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in 1987.
There are 4 online courses available to help people gain skills and learn more about the issues facing them.
Partners in Time - a self-study course designed to help parents of children with developmental disabilities navigate the special education system and help their children make the most of their potential.
Partners in Education - Learn about a child's right to a free appropriate public education and the laws that protect those rights. Parents can also learn how their children can benefit from an inclusive education.
Making Your Case - a self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy.
Partners in Employment - a self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities find meaningful jobs and jumpstart their careers.
Ask about how you can join SUFU! SUFUCentral@sufumaine.org