Rally to 'Spread the Word to End the Word 3.31.09'

People Inc., The Museum of disABILITY History and Special Olympics Announce a Rally to 'Spread the Word to End the Word 3.31.09' to Raise Awareness about the 'R-word' WHAT: The rally is a part of the national collaborative effort to Spread the Word to End the Word. 3.31.09 will be a National Awareness Day to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)." The day will be devoted to educating and raising awareness about individuals with intellectual disabilities. Individuals across the country will rally their schools and communities to pledge their support and stop the offensive use of the "R-word" in casual conversation at www.r-word.org. Tours of the Museum of disABILITY History will be available prior to and following the event. WHO: The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., will unite with thousands of individuals across the nation to Spread the Word to End the Word. Guest speakers include: Hillary Kellogg, New York State Special Olympics ; Larry Jordan, Self Advocate ; Cheryl Creekmore, Self Advocate ; Nick Zmuda, Special Olympics Athelete ; Charles Degraffenried, Museum of disABILITY History Docent ; Douglas Platt, Museum of disABILITY History Curator ; Kevin Horrigan, People Inc. Public Affairs Director ; Brad Watts, People Inc. Community Relations Coordinator . WHEN: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 12:30 PM - 3 PM WHERE: 1291 North Forest Rd., Williamsville, NY People Inc.'s and the Museum of disABILITY History's headquarters. Parking will be available across the street.

CANCELED: People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair

People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair has been cancelled! The Fair has been rescheduled for February 12th, 2010. Date: February 12, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: People Inc. Sheridan Office 3131 Sheridan Drive (Northtown Business Center) Amherst, NY 14226 Click here for a map! We are easiest to find by turning into the plaza from Bailey Avenue. People Inc. will be the first door of the plaza coming from Bailey Avenue. Please use our main front door. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! For more information, call Linda Rinaldo at 817.7481 or Jim Scutt at 694.6624 ext. 263. Click here for the flyer!

People Inc. Announces 2009 Board of Directors

BUFFALO, N.Y., January 20, 2009: People Inc. is pleased to announce the agency's Board of Directors for 2009: William M. Collins , of Travers Collins and Company, will serve as chairperson. He resides in Amherst. Other officers include: David M. Downing of Orchard Park and Towne Auto Group as vice chairperson; Orchard Park resident and retired executive of Marine Midland Bank Patrick F. Reilly will serve as treasurer; and Joseph J. Abdallah of East Amherst and Leadership Buffalo. The following board members will also serve throughout 2009: Robert B. Mayer, of Kenmore, a retired executive for Fleet/Norstar Bank; Edwin G. Clausen, Ph.D, of Buffalo and Daemen College; Nancy R. Dobson of Clarence and Uniland Development Company; William E. Finn of Amherst and The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care; Georgiana Jungels, of Buffalo and State University of New York at Buffalo; Mary Ann Kedron, Ph.D, of Buffalo and the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery; Alfred F. Luhr III, of Snyder and M&T Bank; Eugene Meeks of Williamsville and Child and Family Services; and David E. Hall, Esq., of East Amherst, a retired partner of Hodgson, Russ. In order to effectively meet the legal and moral obligations of governing an organization as large as People Inc., the Board operates as a policy-making body, using the Policy Governance� model. The Board is able to direct and guide the organization to achieve certain results, while operating in a prudent and ethical manner. For more information about People Inc.'s Board of Directors, contact Foundation and Corporate Affairs Director Denise Paszkiewicz at 817-7470.

Self Advocates to celebrate Obama Inauguration

United Voices for Change and People Inc Self Advocates to celebrate Obama Inauguration "With a new presidential administration comes a new chance for CHANGE for people with disabilities," said Erica Newsom, Program Administrator for People Inc's Self Advocates initiative. This Tuesday, January 20th several people with disabilities will assemble to watch the Inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama. The event is a community service project and part of the agency's year long Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. "In early 2008, we started working with our self advocates (people with disabilities that mobilize around community, political, and governmental issues), to inform them on the campaign platforms of the various candidate that were running for the Presidential nomination," said People Inc President and CEO, Dr. James Boles. "Watching President Elect Barack Obama take the Presidential Oath -with approximately 50 self advocates - is extremely exciting and is the culmination of everything we did this past year," added Boles. Throughout 2008, the year, self advocates were registered to vote and were trained on the new electronic voting machines. They also watched the various debates and discussed issues that were important to them like the War, the economy, healthcare and disability issues. PLEASE JOIN US MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA! WHEN: Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 Doors open at 11:30 a.m. WHERE: 3131 Sheridan, Northtown Plaza, People Inc Administrative Offices in Amherst, NY

Family Education & Training Series 2009

Family Education and Training Series  January - June 2009 The following series are for families of children with developmental disabilities. These programs are provided through the funding of the Home and Community Based Waiver schedule. Click here for the full list of programs & how to sign up!

Parents and Professionals Learning Together Annual Conference

A full day workshop with Allen Mendler, Ph.D. Discipline with Dignity: Effective strategies to manage difficult behavior Thursday, April 30, 2009 Click here to sign up today! Click here for additional information on this event! 

Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Elm Senior Housing in Hamburg

Join People Inc. this Friday, October 10th at 10:30 am, as Elm Senior Housing in Hamburg celebrates its opening with a ribbon cutting and tours! When: Friday, October 10, 2008; 10:30 a.m. Where: 4122 Sowles Road, Hamburg, NY 14208 Who: People Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer James M. Boles, Ed.D.; Congressman Brian Higgins; Town Supervisor Steven J. Walters; elected officials and community leaders; and People Inc. Senior Hosing tenants and staff. Why: People Inc is responding to the needs of our growing elderly population with the opening of its 15th affordable senior housing complex. Located in Hamburg, New York, Elm Senior Housing provides a new home to 49 seniors, age 62 and up, who meet the federally mandated income guidelines. Tours will be provided of the site and the seniors apartments. In addition to the Hamburg complex, People Inc. operates senior housing complexes in Akron, Wheatfield, Amherst, Blasdell, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Grand Island, Hamburg, Lackawanna, Orchard Park, South Buffalo, North Buffalo, and West Seneca. Click here for the invitation!

2008 NYS Disability History Week!

People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History are pleased to announce the second annual celebration of New York State Disability History Week October 19th-25th. A resolution earmarking the third week in October was passed again in the 2008 legislative session. This week provides an opportunity to acknowledge the impact and contributions of individuals with disabilities throughout history. Attend the 4th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival on October 17th and 18th. This event will be held as a "kick-off" to Disability History Week. See www.disabilityfilmfest.org for details. Read a book with a disability-related them such as The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D'Antonio, Mozart and the Whale by Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd or Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison. Visit the Museum of disABILITY History at 1291 North Forest (next to the main administrative office) or browse the Museum's website at www.museumofdisability.org . Encourage your local school district to acknowledge the week by having a guest speaker (person with a disability, family member or service provider), scheduling a Kids on the Block performance see (www.kidsontheblockwny.org), or implementing the lesson plans available through the Museum of disABILITY History. If you are involved with the Boy Scouts of America, work on the Disability Awareness Merit Badge. Volunteer or help at a program offering services to individuals with disabilities. Take part in celebrating 2008 Disability History Week! For additional information contact Karen Lazik at (716) 817-9015.

4th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series

Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., to host disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series BUFFALO, N.Y: The Museum of disABILITY History, will host the 4th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series October 17th (7 to 10 pm) and 18th (12:30 to 5 pm). The series will take place at the Market Arcade Theatre, 639 Main Street in Buffalo. Admission is $2 per person and free for students with proper I.D. The Film Festival targets students, educators, families, human service professionals, self advocates, and movie-goers. The goal is to provide entertainment and information while exploring issues faced by people with disabilities. The programs are intended to educate viewers about disabilities, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to popular culture. There will be a presentation and discussion by a variety of speakers following the showing of each film. For more information go to  www.disabilityfilmfest.org The Festival is also the unofficial start of New York State's second annual Disability History Week. The schedule of the films and speakers are as follows: October 17th (7:00 -10:00 pm): Mozart & The Whale (PG-13) The story of a developing romance between Donald (Josh Hartnett), a man who has Asperger's syndrome, and Isabelle (Rhada Mitchell), a woman who has autism. The film is based on the true story or Jerry and Mary Newport.  Running Time: 92 Minutes  Rating: PG-13 (Language)  Speaker: John Elder Robinson, author and New York Time's Best Seller. October 18th (12:30-2:30 pm): Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy. Two life long friends and disability advocates who are determined to live independently. This documentary moves beyond disabilities and activism, giving a rare portrait of a profound and symbolic friendship. Running Time: 40 Minutes  Rating: Unrated  Speakers: Diana Braun, President, People First and disability rights advocate, Kathy Conour, disability rights advocate and writer, and Alice Elliot, Director, Welcome Change Productions. October 18th (3:00-5:00 pm): The Collector of Bedford Street. Academy Award nominated documentary that takes and intimate look at Larry Selman, and activist and fundraiser who has a developmental disability. Larry's neighbor, filmmaker Alice Elliot captures Larry's persistence in overcoming obstacles and how he served as an inspiration to his community. Running Time: 34 Minutes  Rating: Unrated  Speakers: Larry Selman, advocate and fundraiser and Alice Elliot, Director, Welcome Change Productions. For more information, visit  www.disabilityfilmfest.org or call 716.817.7261. The Museum of disABILITY History advances the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. Its exhibits, collections, archives, and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery. The Museum, located at 3826 Main Street in Amherst, is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment. Admission to the Museum of disABILITY History is free. For more information, call 716.629.3626 or visit www.museumofdisability.org