FAAST Gulf Coast Regional Center located at the CIL Disability Resource Center 
Contact: Cheri Hofmann or Laura Jo Hust
3600 N Pace Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505
Voice and TDD: (850) 595-5566 or (877)245-2457
Fax: (850) 595-5560
E-Mails: cherih@cil-drc.org or laurah@cil-drc.org

Happy Holidays from the

Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center

 

Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet  

 

                    

 

On the evening of October 21^st, 2011, about 75 people turned out for the CIL Annual Awards and Volunteer Recognition Banquet held at University of West Florida’s Student Conference Center.

The purpose of this annual event is to recognize individuals, organizations and community leaders who make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by advocating for system change and/or volunteering their time to assist in disability-related efforts.

Florida Alliance for Assistive Service and Technology (FAAST) Director Steve Howells was our honored keynote speaker.  Mr. Howells has worked as adjudicator for Social Security Administration; independent living specialist; served as civil and legal consultant for Governor Bob Graham and has served on over 15 separate federal/state councils, boards and task forces.  He impressed upon the importance of the work being done by various community organizations to improve the lives of people with disabilities.  His speech was powerful and clear. 

This year’s Joe Oldmixon Award for Outstanding Service to People with  Disabilities was awarded to Sheila Sims, Chief Deputy Court Administrator for the Florida First Judicial Circuit.  Ms. Sims was nominated by City Councilwoman Sherri Myers for her efforts to improve the accessibility of the court system and ensure citizens with disabilities receive the accommodations necessary to allow equal access to the courts.  Cheri Hofmann, Gulf Coast FAAST Program Coordinator was the recipient of the 2011 Spirit of the CIL Award. Ms. Hofmann was nominated by advocate Warren Jernigan for promoting positive change for people with disabilities as a leader in the community for the rights of people with disabilities.  Gail Gardner was named the CILDRC Volunteer of the Year, well-deserved for logging over 723 hours of volunteer time at CILDRC during 2010-2011.  

Local musician Reid Soria entertained the audience by performing a powerful rendition of “Go the Distance”.      Diagnosed with autism at 2-1/2 years of age Reid surpassed all expectations with his developmental strides and about four years ago, discovered he had a talent for singing. For the past three years has been performing with    Pyramid Inc. in Fort Walton Beach and from Pensacola to Orlando.  

Special thanks our sponsors University of West Florida, Chartwell’s Catering, Applebee’s, D’wons Bayou Buffet, Firehouse Subs, Flowerama, Helenback Again, Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, Macaroni Grill, New York Nick’s, Oar House Restaurant, Outcast Bait and Tackle, Pensacola Athletic Center, Sharky’s Bar and Bites, The Isle Hotel and Casino, Wind Creek Hotel and Casino and Winged Wheel Garage.  Your support made our evening a success! 

 

Why We Do What We Do - Another Great Success Story!

 

Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center assisted an 83 year old woman from Escambia County.  She originally came in for a FTRI phone but came back because of the other items we offered.  Her ILS was able to lend her grab bars for her bathroom and then she wanted a cane and shower chair.  While she was waiting she spoke with Gulf Coast Demonstration Center Assistant Program Coordinator, Laura Jo Hust about AT items in the FAAST Program.  Her daughter asked about sock pulls.  After showing the daughter and her mother the three we have, the consumer decided to try one.  She was a very happy consumer.

 

August 2011 Project on Youth Leadership: Youth leadership was the focus of our recent Sri Lankan group. 

 

Source:  http://www.gulfcoastdiplomacy.org/newsevents/aug2011srilanka.html

City of Pensacola Councilwoman Megan Pratt welcomed them on their first day during a roundtable discussion which examined ways to foster youth leadership at the local level.  Others joining the discussion included Chad Stacy, Jonathan Thompson, Mark Harden, Kurt Larson, Richard Rizzo, and Barrie Arnold.  The local participants brought years of personal and business experience working with youth issues at organizations such Pensacola Young Professionals, The Emerging Leaders Society, Leadership Pensacola, and Youth LeaP.  After sharing information, ideas, and personal stories, Councilwoman Pratt presented the visitors with certificates proclaiming them to be Honorary Citizens of the City of Pensacola. 

Next, the group enjoyed meeting Laura Jo Hust at the CIL-Disability Resource Center to learn about assistive technology.  Independent Living Specialist Don Risavy introduced specialized resources for the blind and vision impaired.   Later, the group visited Digital Media Education where Director John Lovrien and his staff trained the visitors in media skills and recording industry techniques which its program offers to young adults and inner-city youth.

The next day, the group spent time at Pensacola State College with 2008 Electoral College delegate Juanita Scott and Dr. Gael Frazer, Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity.  At this meeting, they discussed political activism as well as the challenges of working within an ethnically and racially diverse academic environment. 

After a relaxing lunch in downtown Pensacola, the visitors met Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford where they learned about area voting trends and programs educating school children in the election process.  At the end of the day, the group visited with Emily Haller and Chain Reaction students at a local youth center to learn how this teen-led organization trains youth through volunteerism.

  

Computers, Computers, and more Computers!  

 

Twelve lucky consumers on the lengthy computer waiting list at the Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center (GCRDC) were finally called with some GREAT NEWS!  We had twelve refurbished Dell Computer Laptops available and they were one of the lucky recepients!  The Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center gave them to the consumers on a priority basis, some of the priorities the consumer must have met was not being able to financially afford to buy their own computer, Education (currently attending school or college, or actively seeking employment with Vocational Rehabilitation or a One-Stop Center.   The consumers also were required to fll out an application for services and write a summary of how the computer will make a difference in their life.   After several days of "prioritizing"  the GCRDC had worked their way to the very fortunate twelve receipients.   And, below are three of them.

 

                           

   (L to R)  Dana Bush, Kenya Johnson, Robert Piovesan                                      

 

 

                    

 

Emergency Preparedness Workshop - "Are We Ready to Serve People with Disabilities" - Santa Rosa County was held April 27, 2011
 

This event had 100 people with disabilities, caregivers, business owners, organizations who serve people with disabilities.  It was a huge success!  There were 16 Exhibitors including FAAST, FTRI, Division of Blind Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Independence for the Blind, Navarre CERT, Emergency Management (Santa Rosa County), Transportation and more. 

The CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS WERE: 

 ■Florida’s Plan – Division of Emergency Management

■Santa Rosa County Emergency Management response to emergencies

■County Exercises

■Hospital Emergency Plans

■Transportation Needs

■Special Needs/Nursing Home/Adult Living Evacuation Plans

■Recovery strategies for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers

■Developing a personal emergency planExperts from local private and government agencies will discuss what to expect – and not expect – during the time surrounding a disaster or emergency situation. Participants will learn how to be proactive, not reactive, to emergencies because preparation can make the difference before, during and after a disaster. 

   

GCRDC Transition Workshop - Booker T. Washington High School

 

GCRDC Assistant FAAST Coordinator, Laura Jo Hust had the opportunity to work with students with disabilities from Booker T. Washington High School.  She hosted two - sessions that consisted of eight breakout sessions.  Each session was a segway to the next session to assist each student in understanding what will happen as they transition out of High School to college or employment.  The sessions included:  Organization, Health and Medicine, Transportation, Voter Registration and Selective Service, Education, Money Management, Social Security and Vocational Rehabilitation.  All the sessions were well received.  Each student received a transition package to enhance the learning process.   They received a notebook briefcase that contained a calculator, paper, pens, pencils, file folders, appointment book and business card holders.  They received a thumb drive with the Access2Go already installed along with a thumb drive carry case that was easily attached to the briefcase.  They also received a label maker with extra cartridges.  Lastly, they received a notebook full of information directed toward the eight break out session of information they will need for the next level -- TRANSITION!