October and November are crammed with conferences in a variety of specific disabilities. If you don't see anything of interest, check the calendar on the American Association of People with Disabilities Web site, www.aapd-dc.org.

Here are just a few of the many upcoming learning opportunities.

Olmstead Act

The Olmstead Act is named for a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision that found isolating people with disabilities in institutions may be discrimination. The decision also said governments should provide programs that help those with disabilities live in the community.

“Olmstead: Theory or Reality,” hosted by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, will examine how well Ohio is implementing the Olmstead decision. Regional and national speakers will represent perspectives of people with developmental disabilities, the elderly, family members and professionals.

The conference is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22, at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Columbus. Cost is $25. Stipends are available to persons with disabilities.

To register, contact the Axis Center at (800) 231-2947, or download a registration form from www.ohio.gov/ddc.

Get a job

The Inclusion Network and Cincinnati Independent Living Options will host a Career Information Workshop Wednesday in recognition of National Disability Mentoring Day. From 9:30-11:30 a.m., students in high school and college will hear from such companies as Convergys, Provident Bank and Cincinnati Bell about interviewing techniques and job descriptions.

Following the morning session at Christ Church Cathedral, the groups will distribute information on Fountain Square from noon to 4 p.m. No registration is required. Call 241-2600 or 345-1330.

Brain injury

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of Ohio, Drake Center, and others will sponsor a conference Friday for educators, employers and family members interacting with individuals with brain injury.

Conference participants will learn to identify community resources for people with brain injuries as well as techniques for assisting individuals return to work, school or other real-life settings.

The conference will be in the hospital's Sabine Education Center. Cost is $50. Call 636-4232.

Blindness

Nov. 8-10 marks two Ohio conferences for people who are blind and their family members. The National Federation of the Blind — Ohio state convention will be at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls. Call (800) 396-6326.

The American Council of the Blind also meets Nov. 8-10 at the Lane Avenue Holiday Inn, Columbus. The meeting will feature workshops on legislation, diabetes and technology. Call (800) 835-2226.

ARC convention

The annual convention of the ARC will be in Ohio this year, at the Columbus Hyatt Regency, Nov. 7-9. Highlights include national speakers on affordable housing, employment, education and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Registration is $350. Call Suzette Crim at the ARC, (800) 433-5255, Ext. 5470; or go to web site.

Contact Deborah Kendrick by phone: 673-4474; fax: 321-6430; e-mail dkkendrick@earthlink.net.

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