October is here, and once again, Columbia does not disappoint in the amount of activities that are geared towards or inclusive of those with disabilities. You can check out our calendar to click through and get more details on each, or I’ll give a quick run-down here in this post.
10/1-10/17 – Kindness Tees
This first one isn’t an event to attend, but it’s something we’re excited about nonetheless. These shirts are our first fundraiser. They were designed to be able to appeal to all, not just CoMO SEPTA members. They promote a mindset of acceptance, respect, and inclusion. That never goes out of style. All six types of shirts are available in youth and adult sizes, so you can feel free to order your favorite. The funds raised will go towards helping us with projects such as hosting educational workshops, obtaining sensory supplies that schools can use to make their events more inclusive to all, and being able to give mini-grants to the teachers & therapists who work hard to support our students. Kindness Tees are on sale through October 17th. Swing by and grab yours today. After all, kindness looks good on everyone.
10/3 – Intelligent Lives Documentary
If you want to take advantage of this one, you’ll have to hurry. Advance purchase of tickets is necessary and the box office closes in two days! It’s a one night only screening, hosted by ACT, of a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib. It follows the lives of three people with intellectual disabilities as they go through their days. It challenges the typical thoughts on intelligence and worth. “Can any attempt to measure intelligence predict a person’s value or ability to contribute meaningfully to the world?” You won’t want to miss this one. Grab your tickets now.
10/7 – Step Up for Down Syndrome walk
The 2018 Step Up Walk will be held on Sunday, October 7th, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Hearnes Center in Lot O (free parking in Lots K and M). Register or donate at http://my.kcdsg.org/centralmostep2018 All guests attending the Step Up Walk will enjoy lunch, family games, inflatables, photo booth and live music. Everyone is welcome- walkers, strollers and the entire family should come out for a day of fun. Come and celebrate someone you love with Down syndrome! All of the proceeds benefit the Down Syndrome Guild (DSG). The DSG provides support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals who serve them. Learn more by visiting http://www.kcdsg.org or click here for a .pdf Brochure & Entry Form. The registration price includes a Step Up Walk T-shirt, food, entertainment, inflatables, and the ceremonial walk.
10/9 – MoDE October Monthly Meeting
Missouri Disability Empowerment (MoDE) hopes you can join them for their October meeting. Everyone is invited to their monthly meeting. The plan is to quickly vote on our bylaws and then break into three committees: Legislative, Outreach, Social/Fundraiser. With December in two months and the 2019 Legislative season quickly coming, there’s a lot of planning that needs done!
10/13 – People First Walk & Roll-A-Thon
Head to the Happy Hollow Shelter at Stephens Lake Park at 2pm this day to join in the 3rd Annual Walk & Roll-A-Thon! People First of Boone County – a local self-advocacy group for people with disabilities – has organized this event to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month. Come walk and roll, and enjoy refreshments after! There is no cost to participate.
10/16 – CoMO SEPTA October Meeting
We’ve got another fantastic speaker lined up for this month – Wendy Cornell of United 4 Children. Her presentation, “It Takes a Village: Engaging the Village Through Effective Advocacy,” will be focused on ways that families and schools – our students’ “village” – can most effectively communicate and work together. And we’re able to offer childcare this time, courtesy of MU OT students. All we ask is that if you plan to take advantage of the childcare, you e-mail us ahead of time to let us know about your child(ren) so we can best plan for support for all. comosepta@gmail.com This is a meeting intended for members.. if it sounds like something you’d be interested in, please consider joining here. Families, educators, therapists, administrators… all are welcome. We hope you’re able to join us this month!
10/18 – Disability Issues Candidate Forum
Hosted by several local advocacy and support organizations, this forum should be relevant to anyone who has an interest in disability issues. Come to Woodhaven on 10/18 from 11-1 to join in. The Boone County candidates for State Representative will be answering questions related to disability issues. Topics covered include education, healthcare, employment, transportation, and more. Join us and meet the candidates. Forum co-hosts are ACT, Boone County Family Resources, Boone Supported Living, Central Missouri Subcontracting Enterprises, Columbia Disabilities Commission, Easter Seals Midwest, Great Plains ADA Center, Job Point, LEAD, Missouri Disability Empowerment (MoDE), MORE Group, People First of Boone County, Services for Independent Living, TIPS/MoLEND, Woodhaven.
10/23 – CoMO SEPTA’s “Scoopie Night” at Culver’s
This fundraiser is a win-win: you get to help support CoMO SEPTA, and you don’t have to make supper (or clean the dishes!) Come to Culver’s at 2520 Broadway Bluffs Dr on the evening of October 23, 2018. 10% of all sales between the hours of 5pm and 8pm will go towards Columbia’s Special Education PTA (CoMO SEPTA.) We’d love to see you there. No code you need to mention, no flyer you need to present – just show up and order a delicious supper. 🙂 Share with anyone you think would be interested!
And that’s what I have for you so far! As always, if you know any great, inclusive/accessible events (maybe you’re even hosting one yourself), please share so that we can pass the info along as well!