Volume 8, Number 4, August 2022 GCD: Governor’s Council on Disability Newsletter Governor's Council on Disability logo Inside this Issue Page 1: - GCD Update - Last call for GCD Poster Contest entries - New National Behavioral Health Crisis Number Page 2: - 2022 MO-YLF teaches youth new leadership skills Page 3: - Do you have a photo ID for voting? Page 4: - Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights - Upcoming Events GCD Update by Claudia Browner Image: GCD NDEAM Poster Contest reminder on purple background. Image of a woman holding her hand in front of her face. Her face and hand are covered in colorful paints. Wording: Don't miss the August 15 deadline - submit your posters now. GCD logo and web link. On June 28, 2022, Governor Parson appointed Ronald Hack as the Chair of the Governor’s Council on Disability. Ron has been a member of the Council since 2009 and has served as the Interim Chair since April 30, 2021. The GCD team and Council congratulate Ron on his appointment. During the month of July, the Governor’s Council on Disability once again hosted the annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum for high school students with disabilities, after a two-year break due to the COVID pandemic. The GCD team and its collaborating agencies were excited to offer this 5-day leadership development program to young leaders from Missouri’s disability community. Read more about the event on Page 2 of this newsletter. Last Call for GCD Poster Contest entries The GCD is accepting artwork entries for the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Poster Contest now through August 15. Don’t miss your opportunity to participate. The winning artwork will be featured in this year’s NDEAM Poster to help raise awareness about the importance of workforce inclusion of individuals with disabilities. The contest is open to all Missouri residents. More information and entry forms can be found at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest New National Behavioral Health Crisis Number by Laura Mueth Image: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to go Live in Missouri July 16 Did you know receiving behavioral health crisis services is now easier than ever? All any individual needs to do is call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which became law in 2020, made 988 the three digit dialing code for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Hotline). As of July 16, calling or texting this number will connect the individual directly to a crisis specialist in Missouri. Veterans can dial 988 and choose option 1 to be connected specifically to the Veterans Crisis Line. Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can utilize Missouri Relay or a teletypewriter (TTY) to call 988. Individuals can “chat” with a specialist at the website: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Persons with disabilities do not have to disclose a disability when contacting 988. Missouri public and charter schools as well as higher education institutions will be providing the Lifeline number to students. As part of Senate Bill 718, which was signed by Governor Parson in June, 988 will be added to the student IDs of any student in grades seven through twelve and those enrolled in higher education institutions beginning July 1, 2023. Page 2 GCD: Governor’s Council on Disability 2022 MO-YLF teaches Youth new Leadership Skills by Rachel Rackers Images: - Missouri Youth Leadership Forum logo in blue font with the letters y o u in a yello speech bubble and l e a d in a red speech bubble - Group photo of MO-YLF participants and Senator Bernskoetter in the Senate Chamber - Donation items collected by - MO-YLF participants and keynote speaker pose for a group photo on MU campus The 2022 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) was a great success. From July 12-16, 2022, 15 delegates representing 11 different counties in Missouri participated in the 18th annual MO-YLF at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where they learned about the importance of self-advocacy, disability culture and history, mentorship, the legislative process, post- secondary transition, independent living and community service. It is important for students with disabilities to learn skills by example and interactions with others who share similar experiences, which is what MO-YLF provides. The program is designed specifically to help students grow into leaders. Students were selected to become delegates at the forum based on an application process. In addition to leadership skills, the delegates learned to set life goals, and how to advocate for their needs. Throughout the week, delegates worked to complete their leadership poster, which gave them an opportunity to think about what their vision for a good life would be. Aside from setting goals, it also allows them an opportunity to brainstorm ideas on what steps they need to take in order to achieve those particular goals. There were many great experiences and events that the delegates were able to partake in throughout the week. During the day, delegates participated in a variety of small and large group learning sessions, followed by fun-filled evening activities. Some of the highlights were the keynote speaker, Kelsey Tainsh, adaptive sports night, a day at the Capitol, a talent show, dance and photo booth. It didn’t take very long at all for the delegates to bond and join together to enjoy these activities! One of the highlights of the week was the legislative day in Jefferson City, where delegates engaged in a mock legislative hearing with Representatives Chuck Basye, Raychel Proudie, Cheri Toalson Reisch, Bridget Walsh Moore in the House, and a debate with Senator Mike Bernskoetter in the Senate, facilitated by GCD team member Laura Mueth. Following the mock bill debate, the MO-YLF participants had the opportunity to view the Governor’s Office. Each year, the delegates participate in a community service project. This year’s selected organization was City of Refuge-Columbia, which helps refugees recover and regain control of their lives after having to overcome the trauma and displacement they have experienced. With the help from delegates and staff, we were able to collect and donate an overwhelming amount of items! Page 3 GCD: Governor’s Council on Disability (Continued from page 2) Image: MO-YLF delegates work on their leadership poster We would like to acknowledge the following sponsors and partnering agencies for the 2022 MO-YLF: Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, Edward Jones, Paraquad, MU Pre-Employment Transition Services, Veterans United, Missouri Centers for Independent Living, Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council, as well as several other agencies that provided in-kind donations to support the program. Congratulations to the 2022 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum delegates who graduated from the program to become alumni! Since the inception of the program in 2001, there have been 359 delegates who have completed the program, and 11 MO-YLF alumni returned this year to serve as facilitators, team members, mentors and panelists and share their experiences. The planning team will soon start preparing for next year’s MO-YLF. Be sure to watch for announcements and the application this fall and help us share the information about this life changing program. Find out more about the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum at https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/ylf.htm Do you have a Photo ID for Voting? by Laura Mueth Image: A person puts a ballot into a ballot box with the word "VOTE" and the American flag on it Due to House Bill 1878, beginning with the November election, every Missourian wishing to vote will be required to show photo identification (ID). This means a voter must have one of the following: - A nonexpired Missouri driver’s license - A nonexpired or nonexpiring Missouri nondriver’s ID - A photo ID issued by the Missouri National Guard, United States Armed Forces, or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs - A document that meets specific requirements as written in state statute Disability organizations throughout the state realize many individuals with disabilities do not have a photo ID. Although this requirement is currently being challenged in court via a lawsuit, we are encouraging individuals who do not have one to begin the process now so you have one ready before November. Individuals who do not already meet the requirement can do so by obtaining a nondriver ID. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is the state department that provides this. Their Documents for Driver License, Nondriver ID, and Instruction Permit web page provides information on the documents needed to obtain one. After looking at the information, if you have the required documents, go to your local DOR License Office or call 573- 526-8683 to acquire one. DOR will provide one for free to those obtaining for the first time in order to vote. If you do not have a certified birth certificate, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records can provide a free copy of a certified Missouri birth certificate. To request a birth certificate, call (573) 751-6387 or email VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov. If you need to obtain multiple documents, the Missouri Secretary of State’s office will assist you in obtaining these. This includes paying for any documents needed from another state or the federal government. This service can be requested by completing the Show It 2 Vote Help Request form. The GCD encourages voters with disabilities who do not have a photo ID to use the coming months to acquire one so their views are able to be expressed in upcoming local, state, and national elections. Page 4 GCD: Governor's Council on Disability U.S. Department of Transportation issues Airline Passengers with Disabilities bill of Rights by Claudia Browner Image: Air Consumer Protection logo graphic of people inside an airport terminal On July 8, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a press release announcing the publication of the First-Ever Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities. According to the press release, the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights is an easy to use summary of the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act, which will empower air travelers with disabilities to understand and assert their rights, and serve to ensure that U.S. and foreign air carriers and their contractors uphold those rights. The document includes a summary of existing laws governing the rights of air travelers with disabilities. The Press Release can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-announces-first-ever-bill-rights- passengers-disabilities-calls-airlines-seat The full Bill of Rights is available at https://www.transportation.gov/disabilitybillofrights YouTube video statement: https://youtu.be/-nOVGhIK10w Upcoming Events August 28-30, 2022 Real Voices, Real Choices Conference, Osage Beach https://www.missourimhf.org/real-voices-real-choices-conference/ September 25-27, 2022 MO-CASE Special Education Conference, Osage Beach https://www.mo-case.org/ September 26, 2022 Virtual Mobility Summit (Zoom) Join national and state transportation experts to learn about best practices and frame works to achieve accessible and affordable transportation https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-yurDIjGtTiuZ0doiZeNnWGiYdA_Trh October 5-7, 2022 MACDDS Annual Conference, Columbia https://macdds.org/2022-macdds-annual-conference/ If you know of other events you would like us to share with the disability community, please contact our office. Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability—Council Members Ronald Hack, Council Chair, St. Louis Joan Bergstrom, Ed. D, Lee’s Summit Charles Comstock, Kirksville Wayne Crawford, Marshall Betty Davidson, Ph.D., St. Louis Chip Hailey, Joplin Rosemary Hendon, West Plains Katie Jones, St. Charles Kim Lackey, St. Louis Elijah Mayfield, Jefferson City Susan Orton, Creve Coeur Traci Ritter, Cape Girardeau Andrew Sartorius, Jefferson City Lesia Shelton, Buffalo James Trout, St. Louis Robert Wallace, St. Louis Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability—Staff Members Claudia Browner, Executive Director Laura Mueth, Senior Program Specialist Rachel Rackers, Senior Program Specialist Jennifer Pettit, Lead Administrative Support Assistant