Putting Advocacy Into Action - 10:45 - 11:45 am at the TWC

Putting Advocacy Into Action

TWC BREAKOUT SESSION
10:45 - 11:45 AM
ROOM d

Session Description:

Have you ever thought about where your self-advocacy efforts might take you? Do you want to help others advocate for their rights?  Do you want to help change a law?  Do you want to represent others on a statewide council?  In this session you will meet four, adult self-advocates who have influenced many positive changes.  Hear their stories and learn about a statewide group they have helped formed called Allies in Advocacy.  

Edward Esbeck serves as a Self-advocacy Coordinator for the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development. In the fall of 2017, he became ILEND’s first self-advocacy trainee. He drafted a series of recommendations for improving curriculum accessibility and created a self-advocacy trainee handbook. Edward became the first non-clinical ILEND trainee to win the prestigious Alfred Healy Leadership Award. He used funds from this award to travel to his native country, Uganda, where he shared his lived experience and taught classes about self-advocacy to families and students. Edward works on a variety of UCEDD projects related to health care, education, and transition, and is active on many boards and councils.

Hugh Kelly was born and raised in Southeastern Iowa.  Hugh is currently employed by Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa's retail store in Ottumwa, Iowa. He has been employed for almost 14 years with Goodwill. He enjoys his job, because he believes he is contributing to his employer's overall mission to help people in all sorts of circumstances.  Hugh is a pretty active person. Hugh enjoys watching University of Iowa football, as well as Iowa Men's and Women's basketball.  He also enjoys Major League baseball, where the Houston Astros are his favorite team.  He enjoys listening to Public Radio.  He enjoys watching British mysteries, dramas, and  comedies.  Doctor Who is his favorite television show.  He also enjoys animals.  He has two cats, a black cat named Ginger, and a ginger kitty named JJ, which he absolutely spoils and dotes on.  Hugh is also current Vice-Chair of Iowa's DD Council.

Kristine Graves is a Peer Support Specialist and an Advanced Level Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator. She is a fierce advocate in the disability world. Kris hopes by being involved in different aspects of disability advocacy she can help make Iowa a better place for people with disabilities to live, work and thrive. 

Brady Werger was born in 1992.  Today, he lives in a Goodwill Group Home in Waverley, Iowa.  He is currently employed by the city of Waverly, and works at the city golf course. He is involved in Special Olympics and serves on the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, where he is currently the chair. He is very involved in his church, where he is a worship leader in the Praise Band.