ONLINE COURSE: Introduction to Olmstead and Community

The IL NET is a partnership of ILRU and NCIL.
On-line courses are offered with the on-line facilitation support of Utah State University.

COURSE DATES: October 15-November 9, 2007 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 28, 2007
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: October 11, 2007

PURPOSE: Participants will learn about the background and significance of the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision. They will examine a framework for analyzing disability policy that may be used to determine if state and federal laws and programs really support the rights of persons with disabilities. They will also better understand how the ADA formed the basis for the Olmstead Decision and the importance of that decision for people with disabilities.  Participants will  better understand how and why individuals with disabilities can plan and direct their own services. Additionally, the participants will focus on using the concept of "consumer direction" to support the choices of those who want to leave institutional settings (such as nursing homes) and live in the community with the supports that they need.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Center and SILC staff, managers, and executives, as well as board members. This is a beginner to intermediate level course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss and provide examples of both the "old paradigm" and the "new paradigm" of disability and its implications for current laws and programs including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participants will be able to apply the principles of the Olmstead Decision to their own communities.  Participants will be able to discuss both the benefits and the challenges of consumer directed services. They will also be able to identify useful strategies for transitioning people from nursing homes to the community and how to obtain the supports and services needed.

FORMAT: Assignments will be given for each of the 20 days. Participants will receive a manual (via the Internet) and will interact via the Internet. Discussion questions and exercises will be posted on the Web site. The participants will devote an average of 3-5 hours per week to assignments and activities.

THE INSTRUCTOR: Helen Roth has had extensive experience in the independent living movement and has served as the director of a Center for Independent Living in Utah. She is a consultant to the 2005 CMS Real Choices System Change Grantees.  She is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Association of People with Disabilities.A full course calendar is on the ILRU Web site at: http://www.ilru.org/html/training/online/index.html

REGISTRATION: You may register online or by mail. The online registration form is located at: http://www.ilru.org/html/forms/online_registration.htm

The mailing address for registration is:
ILRU/ONLINE LEARNING
2323 S Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019

See ILRU policies for Multiple Participants from the Same Organization, Notification of Acceptance, and Refunds/Cancellations at: http://www.ilru.org/html/training/online/onlinefaq.html

METHOD OF PAYMENT: Payment may be made by credit card through the Web site at the time of registration. Credit card orders are also accepted by phone at 713.520.0232 ext. 130.  Do not send credit card information by e-mail, since such transactions are not secure. Checks or money orders are also accepted and should be mailed with a completed registration form. Return your completed registration form and payment to the address shown above.COURSE FEES: The course fee is $65 per participant.

ONLINE COURSES FROM ILRU: This online course is presented by the IL NET, the national training and technical assistance project for centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils. The IL NET is operated by the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Program at Memorial Hermann | TIRR in partnership with the National Council  on Independent Living (NCIL). Online course implementation is facilitated by the Interdisciplinary Training Division of the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah State University.

OTHER QUESTIONS: Contact Dawn Heinsohn at ILRU, (713) 520-0232 ext. 130 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it