United Nations survey on living with disabilities and disasters

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 
has put out a 2013 Survey on Living with Disabilities and Disasters. (Note: THIS SURVEY IS ONLY INTENDED FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.)

On October 13th, the U.N. International Day for Disaster Reduction will focus on the issues surrounding some one billion of the world's people who live with disabilities and disaster risks. These persons, by-and-large, still have no significant representation in the planning and decision-making processes to reduce these risks or build resilience.The International Day intends to switch on and amplify the conversation that must take place on the needs of persons with disabilities in potential disaster scenarios.

Given the lack of data on disability issues generally, UNISDR is conducting this survey to ascertain the needs of persons living with disabilities and disasters. The International Day will further invite persons living with disabilities as well as society at large to get involved by expressing concerns, needs and recommendations on the International Day web page that can enhance implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) – the global disaster risk reduction plan that was adopted in 2005 for 10 years.

The HFA explains, describes and details what is required from all different sectors and actors to reduce disaster losses. It was developed and agreed on with governments, international agencies, disaster experts and many others. The HFA outlines five priorities for action, and offers guiding principles and practical means for achieving disaster resilience. Its goal is to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 by building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.

In 2015 the HFA will complete its 10-year term. Findings from the survey and other information gathered during the observation of IDDR 13 will be used to influence the remaining two years of the Framework and as well as the post HFA consultations, which began in March 2012. The goal is a post 2015 Framework that is more disability inclusive.

Low-Vision Fair

Needs tips for daily living with low-vision? Come and learn at the Low-Vision Fair sponsored by Options for Independence on August 6 at 10:00 a.m. - noon.

Meet the Director from the Training Center for the Blind as well as learn new ways to do your hobbies and crafts. Ask questions of consultants and specialists that will be available. 

Also, experience "Hands - On" Assistive Technology that is useful for low-vision. The fair will be at the Cache Valley Senior Center, 240 N. 100 E. in Logan.

New board members needed for Utah Independent Living Center

The Utah Independent Living Center (UILC) is looking for new members for the Board of Directors.

UILC assists people with disabilities to achieve greater independence by providing services and activities to enhance independent living skills.  Its goal is also to promote the public's greater understanding of people with disabilities, their needs for accommodation and acceptance of their rights, needs and abilities as they integrate into the community.

The Utah Independent Living Center in Salt Lake.

The board also maintains several subcommittees that members serve on, and new members are encouraged to participate in one or more to gain a better understanding of the activities offered by the center.

The board meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5:15 p.m. at the Utah Independent Living Center, 3445 S. Main Street in Salt Lake City.

If you're interested, please contact Debra Mair at 801-466-5565, dmair@uilc.org.

Four Man Scramble Charity Golf Event

Get your game on and help the National Federation of the Blind of Utah continue to educate, train and empower people who are blind by participating in the Four Man Scramble charity golf event. Golfers will tee off August 13th at the Birch Creek Golf Course in Smithfield.

Please register by July 31st by contacting Sachin Pavithran at 435-512-6877 or sachin.pavithran@usu.edu. Remember to indicate a polo shirt size. Make checks payable to the Nat. Federation of the Blind of Utah, credit cards to Birch Creek Golf Course.

Common Ground 20th Anniversary Event

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures of Logan is celebrating their 20th Anniversary of providing life-enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.

Gordon Richins of the CPD will take a ride
in an accessible hot air balloon Friday.

Help them celebrate July 26 with hot air balloon rides, music, a pancake bar, games and more at the Logan Fair Grounds. All of the community is invited, and the event is free. Learn more here.

The Center for Persons with Disabilities own Gordon Richins will be taking the first ride in the hot air balloon, which is accessible for wheelchairs. The ride has been a lifelong wish of Richins.

Common Ground provides adaptive equipment and support, which enable people with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation alongside their peers.

New digs for Logan Independent Living Center

 

Logan Options for Independence has relocated to 106 E. 1120 N. Logan (behind Home Depot). 

 

The new facility will help better meet the community's needs, including providing a bigger storage facility for the assistive technology loan bank.

 

 

While the staff is still getting settled, they are ready as ever to serve people with disabilities in the Cache Valley area. Learn more about Options online at http://www.optionsind.org/.