CenterPoint: The Newsletter of The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

Laura Antranigian, of Portland, was one of three leaders honored this May
for their contributions in forwarding the dream of inclusive communities
for individuals with disabilities and their families. Participating in the presentation
were (l-r): Maryann Preble, co-chair of the CCIDS Community Advisory
Committee (CAC), Lu Zeph (in back), director of CCIDS, Laura Antranigian,
Erin Howes of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council,
and Paul Picard, of the CAC. (Kimberly Sawtelle photo)

Amid the clink of cutlery and the buzz of conversation, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) recently recognized the daring dreams of three community leaders. The 2006 Daring to Dream awards provided an opportunity for the Center, its Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Academic Committee (IDSAC) to recognize and celebrate individuals whose vision and leadership contribute to making the dream of inclusive communities a reality for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Among this year’s honorees was Carol J. Gill, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), who was recognized for vision and leadership in scholarship that informs Disability Studies policy and practice. Gill, who served as executive officer of the Society for Disability Studies, co-founded and directs the DHD, UIC Chicago Center for Disability Research and is a clinical and research psychologist specializing in health and disability.

Gill, who participated in the ceremony via the use of video technology (See story: Awards Banquet Goes Hi-Tech), spoke to the audience on the topic of “Daring to Dream about Universal Disability Studies.”

“I have chosen to work in the field of disability studies because I believe it has the potential to change the way we think about humanity,” Gill said. “Disability studies was founded by scholars and activists—in other words, by people who believed that thinking should lead to action.”

“We must make sure that the field of disability studies, itself, remains universally accessible and does not become a gated community. This field, like the rest of society, will be at its best when it is enriched by a variety of voices and viewpoints and experiences,” Gill said. “The field must remain grounded in the experiences of real people whose lives are affected by disability and society’s response to disability.”

Gill addressed the issue of universal access to disability studies, stating, “[W]e should pursue universal design in our instructional approaches in our courses. We should provide materials from our research in various formats. We should disseminate our scholarship in multiple venues, including disability newsletters and websites, as well as peer-reviewed journals. We should make sure our meetings support participation by persons who function in a variety of ways.”

Also recognized was Laura Antranigian of Portland, Maine, who received the Daring to Dream award for vision and leadership that promotes social change to advance the rights of people with disabilities. Antranigian is a member and former chair of Speaking Up for Us of Maine—a statewide self-advocacy network—and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council. Her work has included providing training for supporters, self-advocates, and organizations about ADA rights in the community and independent living. Antranigian has participated in the University of Southern Maine Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service Independence Plus project, helping teach individuals with disabilities how to hire and train their own staff. Antranigian has also worked to design and present new camp counselor training at Pine Tree Camp, a 280-acre camp located in Rome, Maine, offering summer camp experiences to individuals with disabilities.

Anne B. Schink, program officer of the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS), was recognized for vision and leadership that promotes public policy change to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities. MCCS serves as the state liaison for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), administering AmeriCorps grants in Maine. Schink insures that training and technical assistance is provided to all AmeriCorps members. In her role at MCCS, she has created pilot programs, such as the Disability Inclusion Mini Grant Competition, encouraging organizations to reach out to individuals with disabilities who are interested in volunteer opportunities.

According to Janet May, coordinator of Transition and Adults at CCIDS, “Anne…is a nationally recognized innovator for her creative strategies that promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in National Service programs. A cornerstone of Anne’s work involves activities that promote policy change, for it is here that the effects of creative strategies will have lasting and long-term positive outcomes.”

The Daring to Dream awards were initiated in 2002 as part of the Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The 2002 award recipients were recognized for their contributions in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Center.

In This Issue

Gathering Celebrates the Dream of Inclusive Communities


In This Issue Fall 2006 Gathering Celebrates the Dream of Inclusive Communities Director’s Corner Television Campaign Targets Awareness Awards Banquet Goes Hi-Tech Equity and Excellence in Higher Education—Collaboration for Learning Growing Ideas Tipsheets Benefit Young Children New Initiatives Underway Disability Studies Scholars Receive Certificates of Completion Teambuilding III Offers Training for Educational Surrogate Parents Prevention Center of Excellence at CCIDS Zeph Testifies Before House Appropriations Committee CCIDS Introduces Colloquium Series Statewide Database Links At-risk Babies with Services for Early Intervention Researchers Specialize in Epidemiology of Child Development Early Childhood Professionals Advance Skills, Services Upcoming CCIDS Events IDS Enrollment Increases Presentations & Publications CenterPoint Home	Center Home \| UMaine Home \| CenterPoint Home Laura Antranigian, of Portland, was one of three leaders honored this May for their contributions in forwarding the dream of inclusive communities for individuals with disabilities and their families. Participating in the presentation were (l-r): Maryann Preble, co-chair of the CCIDS Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Lu Zeph (in back), director of CCIDS, Laura Antranigian, Erin Howes of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, and Paul Picard, of the CAC. (Kimberly Sawtelle photo) Gathering Celebrates the Dream of Inclusive Communities Dare to be what you ought to be; dare to be what you dream to be; dare to be the finest you can be. The more you dare, the surer you will be of gaining just what you dare! — Norman Vincent Peale Amid the clink of cutlery and the buzz of conversation, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) recently recognized the daring dreams of three community leaders. The 2006 Daring to Dream awards provided an opportunity for the Center, its Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Academic Committee (IDSAC) to recognize and celebrate individuals whose vision and leadership contribute to making the dream of inclusive communities a reality for individuals with disabilities and their families. Among this year’s honorees was Carol J. Gill, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), who was recognized for vision and leadership in scholarship that informs Disability Studies policy and practice. Gill, who served as executive officer of the Society for Disability Studies, co-founded and directs the DHD, UIC Chicago Center for Disability Research and is a clinical and research psychologist specializing in health and disability. Gill, who participated in the ceremony via the use of video technology (See story: Awards Banquet Goes Hi-Tech), spoke to the audience on the topic of “Daring to Dream about Universal Disability Studies.” “I have chosen to work in the field of disability studies because I believe it has the potential to change the way we think about humanity,” Gill said. “Disability studies was founded by scholars and activists—in other words, by people who believed that thinking should lead to action.” “We must make sure that the field of disability studies, itself, remains universally accessible and does not become a gated community. This field, like the rest of society, will be at its best when it is enriched by a variety of voices and viewpoints and experiences,” Gill said. “The field must remain grounded in the experiences of real people whose lives are affected by disability and society’s response to disability.” Gill addressed the issue of universal access to disability studies, stating, “[W]e should pursue universal design in our instructional approaches in our courses. We should provide materials from our research in various formats. We should disseminate our scholarship in multiple venues, including disability newsletters and websites, as well as peer-reviewed journals. We should make sure our meetings support participation by persons who function in a variety of ways.” Also recognized was Laura Antranigian of Portland, Maine, who received the Daring to Dream award for vision and leadership that promotes social change to advance the rights of people with disabilities. Antranigian is a member and former chair of Speaking Up for Us of Maine—a statewide self-advocacy network—and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council. Her work has included providing training for supporters, self-advocates, and organizations about ADA rights in the community and independent living. Antranigian has participated in the University of Southern Maine Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service Independence Plus project, helping teach individuals with disabilities how to hire and train their own staff. Antranigian has also worked to design and present new camp counselor training at Pine Tree Camp, a 280-acre camp located in Rome, Maine, offering summer camp experiences to individuals with disabilities. Anne B. Schink, program officer of the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS), was recognized for vision and leadership that promotes public policy change to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities. MCCS serves as the state liaison for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), administering AmeriCorps grants in Maine. Schink insures that training and technical assistance is provided to all AmeriCorps members. In her role at MCCS, she has created pilot programs, such as the Disability Inclusion Mini Grant Competition, encouraging organizations to reach out to individuals with disabilities who are interested in volunteer opportunities. According to Janet May, coordinator of Transition and Adults at CCIDS, “Anne…is a nationally recognized innovator for her creative strategies that promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in National Service programs. A cornerstone of Anne’s work involves activities that promote policy change, for it is here that the effects of creative strategies will have lasting and long-term positive outcomes.” The Daring to Dream awards were initiated in 2002 as part of the Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The 2002 award recipients were recognized for their contributions in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Center. — Kimberly Sawtelle

CENTERPOINT: The Newsletter of the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service