Widening the Circle Widening the Circle Supporting people with disabilities in relationships Call 1 of 3 in a 90-Minute Discussion Series Tuesday, September 13, 2011 North Carolina Relationships Initiative

The North Carolina Relationships Initiative This project is funded by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and implemented by the Human Services Research Institute. For more information, visit the NCRI webpage:

90-Minute Discussion Series Tuesday, September 13, 6:00-7:30pm Self-advocates talk about issues they experience regarding relationships and what they are doing individually and together to address them Tuesday, September 27 th, 6:00-7:30pm Parents, self-advocates, and an expert on guardianship discuss the natural struggle between people with concerns for health and safety and individuals wanting control of their own lives Tuesday, October 11 th, 3:30-5:00pm Staff from a provider agency in Charlotte, a family receiving services, and others discuss promising practices related to supporting people to develop a range of relationships in the community 3

Series facilitators Monica J Foster Project Coordinator/Self-Advocate Leader Jaime Daignault Project Director x 14 Katherine McLaughlin Relationships educator Paula Traverse-Charlton Positive support facilitator and educator

Today’s panelists Monica Foster, NCRI Coordinator and Self-Advocate Leader Eric Chavis, Council Member, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities Tina Bragg, Self-Advocate Mary Willis, Self-Advocate 5

What gets in your way when you try to have relationships? Panel discussion 6 Photo: nechiparenko.ru

What comments about sexuality do you get from family, staff, or others? Panel discussion 7

How do you deal with family or staff who do not give you freedom to choose friendships or relationships? Panel discussion 8

What do you want and need from your family or staff to have friendships and relationships? Panel discussion 9 Photo:

What does self-advocacy in relationships mean to you? Panel discussion 10

Want to ask a question? Press *1 on your telephone key pad now Or, type your question into the chat box on the left side of your webinar screen Questions will be answered in the order they are received. We will do our best to answer all of your questions in the time we have. 11

Resources Materials on supporting people with disabilities in relationships are available here: carolina-relationships-initiative/overview/ncri-materials carolina-relationships-initiative/overview/ncri-materials If you have a Facebook account, join an online discussion group just for you. Search for the North Carolina Relationships Initiative page on Facebook, or follow one of the links below. Link to discussion group for People with Disabilities: Link to discussion group for Parents/Providers/Professionals:

Our next call Tuesday, September 27 th from 6:00 to 7:30 If you still need to register, download a printable registration form from our webpage: initiative/overview/ncri-events initiative/overview/ncri-events Or, contact Jennifer Negus at x 10 or 13

Questions about the North Carolina Relationships Initiative? Contact Jaime Daignault x 14 14