E-News

Lyle Lovett to Headline PACER’s 28th Annual Benefit Presented by and on May 8! Tickets on Sale Now!

Four-time Grammy Award winner Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will bring their irresistible music to PACER’s 28th Annual Benefit at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Saturday, May 8. With an inventive blend of folk, swing, blues, gospel, and jazz, Lovett has produced 13 albums and has been called “one of the all-time great American singer/songwriters” for his distinct musical style. See a preview of this exciting performer here. Reserve your tickets now! More

“Special Education Day at the Capitol” is Feb. 17

Minnesota youth with disabilities, parents, and advocates are invited to join PACER and the Coalition for Children with Disabilities on Wednesday, Feb. 17, for “Celebrating Differences, Protecting Rights: Special Education Day at the Capitol.” Participants will hear an update on the 2009 Minnesota legislative session, gain insight into 2010 Minnesota legislative issues, learn valuable skills for sharing their personal stories with their legislators, and then will visit their respective legislators at the State Capitol in the afternoon. It’s at the Minnesota History Center, Irvine Room, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Minn. Preregistration is required. More

Creative Kids Contest is Feb. 27

PACER's fifth annual Creative Kids Contest invites children with disabilities to join PACER and celebrated artist Anthony Whelihan to let their imagination run wild. The winner will have his or her design made into the 2010 PACER greeting card, which will be sold online and at the PACER Benefit. The event is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Bloomington Art Center. To register or to donate art supplies, e-mail Nicole Stanich at nicole.stanich@pacer.org or call 952-838-9000. Space is limited. More

Government Web Site Offers Self-advocacy Tips for Teens with Disabilities

Disability.gov has a variety of self-advocacy resources to help teens begin to express their needs and wants by participating in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. These meetings assist teens in learning ways to talk about their disability with others, set goals, and practice other self-advocacy skills. More

List Your Minnesota Youth Service Organization at c3online.org

Project C3 (Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers) offers an online database to help youth, families, and professionals find more than 1,000 Minnesota youth organizations that offer employment, transportation, housing, education, health, and recreation services. To join this free online directory, agencies can visit c3online.org, click on “C3MN,” then choose “Add a Resource.” For more information, organizations can call Andrea Moore at 952-838-9000.

Join the PACER Puppet Team and Help Children Learn about Bullying Prevention

Kids Against Bullying is an entertaining puppet program that helps young children learn about bullying prevention. Make a difference! As a volunteer, you’ll: Attend a training to learn puppet and presentation skills; work with a fun team; present programs at metro schools two to three times per month; and help young children understand the importance of preventing bullying. All you need is a car, time during the school day, and a desire to help young children. Training is Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at PACER. To register or learn more, call PACER at 952-838-9000 or visit PACER.org/puppets.

New Web Site Explains College Life to Teens with Disabilities

High school students with disabilities can learn about planning for college at this new site. Videos include interviews with successful college students with disabilities; activities help students explore more about themselves, learn what to expect from college, and discover important considerations and tasks to complete when planning for college. The site is from the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention. It was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Visit this site.

EX.I.T.E. Camp Applications Available in February

Middle-school girls with disabilities are invited to apply for the 2010 EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering (EX.I.T.E.) camp at PACER Center. Space is limited to 30 girls. Applications are due May 1. Now in its eighth year, the free summer day camp takes place for five days in August. Through fun, hands-on experiments, girls discover scientific principles as they experiment, create amazing projects, and challenge themselves to investigate the world around them using technology. The camp is sponsored in part by IBM and local technology companies. To obtain an application, visit PACER.org/stc/exite/Camp.asp or call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). In Greater Minnesota, call 800-537-2237 (toll free).

PACER Grandparent Support Group to Meet Feb. 16

PACER’s Grandparent Support Group will meet Tuesday, Feb. 16, to learn about assistive technology and software programs that may benefit their grandchildren. It’s at 7 p.m. at PACER. The Grandparent Support Group is for people with grandchildren of any age and any disability who would like to meet others; share concerns, joys, and interests; discover resources; and learn how to support their children and grandchildren. Call 952-838-9000 for further information. More

Publications

Updated! Working Together: A Parent’s Guide to Parent and Professional Partnership and Communication within Special Education
Helps parents effectively communicate with special education professionals as they develop their child’s educational program. 2009. One copy is free to Minnesota families of children with disabilities. For others, it’s $6 each, or $5 each for 10 or more copies. Call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 (toll free in Greater Minnesota) and order item PHP-a19. More

Programs and Resources

PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More