Welcome to KY-SPIN, Inc.

Welcome to KY-SPIN, Inc.

 

Kentucky Self-Advocates For Freedom, Inc.

PO Box 4004, Winchester, Kentucky  40392-4004

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KY-SPIN, Inc. is pleased to host this Self-Advocacy page for Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom, Inc. (KYSAFF).  Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom is a newly formed state-wide non-profit organization led by and for people with developmental disabilities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The mission of Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom is:

“Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom is a statewide organization directed by
Kentuckians with disabilities committed to working in partnership to
promote equal rights, inclusion, self-advocacy, support and education in all realms of life.”

The goals of Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom are:

A.    Self-Advocates speaking up for themselves and to teach, coach and support other self-advocates to speak up for themselves;

B.    Self-Advocates knowing and exercising their rights;

C.    Educate people to gain a better understanding of self-advocacy and why self-advocacy is important;

D.   Informing and educating the general public about rights, needs and issues regarding people with developmental disabilities to live, work and be included in the community;

E.    Informing and educating lawmakers and public policy makers regarding the needs of people with developmental disabilities;

F.    Involvement in decision making forums regarding policies that impact people with developmental disabilities; and

G.   Advocating for funding for services and supports on behalf of people with developmental disabilities

Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom Officers:

Jim Chesser, President

Elvis Smallwood, Vice President

Cathy Jo Edwards, Secretary

Reba McDonald, Treasurer

Self-advocates who have a developmental disability and are interested and committed to self-advocacy and willing to work on the development of a statewide organization, work on the establishment of a local chapter in your area or getting involved in already established local chapters are encouraged to participate.

For people interested in the state-wide organization contact:

Vicki Cooper, vcooper4@juno.com,  859-273-1242

Cathy Jo Edwards, Secretary:  606-474-2596 Or

Trudy Fletcher, Tfletch100@aol.com, 585-230-0313 or

Jeff Keilson, jakeilson@aol.com, 781-910-7216

Local Chapters of Kentucky Self-Advocates For Freedom

Several areas within Kentucky have already established local chapters of Kentucky Self-Advocates For Freedom, Inc.  Many more areas are in the process of developing local chapters.

For local chapter information contact:

  • Chapter: Greater Lexington
    (Greater Lexington area/counties: Fayette, Scott, Jessimine, Madison, Bourbon, Woodford)
    Host Agency: Bluegrass Technology Center
    Advisor(s): Debbie Sharon, Jan Richards
    Address/Phone/E-Mail:
    395 Redding Road
    Unit 180
    Lexington, KY
    40517
    859.552.9898
    Dsharon@bluegrass-tech.org
    Meetings: 1st  Thursday of each month.
    5:00-6:00, social.
    6:00-7:30, business
    Dues: $2.00/month
    Officers: P: Amber  Allphin, VP: April Sharon, Sec: Jana Arvin, Treasurer: Chrystal Patton, Leg. Liaison:  Jim Chesser, Social Dir: , Bill Mazzoleni
     

  • Chapter: Self-Advocates Connection of Metro Louisville (Metro Louisville area)
    Host Agency: Leadership Institute of CMR
    Advisor(s): Beth Richardson
    Address/Phone/E-Mail: 101 Witherspoon
    Louisville, KY
    502-587-6500
    Meetings: 2nd Wednesday each month 6:30-8:30
    Officers: Pr: Kelly Knoop VP: Trish Sec:  Sally Johnstone Tres: Donna Caudill
     

  • Chapter: Lake Cumberland
    Host Agency:
    BRASS
    Advisor(s): Cindy Coomer
    Address/Phone/E-Mail: 671 W. Hwy 80
    Somerset, KY 42501
    606-678-4660
    Cindy.Coomer@cchk.org
    Dues: $1.00/ month
    Officers: Officers not elected yet.
     
     

  • Chapter: Southeast Kentucky People Who Care
    (Counties: Knox, McCreary, Laurel, Whitley)
    Host Agency: CAPRICE
    Advisor(s): Debby Nolan
    Address/Phone/E-Mail: PO Box 1390
    Corbin, Kentucky  40701
    (606) 523-5732
    Meetings: 3rd Thursday each month.
    Officers meet monthly in addition to group mtg
    Dues: $20.00/yr to be voting member or officer. Dues are payable quarterly
    Officers: Chair: Denise King VC:  Elvis Smallwood Sec:  Wanda Scalf Tres:  Joe Trammell
     

  • Chapter: Winchester
    Host Agency:
    KY STRIDE
    Advisor(s): Paul McNeil, Brigitte Ferguson
    Address/Phone/E-Mail: PO Box 643
    120 S. Main St-2nd Floor
    Winchester, Kentucky  40392
    (859) 744-0370
    Meetings: Monthly
    Dues: $2.00/month payable every 6 months
    Officers: Pr.  Bradley Lane VP.  Leslie King Sec.  Eric Blythe Tr.  Fannie Stonestreet Pub. Relations: Reba McDonald
     

  • Chapter: A.I.M.E., Bowling Green
    Host Agency:
    LifeSkills, Inc.
    Advisor(s): Dawn Belek , Crisis/ISG Coordinator
    Address/Phone/E-Mail: Dawn Belek work number (270) 901-5000 ext.1076 dbelek@lifeskills.com 
    Meetings:
    HillVue Height Heights Church at 3219 Nashville Rd.  The first Tuesday of each month from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
     

  • Chapter: Northern Kentucky
    Contact:
    Marie Braun

For areas not mentioned, please contact:

Vicki Cooper, vcooper4@juno.com,  859-273-1242;

Trudy Fletcher TFletch100@aol.com, 585-230-0313; or

Jeff Keilson, JAKeilson@aol.com, 781-910-7216
 

Self-Advocacy...What is it?

*  A civil rights movement for every person to have control over one’s life so people with disabilities are treated the same as everyone else.

*  Beliefs and Values

·        Being a person first

·        Being able to make our own decisions

·        Believing in my value as a person

·        Having other people believe in you as a person

What would you do as a Self-Advocate?

·        Know your rights

·        Speak up for yourself

·        Express your feelings

·        Solve problems, get things done

·        Make choices and make your own decisions

·        Decide how support is given

·        Have influence over your own life

·        Help each other to express your feelings and
     thoughts

·        Take control over your life

·        Take part in things that effect your own life

·        Be allowed to make your own mistakes

·        Form groups

What do Groups do?

·        Help people get support from each other

·        Bring people together to share ideas and gain
     strength from each other 

·        Learn from friends and support each other

·        Help people be listened to

·        Make it easier to make changes

·        Influence decisions that effect people’s lives

·        Meet, have fun and make friends
 

People participating in Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom must  meet the criteria for having a developmental disability.

Definition of Developmental Disability

"DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, (A) IN GENERAL. The term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that (i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments; (ii) in manifested before the individual attains age 22; (iii) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv) results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity: (I) Self-care. (II) Receptive and expressive language. (III) Learning. (IV) Mobility. (V) Self-direction. (VI) Capacity for independent living. (VII) Economic self-sufficiency; and (v) reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. (B) INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clauses (I) through (v) subparagraph (A) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life."

F
unded by the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities

Click Here to fill out the Self-Advocacy Interest Survey Online

 

 

Bobby Approved  

KY-SPIN, Inc.

10301-B Deering Rd.

Louisville, KY 40272

  Toll Free: 1-800-525-7746

Phone: (502) 937-6894   Fax: (502) 937-6464

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