Goodwill Hosts Free Disability Rights Education Forum

September 15, 2017—Goodwill of the Heartland is partnering with Disability Rights Iowa to host a free education forum at the Coralville Public Library on Thursday, September 28th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  Disability rights advocate Emmanuel Smith is the featured presenter.

Topics covered will include:

  • The rights of individuals who experience disability
  • How people can appeal Managed Care Organization (MCO) decisions
  • The advocacy resources available through Disability Rights Iowa

There will also be a question and answer session following the presentation.  This event is open to the public, but space is limited.  Please RSVP by phone to 319-248-4684 or by email to ICCfrontoffice@goodwillheartland.org

Goodwill of the Heartland is happy to offer this educational opportunity as a prelude to National Disability Employment Awareness Month which is coming up in October.  This year’s theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”  Learn more here:  https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/

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About Disability Rights Iowa

Disability Rights Iowa is a nonprofit organization that aims to defend and promote the human and legal rights of Iowans who have disabilities and mental illness. They promote safety, opportunity, access and self-determination for all Iowans through a program of self-advocacy education, information and referral, non-legal advocacy and legal and systems advocacy.

About Emmanuel Smith, PABSS Advocate (PABBS stands for Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security)

Smith attended Drake University where he completed his Bachelors in Political Science. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, he has held a lifelong interest in disability and political action to improve the rights of disabled people everywhere. His work at Disability Rights Iowa focuses on barriers to employment, disability discrimination in the workplace, and advocating for effective employment services for people with disabilities.  Emmanuel is a PABSS Advocate because he believes that employment offers a security and purpose which all people with disabilities deserve. For Emmanuel, the disabled experience is a privilege, and one which prompts endless discovery.

About Goodwill of the Heartland

The mission of Goodwill of the Heartland is to advance the social and economic well-being of people who experience barriers to independence.  Goodwill offers life and job skill development, work experience, job placement assistance, day habilitation, supported community living, workforce services to employers and contract manufacturing, assembly and packaging.  In 2016, Goodwill provided nearly 17,000 services to people with barriers in its 19-county service area.  For more information, including retail, donation and service locations, please visit www.goodwillheartland.org or call toll free 1-866-466-7881.

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