Former Iowa Senator and driving force behind the historic Americans with Disability Act addressed the inaugural Ruderman Inclusion Summit on 25^th anniversary of ADA. Harkin was honored with the Morton E. Ruderman Award and a $100,000 donation to the Harkin Institute

Boston, MA - "We've come so far as a country since passage of the Americans with Disability Act.  However, the work is far from over. Economic self-sufficiency, that's the bone in my throat. That's the thing that we just haven't really accomplished," former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (Ret., D-Iowa) told over 500 leaders in disability inclusion last night at the inaugural 2015 Ruderman Inclusion Summit.

At the Summit, the Foundation honored Senator Harkin with the Morton E. Ruderman Award for his lifelong dedication to disability inclusion, including his steadfast work on the historic ADA bill. As part of the award, a $100,000 donation will be made to the Harkin Institute of Public Policy at Citizen Engagement at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to help further tackle the most pressing issues facing those with disabilities.

The historic ADA bill is, to this day, the most sweeping legislation the United States has ever seen for people living with disabilities. Enacted a quarter-century ago, the ADA changed the landscape of America by requiring buildings and transportation to be wheelchair-accessible, and providing workplace accommodations for people with disabilities.

"Before the Americans with Disability Act, I heard stories of individuals who had to crawl on their hands and knees to go up a flight of stairs, who couldn't ride a bus because there wasn't a lift, and individuals couldn't attend a baseball game with their own family due to the lack of accessibility at the ballpark. Millions of Americans were denied access to their own communities - and the American dream.  I saw this firsthand in the life of my older brother Frank, who was deaf. He was the inspiration for my sponsoring the ADA," said Senator Harkin.

"I am very proud to accept the Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion because I am committed to making life more equitable for people with disabilities just as Morton was when he created the Ruderman Family Foundation. We must continue the fight for policies that promote equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities and their families."

The inaugural Ruderman Inclusion Summit has seen over 500 activists from the field of disability inclusion, come together to launch a network of disability advocates from around the world, and set the agenda for building towards a more inclusive society.

"The Ruderman Family Foundation is proud to award the 2015 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion to former Senator Tom Harkin. This $100,000 award is presented each year to an individual who has furthered the inclusion of people with disabilities in our society," said Foundation President Jay Ruderman. "Senator Harkin, throughout his career in Congress, has done more than almost any American to further the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in the United States. He is most deserving of this honor and we are proud to associate my father's name with his leadership."

Ruderman Inclusion Summit

The Inclusion Summit, running November 1-2 at Boston Seaport World Trade Center, has brought together disability inclusion leaders from around the world to launch an advocacy network and set the agenda for building a more inclusive society. An action-packed program is promoting strategic advocacy and awareness, peer-to-peer learning, best practices, networking and more, focusing on the critical sectors of education, housing, employment, community, and religious life.

Other key speakers at the summit include John Hockenberry, NPR journalist and four-time Emmy award winner; Loretta Claiborne, Special Olympics athlete and passionate advocate for people with intellectual and physical disabilities; Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author Ron Suskind; and White House disability liaison Maria Town.

Summit Website: www.Inclusion2015.org
Live Webcast: www.rudermanfoundation.org/webcast
Hashtag: #Inclusion2015

The Project of the Quad Cities (TPQC) is one of 10 organizations in Illinois to receive the Get Covered Illinois Grant to provide In-Person Counseling for Marketplace health insurance.

In-Person Counselors, also known as Navigators, are trained to provide free help to consumers, small businesses, and their employees. In addition to exploring health insurance options Navigators educate consumers about complex insurance terminology and help them to complete eligibility and enrollment forms. These trained, unbiased, professionals have played an important role in the state's enrollment efforts; resulting in more than 972,160 Illinois residents receiving coverage under the ACA or expanded Medicaid.

Open Enrollment begins November 1st, 2015 and ends January 31st, 2016. To have health coverage that is effective on January 1st, individuals must sign up by December 15th, 2015. If you miss the January 31, 2016 deadline you will be unable to purchase health insurance, on the Marketplace, until the next open enrollment period. You may, however, qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you have a qualifying life event like losing coverage, having a baby or getting married.

It is important to note that the fee for not having health coverage will increase for 2016 to 2.5% of your yearly household income or $695 per person ($347.50 per child under 18), whichever is greater. The maximum penalty per family is $2,085. Penalties will be applied to 2017 tax returns.

If you currently have a health insurance plan from the Marketplace, we encourage you to come in and meet with an In-Person Counselor or log on to your healthcare.gov account to compare and shop new plans. Each year, new plans are introduced and you may be able to get a health insurance plan that better fits your health and
financial needs.

In-Person Counselors will be at a variety of locations in Rock Island, Mercer, Warren, Knox and McDonough counties. Locations will be announced on our facebookpage, GetCoveredIllinoisRockIslandCounty or can be found at getcovered.illinois.gov. If you have any questions or need help exploring your health insurance options, please call (309)762-5433.

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Davenport, Iowa (November 6, 2015) - Gilda's Club and CCKMA are teaming up to present the first Cancer Kickin' Scholarship. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students impacted by cancer - whether it is themselves, a parent, sibling, other relative or friend with the diagnosis.

Students must be current high school juniors/seniors or currently in their first or second year of college to apply. Applicants must reside in Scott, Rock Island, Muscatine County or Henry County.

Application submissions are due February 1, 2016. Scholarship forms are available online at CancerKickinScholarship.com, at Gilda's Club (1234 East River Drive, Davenport) or by calling Kelly Hendershot at (563) 326-7504.

Recipients will be recognized on April 9, 2016 at the 9th Annual CCKMA Event. Recipients will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges:

• Greg Dwyer, Dwyer and Michaels Morning, 97x

• Denise Hnytka, Co-Anchor, News 8 WQAD

• John Marx, Columnist, The Dispatch/Rock Island Argus

• Taylor Weibers, Miss Iowa

"Dealing with cancer, at any age, is an emotional whirlwind," said Kelly Hendershot, Program Manager. "For children and teens, it can unleash a storm of emotions, questions, and unexpected discoveries. We want to hear about those experiences."

Applicants will enroll in an undergraduate course of study during the 2016-2017 (or 2017-2018 if applying as a high school junior) school-year at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the U.S.

Scholarship recipients are eligible to re-apply each year they are eligible. Applications must be completed each year and submitted to the scholarship committee.

CCKMA's founder, Angie DeWilfond, died in July 2015 after living eight years with ovarian cancer, followed by leukemia.

"Angie wanted to give back to the local community that has supported and given so generously to CCKMA through various fundraiser events each year," said CCKMA President Krista Lindbeck. "So we are now working with Gilda's Club to make this dream of Angie's a reality with the Cancer Kickin' Scholarship."

About Gilda's Club

Free of charge, Gilda's Club Quad Cities provides support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer.  As a Cancer Support Community affiliate, we are part of the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States.  Our global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.

About CCKMA

Angie DeWilfond, founder of CCKMA, was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2007. The wife and mother of two young kids decided not to let Cancer Kick Her A..! In 2008, she held a small get together with friends and the support was so overwhelming that an annual fundraising event was held each year after that for much needed research funds. This annual event brings cancer survivors along with their family and friends to celebrate life. It is also an evening of tribute to those we have lost to cancer.

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By Nathaniel Sillin

Already dreading what you'll spend this holiday season? It doesn't have to be that way.

Gifts aren't the only budget-busting culprit during the holidays. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's are also a peak time for spending on groceries, travel, events, entertainment, energy, clothes and meals out.

Financial advisors recommend you use no more than 1.5 percent of your annual income on holiday spending (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/holiday), so consider the following suggestions to keep it under control:

Start with a list and make a budget. Begin your planning by listing every possible holiday expense you'll face - and don't stop at gifts. Consult the Practical Money Skills for Life comprehensive holiday budget planner (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/yourholidaybudget) to help organize your information and track your spending.

Be open about money trouble. If you are facing financial difficulties during the holiday season, don't spend to hide the problem. Don't be ashamed to make adjustments and tell friends and family members that you'd like to temporarily downsize your spending until conditions improve. They might actually appreciate a spending reprieve, too.

Build a bargain-hunting strike force. Let friends and family know you're looking for particular toys, gifts, foods or decorating items and volunteer to do the same for them. Save and share coupons. Encourage your group to find resources, check prices and share requests and ideas via social media. Results can come back in a matter of minutes.

Evaluate all transportation costs. Do you really need to run out of one or two items at a time? Designate certain days of the week for particular items, keep an eye out for free delivery and see if friends and family might want to share errands. Those with large vehicles or trucks can help move, deliver and even install appliances or electronics if they have the skills to do so. Smart transportation choices extend to car pools or public transportation for events and entertainment.

Leverage your creativity. If there's something you make or do really well that people love, consider making such accomplishments into gifts. From specialty food items your friends enjoy, to clothing or art, anything done well can be a gift. Don't rule out lessons or skilled labor as potential holiday gifts, particularly for relatives who can't afford such services at this time. Smart shopping for ingredients or supplies can make such creative gifts a real money saver.

Build a year-round gift stash. If there are gifts or foodstuffs you can buy on sale and keep for a while, you'll have a ready source of thank-you gifts for hosts, teachers or co-workers year-round. Set aside a similar area for cards, gift tags and wrapping paper. Also keep in mind that many retailers put holiday-themed items on sale before the holidays are finished. If you think you'll need these items next year, grab your coupons, take advantage and put those items aside for future gift giving.

Late saving for gifts? Do it anyway. If you don't have a holiday fund set up, don't let that keep you from starting one. Every little bit helps. Take 5-10 percent of your next paycheck and set it aside, doing it each week throughout the holidays. If you keep it up, your holiday fund can eventually become an emergency fund to be used for other savings goals, including retirement.

Take notes for next holiday season. Create a paper or digital file where you can collect ideas for next year. Check print and online resources like Consumer Reports for items that can be bought at specific times of the year at a discount so you are able to hide them for the holidays - but remember where you hid them.

Bottom line: Keeping holidays affordable isn't a challenge when you're willing to do a little planning, idea-sharing and record-keeping. Make it an activity you can do year-round.