SubscribeThe 29th annual Pac Rim Conference is April 28-29, 2013 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Moe info here: www.pacrim.hawaii.edu
Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man [and woman are] social being[s]. Without interrelation with society he cannot realize his oneness with the universe or suppress his egotism. His social interdependence enables him...to prove himself on the touchstone of reality.
--Mahatma Gandhi
The independent living movement has provided social justice for persons with disabilities and has paved a pathway for the achievement of self-determination, equal opportunities, self-respect & self-worth, and happiness. The movement has greatly changed and broadened living choices for persons with disabilities, and has liberated many from the constraints of government institutions. But we do not exist truly independent of others, and we all rely on a network of support and help. Living with a disability in today's world can be challenging for those who strive to live independently. What happens when the help that's expected turns to abuse at the hands of a caregiver or those trusted with our wellbeing? What do we do when natural support within communities does not exist? How do we prepare our communities as the largest generation - the baby boomers - in America heads into their golden years? With budget cuts slashing medical insurance and services that so many people depend on, the provisions needed to live a healthy and happy life are in shortage. Now is the time for all of us to reach out and support each other.
There are many constructs and barriers that are broken down within the walls of our homes which still define, and in some cases hold up, our outside world. This year at Pac Rim, Living In(ter)dependently will focus on how we are evolving and adapting to live interdependently and independently in communities that are often built for the able-bodied. Questions and topics to be submitted for consideration as presentations, posters, or papers include:
What is being done or can be done to implement universal design as a standard in the building industry?
What is being done or has been done in communities to ensure that people with disabilities are not forgotten in times of disaster?
Present best practices for caring for and providing proper training to care givers and personal assistants.
How, with the help of assistive technology, can communities realize and utilize the strengths of persons with disabilities so they can be included and viewed as contributing members of society?
What are the repercussions of budget cuts on independent living centers and the independent living movement? What are some solutions to the problems that have surfaced because of these repercussions?
How have families adapted to today's society and implemented independent living?
How is community leadership and ownership encouraging or discouraging independent living?
How is accessible tourism, or lack of, encouraging or discouraging those who live independently to travel?
What are the challenges, on personal levels and within communities, presented by having a growing number of diverse aging citizens and what are some adaptations to these challenges? For example, how can communities band together to cope with budget cuts to medical insurance?
Why is it import to participate in sports/recreation, laughter, healthy interactions with others, or alternative means of healing and what are the effects that these things have on the success of independent living?
How can international communities utilize each other's independent living movements and what are some best practices that can be transplanted and fulfilled from country to country, community to community?
Current initiatives being taken for older persons with disabilities to continue to participate in the socio-economic and cultural life of society.
Current research to making acquisition of services more streamlined, implementing person centered planning as an organizational standard, and providing formal and informal mechanisms for sharing resources and integrated services.
Current progressive policies that focus on the oversight of independent living centers, and the policies employed within them which promote and make independent living safe, free from abuse and exploitation.
What is the nature of our responsibility to one another in order to ensure that all diverse humans are cared and provided for?
Additional proposals are welcomed on other topics relevant to Living In(ter)dependently. We welcome creative ideas and workshops.
We welcome proposals in any presentation format. Please see presentation formats on our Web page at:http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/submissions/presenters/formats/. Please check the criteria for each format and ensure that you have the appropriate number of presenters for your chosen format. You may submit proposals online at: http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/submissions or send your proposals via email to prcall@hawaii.edu.
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