The Harkin Institute

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University. I visited with trainees in the University of Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (ILEND) program. The Harkin Institute is focused on making involvement in policy surrounding disability rights accessible for all people. The Harkin Institute is named after former senator Tom Harkin. Senator Harkin is a strong advocate for disability rights. Harkin was a primary supporter of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was signed into law in 1990. The ADA is the single most important law in disability rights history. Thank you to The Harkin Institute and Drake University for having us and Daniel Van Sant for teaching us so much about the mission of the Harkin Institute and the importance of policy! “When you know better, do better” -Maya Angelou University of Iowa College of Public Health University of Iowa Health Care

October and National Disability Employment Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but the progress toward a more inclusive and accessible workplace is not! Stay up to date with tips and tools for making your organization more accessible for all employees here: https://bit.ly/40q4rdg #NDEAM U.S. Department of Labor

DMARC is proud to sponsor this week's conversation on Climate and Nutrition hosted by the Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute, and World Food Prize Foundation. Join us for this Friday's free Lecture starting at 2 p.m. at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center with Dr. Lawrence Haddad. Space is limited - Please pre-register at https://lnkd.in/gDRQVQcQ @iaenvironmentalcouncil

Don't forget, tomorrow is our FREE webinar examining the challenges retirees face in the Medicare enrollment process and how Iowa SHIIP counselors can help! Hear from a panel including the research team at The Harkin Institute, the SHIP TA Director, the Iowa SHIIP-SMP Director, AARP, and Justice in Aging. Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/3Y3x0vn

Halloween and Beggar's Night are this week! You can help make trick-or-treating an accessible experience for all. It can be as simple as moving your candy station to the bottom of your stairs, avoiding strobe lights, providing candy and food alternatives in case of dietary restrictions, and being patient and understanding with all trick-or-treaters. Find more tips on how to make Halloween more accessible here: https://bit.ly/48ks88I

Over his 40-year career, Senator Tom Harkin became a leading advocate for labor and employment rights. We’re excited for this month’s podcast, where Troy W. Vincent had the honor of speaking with Senator Harkin and Matt Reed, Executive Director at The Harkin Institute. The full episode airs next Thursday, but catch the sneak peek below where Senator Harkin shares a special joy he’s cherished witnessing.

KCDD, in partnership with The Harkin Institute, National Down Syndrome Society, and CareSource proudly kicked off National Disability Employment Awareness Month by bringing together national leaders in disability and employment at the Heartland Disability Employment & Innovation Symposium. We are proud to walk the talk when it comes to disability employment - hear from our executive director, Sara Hart Weir, MS, about who works for the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. https://buff.ly/3YjD5mr #ndeam

Harkin Summit attendees will get the chance to hear from Dino Zuppa of Accessibility Standards Canada and Maureen Haan of the CCRW | CCRT. The pair will discuss their efforts to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040 and the development of the employment accessibility standard. Don't miss out! Register here to attend: https://bit.ly/4fvEM7Y

UpLift- The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot, in partnership with Disability Rights Iowa and The Harkin Institute, invite you to a virtual Community Conversation, “Roadblock: Navigating the Benefits Cliff for Social Security Disability Benefits and Employment,” on Tuesday, October 29th. Join community experts as they discuss the complexities of the disability benefits system, sharing real-life examples and practical insights on how individuals can balance public benefits while pursuing employment opportunities. Don't miss this important conversation on overcoming challenges and creating pathways to economic security. To register, visit https://loom.ly/vS-K2I4 #EconomicOpportunity #ThrivingNeighborhoods #CommunityConnections

In just one week, you can attend our FREE webinar examining the challenges retirees face in the Medicare enrollment process and how Iowa SHIIP counselors can help. Hear from a panel including the research team at The Harkin Institute, the SHIP TA Director, the Iowa SHIIP-SMP Director, AARP, and Justice in Aging. Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/3Y3x0vn