Open Mic with Disability Pride
Location: First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple: 77 West Washington, Pierce Hall:
An evening where people in the disability community come to listen and share their thoughts, poems, and writings about the disability experience. This is a fun way to learn about disability culture.
Food for Thought with Tamar Heller: What Happens When Siblings Take Over?
Location: First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple: 77 West Washington, Pierce Hall
As parents age, siblings often take on greater roles of providing support to their sibling with disabilities such as guardianship, personal support worker, advocate, and more. Dr. Tamar Heller will lead a discussion on ways siblings can think about these roles, choose what works for them and prepare for the future.
Tamar Heller, Ph.D., Professor, is Head of the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago and director of its University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for the State of Illinois. Dr. Heller has written over 175 publications (including 6 books) on family support interventions and policies, self-determination, health promotion, and aging of people with disabilities. Tamar is co-founder of the national Sibling Leadership Network and she has a sister with developmental disabilities.
Disability Pride Parade
Location: One South Dearborn Plaza
The 9th Annual Disability Pride Parade celebrates disability empowerment. The overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is to change the way people think about and define disability; and to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity that people living with disabilities can take pride in.
About 40 disability groups and organizations march in the parade. The parade kicks off at 11 am from Van Buren St and marches north on Dearborn to Washington St., ending a Daley Plaza. The post-parade celebration at Daley Plaza features music, performances, speakers, and exhibits.
An event for adult siblings from Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan to network, learn and HAVE FUN!
If you have a sibling with a disability, come join us in Chicago for the second annual Sibs in the City, July 20-21. Imagine:
- time to relax
and network with other adult siblings,
- a fun adventure in the great city of Chicago
- an opportunity to gain valuable insight and information on topics important to you as a sibling.
- the fun and excitement of participating in the Disability Pride Celebration in Chicago
Friday - July 20 - (Optional)
7:00 pm -Open Mic Night with Disability Pride (see left) - free admission
Saturday - July 21
9:00 am - Food for Thought with Tamar Heller: When Siblings Take Over
Admission: $10 fee collected at the event to help cover expenses.
11:00 am - Disability Pride Parade - One South Dearborn Plaza
Noon - Disability Pride Celebration - Daley Plaza
Afternoon - Free time in Chicago
Come be a part of Sibs in the City in downtown Chicago.
July 20 and 21, 2012
Travel on your own or join a group departing from locations in Appleton and Milwaukee. Group travel includes one night stay at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, just an 11 minute walk to Sibs in the City activities.
Plus, if you choose to travel with us from Wisconsin, enjoy:
- an easy Amtrak train ride where you are free to stretch, talk with friends or enjoy a little quiet time
- one of the most exciting hotels in downtown Chicago with a location near landmarks like the Loop, Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. The newly remodeled Holiday Inn Mart Plaza features contemporary style and breathtaking skyline views.
Group Travel from WI schedule:
Friday - July 20
8:30 am - Leave Appleton by van to arrive at Amtrak station by 10:30 am
11:00 am - Leave Milwaukee via Amtrak. Meet at 433 W. St. Paul Ave, Milwaukee at 10:45 am.
12:19 pm - Arrive at Chicago's Union station
Drop off luggage at hotel and free time - lunch/shopping/sight-seeing
5:30 pm - Dinner (As a group or on your own, each pays own meal)
7:00 pm - Join Open Mic Night with Disability Pride or on-your-own activities
Saturday - July 21
9:00 am - Food for Thought: When Siblings Take Over
11:00 am - Disability Pride Parade - One South Dearborn Plaza
Noon - Disability Pride Celebration - Daley Plaza
Afternoon - Free time in Chicago
4:45 pm - Meet at Union Station to return to WI on 5:08 train
6:45 pm - Arrive Milwaukee train station
9:00 pm - Arrive Appleton
Planned Sibs in the City activities are within walking distance of hotel. Transportation on Friday from Union station to hotel will be arranged for the group. Transportation to Union station on Saturday is on your own. Reservations for travel and hotel required by July 13. No cancellations after July 13.
COST: $200* per person (WI siblings only). *Includes seminar, hotel room (double occupancy) and round-trip train ticket from Milwaukee to Chicago. Meals, entertanment and transportation within Chicago is responsibility of traveler.
Where did the idea of Sibs in the City come from?
Sibs in the City was created last year as a result of sibling advocates from Wisconsin and Illinois understanding the value of face-to-face networking. Siblngs joining the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network* and Illinois through SIBS* (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters) the first year had a great time. So this year, the state of Michigan joins us.
All hope to make more siblings from their states aware of the new Sibling Leadership Network organization while providing siblings some fun and networking. With the Disability Pride Celebration in Chicago, a city brimming with great restaurants, shopping and attractions, and an opportunity to include Tamar Heller from the University of Illinois at Chicago, we know you'll have a great experience.
For more information, email Katie Arnold (S.I.B.S.) or call her at (312) 996-1002 or Harriet Redman (Fox Valley Sibling Support Network) or call her at (920) 968-1742.
*The Fox Valley Sibling Support Network is the Wisconsin affiliate of the Sibling Leadership Network
and S.I.B.S. is the Illinois affiliate.
