4th Annual Diversity Discovery Free Day

A free day of fun and learning for all children and families. Families will learn about diversity through interactive exhibits throughout the museum. This free event celebrates the broad spectrum of diversity in many forms including ethnicity, nationality, ability, religion, and family structure.

Visit the WisconSibs table at the event and make a poster, pick a prize, or tell us a story.

Volunteers needed. Call 920-968-1742 or contact us

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

K.I.T.E. Conference

This annual conference for family members, professionals, and self-advocates is presented by organizations that work in collaboration within the K.I.T.E. Building; SOAR Fox Cities, Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, WI Autism Society, and WisconSibs.

Topics are relevant to the immediate and ongoing needs and interests of anyone caring about people with disabilities, including speech therapy, housing, advocacy, occupational therapy and more.  Plus a resource fair and lunch. Just $10…includes lunch.

MUST REGISTER

Rating: NR

Genre: Documentary

Release: 2018

Duration: 70

INTELLIGENT LIVES stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional personal story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S.

INTELLIGENT LIVES challenges what it means to be intelligent, and points to a future in which people of all abilities can fully participate in higher education, meaningful employment and intimate relationships.

See more information and get tickets at https://gathr.us/screening/26990

Disability Advocacy Day

Wednesday, March 20, 2019     
Must be registered by March 8. No Walk-ins permitted.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center,
One John Nolen Drive,  Madison, WI

Disability Advocacy Day is designed to connect you with your legislators so you can talk about issues that matter to you. You are the expert in sharing how legislative policies affect people with disabilities in their everyday lives.

JOIN US!  Make certain your voice is heard!

Official Site for Disability Advocacy Day: www.survivalcoalitionwi.org  

Disability Advocacy Day is a day-long event focused on connecting Self-Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the full day of activities.

Registration Information

• Online at: https://www.eri-wi.org/dad/
• Download form HERE
• There is small fee to register. $10 per person. NEW
• Order a lunch (optional) $10
• Everyone in attendance MUST Register before March 8th
• Direct Care Workers attending to assist you for the day must register for this event.
• Additional people must complete their own registration form.
• Use your HOME/VOTING address to register. Business addresses or PO Boxes are not allowed.
• No on-site registration or walk-ins.

Agenda At-A-Glance

• 9:30 Check in: Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison stop by Voting Resource table. Spring Statewide Election April 2
• 10:30 Briefing on Survival Coalition’s current issues, planning time and lunch
• 12:15 Rally at the State Capitol, Hamilton Street Entrance (3 blocks away)
• 1:00- 3:00 Attend Legislative visits
• 3:00-3:30 Check out and debrief after your visit at the Capitol

Event Reminders

• Participants support Survival Coalition’s mission to maximize community inclusion for all people with disabilities,
• Participants must attend the 10:30 a.m. briefing at the Monona Terrace Convention Center and attend your legislative visits at the scheduled time with your group.
• Coordinate your own transportation (if you need assistance) to the Capitol (3 blocks away)
• REGISTRATION DEADLINE March 8, 2019 must be postmarked and paid for by March 8, so we have time to schedule your legislative visit for you.

Don’t forget your  Blue Disability Advocacy Day T-Shirt!

Come visit WisconSibs at this FREE event for families in the Fox Valley

Download flyer WOYCGrowing Kindness April 11 2019 flyer

Siblings of people with disabilities who are 13-17 years old may apply to be selected as a Teen Sib Leader. Selected teens receive a free one-day leadership training session.  This day is focused on personal leadership skills and having fun with other teen sibs.  Teen Sib Leaders are then eligible to become counselors and mentors at SibDays of Summer and leaders at a variety of WisconSibs events and opportunities.

The event is being held on June 13, 2019 at Beaming, Inc in Neenah from 10 am – 3 pm. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event.

More information and application

Join us for our 14th Annual Celebrate Sisterhood luncheon and “Show-off Your Purse-onality” Shopping Experience.

Mark your calendar and plan to meet us at the Red Lion Paper Valley Hotel on October 22, 2019.  Doors open at 11:00 am for a preview of the fabulous purse silent auction, raffle and Encore bags.  Event begins at 11:30 am.

Don’t miss the fun with your sisters, girlfriends, family, and colleagues!

11:00 am Doors open
11:30 am Shopping begins!
noon        Program and awards
1:25 pm   Winners announced

Sponsors enjoy many benefits.  Interested in more information about sponsoring? Click YES

Interested in donating a silent auction item or Encore bag?  Click YES

To register a single seat or a table of 8 or 10, click here.

Adult Siblings, their families, and invited guests are invited to join WisconSibs for a delightful Adult Sibling Holiday Social on December 6, 2017 at The Grand Meridian.

Bring your sibling, friends, family or caregivers for this relaxed, cozy, and delicious event.  Free parking and easy accessibility. Great opportunity to meet other WisconSibs and their siblings with disabilities.

Please make your reservations by December 4.

Make reservations by calling 920-968-1742 or click HERE.

Are you a sibling whois concerned about the day your parents no longer can care for your sibling?  Or you’ve become responsible for your sibling and are unsure about the future and need some answers?

For adults who have a sibling with developmental disabilities or long-term illnesses, the journey together is lifelong. You may already be in a care giving role or expect to in the future. This program helps you clarify your role, get the planning tools to move forward, and connect with other siblings and local resources that will change your future.

Journey Forward has one main goal— to help you as an adult sibling move forward with peace of mind. 

When you are finished with both workshop sessions, you will have a written document which describes your sibling’s desired future living arrangement, community role, and lifestyle preferences.  You will have a plan that includes practical directions and information for maintaining continuity in your sibling’s daily life and needed supports to achieve these outcomes.  Some call this peace of mind. 

This is the first session of a two-session program.  Adult siblings are encouraged to invite parents, siblings (including any with disabilities), and other family members as their guests. The program includes all materials and lunch for adult siblings and their guests (spouse, other siblings, parents, and any other significant members of their family or team) for both sessions.

If you have questions about Journey Forward in general, contact us at the WisconSibs office.

Siblings of people with disabilities who are 13-17 years old may apply to be selected as a Teen Sib Leader. Selected teens receive a free one-day leadership training session.  This day is focused on personal leadership skills and having fun with other teen sibs.  Teen Sib Leaders are then eligible to become camp counselors and mentors at SibDays of Summer and leaders at a variety of WisconSibs events and opportunities.

The theme for Teen Sib Leadership Day 2020 is Transitions: Awake Your Strengths

The event is being held on June 11, 2020 at Bubolz Nature Preserve. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event.

More information and application

Wondering about the annual K.I.T.E. Conference? Wonder no more. We’re moving it to Zoom and offering it as a FREE four-part learning series focusing on emerging from COVID-19 with Knowledge, Independence, Togetherness, and Empowerment.

This FREE four-part, four-week series is brought to you by SOAR Fox Cities, WisconSibs and The Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin.

Each session features experts discussing everything from self-care to staying connected, to what needs to be in your“transition suitcase” to embracing resilience & acceptance of “what is” and being hopeful of “what can be.”

Click for a full description of each session.

Sibshop at Circles of Life

Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities. This event brings together families and the providers who support them to learn, connect, and become more knowledgeable about programs and services for their children.

To learn more about the conference go to CirclesofLifeConference.com

Sib Camp – ages 12-17

August 16-19, 2021 for ages 12-17

Sib Campers love Door County!

4 DAY-3 NIGHT camp for kids ages 9-16 who have siblings with disabilities.

Adventures, fun, campfires, make friends with other siblings of kids with disabilities, respite. Campers use Wagon Trail Resort as headquarters and camp in yurts.

Find more specialty camps at https://www.veryspecialcamps.com/summer-camps/2514.html

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AT CELEBRATE SISTERHOOD!!!

Join us for our 15th Annual Celebrate Sisterhood luncheon and “Show-off Your Purse-onality” Experience.

Mark your calendar and plan to meet us at the Red Lion Paper Valley Hotel on October 19, 2021.

Can’t attend in person? Join us virtually for silent auction and program

For INFO AND REGISTRATION

Sponsors enjoy many benefits.  Interested in more information about sponsoring? Click YES

Interested in donating a silent auction item or Encore bag?  Click YES

Want more information on how you can get involved in planning? Click YES.

Sibshop for ages 8-17 at Circles of Life conference

Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities. This event brings together families and the providers who support them to learn, connect, and become more knowledgeable about programs and services for their children.

This year’s conference will be held on May 12–13, 2022. You can attend
either in person or remotely (online). Attend in Person The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The Holiday Inn is holding some rooms for conference attendees who want to stay at the hotel. We recommend making hotel reservations early.

To learn more about the conference go to CirclesofLifeConference.com

Are you a sibling whois concerned about the day your parents no longer can care for your sibling?  Or you’ve become responsible for your sibling and are unsure about the future and need some answers?

For adults who have a sibling with developmental disabilities or long-term illnesses, the journey together is lifelong. You may already be in a care giving role or expect to in the future. This program helps you clarify your role, get the planning tools to move forward, and connect with other siblings and local resources that will change your future.

Journey Forward has one main goal— to help you as an adult sibling move forward with peace of mind. 

When you are finished with both workshop sessions, you will have a written document which describes your sibling’s desired future living arrangement, community role, and lifestyle preferences.  You will have a plan that includes practical directions and information for maintaining continuity in your sibling’s daily life and needed supports to achieve these outcomes.  Some call this peace of mind. 

This is the first session of a two-session program.  Adult siblings are encouraged to invite parents, siblings (including any with disabilities), and other family members as their guests. The program includes all materials and lunch for adult siblings and their guests (spouse, other siblings, parents, and any other significant members of their family or team) for both sessions.

If you wish to register yourself, your sibling, or your parents or you have questions about Journey Forward in general, contact us at the WisconSibs office.

Workshop #2 of Journey Forward

This is the part 2 of the 2-part Journey Forward program. It is open to adult Sibs and their guests who attended Workshop #1 or would like a refresher after having attended any Journey Forward workshop in the past.

Topics will include:

• Letter of Intent progress and how to use it to get what you and your sibling with disabilities need and want.
• Housing for people with disabilities – Assessing needs and interests, options and challenges
• Employment Options or Day Program options – Assessing skills, interests, and navigating local options.

Who benefits from Journey Forward workshops? Directed at adults who have a sibling with developmental disabilities or long-term illnesses, the journey ultimately benefits you AND your sibling with disabilities AND others in your family, even your community. You may already be in a care giving role or expect to in the future. This program helps you clarify your role as a sibling, get the planning tools to move forward, and connect with other siblings and local resources that will impact your future.

Journey Forward has one main goal— to help you as an adult sibling move forward with peace of mind. 

When you are finished with both workshop sessions, you will have a written document which describes your sibling’s desired future living arrangement, community role, and lifestyle preferences.  You will have a plan that includes practical directions and information for maintaining continuity in your sibling’s daily life and needed supports to achieve these outcomes.  Some call this peace of mind. 

This is the second session of a two-session program.  Adult siblings are encouraged to invite parents, siblings (including any with disabilities), and other family members as their guests. The program includes all materials and lunch for adult siblings and their guests (spouse, other siblings, parents, and any other significant members of their family or team) for both sessions.

If you wish to register yourself, your sibling, or your parents or you have questions about Journey Forward in general, contact us at the WisconSibs office.

Sibshop for ages 8-12 at Circles of Life conference

Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities. This event brings together families and the providers who support them to learn, connect, and become more knowledgeable about programs and services for their children.

This year’s conference will be held on May 11-12, 2023. WisconSibs will be offering a Sibshop on Thursday, May 11 from 9 am – noon.

To learn more about the conference go to CirclesofLifeConference.com