1. Siblings of People with Disabilities: The Next Generation of Supporters Pat Carver

2. TODAY At this session, we will share current sibling research and national Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) efforts underway that advance self-determination with and for our brothers and sisters. We will also examine how to organize siblings in Virginia.

3. Background Siblings have longest relationship As parents age, siblings provide more support The sibling experience is varied and important

4. The Sibling Movement Siblings have insights Club sandwich generation Support to families – “Family support” Siblings need information

5. Research: What do we know about Sibling Relationships?

6. Research: What do we know about Future Planning? Siblings Rule PSAs: Supporting the Employment of Your Brother or Sister with a disability

7. Future Planning Resources www.rrtcadd.org www.lookiris.com

8. Resource: Adult Sibling Experience Essay collection, thirty- nine adult siblings (ages 20 to 70) reflect on how their lives have been indelibly shaped by their relationship with a brother or sister with special needs

9. www.siblingleadership.org Mission: To provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support, and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families.

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player _embedded&v=Pc1CUf2DgOQ

11. State Chapters also… New Hampshire and Utah

12. Background: Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) Founded in 1990 SABE BOD Member on SLN Board of Directors Model for SLN Eric McVay SABE Representative SLN

13. 2012 Elections and Voting National Forum on Disability Issues SABE and SLN ◦Voter Registration ◦SABE 2012 Elections Educated network about how siblings can support their brothers/sisters to vote

14. Key Legislative Policies The Family Medical Inclusion Leave Act (FMILA) The Lifespan Respite Care Act The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

15. Key Collaborations of the SLN Partnerships: Grants

17. MI SIBS activities

18. www.siblingsupport.org Sibshops: gatherings for sibs to obtain peer support and education within a recreational setting SibKids: young siblings connect over the internet SibParent: a listserv where parents of kids with disabilities can talk about their “other” kids SibNet: Listserv for adult siblings

19. website: www.misibs.orgwww.Facebook.com/MISIBS

20. Sibling Story

21. Why SIBS in VIRGINIA? Connect siblings Provide information & resources Promote advocacy Develop sibling leadership Honor & celebrate the sibling relationship

22. Engage adult siblings Learn about the sibling relationship Engage siblings early in the conversation Seek out sibling input Identify sibling support programs Focus on the family as whole in service planning

23. Why should siblings get involved? Siblings as advocates Siblings enhancing self-determination Siblings as professionals

24. SIGN-IN SHEET http://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=Py OixKJJeXY&f http://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=Py OixKJJeXY&f TRUE COLORS