The Delaware Division of the Arts to Host a Free Accessibility Presentation Led by the National Endowment for the Arts

Delaware Division of the Arts - Press Release - Accessibility Workshop

THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF THE ARTS TO HOST A FREE
ACCESSIBILITY PRESENTATION LED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
Dr. Beth Bienvenu, accessibility director,
will review how to make the arts accessible to all

Wilmington, Del. (November 30, 2017) – Building off of this year’s Arts Summit theme: “Arts for All” and an earlier workshop “Flourishing: The Art of Creative Aging,” the Division will sponsor a special presentation by Dr. Bienvenu on the topic: “Accessibility Basics: Ensuring Access for Everyone” on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Copeland Lecture Hall, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. The Division invites all current and past grantees, the broader nonprofit sector and media to attend this free educational opportunity.

Dr. Bienvenu will provide an overview of what accessibility is, the range of audiences to consider when developing accessibility plans, and practical ways to improve access to programs for all audiences. Her presentation will be followed by a brief presentation by John Orr, executive director of Art-Reach, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to creating, advocating and expanding accessible opportunities in the arts so that the full spectrum of society is served. The afternoon will conclude with a Q&A session.

“The Division’s grantees are required to ensure that projects, productions, workshops and programs comply with applicable accessibility laws. We encourage arts organizations of all sizes to create programs that embrace the concept of ‘universal design’ that everyone—older people, people with and without disabilities—can access,” said Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts.

For those attending the presentation, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library will offer attendees a free, guided tour of its annual Yuletide at Winterthur. To be eligible for the tour, visitors must attend the Accessibility presentation and RSVP in advance.

Please RSVP here for an accurate headcount: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nea-accessibility-rsvp. Responses requested no later than Friday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m.

On-site parking is available, please follow signs for the Visitor Parking Lot and take the walking path that leads to the Visitor Center.

Handicapped parking and visitor drop-off is also available. At the fork in the road, in front of the Visitor Center, turn right. Parking is next to the Visitor Center entrance.


About Dr. Beth Bienvenu
Dr. Beth Bienvenu is the Director of the Office of Accessibility at the National Endowment for the Arts, where she manages the NEA’s technical assistance and advocacy work devoted to making the arts accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and people in institutional settings. She provides guidance and support to state arts agency staff and professionals working the fields of arts access, creativity and aging, arts and health, universal design, and arts in corrections.

Prior to coming to the NEA, she worked as a Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), where she analyzed public and private sector policies and practices related to the employment for people with disabilities. She also served as an adjunct professor for George Mason University’s Master of Arts in Arts Management program, where she taught courses in arts policy and comparative international arts policy, and she has a background in performing arts management. Dr. Bienvenu has master’s degrees in sociology and arts administration from Indiana University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from The University of Oklahoma.

About John Orr
John was appointed as Executive Director of Art-Reach in February 2015, with a vision that he would lead organizational planning efforts and grow strategic initiatives. A native of Philadelphia, John brings over 19 years of experience in the city’s cultural community, including work at museums, community arts organizations, and historic sites and he currently serves as a board member of Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia. In addition, John advises and helps coordinate the largest conference for small museum professionals in the mid-Atlantic region through his work with the Small Museum Association. John received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College. John’s commitment to planning and implementation, strategic fundraising, and organizational culture have driven his work throughout his career.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and the agency is celebrating this milestone with events and activities through September 2016.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov


Funeral Services on Thursday, November 30 for Delaware State Police Sergeant Rodney Bond, Jr. Will Impact New Castle County Roads

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) alerts motorists that New Castle County roadways will be impacted by the funeral services for Delaware State Police Sergeant Rodney Bond, Jr. today.

Public visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, November 30 at the Bob Carpenter Center, 631 South College Avenue in Newark.

Burial services will follow the memorial service at the Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway in New Castle.

Motorists can expect delays on I-95 Northbound from Exit 1 (DE 896) to Exit 5 (I-295) and US 13 Northbound as the funeral procession travels to the Gracelawn Memorial Park in New Castle between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

In anticipation of possible delays in the area, DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center will be monitoring traffic via radio and cameras along the route. DelDOT will have personnel positioned throughout the area to assist with traffic control.

Motorists can tune to WTMC-1380AM for the latest information on road conditions.

 


Small Businesses: Be Alert to Identity Theft

Small business identity theft is a big business for identity thieves. Just like individuals, businesses may have their identities stolen and their sensitive information used to open credit card accounts or file fraudulent tax returns seeking bogus refunds. To mark “National Tax Security Awareness Week,” the Delaware Division of Revenue, along with the IRS and the nation’s tax industry have joined together to warn small businesses to be on-guard against a growing wave of identity theft against businesses and employers.

In the past year, the Internal Revenue Service noted a sharp increase in the number of fraudulent Forms 1120, 1120S and 1041 as well as Schedules K-1. The fraudulent filings include forms filed relating to partnerships, estates and trusts. Identity thieves are displaying a sophisticated knowledge of the tax code and industry filing practices as they attempt to obtain valuable data to enable them to file fraudulent returns.

Identity thieves have long made use of stolen Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) to create fake Forms W-2 that they file with fraudulent individual tax returns seeking refunds. Fraudsters also used EINs to open new lines of credit or obtain credit cards. Now, they are using company names and EINs to file fraudulent returns for the businesses themselves.

As with fraudulent individual returns, there are certain signs that may indicate identity theft. Those filing returns for corporations, partnerships, estates or trusts should be alert to potential identity theft and contact the IRS if they experience any of these issues:

  • Extension to file requests are rejected because a return with the Employer Identification Number or Social Security number is already on file;
  • An e-filed return is rejected because a duplicate EIN/SSN is already on file with the IRS;
  • An unexpected receipt of a tax transcript or IRS notice that doesn’t correspond to anything submitted by the filer;
  • Failure to receive expected and routine correspondence from the IRS because the thief has changed the taxpayer’s address.

New Procedures to Protect Businesses in 2018

The Division of Revenue, the IRS, and software providers share certain data points from returns, including business returns, which help identify a suspicious filing. Delaware and the IRS are asking that businesses and tax practitioners provide additional information that will help verify the legitimacy of the tax returns they file.

For 2018, the “know your customer” procedures that are being put in place include the following questions:

  • Authorized signer – Confirm the name and SSN of the company executive authorized to sign the corporate tax return;
  • Payment history – were estimated tax payments made? If yes, when were they made, how were they made, and how much was paid?
  • Parent company information – is there a parent company? If yes, what is the name of the parent company?
  • Deduction information – Provide additional information based on deductions claimed;
  • Filing history – has the business filed Form(s) 940, 941 or other business-related tax forms?

Individuals operating as sole proprietorships who file Schedule C with Form 1040 and partnerships that file Schedule K-1 with Form 1065 also will be asked to provide additional information items, such as a driver’s license number. Providing this information will help Delaware and the IRS identify suspicious business-related returns.

For small businesses looking for a place to start on security, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has produced Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals. NIST is the branch of the U.S. Commerce Department that sets information security frameworks followed by federal agencies. The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has created Resources for Small and Midsize Businesses.

Take the steps recommended by cyber experts to protect your business, and visit the Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance for more information about business-related identity theft.


Academy prepares students for education jobs

Smyrna High School teacher Michael Hill-Shaner knew early on that he wanted to become an educator. As a Smyrna High student in the mid-1990s, he became involved in Future Educators of America, now called Educators Rising, and went to college to study education.

After returning to his home town, Hill-Shaner taught Smyrna’s educator preparation program for several years, creating more “homegrown” teachers along the way. This year, Hill-Shaner says he is excited to transition the educator prep program to the Delaware K-12 Teacher Academy, giving students more opportunities while still in high school to jumpstart their careers as well as provide future teachers for area schools.

“Future Educators of America helped mold me into the educator I am today and opened doors that I never would have imagined,” Hill-Shaner said. “When given the ability to help establish the Delaware Teacher Academy and begin this journey in my own high school, I couldn’t have been more excited. I am able to build my future colleagues and prepare students for greatness.”

Part of the state’s Pathways to Prosperity program, the Delaware K-12 Teacher Academy is designed to provide students hands-on experience and early college credit in the high-skilled, in-demand career field of education. At the same time, the program is designed to build a pipeline of high-quality, local students who want to transition into the teaching profession.

The program goes hand-in-hand with Educators Rising, the student organization for Delaware students interested in becoming teachers. Educators Rising members participate in community service projects, compete against teams from other states and also access a virtual campus where students can meet other future teachers.

Laurel High School teacher Stacey Stump says she is excited about the program because it provides students real insight in education careers.

“This program allows students to experience the amazing influence educators have on children and the future,” Stump said. “Through this experience, they will understand the struggles of teaching but also know the importance of collaboration and professional development to decrease those struggles.”

For students, the program also provides an opportunity to determine if a career in education is the right fit prior to them selecting a college major. Students develop a realistic understanding of teaching while acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to sustain their interest in the profession. Students will understand the rigors of a career in education and participate in classroom and field experiences relevant to pursuing a degree in education.

“The Teacher Academy has provided me with a better insight into becoming an effective educator,” said Lauren Williams, a Smyrna senior and the state’s Educators Rising president. “It has also provided me with tools for my classroom and working in a professional learning community.”

Delaware K12 Teacher Academy is in 14 high schools across the state with more planning to join next fall. The academy offers three years of courses. Once a student successfully completes each they will be eligible for certain dual enrollment courses at Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware State University or Wilmington University.

“We want students who complete the program to come back and become leaders in their school communities,” Stump said. “Selfishly, I can’t wait to see this.”

The Delaware K-12 Teacher Academy is in place at Appoquinimink School District’s Appoquinimink and Middletown high schools, Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School, Cape Henlopen School District’s Cape Henlopen High School, Capital School District’s Dover High School, Colonial School District’s William Penn High School, Indian River School District’s Indian River and Sussex Central high schools, Laurel School District’s Laurel High School, Milford School District’s Milford High School, POLYTECH School District’s POLYTECH High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District’s McKean High School, Smyrna School District’s Smyrna High School and Woodbridge School District’s Woodbridge High School.

 

For more information on the great things happening in schools across Delaware, sign up to receive Take Note: Education in the First State at http://www.doe.k12.de.us/takenoteTake Note is published the final Wednesday of each month.

 

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Governor Carney and Mayor Purzycki Announce New Wilmington Sports Complex, Home to 76ers NBA G League Team

140,000-square-foot facility, developed by the Buccini/Pollin Group, will be named “76ers Fieldhouse”

WILMINGTON, Del. – During a news conference today in Wilmington, Delaware Governor John Carney and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki will join the Philadelphia 76ers and the Buccini/Pollin Group to announce construction of a 140,000-square-foot, multi-purpose sports complex and youth training center in Wilmington. The new facility will be built on an 8.9 acre parcel of land off U.S. Route 13 and Garasches Lane. The sports complex is designed to be the premier center for youth sports in Delaware while providing thousands of underserved youth with new sports programming and opportunities.

The facility will be named “76ers Fieldhouse” and will be the new home for the 76ers NBA G League affiliate team, the Delaware 87ers. The team will play its home games at 76ers Fieldhouse, configured to host approximately 2,500 fans per game. Additionally, the 76ers will leverage its sales and sponsorship expertise to secure unique partnerships for 76ers Fieldhouse, including naming rights partners.

“The Philadelphia 76ers are truly the Delaware Valley’s team, and we’re fortunate to have an incredible fanbase across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. We are thrilled to partner with BPG on 76ers Fieldhouse in Delaware to serve as home to both our NBA G League team and hundreds of youth teams and athletes each year,” 76ers President Chris Heck said. “We’ve set out to create a facility in a city on the rise like Wilmington for our NBA G League team that furthers the 76ers’ commitment to being leaders in sports performance and athlete care. We’re fortunate to partner with a group as respected and accomplished as BPG to reach this goal, while also bringing these amenities to youth teams and athletes in this area. With the support of Delaware Governor John Carney, Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki and our fans across the state, we’re excited to further demonstrate our commitment to Delaware by launching 76ers Fieldhouse.”

“This announcement by the 76ers organization confirms again that Wilmington is a great place for companies to invest, expand, and grow,” said Governor John Carney. “We couldn’t be more excited to help announce the new 76ers Fieldhouse, which will bring an NBA G League team to our city, and help connect development along the banks of the Christina River. Importantly, this facility will create jobs, expand opportunities for kids in Wilmington to participate in sports activities, and attract even more visitors to our great state. Thank you to the 76ers organization and the Buccini/Pollin Group for their commitment to Delaware, and their continued partnership.”

“We are proud to welcome the 76ers and their G league team to the City of Wilmington. The new sports facility will be among the finest in the country for a city our size. This fieldhouse, larger than the Chase Center, will be an outstanding venue for the Delaware sports hungry public,” states Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This also answers our residents call for healthy options for our kids. Wilmington’s children will be primary beneficiaries of the many levels of programming provided by this magnificent facility. Our gratitude to Buccini/Pollin and the 76ers organization for placing their faith in our great city.”

The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) will manage the development and construction of the facility on the site, which is currently owned by the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC), and sits at the foot of the new Christina River Bridge that will ultimately connect both banks of the Christina Riverfront.

“This new facility will be the impetus for the development we have envisioned on the East bank of the Christina River,” says Megan McGlinchey, Executive Director of the RDC. “The location delivers an excellent gateway into Wilmington and the Riverfront. Plus, we are thrilled that the Delaware 87ers will now join the growing list of successful family-friendly attractions already located here.”

In addition to the exciting arrival of the 76ers Fieldhouse, the complex will support youth athletic training sessions as well as youth basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, football and other sport competitions through its dynamic mixed-use program including three full-sized, professional basketball courts, two indoor turf soccer fields, a world-class sports performance and athletic training area, as well as retail and office space.

Tenants who are planning to offer services at the 76ers Fieldhouse include TITUS, which will bring its performance training center to the complex and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children part of the Nemours Children’s Health System, which will bring its advanced Sports Medicine capabilities, including pediatric orthopedics and sports physical therapy, to the facility.

Titus Sports Academy, founded in 2001, focuses on long-term athletic development and optimization through training, nutrition and recovery plans based on specific needs of each sport, level or mission. TITUS utilizes technological assessment, evaluation and management tools that allow all athletes the opportunity to improve. The TITUS staff are highly experienced and have trained athletes from hundreds of schools, colleges and professional teams that regularly set the standard for excellence in human performance (www.TheTitusReport.com). “We are excited to share in this unique opportunity and vision which combines elite-level programs, a world-class facility and positive community impact,” says Shawn Hoffman, Managing Partner at Titus Sports.

Nemours is an internationally recognized children’s health system that owns and operates the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, along with outpatient facilities in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, delivering pediatric primary, specialty and urgent care. Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves. “The building of the 76ers Fieldhouse is a very welcome addition to the ever-expanding and evolving Wilmington Riverfront. Nemours Children’s Health System is proud to be a part of this new venture in Wilmington. We look forward to expanding our superior and compassionate pediatric care with this new location in Wilmington,” says Roy Proujansky, MD, Chief Executive of Delaware Valley Operations, Nemours Children’s Health System.

The 76ers Fieldhouse will be available for events and field use by local and regional sports clubs and competitions as well. Local youth organizations will be able to practice, train and play soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, football and other sports here, for both competitive and community outreach purposes. Future Soccer Stars Foundation (FSS), a nonprofit providing free soccer programs for economically disadvantaged children in the City of Wilmington (www.fssfoundation.org), and the Delaware Football Club (DEFC) which includes Delaware Rush, Delaware Union, and Kirkwood Soccer players (www.delawarefc.org), are two such organizations that work both independently and collaboratively to enhance youth soccer in the region, and have both committed to this facility as their home. Steve Cavalier is the Founder and Executive Director of FSS, and Coach at DEFC. “By working together, FSS and DEFC create the access and launch points (respectively) of a streamlined and coherent soccer pathway for all children regardless of ethnicity, background, or socioeconomic status. Where FSS introduces play, DEFC, in conjunction with high school play, provides the highest levels of competition before college and beyond.”

DEFC is the product of a long-term vision by its member clubs to create a recognizable soccer pathway for children in Delaware and surrounding states. It is designed to allow young players to move from recreation soccer through competitive club and high school soccer with the greatest opportunity to play in college and even professional soccer. “This is all done from the state of Delaware,” states Ian Hennessey who serves as both the head men’s coach at the University of Delaware and the Technical Director at DEFC. “DEFC is providing opportunities for families, who sometimes feel the need to leave the state to find a similar pathway. This new facility will help DEFC make these opportunities a reality.”

“The Fieldhouse and its partners, and specifically the full-sized soccer fields, will provide FSS the environment and room to house its fast-growing programs and annual events,” says Oliver Yeh, who serves as Board Chair at FSS. “In addition, FSS will have the capacity to run a centralized youth soccer league for the City of Wilmington. It will be a safe place for children to play, a home that will stoke a communal hometown pride, and a place where aspirations can grow to great heights.”

The Buccini/Pollin Group has engaged arena specialists Rossetti Architects of Detroit, MI to design the 76ers Fieldhouse, which will be a highly visible facility and a landmark for the connection of the east and west banks of the Christina River. “I am gratified by the Sixers decision to be part of this transformative project for Wilmington,” says Rob Buccini, Co-President and Co-Founder of The Buccini/Pollin Group. “Their confidence and commitment are affirmations that Wilmington continues to move in the right direction. In addition to providing sports, training and health services for youth in our City and throughout the region, the facility will be a significant economic generator. With the addition of tournaments and associated visitors, the 76ers Fieldhouse will positively impact the local economy.”

A formal groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for the first quarter of 2018, with a season ticket deposit campaign for the NBA G League team also set to begin at the start of the new year. For information on field use reservations, events, and other ways to support the 76ers Fieldhouse please visit www.76ersfieldhouse.com.

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