The William W. Picard Inspire For
Life Foundation
- This Foundation is under
- the umbrella of the
- National Heritage Foundation
Bill Picard; a Unique
Motivational / Educational Speaker
- Universities and Colleges, Schools K-12, Conferences, Summer camps, Workshops, Assemblies, Keynotes, Businesses, Corporations and Consulting
-
I have graduated from the University of Maine, found a career, bought a house and became a landlord, all while having severe Cerebral palsy. While I am speaking about my experiences, my audience will think " if he can do that, I can do it too." In my ten years of public speaking, I have presented information in classes for the University of Maine and at conferences. I also completed a practicum at UnumProvident Corporation, a national insurance company with headquarters in Portland, Maine, and spoke about issues related to persons with disabilities. For two years I was a Project Specialist for the "Opportunity To Completion" grant, at the Center for Community Inclusion. Through them, I was able to give presentations all over the state of Maine to inspire all kids to go on to higher Education.
With theses experiences, I decided to start "Inspire For Life" a nonprofit organization to do motivational speaking at at a variety of venues to inspire others. These presentations are for everyone, K through 12 , college students to the workforce, because it is about exceeding expectations and expanding our own personal boundaries. See what some of the people say about my presentations
The presentations will be age appropriate.
- Businesses or Corporations:
- I facilitate business team development based on my experiences
- K-12
Schools:
- K through 2nd- I discuss differences between people and ask if there really is a difference? What is friendship? Students interact with me by asking questions
-
- 3rd and 4th- I give the k-2 presentation and also show the students how I use the Pathfinder using the parts of speech
- 5th through 8th- I give the 3-4 presentation and add that " life is what you put in to it"
- 9th through 12th- I give the 5-8 presentation and also talk about going on to higher education.
- Universities,
College or Trade Schools:
- Everything is put together to form a unique presentation to fit all audiences
With the help of my Pathfinder, an augmentative communication device, I enjoy sharing and motivating my audience through a humorous approach because laughter eases tension. Everyone should enjoy their life to the fullest without letting their personal struggles hold them back.
- Materials
used
- Videos that reiterate my points, which is that people with disabilities can go on to college, get jobs, and have a life just like anybody else.
- Liberator, Light Talker and Touch Talker
- Handouts
The foundation ran out of money so I have not been doing much speaking.
Schedule
- May 15th 2008: The Board of Directors of Maine Youth Leadership invited me to be a Keynote Speaker at the 2007 Maine Youth Leadership Seminar. It is being held at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus May 31st-June 3rd, 2007. I am presenting on Thursday, May 31st from12:30-1:00pm at Bailey Hall to a group of 120 students and 50 staff members of their all volunteer organization. The Seminar Co-Chair said “last year the segment of the seminar was rated WOW on all of our surveys and was number one all over.
- February 15th 2008: I spoke at Park Ave. elementary school in Auburn, ME. I did three presentations in one classroom and spoke about differences between people and am there really a difference, friendship; get them to interact with me by asking questions etc. I have been doing this for over ten years and the kids and the teachers love it. My speeches are more about diversity base on my life and showing kids if I can do it, you can to. I also show the students how I use my Pathfinder (a talking keyboard) using the parts of speech. 9:45-10:30 Mrs. Down's 3rd grade (28 students) 10:35-11:20 Mrs. Babicki's 5th grade (24 students) 11:25-12:10 Mrs. Begin's 5th grade (25 kids)
- March 17th 2008: at Central
Maine Community College: This conference has about 100 students, I was
the key note for about 15 minutes. The goal of the conference is called
Mission Transition, and it is intended to have youth with disabilities
think about their career pathways after graduation. They want me to talk
about my journey and since I am a comedian they would really like kids
to hear about occupations that might be considered "non traditional" but
are part of peoples natural ability and passion.
- April 22nd 2008: spoke to 300
students in the undergrad Human Sexuality class at the University of
Maine (12:30-1:45) and I also spoke to the grad class that meets later
that afternoon from 4-6:30 in Orono, ME
- April 29th
2008: at Valley Community College in
Fairfield, ME
- May 31st 2007: The Board of Directors of Maine Youth Leadership invited me to be a Keynote Speaker at the 2007 Maine Youth Leadership Seminar. It is being held at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus May 31st-June 3rd, 2007. I am presenting on Thursday, May 31st from12:30-1:00pm at Bailey Hall to a group of 120 students and 50 staff members of their all volunteer organization. The Seminar Co-Chair said “last year the segment of the seminar was rated WOW on all of our surveys and was number one all over. Quite impressive!”
- May 7th 2007: 5:00 pm at Valley Community College in Fairfield. I am speaking to a college class: Psycho-Social Needs of Students with Disabilities. Some are in the Special Education Program; others are in the Speech Therapy Program But graduates of both programs most often work in schools helping students with disabilities.
- July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11, 18 2006: 6:30pm till 7:10pm. I am speaking at Camp William Hinds to deepen the Boy Scout's understanding of people different from themselves so as they are growing up, they'll be more tolerant and comfortable around all people. Over 750 campers and parents were there.
- July 26, 2006: at 1:00 in Augusta Maine I spoke to Maria Timberlake’s University of Maine graduate level course "SED 509 Curriculum & Instruction for Students with Severe Disabilities". She thought of me because so much of the class involves how to provide access to the general curriculum. However, all the strategies in the world won't help if you look at the person and don't see possibility and competence. The class will be made up of 15 or 16 people, all teachers. My experiences goes along with what she would like to stress which is the importance of exposing kids to content and not assuming because they see a disability, the student should forget about math class and wash the tables in the cafeteria instead.
- May 30, 2006: at USM in Gloria Giroux's PhD.Deviance and Social Control class. After the class hears my presentation I have the class do an exercise to try to convince me that I am deviant or not. In my opinion, most people think that deviant has a negative connotation but it can have a good connotation as well.
- May 18, 2006: at USM Gorham Campus. A keynote speaker for the organization Maine youth leadership seminar. They have one high school sophomore from every school in the state of Maine attend this four day Leadership seminar. The keynote start at 12:40 for ½ hour to a group of 120 students and 50 staff members of their all volunteer organization.
- April 25, 2006: University Of Maine Orono at 12:30
- April 18, 2006 at Valley Community College in Fairfield. I speaking to a college class: Psycho-Social Needs of Students with Disabilities. Some are in the Special Education Program, others are in the Speech Therapy Program But graduates of both programs most often work in schools helping students with disabilities.
- April 12, 2006: in Mexico. Three presentations to emotionally and behaviorally disordered students. This message is about acceptance and tolerance as well as aspirations for the older kids. everyone has challenges to work with and overcome. Everyone can succeed. everyone has value.
- March 24, 2006: USM, Lewiston at 8:30 Social Control & Deviance Class
- March 20, 2006: USM, Lewiston at 4:00 Social Control & Deviance Class
- November 9, 2005: I spoke at the Auburn Middle School to the Boy Scout leaders to deepen their understanding of people different from themselves. So they can have some more resources to help them run a quality program.
- November 7 & 8, 2005: I spoke at USM in Gloria Giroux's Deviance and Social Control class. After the class hears my presentation I have the class do an exercise to try to convince me that I am deviant or not. In my opinion, most people think that deviant has a negative connotation but it can have a good connotation as well.
- October 26, 2005: Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club. The audience was made up of about sixty community business leaders and guests. The purpose was to promote fellowship and learning more about our community and its goings on. I gave an overview of my life and how I got to where I am today. I also spoke about the William W Picard Inspire For Life Foundation and the work that we do. The news paper article about my presentation at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club.
- October 7, 2005: I did three, two hour presentation in a series of presentations throughout the year on inclusion and accommodations at Mountain Valley High School, in Mexico, Maine. Diane Taylor-Moore wanted to bring the reality to teachers and ed techs of what inclusion and accommodations can do for all students. Over 50 teachers and ed techs will be there.
- August 29, 2005: This was a two hour presentation in a series of presentations throughout the year on inclusion and accommodations at Mountain Valley High School, in Mexico, Maine. Diane Taylor-Moore wanted to bring the reality to teachers and ed techs of what inclusion and accommodations can do for all students. Over 25 teachers and ed techs were there.
- July 12, 22, 29 and August 5, 12, 19 2005: 7:15pm till 8:15-8:30pm. I spoke at Camp William Hinds to deepen the Boy Scout's understanding of people different from themselves so as they are growing up, they'll be more tolerant and comfortable around all people. Over 750 campers and parents were there.
- June 14, 2005: I spoke at USM in Gloria Giroux's Deviance and Social Control class. After the class hears my presentation I have the class do an exercise to try to convince me that I am deviant or not. In my opinion, most people think that deviant has a negative connotation but it can have a good connotation as well.
- May 5, 2005: 5:00 at Valley Community College in Fairfield. I spoke to a college class: Psycho-Social Needs of Students with Disabilities. Some are in the Special Education Program, others are in the Speech Therapy Program But graduates of both programs most often work in schools helping students with disabilities.
- April 19, 2005: 12:30-1:45 I spoke to 300 students at the University of Maine in Orono
- April 4, 2005: I spoke at USM in Gloria Giroux's Deviance and Social Control class. After the class hears my presentation I have the class do an exercise to try to convince me that I am deviant or not. In my opinion, most people think that deviant has a negative connotation but it can have a good connotation as well.
- March 21, 2005: I spoke to a social forum of non-profits and human service groups to assess needs and resources in the community.
- December 14, 2004: I went to Turner Elementary to talk to a Special Education class and a one on one with a student who has Cerebral palsy.
Independent motivational guest speaker
My schedule:
- September 28, 2004 - Augusta, Maine. I spoke at the hearings about the Consumer Directed Care Assistance Services program.
- September 22, 2004 - Lewiston, Maine. To Vocational Rehab transition counselors & others
- July 28, 2004 - Lewiston, Maine. syllabus for Psychosocial rehabilitation class for Gloria Giroux's class
- June 18, 2004 - Portland, Maine for Bath Fitter; the North American leading manufacturer of the most innovative bath renovation products on the market. I spoke on business team development based on my experiences.
- April 14, 2004 - Augusta, Maine for the Valley Community College in Fairfield. I spoke in Liz Poulin's ITV course called Psychological and Social Needs of Students with Disability.
- April 20th, 2004 - Orono Maine at the University of Maine for Sandra Caron, Ph.D. Professor of Family Relations/Human Sexuality. I was on a disability panel for the undergradate human sex class with over 350 students.
- April 6th, 2004 - Sandra Caron's graduate course in sexuality at the University of Maine.
- December 8, 2002 -
Orono Maine at the University
for James Artesani
Ed.D.
Professor of Education. I have
been presenting in his undergradate courses for over eight years to
give the students a deeper understanding of what they are learning in
the course.
- December 1, 2002 - Orono Maine at the University for James Artesani Ed.D. Professor of Education. I have been talking to his Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities graduate course for over four years because it brings realty to what he is teaching.
- September 30, 2003 -
In the same day I
spoke in three sections of Diane Jackson's Adapting Instruction course at the
University of Maine in
Orono. She likes for me to come into her classes
to give the students a deeper understanding of what she's teaching. I
talk about assistive technologies and how to work my Liberator. I also talk about looking
beyond labels and pursuing personal dreams, dealing with frustrations,
and making meaningful contributions to life after school years.
- April 29, 2003 - Orono Maine at the University of Maine for Sandra Caron, Ph.D. Professor of Family Relations/Human Sexuality.
- March 13, 14 2003 - Bucksport, ME at Miles Lane Elementary School grades 3 to kindergarten, and in 30 to 40 minute slots. I spoke about the differences between people and about how little those differences actually mean. I ask a lot of questions to this age group to make them interact with me.
- February
21, 2003 - Bangor, Maine at Husson College for
Lynn Gitlow, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP, Associate Professor
of Occupational Therapy. In her Assistive Technology class, I spoke about my
life and my Assistive Technology which I use every day to
communicate and to run my businesses.
-
February 20, 2003 - Orono Maine at the University for James Artesani
Ed.D. Professor of Education.
- November 21, 2002 - Keynote at United Cerebral Palsy annual dinner in Bangor, Maine.
- April 4, 2002 - In Diane Jackson's classes, Adapting Instruction, she
likes for me to come into her classes to give the students a deeper
understanding of what she's teaching. I talk about assistive
technologies and how to work my Liberator.
I also talk about looking beyond labels and
pursuing personal dreams, dealing with frustrations, and making
meaningful contributions to life after the school years.
- April 16 2002 - Orono Maine at the University of Maine for Sandra Caron, Ph.D. Professor of Family Relations/Human Sexuality. I spoke on a disability panel for the undergraduate human sex class for over 350 students. I also spoke to her graduate class the same day.
- September 29 2001 - Bangor, Maine at Husson college for Lynn Gitlow, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy. In her Assistive Technology class, I spoke about my life and my Assistive Technology which I use every day to communicate and run my businesses.
- July 19 2001 - USM Gorham campus, Maine 1pm until 4pm- This class is called "Acheiving Meaningful Inclusion with Technology". I spoke about how technology has benefited me. This was followed by a panel discussion.
- July 18 2001 - Machias, Maine- I spoke for an Assistive Technology work group with some of the teachers and providers in the area.
- October 23, 2000 - University of Syracuse in New York I was on a disability panel for the University community. I also spoke to one of their graduate classes the next day.
My 6/6/00 - 6/29/01 schedule:
for the Center
for Community Inclusion
-
May 1, and June 6, 2001
-
April 17, 2001 Diane Jackson: In Diane's class, Adapting Instruction from 9:30-10 and 5:30-6, she likes for me to come into her classes to give the students a deeper understanding of what she's teaching. I talk about assistive technologies and how to work my Liberator. I also talk about looking beyond labels and pursuing personal dreams, dealing with frustrations, and making meaningful contributions to life after school years.
-
February 14, 2001 Maria Timberlake: Hampden Academy from 9:30-10:15 and 10:30 to 11:15.
-
TASH, (a national conference) Florida December 8, 2000
-
September 22, 2000 Keynote address at a workshop that the Maine Medical Center offered at the University of Maine, at Machias.
- June 5th, 2000 Jim's summer class: I spoke about my life experiences so the students would realize that people with disabilities can do more things then people think. I also talked about the portrayal of disabilities in movies and TV.
- June 6th, 2000 Paned day at Lamoine grade school talked informally to kids and observed a student who has a disability. 1:00 - Then I went to talked to 5 & 6 grades together, then to 7 & 8 grades. I gave same speech as I did at Sabattus. They have a team meeting on the student who has a disability from 2:00 - 3:00 that we attended and offered any feedback or suggestions in their planning for next year.
- May 30th - June 2st, 2000 Talked to K-8 grade in Sabattus Maine. We discussed how they begin friendships then I asked how students with disabilities begin friendships. Then we discusse, dif making friends different for students with disabilities and why. Then I asked why did some students teased me when I was growing up. All of the questions I asked the kids, they had great answers for. I went on to talk about myself and my talking keyboard so that next time they saw somebody with differences, either at school or somewhere else, they might feel more comfortable talking to them. I also did a couple exercises, the first one was comparing there life, to mine, to see if there are, any differences. The second one was to show them how the Liberator works. At the end I asked a couple of questions about how they liked or didn't like my talk. I am going to post the answers that they gave as soon as I can find somebody to type them.
- May 2th, 2000 Dr. Sandy Caron's Human Sexuality class at 12:30-1:45 in 100 DPCorbett: Speech about sexuality issues for people with disabilities. Sex is something people do not feel comfortable talking about it to anyone, let alone someone who has a disability. So I used a humorous approach because laughter eases tension, to tell the audience that people with disabilities do have feelings, and think about sex as much as anybody else. Therefore people with disabilities should have had the same education as everyone else did by taking Health, home economics, and gym classes, but most did not.
-
April 12 & 13th, 2000 OTC Workshops Belfast and
Ellsworth, 11:00 and 6:00 presentations. Doing presentations with Lynn
Gitlow in different parts of Maine to students, educators and parents
about information and issues for students considering post secondary
education. I am speaking about my life experiences relating
to post secondary education for people with disabilities and the
differences between high school and college.
-
April 5th, 2000 The Maine APSE conference showcases
best practices in supported employme 12:00& presentation. Bill
Picard, though approaching thirty, is young at heart. With wit and a
sense of humor, this severely disabled "young" man will share with you
his life experiences. Because his parents refused to accept the
pediatrician's recommendation to institutionalize their baby, Bill
Picard was able to attain his degree in business administration with a
concentration in management, and land a job at the Center for Community
Inclusion. He hopes to continue his work at the center by being an
independent motivational guest speaker at Maine schools, Universities,
conferences, workshops, businesses and corporations to inspire others.
-
April 4th, 2000 Diane Jackson SED 402 Adapting
Instruction for Students with Disabilities. It is a 400 level course
and most are just finishing this for certification or just heading out
to student teach in the fall.
-
March 15th &
16th, 2000 OTC Workshops Houlton and East
Millinocket: 11:00 and 6:00
presentations. Doing presentations with Lynn Gitlow
in different parts of Maine to students, educators and parents about
information and issues for students considering post secondary
education. I am speaking about my life experiences
relating to post secondary education for people with disabilities and
the differences between high school and college.
-
Feb 29th, 2000 Lynn class class goes from 3:30-6PM
-
Feb 25th, 2000 Dr. Sandy Caron's Human Sexuality
web course: spoke about sexuality issues for people with
disabilities. Sex is something people do not feel comfortable
talking about it to anyone, let alone someone who has a
disability. So I used a humorous approach because
laughter eases tension, to tell the audience that people with
disabilities do have feelings, and think about sex as much as anybody
else. Therefore people with disabilities should have had the same
education as everyone else did by taking Health, home economics, and
gym classes, but most did not.
-
Feb 9th, 2000 Maine regional transition board
fair. Did a present with Dr. Diane Jacks on college planning. I spoke
about my experiences being a student with a disability in secondary
school and at two universities to say if someone who has a severely
disabled as I am degree in business and getting a job then everybody
can do it with hard work and determination.
-
Feb 4th, 2000 Maine School Counselor Association
conference. Did a present with Lynn Gitlow to the trio people in Maine.
I spoke about my life experiences relating to post secondary education
for people with disabilities and the differences between high school
and college.
-
June 6th, 2000 Jim's summer class. I spoke about my
life experiences so the students would realize that people with
disabilities can do more things then people think. I also talked about
the portrayal of disabilities in movies and TV.