September Disabilities Thread

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These are posted pretty much as I receive them. I try to edit out the spaces, so they are not too long. I have no control as to where these events are held. I hope others will post events as well.

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Please spread the word and the vouchers for this event, which will benefit a one of a kind organization. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Simone Wilson who is spearheading this event. She is on the STEP Board of Directors. You may also contact Jacqueline Sakho for specific information regarding the workshops that will be provided.

For release: September 1, 2010
For press information: contact Simone Wilson For Workshop Session Information: contact Jacqueline Sakho
[e-mail] [e-mail]
[phone] [phone]

FIRST ANNUAL BOOK FAIR BENEFITING STEP
AT DAVIS KIDD OCTOBER 1 & 2

Please join us on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2 for the first annual STEP book fair at Davis Kidd Booksellers in Memphis. A portion of the proceeds from store and bistro voucher sales will go directly to STEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) and thus help build a strong foundation for special needs children and their families.

During the two-day fair, the store will carry a large selection of books on various disability topics and STEP will offer information sessions on disability related subjects, story times in the children’s area, and music by Memphis’ Music for Aardvarks on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

On Friday STEP will present an “Introduction to STEP” at 6 p.m. The Saturday schedule includes two mini workshops: “New Graduations Requirement for Students with Disabilities” will be presented at 10 a.m. and “Skills for Effective Advocacy” at 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

To participate in the book fair and support STEP, cut out the voucher, stop by at Davis Kidd (387 Perkins Ext. 901-683-9801) during regular business hours on October 1 or 2, and present the voucher or mention STEP at the check out. Vouchers may be downloaded at www.tnstep.org prior to the event.

STEP is a statewide family-to-family program established in 1989 by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. STEP supports families who have children with special needs by providing free information, advocacy training, and support services, which are available to any parent or family member of a student who receives special education services or a student who may need special education to benefit from their education (birth through age 22).

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Dr. Tom Fish is the author and creator of Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) from Ohio State University.

The NCBC is “A Model Community Literacy Program for People with Intellectual Disabilities.”

They have expanded their model to several other states and countries and recently here to the Johnson City/Tri-cities area.

Please help us welcome Dr. Fish to East Tennessee State University to train and guide the
Turning Pages Together staff, volunteers, and community participants!

Join us for the two session training:

Friday, September 10, 2010

Session 1: D.P. Culp Center in the Forum 9:00am-12:00pm.
Session 2: Barnes and Noble in Johnson City, TN 2:00pm-3:00pm.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Cynthia Chambers (director) or
Megan Peters (project coordinator)
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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Please spread the word and the vouchers for this event, which will benefit a one of a kind organization. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Simone Wilson who is spearheading this event. She is on the STEP Board of Directors. You may also contact Jacqueline Sakho for specific information regarding the workshops that will be provided.

For release: September 1, 2010
For press information: contact Simone Wilson For Workshop Session Information: contact Jacqueline Sakho
[e-mail] [e-mail]
[phone] [phone]

FIRST ANNUAL BOOK FAIR BENEFITING STEP
AT DAVIS KIDD OCTOBER 1 & 2

Please join us on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2 for the first annual STEP book fair at Davis Kidd Booksellers in Memphis. A portion of the proceeds from store and bistro voucher sales will go directly to STEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) and thus help build a strong foundation for special needs children and their families.

During the two-day fair, the store will carry a large selection of books on various disability topics and STEP will offer information sessions on disability related subjects, story times in the children’s area, and music by Memphis’ Music for Aardvarks on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

On Friday STEP will present an “Introduction to STEP” at 6 p.m. The Saturday schedule includes two mini workshops: “New Graduations Requirement for Students with Disabilities” will be presented at 10 a.m. and “Skills for Effective Advocacy” at 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

To participate in the book fair and support STEP, cut out the voucher, stop by at Davis Kidd (387 Perkins Ext. 901-683-9801) during regular business hours on October 1 or 2, and present the voucher or mention STEP at the check out. Vouchers may be downloaded at www.tnstep.org prior to the event.

STEP is a statewide family-to-family program established in 1989 by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. STEP supports families who have children with special needs by providing free information, advocacy training, and support services, which are available to any parent or family member of a student who receives special education services or a student who may need special education to benefit from their education (birth through age 22).

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From the bazelon center for mental health law.

www.bazelon.org/What-You-Can-Do/Policy-Reporter/8-10-Reporter.aspx

Achievement Through Prevention is Goal of Education Bill
On August 5, Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Al Franken (D-MN) and Richard Burr (R-NC) transcended partisan politics and teamed up to introduce the Achievement Through Prevention Act (S. 3733). (Read their press release.) The legislation would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to allow state and local education agencies and schools to increase implementation of school-wide positive behavioral intervention and supports (PBIS) and early intervening services (EIS). The goal would be to improve student academic achievement, reduce over-identification of individuals with disabilities, reduce disciplinary problems in schools, and improve coordination with similar activities and services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The legislation would improve coordination between special educators and general educators by effectively aligning the two laws, IDEA and ESEA, to enhance academic and behavioral outcomes for all students.

Specifically, the bill would:

· Support state and local school district efforts to implement, expand and sustain the use of PBIS and EIS to improve the learning environment for all students and to help identify and support students who require targeted interventions.

· Promote the integration of PBIS and EIS in state educational agency planning to assist local educational agencies in implementing PBIS and EIS, and require a description of such actions in the local educational agency plan. It would encourage PBIS and EIS implementation in schools identified for corrective action.

· Provide technical assistance and training to improve, support and evaluate the effects of PBIS implementation, including support and assistance from any PBIS technical assistance center funded by IDEA.

· Require states to include in their annual report cards the number of local educational agencies implementing PBIS and the number of students receiving EIS, including the number served in the preceding two-year period who after receiving such services, have been identified as eligible for or receiving special education and related services.

· Foster related school reform and support activities, including requiring school support teams to examine schools’ efforts to identify and assist students with poor academic achievement or behavioral or disciplinary problems, and assist with developing or improving PBIS. It would collect and report data by requiring a review of the number of discipline incidents in a school and the use of that information to assist the school in implementing PBIS, EIS or both.

· Increase families’ involvement in their child’s education and in the school.

· Extend PBIS and EIS, with technical assistance, for at-risk youth and to educational services in institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth.

Both PBIS and EIS help improve student academic achievement, reduce the number of students who require special education, and reduce disciplinary problems in the classroom.

· PBIS is a decision-making framework that guides implementation of the best academic and behavioral programs in the country. Through its effective, evidence-based approach, PBIS promotes a learning-friendly school climate that benefits students and staff alike. PBIS not only addresses the social and emotional needs of the average student, but also provides the tools necessary for school personnel to assist students who demonstrate more frequent behavior problems. Following implementation of PBIS, schools experience drastic reductions in disciplinary activities. The decreased number of office discipline referrals and student suspensions allows for more instruction time, which then facilitates improvements in students’ academic performance. With PBIS, the classroom environment becomes less reactive and aversive, and more preventive and productive. As a result, schools maximize every student’s ability to succeed. See the Bazelon Center’s PBS fact sheets.

· EIS provides a set of coordinated services to students who are not currently identified for special education programs, but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment. By offering immediate assistance to students who are just beginning to struggle, EIS decreases the number who require placement in special education classrooms. EIS is also effective in reducing inappropriate referrals and placements to special education because the intervention process allows for a more personal diagnosis of an individual student’s eligibility. Although EIS may cover a broad range of subjects, studies have demonstrated a particularly strong benefit for students’ reading ability. Through the early identification of struggling students and the use of scientifically based interventions, EIS promotes academic growth.

The Bazelon Center applauds the Senators for championing legislation that promotes a positive and effective approach in responding to the diverse challenges facing schools. Acknowledging the relationship between positive support and academic success will prove an important step in establishing high-quality educational programs for our nation’s children.

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Fall 2010 Small Grants Competition

The Tennessee Disability Coalition is pleased to announce our semi-annual round of discretionary grants, awarded in May and November each year. The Application with Guidelines for November 2010 is now available at our website.

In keeping with the mission of the Coalition to help build a society that includes and values people with disabilities, the purpose of the grants is to build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. In general, there is no funding available for one-time conferences.

The Tennessee Disability Coalition will make grants to IRS-designated tax-exempt organizations-501(c)(3) and governmental entities. Private foundations and agency members of the Coalition Grant Committee are not eligible to apply.

Application process
There is a two-step application process:

Submission of a brief Letter of Interest with budget outline
Submission of a full proposal, if requested, using the standard application format
Deadlines
Letter of Interest: September 17, 2010 by noon
Full Proposal, if requested: October 29, 2010 by noon

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Navigating admissions with a learning disability
Today's guest blogger is Paula M. Rooney, president of Dean College in Massachusetts.

Increased awareness of learning challenges such as dyslexia and attention-deficit disorder, together with improved diagnosis and treatment, has helped millions of students improve their academic performance. But, as they enter their senior year of high school and begin the college admissions process, they face a whole new set of challenges. Now is the time to begin preparing to meet them.

Here are seven things parents of college-bound students with learning challenges should start doing right away:

1) Update diagnostic testing results
In order to obtain supporting services from a college, learning challenges need to be documented via accepted diagnostic testing. These tests should begin as early as possible and continue at least through the senior year of high school. Additional testing can further refine a diagnosis or uncover other issues that may affect academic performance.

2) Consider requesting special accommodations for standardized tests
Certain learning challenges can affect a student's ability to take standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Upon proof of a learning challenge, test administrators may allow extended time for taking tests, the use of computers for essay questions or screens to block distractions. Especially if test scores to date are unsatisfactory, consider requesting such special accommodations for a re-take.

3) Prepare to disclose learning challenges
Parents need not worry about their children being branded with the scarlet letters "ADD," or other conditions. Apart from legal bars against discrimination such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, most colleges have a progressive attitude towards learning challenges. In fact, acknowledgment of these issues can help with admissions by explaining any performance gaps. It also ensures that students can obtain the supporting services they need to succeed once admitted.

4) Begin establishing independence early
Coping with new found freedom can be hard for any student, much less one who uses a highly structured system to manage a learning challenge. The time to deal with this is not the freshman year of college, or even during a stressful senior year of high school. Begin helping to establish self-reliance during the more relaxed days of summer, so the students can assume responsibility for taking their own medication, renewing prescriptions, adhering to a schedule, etc.

5) Ask what services prospective colleges offer
Many colleges have services to assist students with learning challenges, including specialized advising and counseling, professional tutoring and academic assistance and new learning technologies. However, such services typically are less comprehensive than those offered in high school. Find out which are available, which are professional or provided by peers and whether additional costs apply.

6) Find out about classroom accommodations for learning challenges
Many, if not most, colleges now try to sensitize faculty members to learning challenges among students. As a result, many professors are willing to accommodate requests for allowing lectures to be recorded, scribes and note-takers and extra time for test-taking. Check the reputation of prospective colleges and academic departments for such flexibility before applying. And, since most faculty members will not know a student's individual circumstances unless told, students will need to be proactive about informing their teachers.

7) Explore whether a college offers suitable living and studying alternatives
For many students, especially those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, distractions can be highly disruptive. A student who is used to closing her door to study may have trouble shutting out the cacophony in a suite with several roommates. See whether appropriate arrangements are available, including single dorm rooms or private study carrels.

Managed properly, the college admissions process, and the transition from high school to college, can be seamless for students with learning challenges. But success won't come without effort, and the time for students and their parents to begin making that effort is now.

About President Rooney
Paula M. Rooney has served as the president of Dean College since 1995. Founded in 1865, Dean is a private residential college in Franklin, Mass., midway between Boston and Providence. With 950 full-time students and 500 part-time students, Dean offers baccalaureate and associate degree programs in disciplines such as liberal studies, business and the arts. It is the only college in the Northeast to offer both A.A. and B.A. degrees in dance.

Campus Overload is a daily must-read for all college students. Make sure to bookmark washingtonpost.com/campus-overload. You can also follow me on Twitter and fan Campus Overload on Facebook.

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DSAM Events & Happenings

DSAM North MS Down Syndrome Awareness Picnic
Saturday, Sept. 11th from 11am-2pm at Goodman Oaks Church of Christ, 1700 Goodman Road East, Southaven -Come out and enjoy a fun day for thw whole family, filled with free food, moon bounces, music, cool treats, fire truck and appearances by local mascots. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and the speaking presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. Proclamations will be presented by the Desoto County mayors declaring October as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month”. You can also register for the 13th annual STEP UP for Down Syndrome walk at the picnic! If you have any questions, are interested in helping out beforehand or volunteering the day of the picnic, please contact the DSAM office at 901-547-7588 or [e-mail].

DSAM Morning Mingle
Thursday, September 16, from 9-11 am at the DSAM office, 2893 S. Mendenhall Rd. Suite 3 - Stop by the office and meet other parents and the staff while enjoying a cup of coffee or juice and light refreshments. This is a great time to ask questions, share concerns, or just relax! No reservations needed.

Self Advocate Letter Writing
Sunday, Sept. 19 from 1:30-4:30 pm at the home of Keith Greenwald - Calling all Self Advocates! Come help write invitations to community leaders for the upcoming Oct. 17th STEP UP for Down Syndrome event. There will be food and fun! Contact Carol Greenwald to rsvp at 901-278-1556 or [e-mail].

STEP UP Team fundraiser events!
What are you doing to build your STEP UP team and raise funds? Let us know! We will include the information in our weekly email for you! Haven't registered for the walk yet? Go to www.dsamemphis.org/suds to register your team and learn how to step up your team building and fundraising for the October 2010 STEP UP for Down Syndrome. Upcoming Team fundraisers:

Saturday, September 18th, 9am-7pm - Sam's Engine Company will be at Cooper Young Festival at Booth #C63 (On Cooper close to Walker). There will be new designs including glass tiles, guitar picks, & domino necklaces!
DSAM Mom's Night Out
Saturday, September 25 at 6:30 pm at P.F. Chang's, 1181 Ridgeway Rd. - Enjoy a night out with other Moms! Please RSVP to the office by Sept. 23rd.

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Fall Sibshops
Friday, Sept. 10th, 6-8 pm at Hope Presbyterian Church, 8500 Walnut Grove, room 230 nearest to Entrance 2 - This Sibshop will include a back-to-school theme, outside games, pizza dinner, crafts, and most importantly a SibShare discussion time. If this will be your child's first time to attend Sibshops, you will need to complete a registration form and return it by Wednesday. If you have already filled out a 2010-2011 registration form for your child, just e-mail or call to let us know he/she is still planning to attend. You may give registration money to a Sibshop leader when you drop off your child on Friday. Please contact Jennifer Washburn,The University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities at [phone] Office or [e-mail].

Self Advocate Conference
September 17, 9am-3pm, Tartar Student Activity Center at Treveca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville, TN 37210 - The Wonder of Me: Self-Advocacy from Kindergarten to Careers - Whether ordering a meal or trying to get the career opportunity of a lifetime, at some point in our lives everyone has to advocate for their own needs and disclose the reasons why. Beginning with a de?nition of self-advocacy and a process for considering disclosure, participants will learn the importance of gaining self-awareness, communication skills, and procedures to effectively educate people with autism on obtaining accommodations and greater mutual understanding. Beginning with the youngest moving into adulthood, the material from this workshop can be used to enable persons with autism and other conditions reach their potential. Pricing $35-95 per person for conference. $15 for box lunches or small personal coolers are welcome. Overnight bank of rooms at the Airport Nashville Marriott are reserved until August 26 at a discount rate of $79 each. Full registration info is available at www.centerforunderstanding.net or contact 615-300-3379.

Next Chapter Book Club
The Next Chapter Book Club is for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities that want to read and learn, make friends and enjoy a fun community gathering place. Members meet weekly for one hour at local bookstores, coffee shops and cafes to read out loud and discuss a book of their choosing. Anyone can participate, no matter their reading or ability level. Two trained volunteers facilitate each group. They include students, parents, retirees, people with disabilities, or anyone in the community. NCBC members improve literacy skills, make friends, take part in the community, and have a lot of fun doing it! If you would like to become a member or volunteer facilitator, contact MCIL today. You can call Pamela Momon at 726-6404 X120, or email Susanna Cullen at [e-mail].

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Help Pass ABLE Act: Contact Your Representative
Please contact your Representatives to encourage t hem to convene a hearing and vote on the ABLE Act today! The ABLE Act (S. 493/H.R. 1205) will allow individuals with disabilities to create savings accounts that would accrue interest tax-free and could fund certain expenses for the individual, such as medical/dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, housing, and transportation. Another important aspect of this bill is that the funds in the Able Account will not count as assets of the individual with a disability when determining their eligibility for important and life-sustaining federal benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicaid. Check out www.votesmart.org to find out who your Reps are. Please contact your Representatives to encourage them to convene a hearing and vote on the ABLE Act today! If your Rep has already signed on, THANK them! Talking Points:

Please help pass Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) by encouraging House leadership to schedule a vote on the bill this Congress.
This is bi-partisan legislation is being led by the following Members: Representatives Crenshaw (R-FL), Meek (D-FL), Kennedy (D-RI), McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and McDermott (D-WA).
The bill has 180 cosponsors, including 19 members of the House Ways & Means Committee, in the House.
If your Representative or staff member has any questions or is interested in cosponsor the bill contact Dustin Krasny (202-225-2501) in Representative Ander Crenshaw's office.

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Who Is Hadracha For?
Hadracha is for children with disabilities in kindergarten through eighth grade interested in having a Jewish religious and cultural experience. Our goal is to provide these students with a developmentally appropriate learning environment in which to explore Jewish religion and culture. Children interested in the program do not need to have previous experience in a religious school setting to attend Hadracha.
Where is Hadracha Located?
Hadracha will be held at The Akiva School of Nashville. Akiva is wheelchair accessible and conveniently located at 809 Percy Warner Boulevard, Nashville TN, 37205. Hadracha will be held on Sunday afternoons. More information about specific dates and times will be provided based on enrollment.
What Is Hadracha?
Our mission is to provide a Jewish religious and cultural experience for students with disabilities who may not otherwise have access.
Every child creates his or her own path in life by making choices and expressing personal interests. Our program, titled äãøëä (hadracha -- meaning guidance in Hebrew), aims to help children with disabilities in the Nashville Jewish community create their own ãøê (path). A group of Vanderbilt students will act as îãøéëéí
(mentors) to help direct our students to use this opportunity to create a religious, cultural and practical Jewish experience. One of our hopes for this program is to take part in àøõ ãøê (kind and considerate behavior); this project brings together two groups of students, embodying Judaism’s love of learning as well as the community’s unity.
Hadracha’s Staff Qualifications
Our qualified staff is excited to meet the individual needs of your child. Our staff includes Jessica Solomon, a certified Special Education teacher, experienced Vanderbilt students pursuing degrees in Special Education, and Hillel Director Ari Dubin, who has a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. Our team is First Aid and CPR certified.
Samara Orkin:
Programming Director
[e-mail]
Jessica Solomon:
Certified Teacher
Ari Dubin:
Supervisor/Hillel Director
[e-mail]
615-322-8376

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www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BGODurRfVv4

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An e-zine aimed at families who have children with special health care needs.

www.complexchild.com/

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Traumatic Brain Injury Retreat 2010

When: September 13, 12pm-4pm and September 14, 8:15am-12pm
Where: Montgomery Bell State Park, 1020 Jackson Hill Rd, Burns, TN 37029
Monday, September 13

12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm – 1:00pm Introductions
1:00pm – 2:00pm Home and Community Based Waiver – Choices program
Speaker: Michelle Morse Jernigan
2:00pm – 2:15pm Break
2:15pm – 3:15pm Sports 4 All
Speaker: Waverly Harris-Christopher
3:15pm – 3:45pm Reporting Abuse and Neglect: Issues from a Legal Standpoint
Speaker: Elizabeth Reeve

Tuesday, September 14

8:15am – 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am – 10:00am Health Assist Tennessee: Navigating Tennessee’s Healthcare Options
Speaker: Michelle McRae
10:00am – 10:15am Dispensary of Hope: Providing Medication for the Uninsured
10:15am – 10:30am 21st Century Living Residential and Day Program Services
Speaker: Brian Webb
10:30am – 10:45am Break
10:45am – 11:15am Preparing People with Disabilities for a Disaster
Speaker: LaVerdia McCoullough
11:15am - 11:45am Writing Useful Case Notes
Speaker: Discussion Among Service Coordinators

Registration Form

Please fax registration forms by September 6 to Rachel Heitmann at 615-532-2785 or email to [e-mail].

Name __________________________________________________________________
Employer / Position _______________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State ____________ Zip ______________
Phone ____________________________ Email ______________________________

I will be attending: _____Monday ______Tuesday

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Heitmann at 615-532-7770 or
[phone].
To request rates and reserve a room at Montgomery Bell Park Inn call 615-797-3101.

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The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee (BIAT) is providing a free “Caregiver Support Workshop” for all caregivers of brain injury survivors. This includes family members, friends and service providers.

The first workshop will be held in the Nashville/Middle TN area on Friday, September 24th.

Location: 955 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206 (Downstairs Conference Room)

Time: 1:00 – 3:00

Light Refreshments will be served.

Topics for this workshop:

1. What it means to be a caregiver - Telling your story

2. Taking care of yourself – Managing caregiver stress

3. Preventing and solving problems – “Hope and Healing”

4. Advocating – Resources and Services

Other workshops will be planned in other areas of the states in the coming months.

Thank you to Wendy Carlson, Fisher House, and Cynthia Zmroczek, BIAT Board/Ft Campbell, for helping make the connection with Ft. Campbell.
Ft Campbell is wanting to partner with BIAT in support of their Warriors in Transition / Families.

There will be a regular caregiver support workshop that will be held at Stallworth Rehab. on the first Tuesday of each month from 2:30pm - 4:00pm.
The regular brain injury support group is held at Stallworth also on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.

If you know of anyone or a Rehab. and/or Hospital facility that would be interested in having a caregiver support workshop, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Pam Bryan, CBIS
Executive Director
Brain Injury Association of Tennessee
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Office: 615-248-2541
Family Helpline: 1-877-757-2428
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.BrainInjuryTN.org (check out our new website)

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ONLY 8 DAYS LEFT TO PRE-REGISTER - Online registration will be open until Sept. 15th
ONLY 6 DAYS LEFT TO ORDER LUNCH - Orders must be received online by Sept. 13th
No lunch orders will be accepted at the door.
Due to the large amount of attendees expected to register the morning of the conference, we are encouraging you to register online before Sept. 15th. This will eliminate your need to stand in line that morning and will prevent you from missing the beginning of the presentation. All of your registration materials will be ready to pick up.
If you do not pre-register, please plan to arrive no later than 8:30 AM.
Visit www.centerforunderstanding.net to register today!

The Center for Understanding and The disAbility Resource Center Of Williamson County Present: DR. STEPHEN SHORE, INTERNATIONAL AUTISM EXPERT, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR. AUTHOR/RESEARCHER

THE WONDER OF ME: SELF-ADVOCACY FROM KINDERGARTEN TO CAREERS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Whether ordering a meal or trying to get the career opportunity of a lifetime, at some point in our lives everyone has to advocate for their own needs and disclose the reasons why. Beginning with a defnition of self-advocacy and a process for considering disclosure, participants will learn the importance of gaining self-awareness, communication skills, and procedures to effectively educate people with autism on obtaining accommodations and greater mutual understanding. Beginning with the youngest moving into adulthood, the material from this workshop can be used to enable persons with autism and other conditions reach their potential.
SEE FULL BIO AT www.autismasperger.net.

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Temple Grandin Film Wins Big at Emmy Awards
Thursday, September 9, 2010
By: Amanda Glensky

Autism Society thanks and congratulates Temple Grandin, Claire Danes and all involved in the film

On Sunday, August 29, viewers nationwide watched as the Academy celebrated the inspirational Temple Grandin, the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. The biographic HBO film Temple Grandin was one of the most successful nominees at this year’s Emmys, taking away five awards, including Outstanding Made-for-TV Movie. Claire Danes, who portrayed Dr. Grandin; supporting actors Julia Ormond and David Strathairn; and director Mick Jackson also won Emmys.

Dr. Grandin is an Autism Society honorary board member and sits on our Panel of Professional Advisors, an advisory panel of volunteers who are among the leading minds in the autism professional community. She has been featured on major television networks and programs, such as ABC’s “Primetime Live,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “Larry King Live,” “The View,” BBC, “48 Hours” and “20/20,” and has been written up in national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report and the New York Times. In April, Dr. Grandin was featured as one of Time magazine’s TIME 100, a list of the most influential people in the world.

Dr. Grandin didn’t speak until she was three and a half years old. In 1950, she was labeled “autistic,” and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. An internationally known author, Dr. Grandin’s best-sellers include Animals Make us Human, Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism.

Dr. Grandin has designed the facilities in which half of the cattle in the United States are handled; she is also a professor at Colorado State University and speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling.

The HBO movie premiered in February and the DVD was released August 17. It is available for purchase on Amazon.

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I have met Dr. Grandin and heard her speak twice...an amazing person.

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Where disabilities become possibilities

EAST TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY ACCESS CENTER, INC.
116 Childress Street • Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone] • FAX [phone] • [e-mail] • www.disoveret.org/ettac

Public Service Announcement

Date: September 10, 2010

To: Community Calendar/PSA

From: Louise McKown---Public Awareness Coordinator

Re: Wanted: Nonprofit seeking volunteers for local book club

WANTED: Volunteers needed to facilitate one hour weekly book club meetings for persons with disabilities. The purpose of the Next Chapter Book Club is to promote friendship, literacy learning, and community connections. No experience necessary, training provided.

The Next Chapter Book Club is a program of the East Tennessee Technology Access Center, a regional nonprofit technology resource center for people with disabilities. This grant is funded in part by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator, Marsha Willoughby at [phone].

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Battery-operated toys needed for children with disabilities

It is Christmastime in September at ETTAC. Every year during the December holidays, the East Tennessee Technology Access Center has a program called Toy Tech to give away new, adapted battery operated toys to children with disabilities who cannot use their hands to play with typical toys. Donations are now being accepted at ETTAC’s new Knoxville office located at 116 Childress Street, just off Chapman Highway one mile from the Henley Street Bridge.

Because of the heavy request for toys, ETTAC needs volunteers to help adapt and rewire donated toys. Volunteers must have a working knowledge of electronics and soldering.

The first training date for volunteers will be September 21st at 5:00 pm at ETTAC and every Tuesday thereafter. After the training, volunteers can do adapting either at their homes or can come to the office for Tuesday work sessions. All supplies will be provided. The average time to adapt a toy is about one hour to an hour and a half. Work must be completed by the end of November. Please call [phone] if you would like to help adapt toys this year.

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As the recently appointed Commissioner for the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, public outreach and strategic planning are critically important items on my agenda.

There are so many complex issues affecting people with disabilities across the country - implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the new economic reality of states, persistent unemployment, education reform efforts, and our aging population - these are only a small sample of the significant changes that are shaping the future.

Additionally, thanks to many years of hard work by advocates, families, and communities, the realities for people with developmental disabilities have positively evolved in recent decades, including:

Options to live in homes and communities of their choosing, with self-directed supports and services;
Moving beyond simple integration and participation, into community interdependence and meaningful belonging;
High expectations in educational outcomes, including access to college;
Technology that is changing the landscape and providing countless new opportunities;
Employment and economic self-sufficiency as achievable hopes and dreams, including for people with significant disabilities;
. and many other cultural, programmatic, service and social changes.

Given this shifting landscape, I hope to hear how you - self-advocates, family members, allies, and professionals - describe your vision of the future for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Please save the date for ADD's "Envisioning the Future" Summit Series:

October 18 - Philadelphia, PA (Northeastern Region)
November 8 - Orlando, FL (Southeastern Region)
November 15 - Dallas, TX (Southwestern Region)
December 6 - Denver, CO (Western Region)
December 2 - Detroit, MI (Central Region)

Members of the public are invited to come and simply listen, or to present your ideas. Space will be limited and participants will be asked to register in advance. Opportunities to share written TESTIMONIES and COMMENTARY through a website will also be available.

Sharon Lewis, Commissioner
Administration on Developmental Disabilities

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2010 DSAMT BUDDY WALK - Centenial Park, Nashville, TN
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

Join the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee, National Down Syndrome Society, and all our friends as we celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month at the 2010 Buddy Walk!

The Buddy Walk is a fun morning of activities and a one-mile walk to raise awareness and celebrate people in our community who have Down syndrome. No matter your age or athletic ability, you will enjoy this walk in beautiful Centennial Park, followed by exciting live entertainment and lots of fun. There is no registration fee to participate in the Buddy Walk, but many teams raise funds to support programs at Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee and the National Down Syndrome Society.

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Free Conference Call Friday September 17th -- Commissioner Sharon Lewis of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) will be our guest. Come share your ideas, comments and feedback with the Commissioner about the kinds of supports families and self advocates need to live, learn, work and play. 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT (2:00 CDT, 1:00 MDT, Noon PDT). The call is free but you have to sign up! Register online or call 1-888-869-1189 and tell the person your ID number is 96939558

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1st Annual Congregation Inclusion Conference - Empowering Faith Communities

Do you care about people with disabilities being included in faith communities? Do you think the spiritual needs of people with disabilities are often overlooked when doing assessments and developing care plans? Does disability affect your life in any way?

Religious leaders and educators, individuals with disabilities and their families, and disability service providers are invited to participate in this inaugural event designed to accelerate congregational accessibility so that people with disabilities and their families can have deeper access into the community life of congregations throughout Tennessee.

When: Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 8:30a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

For discounted room reservations, call: [phone] or toll-free [phone]

Fees: $49 Before September 24/$59 After September 24

(Fees cover meals, snacks, and a CD of resources. A limited number of scholarships are available.)
To request a scholarship call: [phone] or toll-free [phone]

For more information and to register, visit: kc.vanderbilt.edu/congregationinclusion/

Sponsored by: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Faith for ALL

Thank you,

Courtney Taylor, M.Div.
Associate Director of Communications and Dissemination
Coordinator of Disabilities, Religion, & Spirituality Program
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
230 Appleton Place, Peabody Box 40
Nashville, TN 37203
[phone]

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Fall Conference Registration Deadline is This Friday, September 17th! conference.tnautism.org

Improving Educational, Social, and Behavioral Functioning in Students with
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism: The ECLIPSE Model

Sherry Moyer, MSW

September 25, 2010 - Martin Professional Development Center - 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, visit conference.tnautism.org.

(September 17th Deadline - $15 fee for late registrations)

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Enter the Buddy Walk T-Shirt Design Contest and get a chance to see your artwork on 1500 T-Shirts at the Buddy Walk!

Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee needs your creative mind and talented hands. This year's Buddy Walk T-shirt could be designed by you!

Individuals of any age who have Down syndrome are invited to submit an original design, to be potentially included as the back of our 2010 Buddy Walk t-shirt, distributed to more than 1,500 people at this year's event. The winning artist will receive an award and special recognition at the Buddy Walk.

All submitted designs will be placed on display at the Walk. Everyone will have a chance to display their artwork proudly!

Hurry, the contest ends Friday, September 24, 2010. Grab those pencils, markers and brushes and get to work!

For more information,contact DSAMT at 615.386.9002 or email [e-mail]

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As you may or may not be aware each year the Nashville Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities holds an annual Awards recognition ceremony in conjunction with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. For more than 26 years we’ve been recognizing people for their contributions in the disability community. The committee is looking to find those persons who go above and beyond to aid the disability community in some way.

Perhaps you know a person who volunteers for an organization that serves the disability community?
Is there an educator who goes out of their way to assist a special needs student?
Do you know someone with a disability who excels and inspires the people they come in contact with?
How about an agency that serves the disability community that needs to be given their due props?
Is there a company or store that goes out of their way to employ persons with disabilities?
Do you know an artist, performer or athlete that excels and inspires despite their obstacles?

You can go online and download an electronic version of the form at the following link.

www.nashville.gov/ada

Note: The only restriction is that the award recipient must be a Davidson County agency or resident. Individuals nominated who live out of County but who work in Davidson County are eligible.

This year’s awards are set for Tuesday, October 26th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM and will be held at the Nashville Farmer’s Market.

Deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, October 15, 2010 at 3:00 PM.

Thanks in advance for helping us find and recognize these special people.

If you need this ballot in an alternate format please contact Bridget Galvin at the number listed below.

Bridget Galvin
Building Operations & Support Services
Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
730 2nd Avenue South
P.O. Box 196300
Nashville, TN
[phone]

Be kind to unkind people - they need it most.

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Nashville Children’s Theatre is excited to offer theatre classes specifically designed for children ages 8 and up with Autism Spectrum Disorders. At NCT, every child’s success is our priority. NCT supports an inclusive environment but also understands that some children may have more success in an environment designed with structure and strategies suited to their specific needs and with a student teacher ratio that allows for the establishment and constant assessment of individual learner objectives. Theatre Voyagers for ASD is the culmination of two years of research, training, planning, pilot programs and programs in partnership with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s TRIAD.
We have adapted our immensely popular Theatre Voyagers Series into a six-week session where 2 teaching artists, six children on the spectrum and two peer models (typically developing young people of the same age) will work to adapt an original, informal “show” to be presented to friends and family on the final day of class.
In order to participate, children must be able to effectively communicate in either verbal or non-verbal
means, be toilet-trained and have no history of violent behavior. Participants will be chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis with consideration given to create a successful class dynamic.
Cost: $150/session
For Financial Assistance: Please include an explanation of your family’s situation with your application materials.
Where: Nashville Children’s Theatre
To be a Participant: Families interested in their child participating should submit a Registration Form for each child on the spectrum as well as a Behavior Rating form. Registrations can be submitted in person or by mail, (no faxes or online registration).
To be a Peer Model: Submit to NCT by mail or fax [phone]) a Registration Form and a Peer Recommendation form. Forms can be found at nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/camp_asd

Spring Saturday Classes
April 2 - May 7, 2011
Theatre Voyagers for ASD at 9:00 am
Fall Wednesday Classes
Sept 29 - Nov 10, 2010
Theatre Voyagers for ASD at 4:30 pm
Nashville Children’s Theatre 25 Middleton St, Nashville, TN 37210
nashvillechildrenstheatre.org 615-254-9103

OPEN HOUSE: NCT will offer an open house at no cost for families who may be interested in enrolling children in Theatre Voyagers for ASD. Please use this opportunity to meet our teaching artists, learn about our curriculum and philosophy, ask questions of our Education staff, participate in a model session and tour the facility! We will also be on site to complete application materials with parents.
When: Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Time: 2 pm --3 pm
Where: Nashville Children’s Theatre

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You are invited to our 6th Annual Disability Services and the Hispanic Community Conference. The conference will be held on Wednesday November 17, 2010 from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm at the Knowles Senior Center.

Fees $20 before November 3. After November 3, fee is $30 and must be paid on-site by cash or check.

The focus of this year's conference will be: Disability Etiquette and People & First Language, Disability Support Groups in Nashville and Impact of Health Care Reform and Disability in Tennessee.


6th Annual Disability Services and the Hispanic Community Conference

Gracias,

Cecilia

Cecilia Melo-Romie
Statewide Spanish Outreach Coordinator
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder

Pathfinder is a disability information resource center with a statewide bilingual helpline and website including local, state, and national resources; a program of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

1211 21st Avenue South, Suite # 539 Medical Arts Building, Nashville TN 37212
Fax: [phone]

Resources in English - www.familypathfinder.org
Resources in Spanish - www.caminoseguro.org
Access Nashville - www.accessnashvilleonline.org OR 615-479-9568/800-640-4636

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

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September 21st - Tuesday

From Heartache to Hope - Book Signing & Panel Discussion: Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities
- Gordon Jewish Community Center of Nashville
- 801 Percy Warner Boulevard, Nashville
- 7:00 p.m.

September 25th - Saturday: Fall Conference
- Martin Professional Development Center
- 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

September 28th - Tuesday: Pieces of Hope Volunteer Kick off Party
- Jonathan's Grill; 7135 S. Springs Drive, Franklin
- 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

September 28th - Tuesday: "The HorseBoy" Documentary Screening
- Vanderbilt's Sarratt Cinema
- 6:30 p.m. Reception - From Heartache to Hope book signing
- 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Screening
- 8:30 p.m. Panel Discussion

October 28th - Thursday: Workshop - Sexuality & ASD
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Room 241
- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

November 11th - Thursday (2nd Thursday of the month)
Workshop - Self-Esteem in Children and Adolescents with an ASD
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Room 241
- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

ASMT
1-615-385-2077 or 1-866-508-4987
tnautism.org
[e-mail]