September Disabilities Thread

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Austin Peay Football Player Doesn't Let Disability Slow Him Down

Most people probably think it would be hard to be a hearing-impaired football player. But it’s never been for Austin Peay's Preston Gilbreath, a 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman defensive end, who was named the 2008 Tennessee Mr. Football Class A Lineman his senior year at Mt. Pleasant High.

Gilbreath is deaf in his left ear, but can hear in his right ear and uses a hearing aid to amplify the sound. He can hear the crowds, band and all the loud sounds at a football game, all very low rumbling noises.

Gilbreath just wants everyone, and especially young athletes, to know that being hearing impaired shouldn’t stop them from chasing their dream.
mk1.netatlantic.com/t/10457810/8696096/81915/0/

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Unique Opportunity to Participate in a Documentary

My name is Narcel Reedus and I am the filmmaker who directed the Waddie Welcome Documentary. I am currently producing Not Home: A documentary about kids living in nursing facilities. I am traveling to the SABE conference in Kansas City, MO September 23-26 and will soon be stopping in nine cities including three Tennessee towns.

We are looking for:

Parents who have placed their child in a nursing facility because they felt they had no othe choice
Parents struggling to keep their child at home and out of a nursing facility
Individuals who were placed in a nursing facility as a child because of their disability

These are our Tennessee stops:
Chattanooga, TN - 9/18
Nashville, TN - 9/19
Memphis, TN - 9/28

For more information contact: Email Narcel Reedus or contact him by phone [phone].

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Disability Mentoring Days - From Oct 14-22, the disABILTY Resource Center in Knoxville is collaborating with area partners to match persons with disabilities with business mentors for a day. To learn more contact Tina Jones at [e-mail] or Nicole Craig at [e-mail]

Revolutionary Leaders of Our Time - TN Microboards Association is hosting a series of weekly, hour-long conference calls through January 15, 2011. To learn more about these special calls as well as reserve a spot visit: tnmicrobooards.eventbrite.com

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If you are interested in responding to this, please send your responses directly to Joanne, at [e-mail] by Saturday, September 25, 2010.

here is her forwarded request:

"I have another opportunity to share with others what we as parents want for our children with disabilities. I have submitted a proposal to the Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International (TACEI) to present at the 2010 State Conference "Making Content Meaningful for All Learners". The title of my presentation is: What They Wish We Knew - What Parents of Children with Special Needs Wish Teachers Knew. I would like to speak with "one voice" and represent as many families as possible. With this in mind will you please forward this e-mail to your respective groups and ask them to respond to my e-mail address: [e-mail] by Saturday, September 25, 2010 about what they want teachers to know about working with children with disabilities. Thank you for your help in this matter."

Joanne Cunningham

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VSA Arts TN is gathering information on arts opportunities for individuals with disabilities and hope to use this information to create a network of organizations and individuals interested in working together to create more opportunities and better quality opportunities in the arts for all people. The survey created to gather information from the disability community is provided in a link below. Please share this invitation to provide input with all who may be interested.

Thanks!
Pam

VSA TN would like your help gathering information about arts opportunities for individuals with disabilities across Tennessee . We've prepared a brief survey that will provide us with information about existing arts programs and will help us identify the areas of greatest need. We also expect it will will help us determine how best we can all work together to increase access to and opportunities in the arts for all people. Organizations and individuals are invited to participate in this information gathering process at www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSA_TN_Disability_Network . Thank you in advance for offering your interest and input!


You can learn more about VSA TN at www.vsaartstennessee.org .. Also, if you would like a summary of the results, please send an email request to [e-mail] ..

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The Tennessee Disability Resource Center in Knoxville is offering a new after school program called "Workability Academy".

It is for students ages 14 - 22 and is available Monday through Thursday.


Cost: $25 per week (scholarships based on income and availability)

This new afterschool program will assist youth in increasing opportunities for employment upon graduation.

Program includes: Work Development Skills
Paid internships
Fun Activities and projects
Homework and Tutoring assistance
Snacks

Trainers: Virgil Seay, Nicole Craig

Telephone # (865) 637 - 3666

For more information, please check out link below :

www.drctn.org/newsletters/news10_Fall.pdf

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TN Disability Resource Center
Disability Mentoring Days
October 10 - 22, 2010

Come and get paired with a mentor from a business of your choosing.
Day, Time and Site arranged to meet needs of you and the employer.
For more information, call Nicole Craig at (865) 637 - 3666

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Come celebrate with the Memphis Center for Independent Living on the
occasion of our Silver anniversary! On Saturday, October 23rd we will start
our next 25 years of advocacy and service to people with disabilities with a
musical fundraiser at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park. General admission
tickets are $10 and VIP seating is $25 per ticket. Gates open at 5:00pm and
music will begin at 6:00pm. Food and beverage vendors will be on site as
well. Bring your blankets, coolers and friends and join us for this
momentous occasion! Buy your tickets from MCIL at 1633 Madison or online at:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/129956
Feel free to post the attached poster everywhere and thanks!

Sandi Klink
Assistant Director
Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison
Memphis, TN 38104
901-726-6404

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Join us on
Saturday, November 6
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: First-Centenary
United Methodist Church
419 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37402

To register: Call or email
Julie Clark at 423.624.6344 or
online at
www.chattconnectionsconference.org.

Scholarships available.
Call or email Julie Mickel at 423.648.1758.

Free pre-conference family event at
Creative Discovery Museum on
Fri., Nov. 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m


Raising a child with special needs can be a challenge for families. Families may feel isolated, with few places to turn for resources and information. Connections Conference offers families the unique opportunity to network with other families, share ideas and gather information from experts in the field of disabilities.

You can look forward to informative sessions about: social skills development for children, advocacy skills development for parents, financial planning, addressing challenging behaviors, recreational activities for people with disabilities, understanding Medicaid waiver AND MUCH MORE...

REGISTER TODAY!
www.chattconnectionsconference.org

Connections Conference is sponsored by an alliance of disability-focused nonprofit and governmental organizations in the greater Chattanooga area

Community partners include:
Signal Centers, Inc.
Siskin Children's Institute
Walter E. Boehm Birth Defects Center
Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services
Tennessee’s Early Intervention System
Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association
LifeLine
City of Chattanooga Head Start/EHS
Orange Grove Center
The TEAM Centers and Chattanooga Autism Center
The Relative Caregiver Program
Chattanooga Down Syndrom Society
Creative Discovery Museum
Epilepsy Foundation Southeast Tennessee
Catoosa County Public Schools
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Education

Location: First-Centenary
United Methodist Church
419 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37402

To register: Call or email
Julie Clark at 423.624.6344 or
online at
www.chattconnectionsconference.org.

Scholarships available.
Call or email Julie Mickel at 423.648.1758.

Free pre-conference family event at
Creative Discovery Museum on
Fri., Nov. 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m














1101 Carter Street | Chattanooga, TN 37402 | 423-648

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Today TennCare has announced the opening of the Standard Spend Down Program on October 4th. Information can be found on TennCare's website at
www.tennessee.gov/tenncare/. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Angela




Angela Turner
TennCare Member Services
Health Communications/Advocacy Specialist
[phone]

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The State's TBI program is seeking nominations for its Advisory Council. Please see contact info below.

The TBI Program is seeking nominations in the category of Survivor / Family member / Primary Care Giver for the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council, for a two year term beginning in January 2011.


Thank you,
Jean Doster


Jean Doster, Director
Traumatic Brain Injury Program
HSM 4th floor, Cordell Hull Bldg
425 Fifth Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

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Check out the four scholarship opportunities below. The awards are for students with visual impairments or other disabilities, high school girls who excel in computing (like adaptive tech!), emerging leaders with disabilities and students majoring in disability or health services. All awards have deadlines that are fast-approaching!
For a longer list of academic awards specifically for blind or visually impaired students, contact Amber at the LightHouse Resource Center: 415-604-7363 or [e-mail].

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California Association for Post-Secondary Education and Disability Scholarships

CAPED offers several different awards for students in California, including students with learning disabilities, visually impaired students, students in a four-year degree program, students who have exhibited civic leadership and more.

Deadline: October 8, 2010

www.caped.net/convention/scholarships.html

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Hearne Leadership Award Applications

Award is given in recognition of outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy and dedication to and for the broader disability community. Two individuals, who are emerging as leaders in the cross-disability civil rights movement, will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress and further connect their work with the national outreach of AAPD. The recipients of the 2011 Hearne Leadership Awards will also star in a short documentary film about their work and have an opportunity to attend and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC.

Deadline: October 1, 2010 jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2010/08/apply-now-aapd-is-now-accepting-hearne-leadership-award-applications.html

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program 2010–2011
AAHD’s scholarship program supports students with disabilities in higher education. Preference is given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in public health, health promotion or disability studies, including disability policy and disability research. Scholarships are limited to under $1,000.

Deadline: November 15, 2010

www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=Scholarship%20Program

The National Center for Women & Information Technology NCWIT seeks to recognize high school women with outstanding achievements and aspirations in computing and technology through the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Winners receive $500 in cash, a laptop computer, a trip to attend the Bank of America Technology Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an engraved award for both the student and the student’s school

Deadline: October 15, 2010

www.ncwit.org/work.awards.aspiration.find.html

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Get involved today! Attend a Workshop for Participants and Volunteer Facilitators.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 6:00-7:30 @ Community Services Building, Franklin

What is the Next Chapter Book Club?

· Adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities reading and learning, making friends, and enjoying a fun community gathering place.

How does it work?

· Members meet weekly for one hour at local bookstores, coffee shops and cafés to read and discuss a book of their choosing.

Who can participate?

· Anyone ages 18 and up can participate, no matter their reading or ability level.

Who leads the book clubs?

· Two trained volunteers facilitate each group. They include students, parents, retirees, people with disabilities, and various community members.

Why join the Next Chapter Book Club?

· NCBC members improve literacy skills, make friends, take part in the community, and have lots of fun doing it!

If you would are interested in participating in a book club either as a member or volunteer facilitator, would like to attend this workshop, or if you would like more information, please contact Rita Dozier at 472-5010 or [e-mail]

(Funded by a grant from the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities)
www.nextchapterbookclub.org

Fun · Lifelong Learning · Friends

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House Approves Bill Removing ‘Mental Retardation’ From Law
By Michelle Diament

September 23, 2010

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Wednesday evening paving the way for the term “mental retardation” to be replaced with “intellectual disability” in many areas of federal law.

The legislation known as Rosa’s Law now goes to President Barack Obama who White House officials say intends to sign the measure.

Under the bill, the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” would be stripped from federal health, education and labor policy. “Intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability” would be inserted in their place.

The changes would occur as laws and documents come up for revision over the next several years. Since the alterations would be implemented gradually, the legislation is not expected to incur any cost.

“For far too long we have used hurtful words like ‘mental retardation’ or ‘MR’ in our federal statutes to refer to those living with intellectual disabilities,” said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., in a statement Wednesday. “Rosa’s Law will make a greatly-needed change that should have been made well before today — and it will encourage us to treat people the way they would like to be treated.”

The language swap would not alter the rights that individuals with disabilities have, but would merely bring the federal government more in line with a trend toward using the term “intellectual disability.” Already the term is used by most states and some federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rosa’s Law is named for Rosa Marcellino, a Maryland girl with Down syndrome.

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Transition Information Made Easy -- TN “TIME”

It’s TIME to start thinking about transition in Tennessee!

Support & Training for Exceptional Parents has been awarded a grant from the TN Department of Education, Division of Special Education to provide training and support services to students with disabilities, family members, and school personnel. These services will assist young adults with disabilities transitioning from school to adulthood.

The scope of the TIME Project will include:

Six Transition Institutes (2 per region):
Each full day Institute will include four strands: Self Determination and Self Advocacy, College and Postsecondary, Independent Living, and Employment
Each Transition Institute will include an Information Fair with local and state-wide resources available for conference participants
STEP will provide their NEXT STEP’s Dream Building Transition session at each Institute, with a transition planning kit for those who attend that session
For hosting schools STEP will provide a half-day training to transition age students who attended the Institute and school personnel to include: Self advocacy skills, student led individualized education planning and individualized transition planning
Hosting school staff will receive follow-up information on topics related to transition targeted to meet their specific training needs, such as: Employment options for young adults, medicaid waiver services, micro-boards/micro-enterprises, age appropriate assessments, post secondary education options, section 504 and ADA: beyond high school, and self advocacy and self determination

STEP will be partnering with a number of local and state disability organizations that provide services to students in the transition age range. If your agency is interested in supporting this project through participation in the Institutes and/or Follow-up, please contact the Transition Project Director, Steven Glowicki, at 615/463-2310 or email [e-mail]

Information will be posted on the STEP website and distributed widely once locations have been selected.
Visit www.tnstep.org or call 1/800-280-7837 for details or to be added to the TN Transition TIME listserv

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VSA arts TENNESSEE YOUNG SOLOIST SEARCH

Program provided by generous support of Senator Diane & Dr. David Black

VSA arts Tennessee is eagerly searching for the recipient of the 2011 Young Soloist Award! The VSA Young Soloist Award recognizes outstanding young vocalists and instrumentalists with a disability. This is an opportunity for musically talented students and young professionals to earn scholarship funds and possibly an opportunity to perform in Washington, D.C. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
· Vocalist or instrumentalist
· Age 25 or younger by November 1, 2010
· Must have a disability (physical, mental or emotional)
· Ensembles of 2-8 members may also apply. The ensemble can be anything from a rock band to a chamber quartet to a drum corp. At least one member of the ensemble must have a disability and all members must fit the age requirement as noted above.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
· Complete application form
· One page biographical information and the reasons why you feel you should be selected as the recipient of the 2011 VSA arts Young Soloist Award.
· Tape or CD or DVD of three selections performed by the applicant

APPLICATION PROCESS
· Application requirements must be postmarked NO LATER than Nov. 1, 2010 and mailed to VSA arts Tennessee at 1210 Lake Rise Place, Gallatin TN 37066.
· All applicants will be notified no later than December 15, 2010.

AWARD
· Cash prizes for the top two finalists
· Performance opportunity on April 12 at the Schermerhorn Nashville Symphony Hall
· Tennessee’s representative in the International VSA competition

JUDGES
Bob Stagner – Shaking Ray Levi Society/Percussionist
JP Williams – Singer/Songwriter
Others - TBA

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Hello Everyone!!!! It's Buddy Time again in Tennessee!!!!!!

It's time for BUDDY WALK 2010 at Centennial Park in Nashville on October 23rd.

Abigail needs lots and lots of walking buddies!!!!! We gather at 9:00 am. We are finished with everything by 12:00 or so.

If you are interested in walking with Abigail, please contact Tommy Lee Kidd at 931-629-8859 or Lesa Kidd at 931-762-6815 ext 102. We will get you a Abigail Buddy walking shirt. They are bright yellow, Abigail's favorite color.

The band, The WannaBeatles are performing this year. There will be blow-ups and games for the kids as well.

If you can't come and walk, you do have the opportunity to donate on Abigail's behalf. All of the money goes directly to the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. They use the money very wisely and efficiently to help families who are affected by Down Syndrome.

To donate online: www.firstgiving.com/abigailkidd

To donate by cash or check : Lesa-Ruthy & Company, 2324 Springer Road, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464. The beauty shop is on Springer Road behind Wal-Mart.
Checks can be made out to DSAMT (Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee)

Please join us either by walking with Abigail or through a donation. Every little bit helps!!!!


Thanks so much,
Tommy Lee Kidd

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The Memphis Center for Independent Living presents: The Next Chapter Book Club
What is the Next Chapter Book Club?
Adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities reading and learning, making friends and enjoying a fun community gathering place.

How does it work?
Members meet weekly for one hour at local bookstores, coffee shops and cafés to read out loud and discuss a book of their choice.

Who can participate?
Anyone can participate, regardless of their reading or ability level.

Who leads the book clubs?
Two trained volunteers facilitate each group. They include students, parents, retirees, people with disabilities, anyone in the community.

Why join the Next Chapter Book Club?
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 a volunteer facilitator, contact MCIL today. You can email Susanna Cullen at [e-mail] or call 726-6404 x269 and leave a message and your call will be returned. For more information go to www.nextchapterbookclub.org