NOVEMBER Disabilities Info Thread

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Just a reminder to please register to attend Tennessee Disability Pathfinder’s 6th Annual Disability Services and the Hispanic Community Conference before the cost to attend goes up on November 3rd. Please help spread the word by including it in your organization’s newsletter, posting it on your website, and forwarding this email to anyone you think might be interested in attending.

For more information, please contact:

Carolina Meyerson
[phone]
[e-mail]

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The Arc of TN is looking for a new DSPAT Project Director (Direct Support Professionals Association of TN). Resumes should be emailed, faxed or mailed to the attention of:

Lori Israel, Office Manager
[e-mail]
615-248-5879 (fax)
151 Athens Way, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37228


The Arc of Tennessee

JOB TITLE: Project Director (DSPAT) DATE: October, 2010
SUPERVISOR: Executive Director STATUS: Exempt

STATEMENT OF JOB

The Project Director for the Direct Support Professionals of Tennessee (DSPAT) is responsible for the overall operation of the project as outlined in the Scope of Services including but not limited to the development and management of the budget, supervision of project staff, recruitment and retention of members and the development of local chapters

DUTIES OF JOB

1. Lead the development and implementation of DSPAT’s operations while maintaining compliance with fiscal, legal, and organizational policies, and contract requirements.

2. Establish clear performance outcomes for the project and align all work around elements and processes so that major goals and objectives of DSPAT are achieved in a timely manner.

3. Provide information, support and resources to volunteer leadership necessary to ensure fulfillment of their volunteer responsibilities to DSPAT.

4. Build and maintain positive relationships with members, providers, governmental entities and other organizations.

5. Encourage innovation by including others in planning and problem solving processes.

6. Interview, select, evaluate and supervise staff of DSPAT using established personnel policies and guidelines.

7. Provide supervision, direction and support to staff within DSPAT including oversight of both quality and quantity of work. Complete yearly performance evaluations.

8. Develop and implement a strategic plan for DSPAT and corresponding data collection documents that not only report data but analyze the progress of DSPAT.

9. Comply with all reporting requirements of funding sources that support DSPAT.

10. Attend all meetings as required/requested.

11. Other duties as assigned.

(A job description is a brief narrative of one's job functions. It is not meant to entail all facets of one's job duties.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED; college degree preferred
• Five years or more experience in the service delivery system for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
• Experience and knowledge of the Direct Support Professional position
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven leadership skills
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Computer literate
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record or reliable transportation
• Ability to have flexibility with work schedule and to travel across the state

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On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, DOHR posted twenty-five(25) job classifications for acceptance of online applications. These vacancies are open to both state and non-state employees.

To access the current openings job posting on the DOHR website, go to: agency.governmentjobs.com/tennessee/default.cfm

To obtain specific information regarding any of these vacant positions, please contact the agency human resources office specified in the job posting by going to the agency directory website at: www.tennesseeanytime.org/directory/

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This is a press release aimed at parents who have children who cannot use their hands to play with typical toys. We ask that they first register for a toy before the party on December 6th. Parents can register for a toy but not come to the party. Please your network know about this offer. Thanks for your help to let parents know that adapted toys are available.

Louise McKown, Public Awareness Coordinator/Systems Change Analyst
East Tennessee Technology Access Center
116 Childress Street
Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone]
[e-mail]
www.discoveret.org/ettac
Where disabilities become possibilities


If you have a child in your family who cannot use his or her hands to play with typical toys, please contact the East Tennessee Technology Access Center to reserve an adapted toy and switch to operate it.

A holiday party will be held Monday, December 6th at ETTAC’s new office, 116 Childress Street in Knoxville from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., during which children select their own toy and enjoy food and crafts provided by the Junior League. Parents are requested to call [phone] to register their child for a toy and the party.

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The Volunteer Advocacy Project
Training for individuals who are willing to become advocates for
families navigating special education
Spring 2011 Schedule
Thursdays
5:30-8:30 p.m. (CST)
• January 13
• January 20
• January 27
• February 3
• February 10
• February 17
• February 24
• March 3
• March 10
• March 17
• March 24
• March 31
The training is held twice every year
in multiple sites across the state.
Training will cover:
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• State law
• No Child Left Behind
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Requirements:
• Attend all weekly sessions
• Shadow an advocate at a special education
meeting
• Advocate for four families of children with
disabilities
Fee: $30
Partnered by:
• Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in
Developmental Disabilities
• Arc of Davidson County
• Arc of the Mid-South
• Arc of Williamson County
• Connections for Disability and Employment-
University of Tennessee
• East Tennessee State University
• LifeLine
• Support and Training for Exceptional Parents
(STEP)
• Susan Gray School
• University of Tennessee-Boling Center
• University of Tennessee at Martin
• West Tennessee Healthcare
Locations to be announced: Near Vanderbilt
University Nashville & via Video Conference in
Johnson City, Martin, Chattanooga, Memphis,
and Knoxville
To request an application contact:
[e-mail] or
[phone]

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FRAMED: Works by Erin Brady Worsham

Nashville, TN – On Saturday, November 13th all of Nashville is invited to celebrate the amazing art of Erin Brady Worsham. Studio East Nashville, on the corner of 16th and Woodland Streets, will host a reception for this incredible artist from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. Worsham, a nationally recognized artist, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) sixteen years ago and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. She is able to continue her artistic expression by communicating to a computer via a sensor taped to her forehead. Each digital composition is highly detailed and can take as long as 300 hours to complete.
A classically trained artist and actress, Worsham brings a strong color pallet and a powerful use of
perspective to her fanciful digital designs. Her work has been described as celebratory, ironic, joyful and intelligent. Worsham uses humor and the element of surprise in her art to encourage the viewer to focus on that which is positive in their lives. Her own example is truly inspirational.
The Worsham family’s finances have suffered greatly due to the recession and recent flood. Everyone is
invited to come celebrate and support this wonderfully exceptional woman. All donations and proceeds from exhibit sales will go to help this courageous family continue forward.
A second reception for the artist will be on Sunday, November 14th from 1:30 to 4:00pm.
For further information please call John Guider 615-496-3499 or email us at [e-mail]. Studio East Nashville is located at 1520 Woodland Street catty-corner to the Top of Woodland bed and breakfast. Web site: www.studioeastnashville.com
About Studio East:
Studio East is a professional photography studio and creative space in East Nashville. Owner John Guider and his studio partner, Stacey Irvin, celebrate the local community through special events featuring established and emerging visual artists.

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The Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters Call for Proposals deadline HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19!! You can find the application on the TABS website at kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/services/disabilityservices/tabs.aspx (the link is at the bottom of the page). The sooner you can submit it, the better. And please let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you so much!

Siblingly yours,

Ashley F. Coulter
Sibling Project Coordinator
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
230 Appleton Place
PMB 40
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]
kc.vanderbilt.edu

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A group of generous supporters whose lives have been touched by autism have pooled their resources to provide us with a $60,000 “Make Your Own Match” challenge grant. As long as we receive your tax-deductible online donation by the challenge deadline of December 1st, 2010…
Your gift of up to $25 or more will be DOUBLED — to go TWICE as far...
Your gift of $50 or more will be TRIPLED — to go THREE times as far...
Your gift of $100 or more will be QUADRUPLED — to go FOUR times as far...
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 110 children — 1% of American children today — has an autism spectrum disorder. That's up from 1 child in every 150, just a few years ago in 2007!

The Autism Society remains the largest grassroots organization providing support and assistance to those who live with autism and their families.

Remember your gift can go up to four times as far to help us advance even more early diagnosis, treatment-guided research, and enhanced adult services to serve families living with autism. Thank you!


Lee Grossman
President and CEO
Austism Society member since 1991

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ASMT Family Fun Event - "Crimson and Cream Christmas Party"
Thursday, December 2nd

The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta sorority at Vanderbilt University are hosting a Christmas party exclusively for children with an ASD. The party will include a gingerbread house building competition, holiday ornament decorating, and Santa Claus story time!

This event is for elementary school age children (5-12). It is a FREE event, but can only accommodate 30 children. So CALL 615-385-2077 ext. 1 TODAY to register for this great event - Deadline is Nov. 19th!

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ASMT Family Fun Event - "MEGAMIND"
Saturday, November 6th


You are invited to a private, sensory-friendly viewing of the new DreamWorks animated feature, MEGAMIND! You MUST register to attend. We have just a few FREE seats left, so CALL ASMT TODAY at 615-385-2077, ext. 1 to reserve your ticket. Click Here For More Info.

EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Please contact Justin at 615-385-2077, ext. 3 or [e-mail] to volunteer.

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November 11th - Thursday: Workshop- Self-Esteem in Children & Adolescents with an ASD
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Room 241 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

November 18th - Thursday: Orientation
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

*NEW* December 2nd - Thursday: ASMT Family Fun Event - Crimson and Cream Christmas Party!
- Vanderbilt Alumni Hall - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

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Legislative Researcher - Temporary
Company: Tennessee General Assembly
Location: Nashville, TN
Date Posted: November 03, 2010
The Office of Legal Services for the Tennessee General Assembly seeks applicants for non-partisan Legislative Researcher positions for the 2011 Legislative Session (January through May 2011). The primary responsibilities involve drafting resolutions and proclamations for the Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Bachelor's degree with a preference for disciplines involving substantial writing. Applicants should submit a resume, writing sample and salary requirements by December 1, 2010 via e-mail to [e-mail], fax [phone], or USPS to the Office of Legislative Administration, ATTN:Legislative Researcher, 7th Floor, Rachel Jackson Building, 320 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243.INCOMPLETE FILES WILL BE RETURNED TO SENDER.
more info available at:

www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?ipath=EXGOO&siteid=CBSIMPLYHIRED&Job_DID=J8G3RN65JD8HK79NQC0

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MISSY MARSHALL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 615-975-3583
901-552-6171


MEDIA ADVISORY

Nashville – The state of Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services will hold a ceremony marking the transition of the last person supported at the Arlington Development Center (ADC) on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Baker Administration Building on the ADC campus in Arlington.

The event entitled “Reflections and New Beginnings” will showcase the history of the Arlington Developmental Center and highlight new beginnings for individuals with intellectual disabilities who have transitioned from the institution to homes in the community.

Attending: Finance & Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz, Deputy Commissioner James Finch, Secretary of State Tre Hargett, State Representative Ron Lollar, State Representative Mark Maddox (Keynote Speaker), Mayor of Arlington Russell Wiseman, City Manager for Arlington Ed Haley (former State Representative for Arlington)

Members of the public are welcome to attend but, due to limited space a reservation is required. To register for the event go to adcceremony.eventbrite.com.

NOTE: News media planning to attend should contact Missy Marshall at 615-253-2236 or 615-975-3583.

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"What did you say?" Hearing what's important in the classroom
Participant Criteria: Children 11 to 17 who have hearing loss in both ears

Description
We are interested in how to make hearing aids work better for children when they are at school.
Noise, talking, and student movement can all be distracting sounds when a student with hearing loss is trying to understand what is being said.
We invite middle and high school students to try out some hearing aids in a simulated classroom environment to help us learn about what works best.
Each visit will last 1 to 2 hours each. Parking is provided at no cost.

Compensation
$10 hour, plus earmolds, if needed

Visit Requirements
1 to 3 visits, ask for details

Contact
Email [e-mail] or call [phone]

Principal Investigators: Benjamin Hornsby, Ph.D. & Todd Ricketts, PhD

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The Program Committee of the 3rd Annual TABS (Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters) Conference is seeking proposals for presentations. The Conference will take place on April 8-9, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Select in Nashville, Tennessee.

The submission deadline for proposals has been extended to November 19, 2010.

TABS is a network for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities. It was started through the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

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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New 9-1-1 Emergency Resource


The Nashville Emergency Communications Center and Rave Mobile Safety, recently launched new software called Smart911 in the Nashville area. Smart911 is a free service that helps citizens communicate more effectively during emergencies.


The software provides citizens with the ability to enter information that they want to make available to 9-1-1 call takers through a secure web site at Smart911.com. Information can include children's photos, medical conditions, home addresses of mobile phone callers, disabilities or other rescue-related information. Smart911 then delivers this information automatically with any 9-1-1 call placed within Davidson County to the call taker's work station at the Emergency Communications Center.

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ASMT Family Fun Event
"Crimson and Cream Christmas Party"
Thursday, December 2nd


The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta sorority at Vanderbilt University are hosting a Christmas party exclusively for children with an ASD. The party will include a gingerbread house building competition, holiday ornament decorating, and Santa Claus story time!

This event is for elementary school age children (5-12). It is a FREE event, but can only accommodate 30 children. So CALL 615-385-2077 ext. 1 TODAY to register for this great event - Deadline is Nov. 19th!

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November 18th - Thursday: Orientation
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
- 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

December 2nd - Thursday: ASMT Family Fun Event - Crimson and Cream Christmas Party!
- Vanderbilt Alumni Hall
- 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Save The Date: January 28th - Friday
ASMT Family Fun Event - Adventure Science Center
- More info coming soon

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

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Students with disabilities teaching others to move beyond preconceptions
Friday, October 22, 2010 By: Holly Leber

Matt Glowacki has no legs.

No, really, it's true. It's the first thing he announces when he takes the stage at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's University Center auditorium to give a talk titled "Diversity According to 'South Park' and 'Family Guy.' "

The second thing he announces is that "everything else is there and works just fine." Then he thanks the audience for laughing. Glowacki visited UTC that day as part of the school's observation of Disability Awareness Month, which they are addressing as Diversity Awareness Month. During October, various activities and presentations are taking place on the university campus.

"We're trying to promote a community and campus of diversity," said Bryon Kluesner, director of the Office for Students With Disabilities. "We want the students and the campus to realize that even though [some students] may have a disability, they're going to be productive members of society even if they have certain challenges. This is our way of promoting differences within our group."

Earlier this month, the office sponsored Adopt-a-Disability day, in which faculty and staff members paired up with students with disabilities and simulated the partnered disability. "It was really cool," said assistant director of alumni affairs Patrick Miles, who was paired with April Odom, a blind student. Miles wore a special eye covering that eliminated all sight, including peripheral vision. The two spent the day together, Odom holding the harness of her guide dog, Miles holding Odom's arm and using her walking cane.

"It was literally the blind leading the blind," he said. "The one thing I really took away from the whole experience is the level of trust that April and others who have visual impairments must have with others. There are times throughout the day I had to rely on the fact that there was a person opening the door, that they weren't leading me into a wall or something like that."

Onward and Upward

On a recent Monday morning, Glowacki visited the climbing wall at the university's Aquatic and Recreation Center. With the help of assistant director of campus recreation Miles Ledford, he was strapped into an adaptive harness and prepared for his ascent. Getting started was a bit of a struggle. Student staffer Eli Fowler was belaying -- anchoring Glowacki with a rope attached to the top of the climbing wall and tied in to both of their climbing harnesses -- and another student stepped in to help provide leverage.

"What would you do," Glowacki joked. "Use your legs? What a novel idea." Student Eamon Hosey geared up and climbed along with Glowacki to assist. The two made their way up the wall, making it part of the way before the feat became too difficult. "I'm sorry, you guys," Glowacki said good-naturedly as he lowered down. "I thought I was more of a man."

Jean-Marie Lawrence, who was watching the whole time, was plenty impressed, however. "I will definitely be here next week to try this," she said. A graduate student in secondary education, Lawrence, 23, has used a wheelchair full-time since she was 18. She said she came to see the demonstration so she could get a feel for rock climbing, something she wants to try.

"It's on my top 10 list of things I probably shouldn't try, but I'm going to anyway. I already went skydiving and whitewater rafting." She was in the audience when Glowacki gave his talk, which used parody and satire to spread the message that "diversity is learning from differences," encouraging the audience to go beyond tolerance and embrace engagement.

"It seems to me that my disability affects others more than it affects me," he said. "Have you ever been in a kindergarten classroom and seen the children engaging with each other? I know it's a little shiny and happy, but that's the world I want to live in."

His way of life, he pointed out, is as normal for him as any able-bodied person's way of life is normal for that person. When people compliment him on his use of his wheelchair, he noted, he compliments their ability to walk proficiently.

Using clips from "Family Guy" and "South Park" to help illustrate his points, Glowacki addressed three separate "isms" -- lookism, ableism and racism. He also discussed the downfalls of political correctness.

"If we use the word 'crippled' or 'disabled' or 'special' or 'retarded,' we're setting up an expectation for what a person can actually do or can't do," he said in a phone interview. "The politically correct term is 'a person who has a disability.' But in my mind, that turn of phrase is still guilty. So when people say 'what do you want to be called,' I tell them 'Matt.' "

Anger, he said, is generally counterproductive.

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"Catastrophic" Funding Cuts Coming in July 2011?

State-funded services are already stretched thin in such areas as mental health and children's programs, so a $1.5 billion budget shortfall will force incoming Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to make some very difficult choices.

John Stewart, former board chairman for Tennesseans For Fair Taxation, believes the long-neglected state infrastructure, which includes everything from education to environmental protection, is at serious risk. Stewart predicts some of the children's services that have already seen deep cuts, as well as aid programs for Tennesseans with mental health challenges, could be devastated.

Learn More - In an effort to forge policy recommendations, a nonpartisan state budget forecast and policy forum will be held next week.

The "Creating Solutions" forum will be held Nov. 16 from 9am to noon at the Boys & Girls Club Auditorium, 220 Carrick St., Knoxville.

The event is free of charge but advance registration is required at ettcycreatingsolutionseasttn.eventbrite.com.

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Spring Family to Family Outreach Conference

Join Family Voices of Tennessee for a day of networking, resources, and informative trainings that impact families and children with special health care needs and/or disabilities with a special emphasis on transition.

Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 9am to 2pm Central
Nashville Library - 615 Church Street

For more information: contact Family Voices of Tennessee a 1 [phone] or visit our website at www.tndisability.org/familyvoices.

Hosted by: Family Voices of Tennessee, A Program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition

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www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131145660

Families Fight to Care for Children in The Home

You've probably never seen a person hooked up to so many plastic tubes as Olivia Welter. There's a ventilator tube that keeps her breathing. There's a feeding tube that's also the tube for her dozen or so medicines. There are the tubes to the vibrating vest that loosens the mucus in her lungs. Another tube to help her cough. The tube that her nurse uses a couple times an hour to suction the mucus out of her mouth.

But if you think of being hooked up to machines as something that keeps a dying person alive, that's not what's going on here. Olivia Welter is not dying. These tubes and machines keep her healthy.

Olivia Welter is 20 years old and gets all this life-saving medical care through a program provided by Illinois' Medicaid program. But it's a program for children. And when Olivia Welter turns 21, at the stroke of midnight on Nov. 9, she is no longer eligible for that care.

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www.bazelon.org/What-You-Can-Do/Take-Action/Alerts/Alerts-Archive/11-1-10SSAListings.aspx

Social Security Disability Rules to Change—for Better and Worse

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Parent-School Collaboration Study

This study is for parents of students with disabilities. Parent-School Collaboration is necessary to ensure students with disabilities forge academic progress and lead independent lives. This study offers parents of students with disabilities the opportunity to share their experiences in working with the schools.

Parents will complete a survey about: themselves, their children, and their relationship with the school. To participate in the survey, please go to the following website:

tinyurl.com/2ednxtk

The results of this survey will enable researchers and practitioners to better understand and, subsequently, improve parent-school collaboration.

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2011 Child Engagement Conference set for March
Early registration is open for the 2nd annual Child Engagement Conference, hosted by the Siskin Center for Child and Family Research. Early childhood professionals can look forward to two new tracks at the 2011 spring conference, one on early intervention in the home and community setting and another on serving children with and without disabilities in preschool classrooms.

e2ma.net/go/8826512685/3248623/100611473/13681/goto:http://www.childengagement.com/

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www.childengagement.com/

This link should work.