FEBRUARY 2011 DISABILITIES THREAD

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Dear friends of the 2011 TN Disability Megaconference,

Our Call for Presenters has been extended to February 15, 2011!! Here is the link: Call for Presenters 2011 Disability MegaConference

We would love to hear about success stories from families and community members! Don’t be put off by the “degree” or other questions, share what you KNOW!!

The Conference is planned for June 2 & 3, 2011. It is planned with 7 tracks----

1. Education (Pre-K to 8th grade)
2. Transition / Post-Secondary Education (9th grade and beyond)
3. Transition / Employment (9th grade and beyond)
4. Housing
5. Health Care
6. Mental Health
7. Recreation and Leisure

Crossing 5 themes:

Personal Stories of Success: Persons with disabilities, and or their families will tell their stories, or show videos illustrating their progress towards success and providing real-life positive examples and role models in employment, mental health, etc...

Resources for Success: Programs, resources and information will be included on a panel discussion with a moderator. Each panel will begin with a 5-minute, "If you need x, y, or z, come see me" intro from each resource/program, then break into a question/answer to clarify the unique contributions and skills from each resource.

Successful Advocacy Strategies: Approaches that have been successful or provided progress toward making systems work or adapt to your needs.

Assistive technology to promote success: Raise awareness of coping and compensatory technologies

Navigating systems for success: Strategies for systems navigation so that people know how the system in that track works and what to do next.


If the link above does not work, try copying the link below into your web browser:
redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=vNPIUd

You can also access it from the Conference homepage: www.tndisabilitymegaconference.org/

Please share widely.

Lynnette Henderson, PhD
IDDRC Research Registry and Recruitment Coordinator
UCEDD Associate Director of Community Services
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Research Assistant Professor in Pediatrics
Division of Developmental Medicine
PMB 40
Edgehill AVe. and Magnolia Circle
Nashville, TN 37203-5721
MRL 235
[phone]
www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/StudyFinder
www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP
tinyurl.com/vkcfacebook

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Registration has opened for: Ninth Annual Tennessee Disability MegaConference

June 2-3, 2011 @ Nashville Airport Marriott

To register or for more information: www.TNDisabilityMegaConference.org or call [phone]

Conference highlights include:

· Nationally renowned speakers
· Informative workshops
· Fun evening events
· Awards banquet
· Door prizes

Conference attendees include:

· Persons with disabilities
· Family members
· Professionals in related fields
· Teachers
· Therapists
· Service providers
· Direct support professionals

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Siskin Hospital for Rehabilitation's 8th Annual Possibilities Luncheon
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 - 11:30 am-1:00 pm @ Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center

Featured Guest Speaker: Bonnie St. John (Olympic Skier and amputee)
This Year's Theme: Life Beyond Disability

Individual tickets are $75.00

For more information, contact Sandy Howell @ [phone] or [e-mail].
You may also register on-line at www.SiskinRehab.org.

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Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is collecting information about summer camps for our annual Summer Camps and Programs Directory for 2011. We are interested in disability camps and inclusion camps. Click on the URL link below to enter your camp information. Or you can contact Tracy Pendergrass at 615-875-5084 or [e-mail]

Enter Summer Camp/Programs: j.mp/fGjwyE

Thank you!

Tracy L Pendergrass
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
1211 21st Ave S., Ste 539
Nashville, TN 37212
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Website: www.familypathfinder.org
Toll Free: 1-800-640-4636
Latino Resources: www.caminoseguro.org

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Volunteer CPA Needed



ASMT is looking for a volunteer CPA to consider serving on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Amanda at [e-mail] or 615-385-2077, etc. 2.

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Summer Opportunities Fair - February 24, 2011

The Autism Society of Middle Tennessee is pleased to announce the 4rd Annual Summer Opportunities Fair, in collaboration with the Junior League Family Resource Center of The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. This year, we are expecting over 40 individuals and agencies to participate, sharing recreational, research, and summer opportunities for the autism and disability community.

This fair will feature recreational opportunities such as camps, arts, music, dance, swimming, parks & recreation programs, and various research programs available through local universities.

This special event is FREE to the entire community!

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Statewide Orientations

Orientation: February 8th - Tuesday
-Siskin Children's Institute in Chattanooga, TN
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Orientation: February 11th - Friday
- Macon County Junior High School in Lafayette, TN
- 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Orientation: February 17th - Thursday
- Centerstone Regional Intervention Program building, Clarksville, TN
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Orientation: February 19th - Saturday
- Special Kids and Families in Memphis, TN
- 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Orientation: March 3rd - Tuesday
- Kodak United Methodist in Kodak, TN
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Orientation: March 26th - Saturday
- UT Martin University Center in Martin, TN.
- 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.

A special thanks to Scarab Behavioural Health Services for sponsoring this year's orientation binders!

If you have any questions or would prefer to give this information over the phone, please contact one of our Parent Representatives at 615-385-2077, ext. 1.

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

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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: February 2, 2011
To: Community Calendar
From: Louise McKown---Public Awareness Coordinator
Re: Tobii Communicator Workshop

The East Tennessee Technology Access Center will host a free workshop on the Tobii Communicator software February 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ETTAC’s Knoxville office, 116 Childress Street.

Tobii Communicator is an alternative and augmentative communication software platform designed with people with speech disabilities in mind. Communicator converts text and symbols into clear speech, provides computer access and even allows someone who has difficulty turning on TVs, radios, and lights to control them through an Environmental Control Unit. Come meet Wayne Jones the local Tobii Representative, learn about Tobii Communicator and see all of Tobii’s products in action. For more information visit Tobii’s website at www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/north-america/

Please contact ETTAC at [phone] to register for the workshop by February 15th.

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The East Tennessee Technology Access Center will have Renee Anderson from the Prentke Romich Company for two days, February 22nd and 23rd to give free workshops about communication devices. The workshops will be held at ETTAC Knoxville office, 116 Childress Street.

The February 22nd workshop given from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. will focus on the Unity software program available in the Vantage Lite communication device for people who have difficulty speaking. It uses a small set of easy to recognize pictures combined in short sequences to produce words, phrases and sentences.

The February 23rd workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will focus on strategies to teach and promote the use of an augmentative communication system to get students to independently express themselves. The strategies presented will cover a range of ages and abilities, including those with emerging language and literacy. The teaching strategies are appropriate for a wide variety of devices and programs, and for anyone working with a person who uses a communication device.

Please preregister by calling [phone] by February 18th. Also register with Prentke Romich at [phone] or online at www.prentrom.com/training.

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: ETTAC workshop---Solutions for teaching and learning

The East Tennessee Technology Access Center will host 2 one-hour workshops by Karen Hyer from Mindplay, a company that developed state of the art technology for unique solutions for teaching and learning. She will demonstrate several software programs that help students with disabilities with evidence-based strategies in reading, math and positive behavioral supports.

The workshops will be held February 18th from 11:00 am to noon or from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at ETTAC’s Knoxville office, 116 Childress Street. Although both workshops are free, please register by calling [phone] by February 14th. Box lunches are available for those who register. For more information about Mindplay visit its website: www.mindplay.com/Products/tabid/53/Default.aspx

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Please join us for popcorn as we enjoy CHADD Movie night this coming Tuesday night, February 8, at 6:15 p.m.

In big screen fashion, we will be enjoying the PBS documentary, "ADD & Lovin' It", compliments of our own WTCI and EPB. This documentary features Dr. Ned Hallowell, author of many books and articles about ADHD, including the ever-popular "Driven to Distraction."

Some of you may remember Dr. Hallowell from our CHADD Conference here in Chattanooga several years ago. This documentary is a very educational 60-minute PBS production that’s not afraid to poke a little fun at what it means to live with AD/HD in our lives! Made by the AD/HD community for the AD/HD community, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!

Popcorn will be furnished, compliments of EPB!

Meeting is at Hickory Valley Christian School, 6605 Shallowford Road. For more details, click here www.chattchadd.org/CHADD09/Meeting.html.

Also, remember to check us out on Facebook at CHADD of Greater Chattanooga.

Lastly, check out our upcoming Parent to Parent Workshop, presented by our own Dr. Allyson Neal. Details on our website at www.chattchadd.org.

See you on Tuesday!!

Sincerely,

Pamper Garner Crangle
Volunteer Coordinator, CHADD of Chattanooga

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Feb 15th in Johnson City: ASA-ETC Friendship Club Tri Cities is inviting you to “Come play with us at WALLABIES!!” Event is from 4 – 7pm. WALLABIES has inflatables, slides, jumps and obstacles for older kids plus an enclosed toddler area. There are also tables for snacking and visiting. (Flyer with more details is attached.)



Feb 27th in Knoxville: ASA-ETC Friendship Club Knoxville is having their monthly social skills activity at Tatarus Gym from 3 – 5pm. (Flyer with more details is attached.)



March 8th in Kodak (Sevier County) Autism Orientation Workshop will be at Kodak United Methodist Church from 6:30 - 8:30pm. Register now, space is limited, and childcare is by RSVP only!! Workshop is for newly diagnosed parents, teachers, area professionals, and interested members of the community. (Flyer with RSVP details is attached.)



April 1st in Chattanooga: The Chattanooga Autism Center is partnering with ASA-ETC for their 2nd Annual Community Conference: “Autism: Get the 411”. This workshop is for parents and professionals on all things autism. Website link has complete workshop listing: chattanoogaautismcenter.giving.officelive.com/conference.aspx. (Registration flyer is attached.)



MAY 7th in Knoxville: SAVE THE DATE!! –ASA-ETC and Cherokee Health Systems are partnering together for our annual Spring Conference. Workshop topics and presenters will be announced soon, but in the meantime and mark your calendars now to join us for a great day of training. (no flyer yet!)


Lastly, please join us on our new Facebook site at: www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_185521381487643&ap=1

Best regards,


--
Brook Dickerson
Executive Director, ASA-ETC
2890 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone] Phone/Fax (call before faxing)
[e-mail]
www.asaetc.org

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Club FIT (Friends In Training) - Thursday, February 10, 4:30-6pm

Club FIT is a group for individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. At Club FIT, we get moving with a variety of fitness activities, as well as learning about making healthy choices at home. Last week, we learned the Cupid Shuffle and Electric Slide at our Line Dancing lesson with Wanda. Everyone had a great time! On the schedule for the next two weeks: Feb. 10: Yoga & Feb. 17: Martial Arts

Group meetings take place at Goodpasture Hall inside Westminster Presbyterian Church (3900 West End Avenue in Nashville, enter from Mayfair Road side) Advance registration is required. There is a $20 fee per month, and includes registration for an individual with Down syndrome and a family member partner. Financial assistance is available. Contact DSAMT at 615.386.9002 or [e-mail] to sign up or get more information!

MonkeyNastix Class - THIS Saturday, February 12, 10am

Have you registered your little guy or girl for MonkeyNastix? Don't miss out on this fun monthly program designed to get your kids moving! Join us for Monkeynastix, a holistic exercise program designed for children ages 1-8, that uses creativity and storytelling combined with balance, strength and flexibility training in a fun and positive environment. Your kids will love this monthly program, which is open to kids with Down syndrome and their siblings!

The group meets in Goodpasture Hall, inside Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 3900 West End Ave. Enter from the Mayfair Rd. side of the building. Registration is $5 per child, per class. Advance registration is required. To register, or for more information, please contact Erin Kice at [e-mail] or 615-386-9002.

Circle of Friends - Saturday, February 19, 9am - 2pm

Individuals ages 12 and up who have Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities are invited to join us for Circle of Friends, a monthy meeting for fellowship, games, service projects, and fun activities. Circle of Friends participants enjoy Tae Kwon Do, art projects and more, while making friends and giving their caregivers some time to relax. The group meets from 9am to 2pm. Participants should bring a sack lunch and a $10 registration fee. Space is limited. Advance registration is required by Thursday February 17. Please call DSAMT at 615.386.9002 or email [e-mail] for registration or more information.

Attend Viking Cooking School with DSAMT! - Monday - Wednesday, March 28-30, 3-5pm

Space is running out for our Viking Cooking School. Get your registration in as soon as possible to secure your space! The Pujols Family Foundationand DSAMT have teamed up with The Viking Store and Cooking School to offer a hands on cooking workshop March 28-30. This three-day mini-camp will help build confidence in the kitchen while giving participants an opportunity to connect with a parent in a fun and unique setting. With a focus on healthy (and gluten-free) eating, students will learn kitchen basics and how to prepare delectable dishes such as Polenta Fries with Tomato Sauce, Chunky Guacamole and Trifecta Turkey Burgers. At the end of the three days, students will receive a diploma and participate in a graduation ceremony. Each student will take home a recipe packet after each class.
Space is limited. Registration deadline is March 1. Registration is $75 and includes all three days of class for a pair of participants. Contact DSAMT at 615-386-9002 or email [e-mail] for registration or more information.

WAVES 2011 Art Show - Friday, March 11, 5-8pm

It's Back! Waves and the Arts Council of Williamson County are hosting the 5th Annual Art Show for Adults with intellectual disabilities. "An Artist's Window" is a wonderful showcase of work from Adults with Intellectual Disabilities living in the Middle TN Area. The FREE event will feature LIVE MUSIC, APPETIZERS, AND WINE!

When: Friday March 11, 2011 from 5 to 8
Where: The Factory at Franklin
Registration forms due: February 28, 2011

For information sheets and registration forms, contact Julie Long, Recreation Coordinator, Waves, Inc. [phone] or [e-mail]

Fearless Caregiver Conference - Wednesday, March 30, 8:30am - 2:30pm

Greater Nashville Regional Council invites you to the Fearless Caregiver Conference: Answers and Support for Family Caregivers. At the conference you will learn how to get family members to help you; access financial and community resources; beat stress and find respite. The day will also include a question and answer session and a "ask the pharmacist" session.
At Radisson Hotel at Opryland. Limited Free Tickets are available. Register at caregiver.com or call 877.829.2734 for more information.

Free tickets available to Juggleville VI - Saturday, April 2, 2pm and 8pm

The Vanderbilt Juggling and Physical Arts Club invites you to join them for Juggleville VI on Saturday April 2nd, 2pm and 8pm in Langford Auditorium on Vanderbilt campus.
A limited number of FREE tickets are available for DSAMT families. Please reserve your tickets no later than Friday, February 25. Seating is general admission and guests must arrive no later than 20 minutes before show time to pick up tickets. Email [e-mail] or call DSAMT at 386-9002 to reserve tickets.

Father Ryan High School Speaker Series - Thursday, March 10, 6:30pm

Students, families, and the community are invited to attend the Father Ryan Speaker Series to hear Courtney McMillen Elbert, mother of Sam, talk about her acceptance of life, their inclusion efforts, and her grace filled experiences of raising a child with Down syndrome.
At the Center for the Performing Arts at Father Ryan High School. For more information, contact Amy Johnston at [e-mail]

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More iPad News....

STAMFORD -- Olivia Shea swiped her finger across the bottom of the screen, bringing her iPad to life. "Welcome back to Sentence Builder," the tablet pronounced after another swipe and a tap. A moment later, Olivia was working on syntax and conjugation as she constructed sentences to correspond with images on the screen as part of her reward for completing her money-counting class assignment. Olivia, along with her seven classmates in Stamford High School's autism spectrum disorder classroom, is just beginning to learn how to work with the iPad, a tablet produced by Apple Inc.

Autism, a developmental disability, causes social impairments as well as communication and behavioral challenges. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 110 American children falls on the autism spectrum.

"I like it," Olivia, 16, said as she sat at a table in the back of her classroom with one of the ASD program's para-educators, Mike Schacter, Thursday morning. A local non profit organization, Stamford Education 4 Autism, purchased iPads for the district's ASD program teachers in December. "So we have one iPad for eight kids in this class, and we're just starting to figure out how to use it. But I ultimately think it has an extremely positive potential for the kids," said Olivia's teacher, Sheree Cook. The students became familiar with the technology when Schacter brought his personal iPad to the classroom. "The kids really already know how to use it without being taught," Schacter said. "It just comes so easily to them."

According to Fred Volkmar, M.D., director of the Child Study Center at Yale University, there are several reasons students with autism spectrum disorders have had such positive reactions to iPads: the devices are portable, visually oriented, relatively affordable and can be customized. "The nice thing is that it's high-tech, but it's relatively low-cost," Volkmar said. "Some of the devices that have been out there to help children can cost $4,000 to $5,000, and if you're dealing with a person who has trouble with impulse control and anger, they can be throwing stuff across the room."

Base iPads retail for $499, which Volkmar said is a better bargain than some items on the market. Jim McClafferty, a Stamford-based software programmer who is developing an application for students on the spectrum, said iPads are also an option for many ASD students who lack the dexterity to control a mouse. "You can also customize it. You can put in alarms or the child's picture and make it personal, which makes it more real," Volkmar said.

"Children with autism, as a general rule, do better with visual as opposed to auditory information," Volkmar said. In his book, "A Practical Guide to Autism," Volkmar writes that the tendency to take an interest in visual images "frequently starts with an interest in things like signs or hood ornaments on cars, but often extends into letters and numbers."

As Olivia sailed through the sentence builder game, she was greeted by cartoon congratulations each time she correctly completed a sentence. She smiled as she prepared to swipe the next sentence into place. "This technology just relates to kids with autism. It's concrete and very visual, with a lot of auditory benefits to it," Cook said. "When the iPad came out last spring, I said it would create opportunities that didn't exist before," McClafferty said as he sat in his home office on Bertmor Drive in Stamford. "Tablets have been around for a while, but Apple got it right."

Intuitive technology fills a need in the autism community, McClafferty said. "The technology for children with autism was severely lacking. It was just old-school technology, like going to the library and searching through the card catalog," he said. McClafferty is in the final stages of developing an iPad application for ASD students, which will help with speech and language skills.

"Typically, ASD teachers carry around a whole bunch of flashcards to help teach verbal skills. It can get expensive, and there's really only one of each card in a deck," McClafferty said. "What I created on the iPad is a replacement for that with enormous flexibility." His app -- See. Touch. Learn, which will be released in March -- is designed to provide teachers and parents with a digital library of flashcards to assist in language development. McClafferty said the app will be a free download, and will include a basic library of cards; additional libraries could then be purchased at a cost. He said the app is in the final stages of development.

"I put this in front of people, in front of parents, and they're emotional about it. They say, `You're building this for us.' You don't get that in the corporate world," he said. McClafferty expects his app, which he plans to distribute to local families with children on the spectrum, will be the first of many. "I think the iPad is being adopted very quickly," Volkmar said. "Sometimes (devices) kind of flash in the pan, but I think this one is more likely to be around for quite a while."

Staff Writer Maggie Gordon can be reached at [e-mail] or 203-964-2229.

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. The NAC is an advisory committee established in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters.

The NAC has a position open for applications and nominations in the following disciplines: Emergency Management, Emergency Response, Health Scientist, Standard Settings, Infrastructure Protection, Communications, Disabilities, Local Non-Elected Official, Tribal Elected Official and three appointments which will be selected at the discretion of the FEMA Administrator.

The selected members would serve until June 15, 2014. In addition, FEMA seeks applications to fill the remaining term for a Local Elected Official position (to serve until June 15, 2012), a State Non-Elected Official position (to serve until June 15, 2013), and an Administrator's Selection (to serve until June 15, 2013).

Qualified individuals interested in serving on the NAC are invited to apply for appointment by submitting a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). Letters of recommendation may also be provided, but are not required. Applications are accepted now through Friday, March 4, 2011.

For more information: www.fema.gov/about/nac.

The NAC consists of 35 members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields. The members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator and are composed of federal, state, local, tribal and private-sector leaders and subject matter experts in law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, hospital, public works, emergency management, state and local governments, public health, emergency response, standard settings and accrediting organizations, representatives of individuals with disabilities, infrastructure protection, cyber security, communications and homeland security communities.

Members serve without compensation from the federal government; however, consistent with the charter, members receive travel reimbursement and per diem under applicable federal travel regulations. Registered lobbyists, current FEMA employees, Disaster Assistance Employees, FEMA Contractors, and potential FEMA Contractors will not be considered for NAC Membership.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Saturday March 26, 2011: 9:00 am-2:30 pm @ Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street • Nashville, TN 37219

Conservatorships, Wills, & Special Needs Trusts, OH MY!!

If your youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities has
started the transition process, you will want to attend
Family Voices of Tennessee’s F2F Outreach Conference.
Hosted by: Family Voices of Tennessee

Keynote Speaker Ed Maurer of James E. Maurer and Associates will provide information about special needs trusts and conservatorships. Family and professional panelists will share information on resources and experiences around transition, work, school, and community participation. Sessions and vendors will offer resources and tools to help youth and families in the transition process. For more information or questions, call Tonya 615-515-8626 or email [e-mail]

Space is limited and registration is required to attend. Registration form must be received by Noon March 18, 2011 Please complete form and mail to:
Family Voices of Tennessee Transition Conference
955 Woodland Street • Nashville, TN 37206
Sponsored by : The Tennessee Disability Coalition, The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, and The Nashville Public Library

**No Childcare will be available**

Directions to the Downtown Public Library -

From the Memphis Area/West TN: Take I-40 East towards Nashville. Take Exit 209A towards Church St. Make a slight left onto 14th Ave. S then a left on Church St.

From the Knoxville Area/East TN: Take I-40 West towards Nashville. Take Exit 209
(Church St./Charlotte Ave). Turn right on Church St.

From the Chattanooga Area: Take I-24 West towards Nashville. In Nashville, follow
I-40 W/I-65 S(Memphis/Huntsville). Take Exit 209(Church St./Charlotte Ave.) Turn right on Church St.

From Clarksville/Northwest TN Area: Take I-24 East towards Nashville. In Nashville, follow
I-40 W/I-65 S(Memphis/Huntsville). Take Exit 209(Church St./Charlotte Ave.) Turn right on Church St.

From Southern TN areas: Take I-65 North towards Nashville. In Nashville, follow
I-40 W toward Memphis/Louisville. Take Exit 209(Church St./Charlotte Ave.) Turn right on Church St.

From Northern TN areas: Take I-65 South towards Nashville. In Nashville, merge
onto I-24 East. Follow to I-40 W/I-65 South. Take Exit 209(Church St./Charlotte Ave.) Turn right on Church St.

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As autism advocates know, the unemployment rate for people with autism is many times higher than for their non-disabled peers. The Transition towards Excellence in Achievement and Mobility (TEAM) Acts instill transition services with the idea that students with significant disabilities can achieve and work. These bills require systems to work together to achieve the best outcomes and focus on maximizing independence and self-sufficiency for students with autism and other significant disabilities. Specifically, the outcomes would focus on integrated employment at minimum wage or higher, or improved access to post-secondary education programs.

Read more about the TEAM-Education Act, TEAM-Employment Act, and TEAM-Empowerment Act, and click here to read and sign the letter asking your Member of Congress to cosponsor this important legislation.

support.autism-society.org/site/R?i=lhquBGt9LUTy6uDBNPoqpw..
support.autism-society.org/site/R?i=tHyvjR7Ea0CvH58B8-Dnrw..
support.autism-society.org/site/R?i=D9hX29mW4M1sawvRkZvfVg..
support.autism-society.org/site/R?i=PVSgR5IMzt2Bx9_fY9pm-g..

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Pass it on! Please pass the word on to friends, co-workers, churches and other organizations that we are still accepting applications for our 2011 homeownership program.

Basic requirements:

1) Housing need
2) Ability to pay a total monthly mortgage of $450 - $550
3) Willingness to partner
4) Live in Davidson, Dickson or Cheatham Counties in Tennessee

Those interested should fill out a questionnaire at www.habitatnashville.org/homeowner/.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!

1006 8th Ave South | Nashville, TN 37203-4722 | P: 615.254.HOME | F: 615.254.4645

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My name is Julie Lounds Taylor, and I am an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Special Education at Vanderbilt University, and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Investigator. The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is an NIH-funded Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, and a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

My research focuses on the transition to adulthood for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities As part of this research, I have developed a web-based survey that collects information about what parents of individuals with disabilities, as well as those with disabilities themselves, consider to be a successful transition to adulthood. The survey
is very short, and I would appreciate if you would consider placing the following link to the survey on your website, or distributing the link through your network or to your community partners.

*What is a Successful Transition to Adulthood? *

When we discuss a positive transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities, what do we mean? Researchers and professionals sometimes take a limited view of transition success.
The goal of this survey is to understand what parents and individuals with disabilities themselves think is important in defining a positive transition to adulthood.

The results of this survey may be used to identify aspects of the adult transition that researchers should be aware of when evaluating adult outcomes, and that professionals should take into account when identifying and designing services to meet the needs of transition-aged youth with disabilities.

*Who should take the survey? *

Parents of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

*Take the Survey Here: <https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=LYNIKy>*.<https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/index.php?hash=a9813e9550fee3110373c21fa012eee7>

Your answers *cannot *be linked back to you.

You may skip any question, except the one that provides your consent.

*Principal Investigator: *Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D.<http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/people/12594/taylor-julie-lounds.aspx>
Vanderbilt University

****THIS LINK MAY WORK BETTER: redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=LYNIKy

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From: White House Disability Group <[e-mail]>

Please circulate and get involved.

www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/07/advise-advisor-your-direct-line-white-house


Advise the Advisor – Your Direct Line to the White House

Posted by Macon Phillips on February 07, 2011 at 05:57 PM EST


Staying connected to the American people is incredibly important to President Obama. That’s why he tries to get out of Washington as much as he can and it’s why he reads ten letters from Americans across the country every day. And it’s why we’re kicking off a new program today called Advise the Advisor. Think of it as your direct line to senior staff at the White House.

Here’s how it works: one of the President’s closest advisors will post a short video to let you know more about what’s going on here at the White House and ask for your advice, opinions and feedback on important issues. We’ll go through as much of your feedback as possible and post a summary of what you’ve told us later in the week.

This week, David Plouffe, Senior Advisor to the President, is kicking off the series, focusing on President Obama’s vision for winning the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building rest of the world, by reforming our government to make it smarter, more effective and better prepared for the 21st century, and by taking responsibility for our debts and deficits.

Check out his video and then head over to WhiteHouse.gov/Advise to let us know how American innovation is affecting your community and what we can do to help remove the obstacles to innovation that you see where you live.

The White House · 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW · Washington DC 20500 · 202-456-1111

Sincerely,

Donna DeStefano
Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.tndisability.org

Save the Date! 2nd Annual Family to Family Outreach Conference is March 26th!

The Tennessee Disability Coalition provides its services in accordance with the Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act - No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination. Additional information concerning TDC's Title VI obligations and the complaint procedure can be obtained calling [phone].

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Rising stars of Tennessee is a seminar being held on Friday, March 11, for blind and visually impaired high school juniors and seniors, those in any level of post secondary education program, those thinking of pursuing post secondary training, and those professionals who work with blind and visually impaired students transitioning from high school to post secondary training and students in post secondary training programs.

Financial assistance is available to those who apply or have previously applied for a National Federation of the Blind academic scholarship and not received one. Please find attached a flyer and letter about the seminar and a flyer giving information about how to apply for a National federation of the Blind scholarship.

***

Calling all Tennessee students who are blind and are preparing to attend college or are currently seeking a post secondary degree! The National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee will be hosting the NFB of Tennessee Rising Stars Student Seminar on March 11th 2011, as part of the NFB of Tennessee state convention. The seminar is designed to motivate and equip students who are blind with essential tools to be successful in the University and in the U.S. Work Force.

Sessions in the seminar will address subjects of common concern to students including how to navigate financial aid, vocational rehabilitation, and disability services. Students will also be given information about promising career fields of the future and how to increase employment marketability. Students will have the option to participate in a free mentoring program through which they will receive first hand guidance and assistance in gaining employment from a successfully employed blind Tennessean. The student seminar will be held in Chattanooga Tennessee at the Hilton Garden at Hamilton Place Hotel. If you or someone you know may be interested in attending, please contact James Brown at [e-mail].


Lucy Alexander Mercer
Rehabilitation Instructor
Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
88 Hermitage Ave.
Nashville, TN 37210

615-741-1606, ext. 122 (Phone)
615-741-6063 (Fax)
[e-mail] (E-mail)

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ETTAC hosts business webinars

The East Tennessee Technology Access Center will host a four-part series of Webinars for businesses from the Southeast Disability Business and Technical Access Center, on the benefits of employing people with disabilities and leading practices that advance disability inclusion in the workplace. Leaders in the field will share their experiences, successes and practical methods for promoting inclusion of people with disabilities.

The first webinar, Flexible Workplaces Benefit Everyone, will be Thursday, February 17th from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The webinar is free, but registration is required by calling ETTAC at [phone] by February 16th. ETTAC is located at 116 Childress Street in Knoxville.

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

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Summer Opportunities Fair - February 24: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

ASMT is pleased to announce the 4rd Annual Summer Opportunities Fair, in collaboration with the Junior League Family Resource Center of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. This fair will feature individuals and agencies sharing recreational, research, and summer opportunities for the autism and disability community.

This special event is FREE to the entire community!
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Disability Days on the Hill: March 2, 8:30 - 2:30

Disability Days on the Hill is your opportunity to meet with state legislators at the Capitol and talk about issues important to you and your family. Please join us in making a difference.
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Restaurants In Response: April - Autism Awareness Month

In honor of Autism Awareness month, ASMT is launching a month long awareness and fundraising initiative in partnership with local area restaurants. Restaurants commit to donating a portion of their proceeds from one menu item (ex. $1 per mocha frappuccino) for the month. All funds will go to support the advocacy, education, and resource programs ASMT offers the local autism community.

If you own a restaurant or know of a local establishment that would like to be involved in this initiative, please contact Justin at ASMT: [e-mail] or 615.-385-2077, ext. 3.
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Autism Orientation: March 17th - Thursday
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Workshop: Communication Based Applications for iPad and iPhone
March 24th - Thursday: - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Pieces Of Hope - ASMT's Annual Fundraising Event - April 15th - Friday
- The Factory at Franklin - 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Statewide Autism Orientations:

February 11th - Friday
- Macon County Junior High School in Lafayette, TN
- 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

February 17th - Thursday - Centerstone Regional Intervention Program building, Clarksville, TN
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

February 19th - Saturday
- Special Kids and Families in Memphis, TN
- 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

March 8th - Tuesday
- Kodak United Methodist in Kodak, TN
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

March 26th - Saturday
- UT Martin University Center in Martin, TN.
- 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.

Volunteer CPA Needed - ASMT is looking for a volunteer CPA to consider serving on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Amanda at [e-mail] or 615-385-2077, etc. 2.

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

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To Date, Brain Injury Dialogues will be airing on 15 PBS stations across the USA beginning February 19th.

Here's a few quick stats to help illustrate the cultural significance of this:

About 20,000 US military TBI's (traumatic brain injuries) occur each year, with a smaller number attributable to Gulf War injuries.

Over 1.5 million TBI's occur each year to US citizens.

Currently over 5 million US citizens have disabilities due to a TBI.

TBI is only one of many types and causes of brain injury.

Brain injury is a profoundly under-addressed subject and effects millions of Americans every day both directly and indirectly.

www.braininjurydialogues.org/
<http://ethreemail.com/e3ds/mail_link.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.braininjurydial

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Chattanooga Autism Conference

chattanoogaautismcenter.giving.officelive.com/conference.aspx

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The Council on Developmental Disabilities is extending the deadline for applications for its 2011 Tennessee Youth Leadership Forum to March 15th.

This 4-day, free leadership and self-advocacy training program for high school students with disabilities from across the state will take place at a Middle TN college campus in July.

For more information, please contact Ned Andrew Solomon at 615.512.2579, or by e-mail at [e-mail].

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The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are currently working or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Fellowship is to prepare both early career and seasoned leaders to assume leadership in the public policy arena in their home state and/or nationally. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how federal legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, as well as how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.

Each year the Foundation brings talented and accomplished professionals and family members (many of whom are both professionals and family members) to Washington, D.C. for a full year where they actively participate in public policy development in the offices of Members of Congress, Congressional committees, or federal agencies. Former Public Policy Fellows describe the Fellowship as a major turning point in their professional and personal lives; the experience is a unique chance to understand the intersection of public policy, disability advocacy, and the political process.

The coming year promises to be an exceptional opportunity to participate in the
policy development process. Since its founding in 1946, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation has supported the creation of practical programs to benefit persons with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. The Foundation has always worked with national leaders who understand the promise and realities of government. The need for skilled leadership in government and public policy has never been greater. In response to this need, the Foundation initiated the Public Policy Fellowship Program in 1980. Fellows receive first-hand knowledge and experience in the development of public policy and the opportunity to participate in an advocacy training workshop, national disability policy seminars and the intensive week-long Bioethics course at Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics.

Successful applicants will have outstanding experience in:

1. State, regional or national level advocacy for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families;

2. Health care, mental health care, vocational rehabilitation, education, child care, child welfare, law, employment, community organizing, housing or development of inclusive community supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

3. Development of training programs for people with disabilities, families and communities;

4. Development or improvements of family support services, programs focused on
increasing individual’s control of resources and decisions impacting their lives, technology in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and any other area of focus important to these Americans.

The successful applicant’s background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities at the regional, state or national level. The expectation is that fellows will become future leaders in the field of inclusive community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After their year in Washington, it is expected that former Kennedy Fellows will
make significant contributions to policy and program development in their home state or continue to advance their work on the national level.

The program provides a one-year full-time exposure to the federal public policy making process, and includes a stipend and modest relocation expenses. Selected fellows must be prepared to live in the Washington, DC area during their fellowship year and to devote themselves full-time to the fellowship. In addition, applicants have the opportunity to participate in the Intensive Bioethics Course offered at the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Institute of Bioethics at Georgetown University. For more information on this course go to
kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu/ th Congress began in January 2011. There are multiple issues before the new Congress and the Administration that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, communities and supportive organizations doing work with, and on behalf of, people with disabilities. Key legislation may include health care and mental health care for persons with disabilities, the Rehabilitation Act, the Workforce Investment Act, the Developmental Disabilities Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly No Child Left Behind now Reform America's Schools to
Educate the Leaders of the Future Act ), disability civil rights, child care, housing, justice, child welfare and other areas related to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Application process and guidelines: Applicants should submit a letter of application between 2 to no more than 4 pages in length, single spaced in 12
point font with 1 inch margins, stating their background and history in the field of services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities, interests and accomplishments to date, as well as what they hope to do with the knowledge and experience gained from the fellowship. They should also attach either a résumé detailing their work and educational experience or a summary of their involvement in the field along with three letters of support from people familiar with their work. Applications should clearly show the candidate's name,
address, telephone number(s), and e-mail address on the first page. Page 3

The sole method of application, letters and résumé submission is via an online system that can be found at www.aucd.org/app/jpkffellowship2011 Hard copies will not be accepted. Letters of support should also be via a PDF file or a word file. A hard copy on letterhead with the supporter's signature must follow in the mail only if it has been sent in any format other than PDF or Word. Please make sure that each letter clearly specifies the candidate for which the letter is being submitted.

The application deadline for 2011-2012 is March 15, 2011 by 5:00 P.M. EST The Fellowship starting date will be negotiated with the successful applicant. The Foundation anticipates up to three fellowships will be awarded for the period July, 2011-June 30, 2012

Finalists will be invited to Washington in the spring of 2011 to be interviewed by a distinguished panel of national Public Policy experts.

Should you have any questions please contact Steven M. Eidelman
[e-mail]

The applications will only be accepted online at:
www.aucd.org/app/jpkffellowship2011 Address letters of application to:

Public Policy Fellowship
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
1133 19th Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Public Policy Fellowship Program 2011-2012

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Hi All!

I wanted to let you know that REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Third Annual Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters Conference. I hope to see you on April 8 - 9, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt (same location as the past two years).

We are excited to announce that our two keynote speakers are Don Meyer and Dee Dee Eberle. Don Meyer is the creater of the SibShop program, as well as the Director of the Sibling Support Project. Dee Dee Eberle, Director, Chapter Organizing and Advocacy, is with The Arc US. We also have some wonderful, exciting plenary sessions and breakout sessions, so stay tuned for more details about the rest of the conference!

Limited financial assistance is available. This includes both the registration fee and one night of a hotel room. Please contact Ashley Coulter if you are interested in either option.

To register for the conference, please visit this link: kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/newsandevents/calendar/page.aspx?id=2525

Thank you so much and I hope to see you soon!

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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Next Chapter Book Club: Tuesday, February 22, 7-8pm

Join Next Chapter Book Club for a fun social gathering where members read aloud from a book of the group's choice and have fun discussions. This month, the group will be reading Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol.

NCBC meets at the Target Café inside Target on White Bridge Road (26 White Bridge Rd. Nashville, TN 37205). Co-facilitators for this chapter of NCBC are Beth Simmerman & Lauren McNatt, who are both siblings of amazing individuals with Down syndrome.

Pre-registration is not required but is appreciated for planning purposes. For more information, please contact Beth Simmerman at [e-mail] or 615.386.9002.

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MonkeyNastix Class: Saturday, March 12, 10am

Join us for Monkeynastix, a holistic exercise program designed for children ages 1-8, that uses creativity and storytelling combined with balance, strength and flexibility training in a fun and positive environment. Your kids will love this monthly program, which is open to kids with Down syndrome and their siblings!

The group meets in Goodpasture Hall, inside Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 3900 West End Ave. Enter from the Mayfair Rd. side of the building. Registration is $5 per child, per class.

Advance registration is required. To register, or for more information, please contact Erin Kice at [e-mail] or 615-386-9002.