MARCH 2011 Disabilities Thread

[LimitedRecourse]

Council on Developmental Disabilities - New State Plan Goals & Objectives

The Council is developing a new five year state plan that will be submitted to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in August, 2011. Please take time to read the information on our needs assessment activities and the goals and objectives we developed based on those needs. Then please provide us with your comments about the new goals and objectives. Your review of this document is important to us and we look forward to hearing from you. Alternate formats are available upon request to the Council.

To view or print the needs assessment activities and goals and objectives, please go to the Council home page address www.tn.gov/cdd/. It will be the first document you see on the Council’s home page.

Direct link to the document: mk1.netatlantic.com/t/11208132/8696096/99156/0/

PDF: mk1.netatlantic.com/t/11208132/8696096/99157/0/

To submit public review comments or for information about the State Plan, please send comments to Alicia Cone at [e-mail], 615-253-1105, or Parkway Towers, Suite 130, 404 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243.

The Council looks forward to collaborating and working with all our partners to address the identified service system issues over the five years and beyond!

[LimitedRecourse]

Collegiate Wrestler Sees Only Ability

Today, meet Anthony Robles of Arizona State University. On Saturday night reached the pinnacle of college wrestling by winning the NCAA title in the 125-pound weight class. Hear from him how he was able to win despite being born without his right leg and hip bone.


I was born without a right leg, but that has never stopped me. Many My parents raised me just like my siblings. My siblings and friends treated me as I was no different. I played sports and didn't let being born this way affect how I lived my life. My parents taught me that if I wanted to do something, I could set my mind to it and go do it. I have carried that way of living throughout my life and throughout my career. Because of this, I became a national champion.

Throughout my life, I have learned that no matter what obstacles I have encountered, I push myself to find a way to overcome. Other people said I couldn't do the same things as others and, in some ways, they are right. But that never stopped me in the past and it won't stop me in the future. To read more and see video: mk1.netatlantic.com/t/11208132/8696096/99152/0/

[LimitedRecourse]

Animals for Autism to Place Service Dog Free of Charge - March 27, 2011

www.free-press-release.com/news-animals-for-autism-to-place-service-dog-free-of-charge-1301212749.html
Animals for Autism trains and affordably places Autism Service Animals with both adults and children across the United States.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Free-Press-Release.com) March 27, 2011 --
Animals for Autism trains and affordably places Autism Service Animals with both adults and children across the United States. Individuals with ASDs and/or their families are encouraged to complete an application packet, available on our web site, if they wish to be considered for our training and placement program.

April is a very important month in the autism community. We support Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue Campaign, Autism Awareness Month, World Autism Awareness Day and countless other fund-raisers and Walks to benefit autism research. In conjunction with all of the April festivities, Animals for Autism will be placing, FREE of charge, one of our highly-qualified service animals with a child (5+) or and adult in need who has an ASD.

While service animals are not appropriate in every case, when they are appropriate, Autism Service Animals are a wonderful addition to the treatment programs of many individuals on the autism spectrum. Service animals can:

*Help save lives by preventing wandering.
*Provide opportunities for positive social interaction in the community.
*Disrupt undesirable behaviors.
*Redirect their owners.
*Provide structure to daily living.
*Help teach respect and responsibility.
*Prevent meltdowns.
*Calm their owners with pressure therapy.
*Provide sensory awareness.
*Increase self-esteem. -and-
*Provide constant companionship.

To qualify for the free animal program, the applicant must be at least 5 years old by the time of placement, sometime in the Spring of 2012, and submit a complete application package to prior to the in-house deadline of April 30, 2011. Application packets and details are available at www.siberiansnowbabies.com/go_blue

In addition to the "Go Blue," free service animal program, Animals for Autism offers autism service animal training and placement on a nation-wide basis. The actual cost to raise and train a highly-qualified, ADA compliant Autism Service Animal is about $20,000. By privately funding all of the medical care, various incidentals, foster care and all of the animal's other expenses, we are able to provide our Autism Service Dogs for less than half the price of many other placement programs.

Those wishing to apply to our regular Autism Service Animal program should complete and submit a application packet, and omit the additional requirements of the "Go Blue" program. There is no deadline for regular program submissions.

[LimitedRecourse]

Dear CHADD Supporters,

Would you like to help others whose lives are adversely affected by ADHD, and also receive great education about ADHD?

If so, do we have a deal for you!

The local CHADD Chapter is in need of additional Board members to help lead the chapter. Our chapter is well-established, financially stable, and has a number of resources/assets, such as our lending library, a reliable place to have meetings, and a supportive Professional Advisory Board.

However, a number of the current Board members have been involved in the chapter for many years and work situations are dictating that they take a sabbatical. We are hoping some of you who have been helped by the local chapter will be interested in stepping up to help with the leadership.

If you are seriously interested in leadership opportunities, please respond by April 15, 2011.

Thanks,
Pamper Garner Crangle
Volunteer CHADD Coordinator

[LimitedRecourse]

The next Support Group Meeting for immigrant African families who have children with diabilities is scheduled for April 21, 2011. The meeting will hold at the Southeast Library located at 2325 Hickory Highlands Dr in Antioch. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. prompt.

Please spread the word.

Many Thanks,

Omegbhai Ojior Uriri,

615-948-2928