APRIL 2011 Disabilities Thread

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XMlhCfp3Q

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Wow, just wow. Who would have thought?!?

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You Are Invited!!!!!

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, The TEAM Centers / Chattanooga Autism Center, & LifeLine, Inc. would like to invite YOU to our next Community Education Series featuring Advocacy Services.

What: The following organizations will share important information about the advocacy services that they provide:

· The TEAM Centers / Chattanooga Autism Center
· LifeLine, Inc.
· Tennessee Voices for Children
· Disability Law & Advocacy of Tennessee
· Tennessee Justice Center
· Tennessee Disability Pathfinder

When: Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Siskin Children’s Institute
1101 Carter Street
Chattanooga, TN

Cost: Free

RSVP: Please register online at www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about available parking.
If you have any questions, please contact Megan Hart at [phone] or [e-mail]

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Announcing a summer program for young adults with Asperger's: Pre-vocational and social skills for the workplace

Young adults (ages 16-21) with Asperger's will be paired with neurotypical peers to learn pre-vocational and social skills for the workplace. Participants will not be training for a specific job, but rather the skills needed for any type of long-term employment. Skills such as appropriate interaction and conversation topics with supervisors, co-workers and the public, completion of tasks, time management and peer modeling. Portions of the work day will be videotaped to be reviewed and discussed at the next session. Thus, participants can view their own behavior and reflect on both positive and negative interactions.

There will be two, four-week sessions held on Wednesday and Friday mornings. June 8-June 30 (Thurs due to July 4th holiday) and July 13-Aug 5. We will be able to serve 10 young adults in each session.

Wednesdays (8:30-12:30) will be held at the TEAM Centers and will focus on skill building, role playing, and video observations.

Fridays (8:30-12:30) will be on-site at either UTC or McKamey Animal Shelter. Those days will be used for practicing and perfecting new skills, gaining experience and volunteering our services to the community.

If you'd like more information please call Melanie at 423-622-0500 ext 1149. Registrations are being taken now and are first come, first served. The program is free to participants and paid for by a grant from Autism Speaks.

Chattanooga Autism Center
Where the Pieces Come Together
ChattanoogaAutismCenter.org

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Dear Parents and Advocates,

The next Connections Conference will be held on November 11, 2011 in Chattanooga. The purpose of the Connections Conference is to bring together families of children with disabilities. The conference is put on by ~16 local partner agencies (including TEAM / CAC) whose staff volunteer their time to plan and execute this event. We value your input as we plan our 2nd annual conference and appreciate your input and submitting of this survey.

Please click the link below and answer a few questions, mainly about topics you'd like to have us add to the agenda. (30 seconds total).

tinyurl.com/3e6gua3

The conference costs $20 per person. The conference website can be found here. It will include more information as planning progresses.

chattconnectionsconference.org/

Thanks!

Chattanooga Autism Center
Where the Pieces Come Together
ChattanoogaAutismCenter.org

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Breaking the Chains Benefit Concert: April 26th - Bluebird Cafe

The TENTH Annual Breaking the Chains Benefit Concert for Autism Awareness will take place Tuesday, April 26, at the Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Road, Nashville. Admission to the early show is free, but donations for ASMT will be accepted. Tickets for the late show are $10, with proceeds going to ASMT.
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Schakolad Chocolate Factory - NOW through April 30th

Schakolad is partnering with ASMT in celebration of Autism Awareness month! From April 18-30, they are donating $1 to ASMT for every 24 piece box assortment of their chocolates sold! Stop by to get yours today!

Schakolad Chocolate Factory
443 Cool Springs Blvd. # 107
Franklin, TN 37067
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Family Fun Event - Nashville Children's Theatre on Saturday, May 7

Join ASMT for this special performance of Robin Goodfellow, on Saturday, May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Nashville Children's Theatre. Aurand Harris brilliantly transformed Shakespeare's greatest comedy into a unique work to delight and inspire the child in us all.

This is a special performance just for children with special needs and their families. Tickets purchased through ASMT are $10.50 a person (discounted from $17), and tickets purchased at the door are $12. Contact ASMT at 615-385-2077, ext. 1 or [e-mail] to reserve your tickets today!
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Glazee Artisan Ice Creams - NOW through April 30th

Don't forget to stop by Glazee Artisan Ice Creams to try the Reese's Pieces of Hope Ice Cream before it goes away on April 30th! They are donating $1 to ASMT for each pint sold!

Glazee Artisan Ice Creams
8105 Moores Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027
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Workshop - Restraint and Seclusion
April 28th - Thursday
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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ASMT (Autism Society of Middle Tennessee)
1-615-385-2077 or 1-866-508-4987
tnautism.org
[e-mail]

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www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/apr/20/education-program-seeks-more-funding/

Education program seeks more funding By Adam Crisp

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

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Dear Parents and Advocates, There are lots of upcoming events for the ASD community in Chattanooga and the surrounding area!

*The CAC's next Monday evening educational series is on Monday May 2nd from 6-8 pm
The topic is IEP’s: What you need to know!

Individualized Education Plans (IEP) can be a lifeline for a student with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to perform well and flourish in public school. But there are many things that you should know to best advocate for your child. What are your rights? How do you measure goals? What about extended school year programs? How do you get all parties to work together? What are some solutions other parents have found? Question and answer time at the conclusion.
Speaker: Kim Hayes MS in Special Education, and Educational Consultant/Behavior Analyst at Puzzle Peace-Autism and Children's Behavioral Solutions
When: Monday May 2nd 2011 from 6-8pm
Where: TEAM Centers at 1000 E. Third St. Chattanooga TN
Call 622-0500 ext 1149 to RSVP. Childcare available by reservation as well
The CAC, TEAM Centers, LifeLine & TN Disability Pathfinder (of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center) are teaming up to provide an Advocacy Services Seminar. It will be held on Thursday May 12th from 8:30 – 11:30am at Siskin Children’s Institute, 1101 Carter St., Chatt, TN. This workshop, a part of Disability Pathfinder’s Community Education Series, will assist service providers and family members in identifying, accessing, using, and receiving support from advocacy resources in their community. Groups that will be there include: The TEAM Centers, Chattanooga Autism Center, LifeLine, Inc. TN Voices for Children, Disability Law and Advocacy of TN, TN Justice Center, and TN Disability pathfinder. Workshop is free (except for parking), but pre-registration is required. Register: www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/register. For more information email: [e-mail] or call [phone].
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*Belvoir Christian Academy is having a 5K race to benefit their athletic boosters, but some proceeds will also go to the Chattanooga Autism Center. We're so excited to be their non-profit of choice! Please see the attached flyer and plan to attend with your family! Sat. April 30th at 9am at the school on Belvoir Ave.
The CAC and race organizers will also be on Channel 13 morning news on Wednesday April 27th in the six o'clock hour. Get up early to see the plug for the race!
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Support/Social groups for ASD-

+Night Owls at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. This program offers free of charge childcare for your special needs child and their siblings. The ratio of children to volunteers is 1:1. The program is the first Friday of every month. We also offer such events as Mom’s Morning Out. If you are interested please e-mail Betty: [e-mail]. Enjoy a night out!

+Awesome Autism Support Group is sponsored by Siskin Center in Chattanooga and meets monthly. For more information, contact Jackie Benkert at: [phone].

+Family Share Support Group meets monthly for a meal. For more information and to RSVP, contact [e-mail] or [phone].

+Social Group for Chattanooga Teens affected by Aspergers. Meets regularly, local parents have started this group. For information on next meeting, call [phone].

+Greater Chattanooga Aspies (GCA) is a support & social group for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome/High functioning autism in the greater Chattanooga area. Regularly scheduled meetings will be the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6 – 8pm with a speaker the first hour and support group time the second hour. Their socials are monthly with TBD dates, times, & activities. For more information, contact Scott Kramer at: [e-mail] or go to: www.meetup.com/G-C-As
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Surrounding Area Events:
CLEVELAND:
This is a reminder that the deadline to register is Sunday the 24th for Parent's Night Out scheduled for Friday the 29th from 6-10pm. You can register online or call the church. If you do call make sure you tell them you have a special needs child! For more info call Tara at: 423-709-9100

An Autism Orientation Workshop will be held in Cleveland, TN (Bradley County) on Tuesday May 10th from 6:30 – 8:30pm. It will be held at Church at Grace Point, 2575 Old Freewill Rd., Cleveland, TN 37312. Workshop is designed for parents with a newly diagnosed child, teachers, area professionals and interested members of the community.

CLEVELAND AND ATHENS: Signal Centers is doing free developmental screenings for children from 0-5 years at their offices in Cleveland & Athens in April. Cleveland screens on Mondays and can be reached at 423-614-0199 and Athens on Wednesdays can be reached at 423-745-4673. If you or someone you know has concerns about their child's development & needs a place to start- CALL!!

The CCAC (Cleveland-Chattanooga Autism Center) will be hosting a Family Picnic for the Cleveland community on June 4th 2011 from 4-7pm at the Family Life Center at Waterville Baptist Church on Dalton Pike. The purpose of the event is to highlight the services and organizations in the Cleveland and Chattanooga areas to serve individuals and families affect by autism. For more information, contact Kristy Lewis at [e-mail] or 423-303-6263.

JUNE 23 – 24, 2011 – 2011 Lee University Southeastern Autism Symposium with Keynote Speaker Sondra Williams. It will be at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Cost is $75. For more information contact: Hariett Cannon at: [phone] or [e-mail]

COPPER BASIN- All About the Parent's program at Copper Basin High School on Sat. May 7th from 10-2. For parents of newborns-five years old. Informational sessions, door prizes, networking and educational infomation. If you're planning to go, and would like to have some information on Autism to display please let me know 622-0500 ext. 1149. Thanks!
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Summer 2011 Events and Programs- sign up now!

>Scenic Land Summer Program 2011. SLS is offering and individualized academic intervention summer program. The summer program utilizes The Hill Center multi-sensory based programs in reading, writing, and math. The camp is from June 6, 2011 to July 8, 2011. It is a half-day camp from 8:30-11:30. For more information, call The Scenic Land School @ [phone].

>Horseback Riding Day Camp at Eagles Rest Ranch in Flintstone, GA (minutes from downtown Chatt). They are offering Horseback riding in outdoor and indoor arenas, trailriding, horsemanship class, barn-tack maintenance, as well as lake swimming and fishing. There are three weeks of sessions from 9am – 4pm, cost is $250/week. Ages 8 years and up. For more information and to register, contact: Ginger Brown at [phone] or [e-mail]

>Hozho Therapeutic Equestrian Services in Ringgold GA is offering summer camp called Live it-Ride it! Featuring horseback riding, fishing, swimming and arts and crafts.
Please see the atttached flyer for more information and contacts.

>The 3rd annual Reinbow Classic Horse Show/Area 4 Special Olympics Event will be held on May 7th, 2011 at the Tri-State Exhibition Center. This show is open to all special needs riders that participate in therapeutic riding programs. To register visit www.tristatereinbowriders.com This is the qualifying show to go to state. Also Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center will be offering six week therapeutic riding classes for riders with physical, mental and emotional disabilities starting at age 2 and up. Several adult classes are also offered. To register visit www.tristatereinbowriders.com

>Camp Discovery is a six week residential camp for people with special needs in Gainesboro, TN. The application is attached with lots of information, dates and prices.
Additionally you can check out www.jayceecamp.org for more info.

>JUNE 6 – 10 Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp in Chatt at the McCallie School's Walker Sports Forum, 500 Dodds Ave., Chatt, TN. Participants attend a 75 minute session each day for 5 days, where they learn to ride while accompanied and encouraged by a volunteer spotter. In one week, appx 80% of participants will learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle. Minimum age is 8, program is designed for people with disabilities that can sidestep quickly to both sides and walk without an assistive device. Parent or guardian must stay on site for each lesson . Cost is $100 . For more information or to register: call Allison at [phone] or email: [e-mail]

>JUNE 24 – 25 Rising Above is pleased to announce the dates for the 2011 By the Brook Retreats for moms of individuals with special needs. By the Brook Tennessee will be held June 24th -25th at The River Community Church in Cookeville, TN. Each retreat provides an opportunity for mothers raising children with special needs to gather together for a weekend of pampering, inspiration and encouragement to refresh, restore and renew these amazing moms. For more information contact Becky Davidson at [e-mail] or 931-526-RISE(7473).

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Chattanooga Autism Center
Where the Pieces Come Together
ChattanoogaAutismCenter.org

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Hello Trusted Volunteers!

We have an great opportunity to staff the CAC display at the Outdoor Festival this Saturday! Tammy Faulkner-Smith has obtained a great spot for us, along with lots of sidewalk space for an art project, for FREE! We would love to share our information with the community and help raise Autism Awareness, but need your help to make it a success.

The festival is from 10-4 on Saturday at Coolidge Park. We need people to help by taking shifts (length of shift is your call) to man the booth and direct kids to color in the puzzle piece sidewalk collage we are making. Tammy could also use help outlining the puzzle at 9am, if you have anydrawing abilities.

Please respond by email if you can help, or call me at: 865-414-7844!!

Thanks in advance! It’s going to be a beautiful day with lots of fun family activities!

Karen L. Weigle, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, HSP
Director of Clinical Services and the Chattanooga Autism Center
The TEAM Centers, Inc.
1000 East 3rd Street, Suite 100
Chattanooga, TN 37402

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RESEARCH STUDY

Participant Criteria: Children with ASD and epilepsy or suspected epilepsy who are 3 to 17 years old with or without an intellectual disability

Description: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are known to be more likely to have epilepsy, unusual EEG patterns, and sleep disturbances. We are interested in the story of how a child develops epilepsy or unusual EEG patterns. We want to know how these unusual EEG patterns are related to their behaviors, thinking skills and sleep disturbances.

Our study offers a comprehensive overnight sleep EEGs, behavioral and neuropsychology testing to children with ASD, ages 3-17 years WITH epilepsy (or suspected epilepsy), with or without an intellectual disability. Parents will be with their children at all visits. The study will be conducted on the medical campus of Vanderbilt University. Email contacts are preferred at this time. The study is performed in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, Epilepsy Foundation of America, and the Autism Treatment Network.

Compensation: up to $55, depending on which visits you complete

Visit Requirements: 3 visits, between 1 and 4 hours, with one overnight visit

Contact Information:

Greg Barnes, MD
615-936-5237
[e-mail]

Principal Investigator: Gregory N. Barnes, M.D., Ph.D.

Other researchers: Juliann Paolicchi, MD and Cassandra Newsom, PhD

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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Putnam County Transition Institute and Information Fair

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011
Time: 8 am—4 pm
Location: Cookeville High School, 2335 North Washington Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501
Cost: Free -- Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education, Putnam County Schools and STEP, Inc.

Transition from High School for Students with Disabilities…

This event is THE place for students, parents, teachers, and service providers to find answers to their questions, make connections, and receive tools to use that will help ensure students exit high school prepared to live, work, and participate fully in their community!

Topics will include: Post Secondary Education, Independent Living Options, Self Determination/Self Advocacy, Employment

Information Fair...As a part of the Transition Institute we will have an information fair with vendors from statewide and local agencies to provide information about their services that could enable you to accomplish your dreams after high school. This free event is open to anyone across the state, and registration is open now.

To register visit the STEP website at www.tnstep.org or call 1-800-280-7837. Register by April 22, and your lunch will be provided, too!

STEP is partnering with a number of disability organizations and local and state agencies that provide services to students that are transition age. If your agency is interested in supporting this project through participation in the Institutes; either presenting, participating in a Round Table on your topic of expertise, or setting up an exhibit as part of the Information Fair, please contact the Transition Project Director, Steven Glowicki, at 615-463-2310, or email [e-mail]

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Dear fellow Tennesseans,

Please join us in rating the state policies, practices and strategies that promote Employment in TN using the national scorecard from the Alliance for Full Participation <http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/index.php>.

There are many ways to share your opinion!

Go to j.mp/gyh4oN or call The Arc-TN [phone].

Please share this opportunity with your co-workers, family members, friends, and other people in your network.

FAQ:

1. Who can take this survey? Any adult in TN can take this survey. We really want to hear from people with disabilities, family members and care providers, professionals who work with adults with disabilities, like teachers, therapists, employment professionals, etc...

2. Who is collecting this information? The leaders of Employment initiatives from the TN Developmental Disabilities Network<http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/kennedy/TNDD/>, The Arc-TN<http://www.thearctn.org/> and the Department of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities<http://www.tn.gov/didd/consumer_services/index.html> and Division of Rehabilitation Services<http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/Disability.html>, the state government agencies that promote employment are all very interested in this information.

3. What will they use it for? We plan to examine what policies, practices and strategies can be changed to improve the percentage of people with disabilities who are in employed.

Lynnette Henderson, PhD
IDDRC Research Registry and Recruitment Coordinator
UCEDD Associate Director of Community Services
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
[phone]
www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/StudyFinder<http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/StudyFinder>
www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP<http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP>

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Partners in Policymaking is a free leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities, and family members of persons with disabilities. It is funded by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and has been training Tennesseans since 1993.

What do Partners learn? Over the course of seven, once-a-month weekend sessions (typically from 12 pm on Friday through 3 pm on Saturday), Partners will attend workshops conducted by national and local experts, on:

• The History of the Disability Experience
• People First Language
• Best Practices in Inclusive Education
• Building Inclusive Communities
• Self-Determination, Self-Direction and Person-Centered Practices
• Supported and Independent Living in the Community
• The State and Federal Legislative Processes
• Employment Trends for Persons with Disabilities
• Conducting Effective Meetings
• Assistive Technology
...and much more!

Partners will also tour the Capitol, meet with a TN Legislator, and participate in a Mock Testimony designed to enhance their public policy advocacy skills. In February or March, all of the Partners grads since 1993 are invited to attend an annual reunion conference, with keynote speakers, general sessions, breakout sessions on a variety of topics and a Friday night dance.

Weekend sessions take place September through November, and January through April, each year, at a hotel in Middle Tennessee.

All participants are required to spend the night, and attend all seven sessions. There is no cost for hotel rooms, meals during the program times or the trainings. Mileage to and from each session will be reimbursed approximately two weeks after each session.

All applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2011.

If you need have any questions about the program including eligibility, please contact program director Ned Andrew Solomon at 615.532.6556, or by e-mail at ned.solomon

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The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee's 3rd Annual 2011 "Hits for Heads" Softball Tournament and Family Fest!!!

Date: Saturday, August 6, 2011
Location: Drake's Creek Park, Drakes Park Road, Hendersonville

Anyone can form a team! (Minimum of 9 players): Rehabilitation Facilities, Hospitals, Churches, Support Groups so please spread the word. Cost: $125 a team

There will also be a Fun Kid Zone with Face Painting and Bounce Inflatibles provided by GO JUMP.
Silent Auction and Plenty of Food... Bring the Family and Have some Fun!!!

Please let me know if you would like to volunteer! We appreciate your support!

For More Information: Please Contact Pam Bryan at: 615-248-2541 or [e-mail]

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Join Wretches & Jabberers on Tour this April!

The Wretches & Jabberers 40-city tour will end this weekend with the 10 final cities. Don’t miss this opportunity; click here to purchase presale tickets: www.amctheatres.com/wretchesandjabberers. AMC Theatres is generously donating 10 percent of ticket sales to the Autism Society to commemorate National Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society will use this kind donation to increase its advocacy efforts on behalf of adults with autism. Visit www.autism-society.org/wretchesandjabberers for more information!
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Missed an Episode of Autism Now, the PBS NewsHour Series on Autism? Catch Up Online

Autism Now, the six-part series about autism airing on PBS NewsHour, runs from April 15 to 26. Read more…

www.pbs.org/newshour/news/autism/

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Do2Learn.com Offers JobTIPS for Individuals with Autism

Do2Learn.com, an innovative, online provider of educational resources for individuals with special needs, is expanding its website to include JobTIPS. JobTIPS offers free, “how to,” interactive materials for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs to help them evaluate, identify, and maintain employment.

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IDEA National Survey Project

Take part in the IDEA National Survey Project and share your special education experiences!

The IDEA National Survey Project is sponsored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Society of America, Autism National Committee, and The Advocacy Institute. Our purpose is to study whether parents perceive the playing field as level for children with disabilities and their parents, and whether they believe their rights are protected. The survey will examine what parents and those who work with parents think about these issues.

The survey will examine whether parents perceive themselves as being treated as equal partners in their children’s education, and what self-advocates and those who work with parent think. We ask questions about whether the rights of students with disabilities and their parents protected throughout the special education process, including IEP meetings, decisions about special education, evaluations and eligibility, and Due Process and Impartial Hearings. We also ask about inclusion and whether children with disabilities receive the education they need, or whether they are deprived of important services. We will be using your answers to compile a report about the experiences and perceptions of parents and those who work with them regarding these issues. See the survey Privacy Policy for more information.

All disabilities are welcome! The survey is not limited to the disabilities on which the sponsoring organizations focus. We are studying these issues as they affect all children with disabilities and special needs. We also have surveys for all members of the community. The links to the surveys are below.

Parent Survey: A survey for parents whose children with disabilities receive or received special education services. (This means your child has or had an IEP.) Click here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/IDEA-ParentSurvey
Special Education Denied Survey: A special survey designed for parents whose requests for special education and an IEP have been denied for at least two years. Click here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/DeniedServices If your child ultimately received special education services less than 2 years after you requested them, please complete the Parent Survey.
Attorneys, Advocates, Professionals Survey: A survey for attorneys, advocates, and other professionals who work to help children obtain appropriate special education services. Click here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ProfSurvIDEA
Self-Advocates Surveys: We have two different surveys for self-advocates (people with disabilities), so all may participate. You may choose which one you would like to do. You can ask someone to help you complete the survey if you need help.
- Comprehensive Self-Advocates Survey is somewhat longer than the short one. There are more places where you can write comments and share your thoughts and ideas about different issues related to your experience with special education. It is similar to the Parent Survey in terms of the number of questions and the level of detail. Click here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SelfAdvLONG
- Short Self-Advocates Survey has fewer questions than the longer survey. Most questions are multiple-choice. The sentences are short, easy to read, and understand. There is less detail. This short survey may be easier for some self-advocates to use. All questions are also in the Comprehensive Self-Advocates Survey. Click here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SelfAdvSHORT
If you are blind or have visual impairments, the survey software company, Surveymonkey.com, has made it compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. [More information: svy.mk/508comp ]

Low-Income People without Easy Access to Computers/Internet. If you work for a public interest organization or other organization that works with low-income parents who do not have easy access to computers and the internet, please contact us: javascript:window.top.openSendEmail('[e-mail]','','',''); if you are interested in receiving paper surveys. We have limited resources for this project and therefore are restricting the paper surveys to organizations that work with people who are low income and lack computer access. Contact Jessica Butler, Survey Coordinator, for more information. javascript:window.top.openSendEmail('[e-mail]','','','');

Questions? If you have questions about the IDEA National Survey Project, please contact Jessica Butler.

Please feel free to explore our webpage! www.advocacyinstitute.org/index.shtml



Hosting generously provided by The Advocacy Institute
Copyright 2011

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Dear fellow Tennesseans,

Please join us in rating the state policies, practices and strategies that promote Employment in TN using the national scorecard from the Alliance for Full Participation<http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/index.php>.

There are many ways to share your opinion!

Go to j.mp/gyh4oN or call The Arc-TN [phone] and ask to complete the AFP survey.

Please share this opportunity with your co-workers, family members, friends, and other people in your network. A flyer is attached to this email. Please share widely.

FAQ:

1. Who can take this survey?
Any adult in TN can take this survey. We really want to hear from people with disabilities, family members and care providers, professionals who work with adults with disabilities, like teachers, therapists, employment professionals, etc...

2. Who is collecting this information?
The leaders of Employment initiatives from the TN Developmental Disabilities Network<http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/kennedy/TNDD/>, The Arc-TN<http://www.thearctn.org/> and the Department of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities<http://www.tn.gov/didd/consumer_services/index.html> and Division of Rehabilitation Services<http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/Disability.html>, the state government agencies that promote employment are all very interested in this information.

3. What will they use it for?
We plan to examine what policies, practices and strategies can be changed to improve the percentage of people with disabilities who are in employed.


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<http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/StudyFinder>
www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP<http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP>
tinyurl.com/vkcfacebook

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Family Fun Event @ Nashville Children's Theatre on Saturday, May 7

Join ASMT for this special performance of Robin Goodfellow, on Saturday, May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Nashville Children's Theatre. Aurand Harris brilliantly transformed Shakespeare's greatest comedy into a unique work to delight and inspire the child in us all.

This is a special performance just for children with special needs and their families. Tickets purchased through ASMT are $10.50 a person (discounted from $17), and tickets purchased at the door are $12. Contact ASMT at 615-385-2077, ext. 1 or [e-mail] to reserve your tickets today!

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Join us for the Children’s Mental Health Coalition’s WHOLE KID FESTIVAL!!!

Saturday, May 7, 2011
11 am - 2 pm
Nashville Bicentennial Capitol Mall
FREE TO PUBLIC