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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:40:43 GMT -5
The 10th Annual 2012 TN Disability MegaConference Call For Proposals is now open! Click here to submit your proposal before 12/15/11: redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=yh8YuS May 31st & June 1st, 2012 @ Nashville Airport Marriott The Tennessee Disability MegaConference is seeking presentations for its 10th annual gathering. Previous events have drawn over 1000 attendees, presenters and exhibitors. We plan to fill our two-day agenda with exciting, innovative and interactive sessions to make this year’s conference the best to date! Our theme is "Tools For Empowerment and Change". Five tracks will organize our conference proposals: A. Tools for Economic Well Being: How to survive and thrive in today's economic climate. B. Tools for Personal Fulfillment and Quality of Life: Enhancing life experiences. C. Tools for Professional Development: From foundations to excellence, because what you do matters. D. Tooling up to advocate: How, when, why, and what for positive outcomes. E. Tools for Community Engagement: Enriching participation in local communities for people with disabilities. Presenters must be available to present May 31, 2012 or June 1, 2012. The committee reserves the right to schedule the guaranteed 45-minute presentation at any time on those 2 conference days. You will be informed of your scheduled time in early 2012. We encourage proposals from presenters with disabilities. If you would like to submit a proposal and cannot easily do so using this website, alternate formats are available by calling Lynnette Henderson at (615) 936-0448. You can also dictate your presentation proposal by calling Marlena Buford The Arc-TN at (615) 248-5878 ext. 29. Presenters who are chosen will be granted a presenter rate admission to the conference for the day of their presentation(s), but will be responsible for their own travel and lodging costs. Presentations must be submitted before December 15, 2011 at midnight Central Time. With 2 months to submit a proposal, we do NOT anticipate extending the deadline. PLEASE Share this announcement widely and encourage people you know to contribute! Add the link for proposals to your webpage. Here’s how: Copy the HTML below to place it within the HTML code of any webpage. It will show up as a link on that webpage so that anyone can easily click the link to begin submitting a proposal. <a href="https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=yh8YuS">Click here to put in a proposal for the Conference.</a> Lynnette Henderson Elizabeth Bishop Program Committee Co-Chairs |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:49:28 GMT -5
Next Steps at Vanderbilt Open Houses
2012 Dates: January 27, March 23, & May 18 (2-4 p.m.)
Meet current Next Steps at Vanderbilt students and staff and learn about classes, internships, social opportunities, and more. Tour the Next Steps at Vanderbilt offices, student apartment, and The Commons Center.
Next Steps at Vanderbilt is a 2-year certification program for students with intellectual disabilities, providing individualized Programs of Study in the areas of education, social skills, and vocational training.
For information on the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program, including admissions criteria, please visit our website at: nextsteps.vanderbilt.edu.
For Open House reservations, contact courtney.taylor@vanderbilt.edu
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:51:22 GMT -5
The United Nations is looking for artists to have their artwork on a National Stamp in honor of April's Autism Awareness month. The stamp will come out in late March 2012. The United Nations is asking artists to send their work to: Rorie Katz Global Head of Graphics & Communications. United Nations Postal Administration www.katzr@un.orgThe United Nations require the artwork to be a high resolution image of the image at least 300 dpi. They do not want original artwork. The final stamp will be vertical. If your piece is selected The United Nations would like to have permission to crop the image to fit into the stamp format. If your artwork is selected, you would need to sign an artist release form with the United Nations for the reproduction rights to use the image in a stamp. A quick paragraph about who you are and where you live is also required. The deadline to submit artwork is Friday November 4, 2011. Connie Allison State Administrative Director Autism Society of Washington PO Box 503 Olympia, WA 98507-0503 (360) 515-8910 www.autismsocietyofwa.org |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:52:07 GMT -5
Subject: self-advocacy handbook for students w/autism Post-Secondary Education 1. Navigating College: A Handbook on Self-Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults www.navigatingcollege.org/getfile.php?fmt=pdf The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) has released a guide aimed at students with autism navigating college life. Written for students by adults with autism, covers accommodations, independent living, health and safety, self-advocacy, and social issues. Thank you, Courtney Taylor, M.Div. Associate Director of Communications and Dissemination Coordinator of Disabilities, Religion, & Spirituality Program Vanderbilt Kennedy Center 230 Appleton Place, Peabody Box 40 Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 322-5658 |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:55:11 GMT -5
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is pleased to announce our Disability and Cultural Diversity Conference - Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. @ Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring keynote speaker: Tawara Goode, Director at the National Center for Cultural Competence in Washington D.C. There is limited seating available, so please click here to register for this event: kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/newsandevents/calendar/page.aspx?id=3015Please note: We will not have onsite registration for this conference, so all attendees must register in advance online. We look forward to seeing you in November! |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 16:57:11 GMT -5
The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee, State TBI Program and the Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee's 2012 Brain Injury Conference - "Beyond Surviving - Thriving after Brain Injury"
Date: Wednesday, March 7
Location: Montgomery Bell State Park Inn and Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Avenue, Burns, TN 37029
Make plans now to attend. This year we will have a interactive panel to include a recreational therapist, Sports4All, etc. We will have some great door prizes and a few Silent Auction Items.
Please pass this on to individuals with brain injuries, families, caregivers, friends and co-workers who you think might also be interested in this annual conference.
Any questions, please contact: Pam Bryan, Executive Director
Phone: 615-248-2541
Email: Reply to this email or Director@BrainInjuryTN.org
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 1, 2011 17:15:16 GMT -5
www.neparentcenters.org/glossary/index.htmlOverview The right of parents to participate in educational decision-making regarding their child with a disability is an important underpinning of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, for many parents, lack of understanding of the education and legal terminology included in IDEA, may limit their ability to effectively accomplish this important role. This is an especially significant challenge for parents of children with disabilities who are not native English Speakers. The OSEP Spanish Glossary was developed by the Region 1 Parent Technical Assistance Center@SPAN to ensure that educational terms related to the implementation of IDEA used in documents to promote parents’ authentic participation are translated in a uniform and comprehensible way, across states, geographical regions and communities of Spanish speakers. The Collaborative Development Process Included in this glossary, are more than 200 education- and disability-related terms that have been translated from English to Spanish by eighteen individuals involved in providing training and information for Spanish speaking families from dozens of countries. This team, The Spanish Glossary Review Panel, worked together, developing the list of terms for translation, offering translation suggestions for each term and coming to consensus on agreed-upon translations, in order to develop this high quality product that will be useful for promoting the involvement of Spanish-speaking parents. Including the Voices of Families As the ultimate beneficiaries of information and materials translated using the Spanish Glossary, the perspective of parents was important in its development. When the Review Panel had completed its recommendations, focus groups of parents -- from a diversity of Spanish cultures, with children of various ages and with a broad range of disabilities -- were convened by eleven (11) Parent Centers in California, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. At each session, participants offered substantive and thoughtful feedback. The Review Panel was reconvened, considered each of the dozens of recommendations and made a number of revisions to reflect the focus group results. A Resource to Improve the Quality of Information and Materials for Families IDEA Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers, as well as schools, districts, states, educators and other professionals serving Spanish-speaking families of children with disabilities are encouraged to use the OSEP Spanish Glossary to: eliminate any variances in translations of these terms within there information and training materials; familiarize families with these terms so that they can be effective decision-makers in their child’s life; and ensure that provide Spanish-speaking families will have information and materials that use consistent terms, if they move from state to state or community to community. With broad usage, this resource will assist families in better understanding the language of special education and early intervention that is critical for their effectively partnering with professionals and advocating for improved outcomes for their children.
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 2, 2011 16:59:27 GMT -5
Epilepsy Foundation benefit concert, 11/12, Cannery Ballroom, Nashville TENNESSEE TELLURIDE Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at the Cannery Ballroom Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 For Tickets: www.ticketsnashville.com OR www.epilepsytn.org For Information call 615/269-7091 or 800/244-0768 |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 2, 2011 17:02:19 GMT -5
Are you READY!? If you are the parent of a student with an "Invisible" learning difference, THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU! If you are an individual who only recently began to understand you have an invisible difference, and you are interested in returning to college to try again, THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU! If you are the parent of a student between sixth grade through high school, THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU! Come hear our three, nationally recognized speakers on seeking college for students with autism spectrum differences. This conference will be of value to parents of students with NLD, Learning disabilities and ADHD as well! SPEAKERS: +Marc Ellison of Marshall University "COLLEGE FOR ALL" +Jane Thierfeld Brown of the UCONN Law School Disability Services Program "WHAT COLLEGES EXPECT" +Ann Palmer of TEACCH "HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILD PREPARE" REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 4, 2011 AT THE CENTER FOR UNDERSTANDING.NET WEBSITE OR BY MAIL. BROCHURE IS ATTACHED, WITH REGISTRATION FORMS. DISCOUNT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES. "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." — Lao Tzu PLEASE NOTE NEW CHANGE OF ADDRESS Dena L. Gassner, LMSW Program Director Center for Understanding and the Transparency Project with the disAbilities Resource Center (ARC of Williamson County) 120 Holiday Court Suite #4 Franklin, TN 37067 615-300-3369 www.centerforunderstanding.net |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:28:13 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:34:15 GMT -5
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Announces Call for Nominations With the enactment of the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services has been authorized to continue to support the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee until September 30, 2014 and is seeking nominations for public membership on this committee. Read more… support.autism-society.org/site/R?i=Ony3hSEP8cmeP1E5HOrCjg |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:35:29 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:37:08 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:40:49 GMT -5
Progress Report This week, the National Council on Disability (NCD) submitted to the President their “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report.” The report represents the 15 member federal agency’s collective assessment of the current state of people with disabilities in America. In the “Letter of Transmittal” signed by Chairman Dr. Jonathan M. Young, Ph.D. and sent with the report, the NCD states that “the current economic downturn is having a disproportionate negative impact on people with disabilities, and national trend data indicate a decline in many aspects of their quality of life.” On the topic of Access to Home-and-Community-Based Services, NCD assessment is that “there is no disability policy in greater need of reform than the antiquated Medicaid rules that favor institutional settings over home-and-community-based services (HCBS).” The statistical comparison provided is that “The average cost to Medicaid for a person with an intellectual disability to receive services in an institutional setting in 2009 was approximately $137,000, compared with an average of $44,000 to support the same person in the community.” The NCD’s conclusion is that “the institutional bias in Medicaid not only is fiscally irresponsible but also violates one of the most cherished American values-the right to live in the community.” Transportation, Healthy Living, and Access to Technology are among the other topics reviewed with recommendations for policy improvements. Recommendations in the area of Postsecondary Education include that “Congress should consider enhancing the role of postsecondary outcomes in the accountability infrastructure of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the State Performance Plan indicators of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).” Also, that the “Department of Education should issue further guidance to colleges and universities on meeting the accommodation needs of students with disabilities.” For the whole report, go to: www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/Oct312011#_Toc304437139 |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:41:21 GMT -5
Technology Database The “Free and Inexpensive Adaptive Technology Database” is combating the high cost of adaptive hardware and software through compiling an easily searchable index of these technologies. Listings are organized by genre, including “Writing: software that improves writing quality (e.g. grammar/ spell check, outlining, word prediction),” and “Alternative Mice: alternative mouse (e.g. track ball, touch pad, mouse keys, joystick mouse, mouse features.” The listings can also be viewed alphabetically, and include pricing, manufacturer, and the website to go to for the product. Video demonstrations of certain products are also available. The database was created by Adaptech Research Network, a team of academics, students and consumers that conducts research involving students with a variety of disabilities. The database is available at: www.adaptech.org/en/downloads/fandi |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:42:16 GMT -5
Employment Rate is Up! In October, the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities was 13.2%, the lowest on record since April 2009. That represents a significant improvement from the jobless rate of 16.1% in September, 2011. As the number of Americans with disabilities in the labor force has also increased, the unemployment rate cannot be interpreted to have dropped because of number of those looking for employment has dropped. In fact, the US Department of Labor statistics out today, Nov. 4th, reflect that both more individuals with disabilities are looking for work and many have found employment in the past month. For more information, go to: www.dol.gov/odep/ |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:43:24 GMT -5
Happy November everyone! Here are some of the upcoming events. If there are any thatr need to be added please let us know. Have a great month and a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving :-) November 7th 6-8 PM Free Autism Workshop "Troublesome Behaviours", Speaker: Christina Moore at Team Center 1000 East 3rd St Tuesday November 8 Attached is an invitation to attend an informative session with Dr. Sue Kabot, Director, Clinical and Therapeutic Services with NOVA Southeastern University. 6-8 PM Nov. 11th We regret to inform you that this year's Connections Conference is canceled due to low registration. Those families who sent in their registrations and those vendors who paid to exhibit or sponsor the conference will receive refunds. Sunday, Nov. 13th "Attention ALL moms and female guardians of children on the autism spectrum: please join us at Coolidge Park on Sunday, Nov. 13th at 2pm for a Chattanooga area "Autism Moms Photo Session"!!! WEAR BLACK! This event is meant to support and establish relationships between autism mothers, as well as prove that WE ARE NOT ALONE! The finished photo will be submitted to an internationally recognized autism magazine (see YouTube video "Autism Moms: The Final Cut"). Photographer will be Shelby Demory of Shelby J Photography. " Tuesday, November 15th 6:00-8:00 PM Greater Chattanooga Aspies Support Group. Go to www.meetup.com/G-C-As for more information Saturday December 3rd 2nd Annual Christmas Party!! noon to 3pm - ASA-ETC is partnering with Chattanooga Autism Center, Mystery Dog Ranch, and Hozho Therapeutic Equestrian Services for their second annual Christmas Party, complete with Cowboy Santa, presents, food, and lots of fun. The party is for children with autism, their parents, siblings, and advocates. ALL children will receive a present from Santa! Location: Mystery Dog Ranch, 975 Wooten Road, Ringgold, GA 30736. For more information and to RSVP, contact Marie at 706-935-5559 or email her at riding@mysterydogranch.com MUST RSVP by November 25th so Santa knows how many presents to bring!!!!! Monday December 5th 6-8 PM Free Autism Workshop "Organizational Skills and Autism" Speaker: Susan Jones-Hayes. Location: 1000 East 3rd Street, Chattanooga TN, 37403 Childcare available please RSVP to chattanoogaautismcenter@gmail.com if you will need childcare. -- Chattanooga Autism Center Where the Pieces Come Together ChattanoogaAutismCenter.org |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:45:38 GMT -5
Can medication for the core symptom, Social Impairment, help 7-21 year olds with ASD? Vanderbilt University has studied a new medication to help with aggression, irritability and moodiness in children and teens with ASD. Our results indicated improvement in social behaviors. The purpose of this study is to find out if STX209 (R-Baclofen) is effective in treating social impairment, a core feature of ASD. This randomized placebo-controlled study will help us determine whether the effects we saw before can be seen in a new group of people. Read more about this medication from these news sources: a. www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/26284/ b. www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/seaside-therapeutics-presents-data-potential-pharmaceutical-improving-social-impairment-autism-12096.html c. blog.autismspeaks.org/tag/seaside-therapeutics/ d. news.vanderbilt.edu/2011/09/fragile-x-research/ The study lasts 12 weeks. It involves 7 visits to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. We need you to give blood at several of those visits. There is no cost to you for being in this research study. You will get evaluations from Cassandra Newsom, our neuro-psychologist and Kevin Sanders, our psychiatrist, during your study visits, and study medications at no cost. Sponsored by Seaside Therapeutics. Compensation: $50 per visit in a check mailed to your home Visit Requirements: 7 visits to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Contact Information Jessie Smith (615) 936-3288 jessica.smith@vanderbilt.edu Principal Investigator: Jeremy M. Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D. Other researchers: Cassandra Newsom, PhD and Kevin Sanders, MD 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 40 110 Magnolia Circle Nashville, TN 37203-5721 235 One Magnolia Circle (615) 936-0448 www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/StudyFinderwww.kc.vanderbilt.edu/RFP tinyurl.com/vkcfacebook |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:46:31 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 7, 2011 18:46:54 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 8, 2011 17:59:55 GMT -5
Subject: 2012 CCK Camp Schedule Hello! The 2012 schedule for The Center for Courageous Kids is now available on our website, www.thecenterforcourageouskids.org. The schedule is posted under the schedule tab and applications are available under the Camper Applications tab. Step 1 of the application is submitted online. Step 2 is printed off, completed, signed by a physician, and mailed or faxed to us along with a copy of the insurance cards of everyone wanting to attend. For summer camp, we will no longer require a copy of your child’s immunization record. However, there is a spot on page 4 of the summer application that requires you to fill in the last date your child received their Tetanus shot. This is required information! Medical forms are valid for one year from the physician’s signature and Parental Waiver and Consent Forms are valid for one year from the signature date. For full consideration to camp, please submit a completed application by the priority consideration date. We cannot consider anyone for camp until we receive a completed application. Step 1 or an incomplete Step 2 does not secure a spot for your family or child. Applications will be reviewed and acceptance information will be sent via email after the priority consideration date. Please ensure that you provide an accurate and legible email address on the application as this is our primary means of communication. St. Jude Sickle Cell Summer Camp (June 10-15) and Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp (June 18-23) are exclusive camps and applications should be submitted through the partnering group. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. We’re excited for next year and would love to have your family or child join us in 2012! Sara Powell Database Specialist The Center for Courageous Kids 1501 Burnley Road Scottsville, KY 42164 270-618-2912 270-618-2902 fax spowell@courageouskids.org We Prescribe Fun! |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 8, 2011 18:01:37 GMT -5
A Community Forum: Health Insurance Exchanges in Tennessee
Planning Partners: Cherokee Health Systems, Health Care 21, Knoxville Association of Health
Underwriters, Knoxville Chamber, Knox County Health Department, Summit Medical Group, Tennessee Health Care Campaign; UT College of Law
As part of the Affordable Care Act, individuals and small business owners will be able to purchase health insurance via new online, competitive marketplace called an Exchange beginning in 2014.
Brian Haile, Director of the Tennessee Health Insurance Exchange
Planning Initiative, TN Division of Health Care Finance and Administration
will lead a discussion with employers, providers, consumers/advocates, and broker/agents representatives on proposed specifics of the Tennessee Exchange.
The discussion will include time for questions from the audience.
Monday, November 14, 2011 - 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
Open to the Public, Please Join Us at the
East Tennessee Historical Society
601 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN
Free parking is available in the State Street Garage, City’s Market Square Garage, and the
Locust Street Garage, and at street meters beginning at 6 p.m. weekdays
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 9, 2011 17:32:09 GMT -5
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 9, 2011 17:33:23 GMT -5
ASMT Annual Meeting - FRIDAY!
Join ASMT Friday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. for our Annual Meeting!
After the brief meeting, we'll have a special party for John Shouse, who will be rolling off the Board. John has been an integral part of ASMT for over 10 years! We hope to see you there! In honor of John, we ask everyone to dress in their favorite Hawaiian shirt!
ASMT Members: Check your email for your Election Ballot and vote now! Ballots are due back to the office tomorrow.
Lorraines Restaurant - Carriage Room
Franklin Cool Springs Marriott
700 Cool Springs Boulevard
Franklin, TN 37067
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 9, 2011 17:34:46 GMT -5
Family Support Program - ACTION NEEDED ASMT was recently informed that the Family Support Program was eliminated from the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' (DIDD) 2012-2013 budget. Family Support is a state-funded program providing critical supports and services to over 4000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at an average of $1200-$1400 per individual/family for the minimal cost of $7.2 million per year. Elimination of the Family Support program will severely impact the thousands of Tennesseans who use this small amount of funding to keep their family unit intact, to get services to help them work and live in their communities, and in many cases, simply survive day to day. Tennessee Representatives and Senators need to hear from you!! Starting immediately, write your local Senator or your TN Representative telling them how important the Family Support Program is to your family and what it would mean if you were to lose that funding. ASMT would love to also receive a copy of your stories so that if we ever need a voice, we know who we can contact for support. You can email your story to us at asmt@tnautism.org or mail it to us at ASMT, 955 Woodland Street, Nashville 37206. To find contact information for your legislator: www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/ |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 9, 2011 17:35:36 GMT -5
Call for Board Members
ASMT is currently seeking new Members for our Board of Directors. Ideal Board members have professional expertise in any of the following areas: fundraising, financial management, marketing and PR, business development, and/or non-profit management.
If you know of a individual who possesses any of these characteristics, please forward their contact information to Wendy Leutgens at wendyleutgens@gmail.com.
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 10, 2011 13:32:36 GMT -5
This is a test distribution using the new Google Groups. If you have any problems reading or receiving please contact Todd at bestdestiny@gmail.com Attached is a copy of the same story to test this capability as well. blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2011/11/syracuse_university_disabiliti.html "Syracuse University Disabilities Center Celebrates 40 Years of Inclusion" To the Editor: In the 1960s, two men made history by winning their appeals to enroll in institutions of higher education. James Meredith began a movement to secure educational opportunity for African Americans at the University of Mississippi, and Ed Roberts advanced the inclusion of people with disabilities in post-secondary life at the University of California/Berkeley. The disability rights movement remained relatively obscure compared to racial desegregation, women’s liberation and other protests of the 1960s and 1970s — in other places, but not in Syracuse. On Nov. 11-12, Syracuse University’s Center for Human Policy, Law and Disability Studies will mark its 40th anniversary with a two-day summit celebrating decades of groundbreaking research, advocacy and activism. This work has anchored Syracuse as a nationally recognized community dedicated to disability rights. Burton Blatt founded the center in 1971, in response to widespread abuse of and discrimination against people with disabilities. Today, the center and its allies continue to create inclusive opportunities in schooling, employment, athletics, social endeavors and politics — challenging biases and inadequacies. Some of the center’s accomplishments: 1972: Syracuse University faculty and students create inclusive preschool and school programs serving students with multiple disabilities. 1973: SU faculty in education and law organize a lawsuit leading to the initiation of deaf education in Syracuse. 1975: The center establishes Syracuse Disabled in Action, the first advocacy group in Central New York led by people with disabilities. 1987: Faculty produce the first national film on school inclusion, which airs on PBS. 1991: SU sponsors the first national conference on gender and disability, and becomes the first research university with an inclusive teacher-training program. 1995: SU founds the first disability studies program in the nation. 2003: New York state approves SU’s joint graduate degree program in law and education in disability studies, the first of its kind. Today, the center collaborates with the Taishoff Center on Inclusive High Education, Schools of Promise, the Institute on Communication and Inclusion and SU’s Parent Advocacy Center. The Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee, a longstanding graduate student movement, challenges the university and local community to adopt a relentless pursuit of full inclusion. The Disability Rights Clinic at SU’s law school represents individuals with disabilities and groups representing them. Most recently, the first-ever Disability Cultural Center was created to acknowledge and position disability culture within the life of post-secondary education. In all cases, the center’s work begins by situating the disabled or marginalized perspective as a valued one — informed by the enduring words of Ed Roberts: “If we have learned one thing from the civil rights movement, it’s that when others speak for you, you lose.” Last week, the National Council on Disability identified people with disabilities as having “lower rates of employment, lower annual earnings, lower educational attainment and achievement and lacking adequate access to housing, transportation, technology and healthcare” (ncd.gov/progress_reports/Oct312011). The work for disability rights is never finished, but the celebration of the center is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the work ahead. All who are connected with the center are proof that a commitment to disability can leverage inclusive — not simply diverse — institutional practices. In the 21st century, let us be strengthened by plurality, full inclusion and opportunities to be led by those who historically left behind. |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 12, 2011 14:26:07 GMT -5
Veterans' Access to Mental Health Care Senator Patty Murray of Washington, Chair of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, has planned a November 30th hearing “VA Mental Health Care: Addressing Wait Times and Access to Care.” The hearing is in response to recent internal VA data analyzed by USA TODAY that showed access rates for nearly all VA hospitals in the first six months of fiscal year 2011. The analysis concluded that veterans seeking mental health therapy at nearly a third of VA Hospitals must wait longer than the goal of being seen by a professional in 14 days or less. This finding is in contrast to the VA’s assertion that fewer than 5% of patients wait too long for these services. The number of veterans seeking mental health care has increased since 2006 from nearly 900,000 to 1.2 million last year, according to a Government Accountability Office study. Accordingly, the VA nearly doubled mental health staffing in that time. The number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in therapy has dramatically increased from from 35,000 in 2006 to 139,000 in 2010. Whether there are enough staff to meet demand, and in a timely manner, are questions the Senate VA Committee will soon be asking. Get the whole story here: tndisability.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=088ba7579477f44de53c5eded&id=d26ef8bfc1&e=2876e3927c |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 12, 2011 14:26:53 GMT -5
TN is One of Seven This week, Easter Seals, a network of more than 550 sites in the U.S. that offer a variety of services to help people with disabilities, published gOur Nationfs Children at Risk: A State]by]State Report on Early Intervention.h The report includes a profile for each state and the District of Columbia. Each profile provides an overview of the current status of federal and state funding for early intervention services through the Part C program of IDEA. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C program offers all families services designed to help them facilitate their infant or toddlerfs development. Reportedly, only 2.67 percent of children under the age of three are enrolled in the Part C program across the nation. Yet data from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center indicates nearly 13 percent of all children under the age of three should be served, using current eligibility criteria. Data from the US Maternal and Child Health Bureau indicate nearly 20 percent of all children could benefit from early identification and early intervention services. Tennessee was listed as one of seven states that serves fewer than 2 percent of their population. Specifically, 33,640 kids under the age of 3 are at risk of developmental delays or disabilities, yet only 4,257 are currently receiving early intervention services through Part C of IDEA. The report lists that overall, there are 258,766 kids in Tennessee ages 0]3. On average, fewer than 20% of young children are properly screened to identify their special need, or approximately 51,753 Tennessee children. Check out the full report here: tndisability.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=088ba7579477f44de53c5eded&id=cd1c910795&e=2876e3927c |
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Post by LimitedRecourse on Nov 12, 2011 14:27:41 GMT -5
Turning Feedback into a Festival A festival exploring the complex world of disability begins tonight in Minneapolis, MN. Titled “Center of the Margins,” the festival is composed of performances from November 11-27th of three plays aimed at challenging perceptions and assumptions about people with disabilities. The host, Mixed Blood Theater, held focus groups made up of members of the disability community and turned their feedback into a festival. In direct response to the complaint that lack of access and transportation represent major barriers, the theater is providing free cab service to and from the events as well as complimentary guaranteed admissions for patrons with disabilities and their companions. Supertitles will appear above the stage during all of the plays, and for the play "Gruesome Playground Injuries," performed by two Deaf lead actors, they will be essential for audience members who don't know American Sign Language. Recognizing that many individuals with disabilities are active members of online communities, the November 22nd performance of “On the Spectrum” will be streamed live online at no charge. For more information on the three plays at the heart of this festival, or to RSVP for the live stream of the November 22nd performance, go to: www.mixedblood.com/mainstage/margins |
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