The Rest of the Story  Ever tried to explain to someone what The Arc of Aurora does? Check out this one minute description of The Arc of Aurora through the lens of a FLIP created by Board Member Myrrena Schwegmann. Interested in seeing more youtube videos about The Arc of Aurora and its work? Check out our youtube channel. March is officially Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month thanks to a 1987 proclamation from President Ronald Reagan in response to the advocacy efforts of The Arc. A lot has happened in the nearly quarter of a century since this proclamation. Awareness of and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has swayed back and forth depending on public opinion and current events. Your membership with The Arc of Aurora supports all efforts -- local, statewide, and national -- to help improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Thank you! Colorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides financial assistance with home heating bills, has announced additional federal funding of $2 million, allowing the state to increase LEAP's average benefit by nearly 15 percent. LEAP is a federally funded program that provides cash assistance to help families and individuals pay a portion of winter home heating costs. The program pays the highest benefits to those with the highest heating bills and lowest incomes by family size. Applicant income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty index, which equals a maximum income of $2,794 per month for a household of four people. LEAP will accept applications thru April 30, 2012. Potential program applicants may obtain an application by: · Calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to have an application mailed. · Visiting any county department of social/human services across the state. To locate your county's office, visit the program's website. · Downloading and printing an application. To find out if you qualify for LEAP, call toll free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) or visit the website to view the most current program application requirements. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCDW)/Youth Launches New Webpage on Individualized Learning Plans NCWD/Youth's new webpage on Individualized Learning Plans features various publications and resources for understanding and using Individualized Learning Plans. The web page includes information about the latest research, policies, and practices. An Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) is a tool that students in secondary school use - with support from school counselors and parents - to define their personal interests and goals related to their career and post-secondary education and to plan what courses to take and what activities to participate in during high school to further their interests and achieve their goals. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Creates Easy-To-Read Website on Drug Abuse New site for adults with limited literacy skills, with audio versions of each page A new, easy-to-read website on drug abuse designed for adults with a low reading literacy level (eighth grade or below) was launched today by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. The site, which provides plain language information on neuroscience, drug abuse prevention and treatment, is also a resource for adult literacy educators. It has a simple design with a large default text size, motion graphic videos and other features that make it easy to read and use. Looking for a job? Check out the Aurora Job Network. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is holding a Down Syndrome Educational Symposium Series May 4 and 5 at the Denver Marriott - Tech Center. The guest speaker will be Dr. Libby Kumin, Nationally and Internationally Renowned Expert in Speech and Language Pathology. For more information, visit the organization's website or call (303) 807-7898. Right for the Job: Placement Service a Boon for People with Asperger's Many people with Asperger's syndrome have difficulties in the job market and workplace, but they also have special abilities that many employers crave. A Danish company has found a way to bring the two together and is exporting its successful job-placement concept to other countries. SPIEGEL ONLINE, 02/24/2012 By Kerstin Kullmann What are my child's rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? AdvocacyDenver is teaming with Randy Chapman, Director of Legal Services with The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, to present information regarding the rights of children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This webinar will be the first of a two-part series on children's educational rights. Space is limited. Monday, March 26, 2012 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM MDT Reserve your Webinar seat now. Deadline for the 2012 TASH Conference's Call for Proposals is April 5 People with significant disabilities are purchasing homes, running businesses, surrounding themselves with friends and allies, building savings and making numerous contributions to their communities. TASH wants to hear about the innovative strategies, services and programs you've used to help make this happen, whether you're a self-advocate, educator, service provider, researcher, or family member. You are invited to submit your proposal to present at the 2012 TASH Conference today. National Plan on Dementia and Adults with ID The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices has issued a plan for improving the community care of adults with ID affected by dementia. You may read the report about the plan, "'My Thinker's Not Working': A National Strategy for Enabling Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Affected by Dementia to Remain in Their Community and Receive Quality Care". Alternatives to Sheltered Employment Stating that "our economy is $1.63 billion poorer annually because of how inefficiently we support employment for people with disabilities," an article from the Center for Systems Change discusses the trend away from sheltered employment and the benefits that come with this change. 12th Annual Coleman Institute Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology, Westminster, CO -- November 2, 2012. Click here for details.
The National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Conference is coming to Denver! CEC 2012 Convention & Expo, April 11-14 in Denver. Expand your knowledge and skills with an in-depth focus on the most current special education practices, policies, and research in a variety of formats. Register today for the best rates! PSA for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA), The Arc of Aurora, and arc Thrift Stores teamed to produce the public service announcement It's Time... To Talk About It! Actors are arc Thrift Stores employees; posters and videography by Hanni Ruehrdanz from The Arc of Aurora; and editing by CCASA. Share this link! Look for more information about SAAM outreach activities next month. Employment with Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council (DRMAC) DRMAC is currently accepting resumes for a Transportation Resource Specialist. Close Date: March 29, 2012. Email or mail resume and three references to employment@drmac-co.org or 190 E. 9th Ave., Ste. 440, Denver, CO 80203. No phone calls. Initial interviews are expected to take place the week of April 2, 2012. | 
