Project SEARCH is a school-to-work transition program for high school students with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and low IQ. The special education students in Project SEARCH have graduated from Aurora Public Schools and earn internships in various departments at the hospital. They're exposed to different potential career paths that involve assisting doctors, nurses and hospital officials. Project SEARCH, which used to be an acronym, is a partnership among Aurora Public Schools, Children's Hospital Colorado, and other organizations such as The Arc of Aurora. Since the program at Children's Hospital Colorado launched in 2009, it has graduated 20 students, 75 percent of whom are now employed. Read more in the Aurora Sentinel.
The Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council's Summer newsletter, Between the Lines, is available online.
USDOL Seeks Submissions for Disability Employment App Challenge
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the launch of its first disability-related application challenge, which is designed to generate innovative tools that will improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. The goal of the app challenge is to promote recruitment resources for employers, develop job training and skill-building tools for job seekers, facilitate employment-related transportation options and expand information communication technology accessibility. Awards with cash prizes - totaling $10,000 - will be given to the top three submissions. Contestants must register for the contest on the Challenge.gov website and submit their apps by August 23, 2012.
Education Department Issues Resource Document Discouraging Restraint and Seclusion
The U.S. Department of Education issued "Restraint and Seclusion: A Resource Document" that outlines principles for educators, parents and other stakeholders to consider when developing or refining policies and procedures to support positive behavioral interventions and avoid the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The goal of this resource document is to help ensure that schools are safe and healthy environments where all students can learn, develop, and participate in instructional programs that promote high levels of academic achievement. The 15 principles that frame the document highlight how school-wide behavioral interventions can significantly reduce or eliminate the use of restraint or seclusion.
These guiding principles offer states, districts, and other education leaders a framework for developing appropriate policies related to restraint and seclusion to ensure the safety of adults and children. The document also provides a synopsis of ongoing efforts by federal agencies to address national concerns about using restraint and seclusion in schools, and includes links to state restraint and seclusion policies and procedures.
State of the Art Research
In the May 14, 2012, edition of Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, the Hammill Institute on Disabilities published an article entitled "Quality Learning Experiences, Self-Determination, and Academic Success: A Path Analytic Study Among Youth with Disabilities." The article features findings from the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) research and demonstration project conducted by NCWD/Youth and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. The article's co-author, Boston University's V. Scott Solberg, is the lead researcher on the ILP project.
Division of Wildlife Offering Free Fishing License
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (COW), in an effort to expand access to Colorado's wide assortment of outdoor recreational activities, has created a free lifetime fishing license program for individuals who have a lifelong disability. To obtain more information about the Free Lifetime Fishing License and/or to obtain an application, please contact License Services at 303-291-7235 or visit their website. COW also offers accommodation permits, disability licenses, and accessible facilities in addition to the fishing license program.
Free National Parks Access Pass for People with Disabilities
The National Park Service is offering a free pass to federal recreation sites for people with disabilities who present some documentation of disability status and ask for the free Access Pass. Documentation can include a physician's statement, or a document issued by a State or Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income, Supplemental Security Income, or a vocational rehabilitation agency. This life-long pass gives that person plus three other adults free admission to federal recreation sites around the country. For more details, or to find a recreation site, visit the National Park Service's website for pass information and to find a park near you.
The Genetic Alliance is conducting a very brief survey to assess public knowledge and beliefs about a new technology- Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis. Whether you have heard about it or not, the Genetic Alliance would really appreciate if you can take 5 minutes to answer a few quick questions. No background info needed. Please pass this along; the more consumer voices, the better the data. This is a critical time when policies are being set about this new technology and the Alliance wants to make sure consumer voices are present from the beginning.
from a press release emailed to The Arc of Aurora office in late May- Developmental Pathways, Inc., a Colorado non-profit organization whose mission is to lead in the development of partnerships that result in the integration and participation of people with developmental disabilities in the community, announces that its Chief Executive Officer, John Meeker, has separated from his employment.
The NADD 29th Annual Conference and Exhibit Show is being held October 17-19, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The theme is "Mental Wellness in Persons with ID and ASD: Innovation, Collaboration & Quality of Life (IDD/MH)."
Exploring New Paradigms for the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
A new report from the National Council on Disability, "Exploring New Paradigms for the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act," updates their 2011 report, "Rising Expectations: The Developmental Disabilities Act Revisited." The report calls for unified federal policies to deliver on the full potential of the DD Act and to provide individuals with ID/DD with information, skills, opportunities, and support.
Educational Acronyms
A Guide to Educational Acronyms: What's in the Alphabet Soup? (2012) By J. Krentz
You need only spend a few minutes listening to an education policymaker describing legislation to be aware of the "alphabet soup" of educational acronyms. The Institute's National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) developed this "acronym handbook" as a resource to define, clarify, or remind one of definitions of acronyms routinely found in legislative and policy discussions. Whatever your role, be it as a state legislator, teacher, parent, or other, this pocket guide will be a useful tool. Published by NCEO. Cost: Free.
Still looking for a summer program for your child?
Beyond Classroom Walls works to offer group therapy programs that focus on social skills, language, cognition and motor skills through functional real-life themes. They have 5 different groups for school age students. Services available for students in both the Cherry Creek and Aurora School Districts. They are offering intensive programs in July. Information at www.BeyondClassroomWalls.com or 303-330-3309.
Inclusive Faith Communities
Participation in the faith community of one's choosing is an essential part of life for many people. However, for people with disabilities there can often be barriers to such participation and inclusion. To help raise awareness about the barriers, and equip faith communities to grow in their ability to include people with disabilities, a group of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) came together in 2011 to found the National Collaborative on Disability, Religion, and Inclusive Spiritual Supports. The collaborative is led by Rev. Dr. Bill Gaventa from the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities (NJ UCEDD) and Dr. Erik Carter from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN UCEDD), and among the founding partners is the Institute on Community Integration (ICI). To learn more, see the May issue of the Institute's staff newsletter.
Study Finds Medical Procedures Violating the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities
Washington, DC - In a first of its kind study, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) determined that performing certain medical procedures or withholding life sustaining treatment in non-terminal situations without judicial review violates the civil rights of people with disabilities.
The initial catalyst for the report is the so-called Ashley Treatment which received worldwide attention 5 years ago. Ashley was a six-year-old child with developmental and physical disabilities whose growth was stopped through estrogen treatments and whose uterus and breast buds were removed. The intent of this treatment was to keep her permanently small and child-like. NDRN believes this practice is spreading worldwide. "The thought of doctors and guardians, together, deciding to remove the body parts and stunt the growth of a child based on assumptions about their awareness and quality of life is shocking and disgusting," said NDRN's executive director, Curt Decker.
Further investigations by the nation's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy agencies, which NDRN represents in Washington, DC, have uncovered other cases in which medical treatment and even basic food and water are being denied to individuals with disabilities during minor illnesses with the intent of letting the illness progress until death. "In one case, the parents of a 13-year-old boy with a developmental disability refused to allow him access to antibiotics so that the cold he had would progress to pneumonia. They got their wish and the boy died," said Decker. "Every person is born with civil and human rights and an inherent dignity," continued Decker. "The reality that this is happening in the United States is anathema to the core values that we as Americans say we hold. That it is happening to those unable to use their own voice is even worse. This report is meant to start the conversation about how society can and should make medical decisions that uphold the constitutional rights of all people with disabilities."
The report, Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights, puts individuals with disabilities at the center of discourse. It reviews the facts of Ashley X, as a case study and presents a continuum of similar experiences and treatment of individuals with disabilities within a context of medical decision making that devalues them as people and discriminates against them based on their disability. The report explores the conflict of interest that medical decision making may present between a parent and their child. It describes the vital role that the legal and judicial systems have in ensuring that the civil and human rights of individuals with disabilities are protected regardless of their severity and in contrast to opinions regularly expressed in the medical and ethics community. Finally, the report presents a series of recommendations for how the legal and medical systems at a local, state and national level, including protection and advocacy agencies, ethics committees, institutional review boards, and the courts can perform critical "watch-dog" functions to ensure that the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities are protected.
Read the full report.
Download the executive summary and recommendations.
View the report webpage.
Looking for work? Check out www.aurorajobnetwork.com.
