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Greetings Amid the Dog Days of Summer!
In spite of the heat, The Arc of Aurora has a couple of member events over the next month or so at which we hope to see you:
- Thursday, July 26, 6:30-8PM, is our Member Potluck Picnic at Utah Park. Join the fun at the Banks in Harmony Daddio concert -- RSVPs required. Check out the details in the Members' Corner section of this newsletter below.
- Saturday, August 25, 1-6PM, is Summerfest 2012 at Pitchers Bar and Restaurant. Come one, come all! Afternoon events include a silent auction, chili cook-off, dessert-off, and talent shows for both adults and children. Cash prizes awarded for all competitions, and all proceeds benefit The Arc of Aurora's advocacy work in our community. Even if you may not want to participate in any of the competitions, come watch and catch up with folks you may not have seen in a while. Thank you again, Pitchers! See the Members' Corner section of this newsletter below for details and event registration form links.
Your membership with The Arc of Aurora expired June 30. If you haven't renewed your membership, see the information and links in the Hot Topic section of this newsletter to do so ASAP. Your support of us facilitates our support of you!
Note that this is a July AND August issue -- look for your next News You Can Use in September.
Keep cool and safe. We hope to see you both July 26 AND August 25!
Jean N. Solis
Newsletter Editor and Director of Marketing and Development |
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Policy Profile: The US Supreme Court Rules on the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act: What was at Stake?
via the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
The US Supreme Court's ruling last month upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Supreme Court's historic decision means that people with disabilities will continue to benefit from the profound impact of the landmark law. By affirming the individual mandate in the Act, the Court ensured that private insurers will have access to the largest possible pool of enrollees, thus holding costs down. In combination with market reforms prohibiting discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, this affirmation will make it possible for everyone, including an estimated 3.5 million uninsured people with disabilities, to benefit from more affordable insurance prices.
A majority of the Court did strike down the provision in the law that would allow the federal government to penalize any state that does not expand their Medicaid program by withholding all of that state's existing Medicaid funding. However, as the Court's minority decision pointed out, the majority struck down the authority to withhold, not the authority to grant. While the full impact of this part of the holding remains to be seen, it is likely that some states may choose to expand Medicaid in exchange for additional federal funding, which will benefit millions more low-income adults with disabilities.... Read more on this historic, impactful decision.
On a related note: Read The Arc US's reaction to this decision:
The Arc released a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act praising the protections it offers many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities but pointing out concerns with some aspects of the ruling. Read the full statement on The Arc's blog.
Policy Profile: Changes at Developmental Pathways
If you are affected by the changes at Developmental Pathways in CES and SLS services and would like to review the information The Arc of Aurora has distributed on those changes, you may here link to those communications:
- UPDATE on Meeting on Medicaid rights and independent contractors
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 Hot Topic: Membership Renewal Time!
Your membership with The Arc of Aurora expired July 1, and you may renew that membership now! Please consider this notification as your official membership renewal notice thereby allowing us to save postage costs. Print the application form linked here, complete it, and return it with your dues ASAP! Benefits of membership with The Arc of Aurora include: - prioritization of advocacy support - 15% off at arc Thrift Stores discount card - invitations to and discount admission (where applicable) to member events - eligibility to apply for annual scholarships - access to the in-office non-perishable food bank and eligibility for consideration for other similar support programs - monthly e-newsletter (or every other month printed newsletter) - strengthening the voice of those who advocate for and care about people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities The Arc of Aurora requires payment of an annual $40 processing fee for cases for which advocacy support is provided. This fee is waived for members. Membership is $30 annually. In addition to completion of the Membership Application and the payment of those membership dues, in cases where advocacy support is provided by The Arc of Aurora, members will work with their assigned advocate to develop and sign an Advocacy Agreement.
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The Rest of the Story
Keeping All Students Safe Act
On July 12, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will be holding a hearing to consider the use of seclusion and restraint (S/R) in classrooms across the country. This hearing could lead to the first-ever federal rules governing the practices of S/R in the classroom. Count on The Arc of Aurora to keep you posted on this matter.
You are invited to participate in a Disability Awareness and Resource Event entitled Beyond Accessibility. The format is an open forum with leaders from the disability community, religious community and local agencies sitting on a panel. Each member of the panel gives a brief introduction of his/her work in the area as well as his/her personal interest in the subject. Then the community (consisting of people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, service providers, the religious community and the general community) will engage the panel in conversation. The forum will take place at 6p.m. on August 9, 2012, at University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO 80210, (303) 722-5736. You are invited to join in a light reception with finger food and desserts at 5p.m. For more information or to RSVP for the reception, please contact Russell Ewell at 314-306-4298 or via email at salvific2009@yahoo.com.
Senate holds hearing on the needs of military families with children with special health care needs
On June 21, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, chaired by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), held a hearing on the issues impacting military families affected by disabilities. The hearing focused on coverage of applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders by TRICARE, the military's health care program. Several witnesses discussed the research on the effectiveness of ABA and various systems' classification of ABA as either an educational or medical intervention. Another witness described the unique challenges faced by military families, including TRICARE's annual caps on ABA therapy, loss of coverage for ABA therapy when their military status changes, and moving to the bottom of state Medicaid waiting lists with each of their frequent relocations. View the webcast and read the testimony at the subcommittee website.
In honor of National Internet Safety Month (June 2012), the National Criminal Justice Reference Service developed an Internet Safety Special Feature webpage. This Web page contains information about how to protect yourself and your privacy while online, provides tips for keeping children safe from online predators and cyberbullies, and highlights resources that focus on Internet safety in general. Good Idea - Good Guide -- Creating an ER Protocol for Your Child As we all know, going to the Emergency Room involves a lot of sitting around and waiting, even if your child is very ill. Children with serious medical conditions may have their health and safety negatively impacted by waiting periods, and may become very sick if the appropriate interventions are not provided quickly. In order to streamline the process and get your child the care he needs quickly, it is best to have an official ER protocol for your child. The Arc Responds to New Report on Alcohol Intake During Pregnancy Article, Digital Journal, June 21, 2012 (note: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the only known preventable cause of mental retardation. Many groups - from university medical centers and schools, to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to the American Academy of Pediatrics, to the Centers for Disease Control - join The Arc in expressing concern with and dismay over the Danish study) The Arc cites many problems with the Danish study that suggests prenatal alcohol exposure is not harmful. The Arc has taken the study as an opportunity to remind expectant mothers that consuming any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can be dangerous. PEAK Parent Center would like input regarding your child with a disability and the educational planning and services he or she is receiving in their school setting. The information you provide will inform PEAK Parent Center about how it can help improve the quality of services delivered to children with disabilities and their families. The survey should take a few minutes to complete. Information gathered will be used in aggregate and no individual responses will be identifiable. You can access the survey at this link. If you would like to receive this survey in Spanish, email pmaycott@peakparent.org. Apple Pulls App That Gives Disabled Children The Chance To Speak Once again, Apple continues to show that there is no logic to how the App Store is policed. But this time, instead of some scam Pokemon game, a much more important app has been removed, according to Time. Speak for Yourself served a very simple purpose - give a voice to disabled kids who can't speak. Instead of using larger devices... Technology makes so many more resources available... iPadApps & Resources for People With Autism : Reviews, Links, Prices Brain Scan Detects Early Signs of Autism A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry used a special type of MRI scan, known as diffusion tensor imaging, to examine the brains of 92 infants who were at high risk of developing autism. The study shows that significant differences in brain development of high risk infants who develop autism can be detected as early as age 6 months. This offers the possibility of diagnosing autism prior to the appearance of symptoms. Click here for the abstract of this study. Click here to read a story about this research. Arapahoe County Fair - July 25-29 Time to take a break and have some fun. If you haven't been to the Fair, be sure to put it on your calendar for this summer. And enter a contest -- fun for all ages! Don't just be a spectator - be a part of the 2012 Arapahoe County Fair in one of our fairgoer-friendly competitions. Some contests require pre-entry, but you can sign up for many just 30 minutes before the event. For more information go to the Fair website. Supporting New Career Paths for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Edited by C. Griffin, L. Owens, K. Roberts, D. Nord, and V. Gaylord In the U.S. we are in the midst of a national conversation about jobs. That conversation includes discussion of employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their changing role in the American workforce. This new Impact issue explores some of the innovative thinking and resources that are providing expanded employment options for people with disabilities today, and offers success stories of some of the individuals taking new career paths.
Brain Gym 170 for Special Needs Providers (...and Parents and other Caregivers, too) with Cecilia Koester, M.Ed offered in Boulder, Colorado, July 29 - August 1, 2012. Click here for a link to full details. Program provides information on ways to support children or adults to live a healthy and balanced life. Promoted as a practical, inspiring, innovative, and hands-on movement-based training.
Denver Art Museum To Exhibit Community Designs In First-Ever Visitor Sourced Exhibition
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is excited to announce Open For Design: A DAM Community Challenge, the first-ever visitor sourced exhibition at the museum. The DAM challenges everyone-no matter their age or skill level-to get creative and transform an everyday object or material into something that makes their neighborhood a better place. Participants are invited to drop off their submission in person Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Object size is limited and must fit into a 2-by-2-by-2- foot space. Open For Design will be on view August 4 - September 2, 2012. For more information, visit http://denverartmuseum.org/openfordesign.
13th Anniversary of Olmstead Decision
In recognition of the thirteenth anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v LC, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has posted a blog on the Whitehouse website. The Olmstead decision established that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community with the proper services and supports, rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized. Click here to read Secretary Sebelius's blog.
Keep Your Cool With Free Weatherization Services
Energy-efficiency measures can help reduce cooling costs in summer months. As temperatures soar to record-highs along the Front Range, it's the perfect time to think about taking steps to keep your home cooler and reducing your household energy usage. The Arapahoe County Weatherization Division, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, offers free services to low-income households in both Arapahoe and Adams Counties to help to make homes more energy-efficient and comfortable in all seasons. "We often relate weatherization to the winter months," said Arapahoe County Commissioner Bill Holen. "Energy-efficiency measures make significant difference in the summertime by keeping the heat outside and maintaining your home at a more consistent, comfortable temperature." Qualified weatherization crews will start by conducting a free home energy audit to determine what energy conservation services would be most beneficial in your home. Services may include sealing major air leaks; adding eco-friendly insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces; performing health and safety tests on furnaces and water heaters; making necessary repairs to furnaces and water heaters; and installing high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs, all at no cost. Weatherization services are available year-round to households earning 200 percent or less of the federal poverty guideline, which is $3,841 gross per month for a family of four. You may rent or own. Services are available in single-family homes, mobile homes and multifamily units up to a four-plex. Arapahoe County weatherization crews served 1,273 households in 2011. Funding for weatherization services is provided by the Colorado Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy Denver Regional Office. To learn more and apply for weatherization services in Arapahoe or Adams Counties, please contact the Weatherization Division or call 303-636-1982.
Program Helps Those In Need Get High-Efficiency Toilets For Free
Aurora Water understands that it sometimes costs a little to save a lot, so it has created a program to help income-qualifying residents get new, high efficiency toilets, showerheads and aerators for free. Aurora Water conducts a free indoor water audit, covers the costs of the new fixtures, and installs them. To qualify, a household must earn 60 percent or less of the area median income - for example, a family of four cannot earn more than $49,600. Participants must own their home, have a water meter that is just for their house and have fixtures that are not considered high efficiency. For more information or to apply, call 303-739-7351. Funding for the program is limited, so residents will be assisted on first-come, first-served basis.
From a research team at the University of Louisville (KY):
Did you know that wheelchair riders on transit buses are more likely to be injured on the wheelchair ramp than in a vehicle accident? Did you know that when the ramp is deployed to an urban street or sidewalk in real life, it often exceeds the ADA maximum ramp slope? Unfortunately, little is known about specific factors that contribute to ramp accidents. The University of Louisville is undertaking a nationwide effort to improve access to public transit buses. It has received funding from the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research to conduct a survey to study ramp-related problems experienced by wheelchair & scooter users who ride public transit buses. Wheelchair and scooter users, as well as their family members and/or personal aids, may take the survey. All responses are anonymous. After taking the survey, each person will be able to see a summary of responses from everyone who has participated. To learn more about this research, or talk to the principal investigator, you can contact Karen Frost, PhD, University of Louisville at k.frost@louisville.edu.
New GAO Report Covers Charter Schools
A new report from the Government Accounting Office offers information about the experience of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism in charter schools and declares that additional federal attention is needed to help protected access for these students.
New Resources from Autism NOW Autism NOW, a project of The Arc's National Initiatives group funded in part by ADD has added information and features to autismnow.org including 100+ new resources, new articles, new pages, videos and forums. The forums were created based on feedback from attendees of the 2011 Regional Summits. Many attendees said they wanted a way to network and talk about their struggles, victories, new ideas and resources. So Autism NOW created four forums including the Autism NOW Center with discussions centered on what's going on with Autism NOW, a General Forum, a Network with Others Forum, and Resources Forum. Check out these and other resources at autismnow.org. Film Addresses Inclusion The maker of Including Samuel has created a new film to address the issue of the inclusion of children with emotional and behavioral disabilities in their schools and communities. Check out trailers and get more information about Who Cares About Kelsey? on the film's website. Low Cost Dental Services A newly launched program that offers residents low cost dental services, such as routine cleanings and oral examinations, is already in high demand. Officials at Concorde College, located off East First Ave. and South Havana St., opened the program to the public several weeks ago. The clinic is run by students currently enrolled at the school. The program is designed to help students gain valuable field experience and ultimately graduate from the school's dental hygiene program. The clinic is offering a variety of dental services, such as full-mouth X-Rays' fluoride treatments and oral health examinations at significantly reduced rate. Most of the services cost $30 or less. Though the college has yet to do much advertising, the clinic is already booked for July. Officials at the school say the dental clinic is completely safe. Students are always monitored by registered dental hygienists, who walk from station to station to help supervise all of the procedures. The clinic is currently open to anyone ages 3 or older and is being offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at Concorde College, 111 S. Havana St. Call 720-222-2094 for more information.
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Members' Corner
 Members' Picnic You are invited to The Arc of Aurora member potluck picnic in conjunction with Aurora banks' Banks in Harmony summer concert series on Thursday, July 26 at Utah Park. Join other The Arc of Aurora members for dinner in the park and hear Daddio and the 17th Avenue All Stars (50's rock and roll). The Arc of Aurora will provide main dish and beverages; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Too, bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on -- no other seating is available. RSVPs required to Jean, jsarcaurora@aol.com or 720.213.1420, by July 24 to insure we have enough food. When you RSVP, Jean will let you know where to meet in the Park. Get your goovin' dancin' shoes on and be ready for a fun evening! Summerfest Pitchers Restaurant and Sports Bar will again host its Summerfest 2012 to benefit The Arc of Aurora. The Arc of Aurora members are encouraged to join other Pitchers' friends participating in the stunning silent auction, festive chili cook-off, delicious dessert-off, and both an 18 and over talent show as well as an under 18-years-old talent show. Calendar Saturday, August 25, between 1 and 6PM to be a part of the FUN! Click on the links above for the contest applications and rules. Questions -- call (720.213.1420) or email (jsarcaurora@aol.com) Jean in the office. Candidates' Forums It is an election year. Thus, The Arc of Aurora is planning to host candidates' forums next month. Keep posted for an email with specific information about those forums -- you are invited! The Arc US National Convention Your membership with The Arc of Aurora also provides you membership with The Arc of the US. From October 25-28, The Arc of the US is holding its National Convention and International Forum, "Achieving Inclusion Across the Globe," at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Check out The Arc of the US's website for details. The Colorado Rockies announces its 2nd annual Non-Profit Appreciation Month. The Colorado Rockies Organization invites you, your family, and friends to attend select ball games at a discounted price. Purchase tickets online at: www.coloradorockies.com/nonprofit Promo Code: Rockies. The Arc of Aurora is not organizing a Rockies outing but wanted to make this discount purchasing opportunity available to you. |
Spotlight On ... Charles Garvey
Have you been to The Arc of Aurora office lately? Have you noticed how tidy the south side of our property is in spite of the many sticks and twigs that Mother Nature blows down on our rocks and driveway? On his own initiative, The Arc of Aurora member Chuck lets us know he will be in before the heat of the day to rake, bag and dispose of Nature's litter. For his initiative and continued sweat to keep our outside space looking tidy, our hats are off to Chuck! Thank you, Chuck! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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 Did you know that the majority of The Arc of Aurora's annual operating budget comes from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of items donated to the arc Thrift Stores? Too, much of the food in our non-perishable food bank comes via the arc Thrift Stores. Call 303.238.5263 to schedule a pickup of your gently used items and also help The Arc of Aurora! |
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The Arc of Aurora
Mission
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The Arc of Aurora is a membership association that provides individual and systems change advocacy through information and referral; community education; and individual, family and class support for and with people with developmental disabilities and their families.
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Support  |
The Arc of Aurora receives NO government funding to provide the advocacy support for which you rely on us. An hour of advocacy support costs The Arc of Aurora approximately $50 to provide, well beyond even annual membership dues and processing fees. Your ongoing support is vital to our existence. Making a donation = making a difference! Send your donation to "The Arc of Aurora" 1342 S. Chambers Road, Aurora, CO 80017 Call Jean in The Arc of Aurora office, 720.213.1420, to discuss designating The Arc of Aurora as a gift recipient in your Will -- Become a legacy for our community's citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. |
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