Good Things to Know About...
Madison Area Down Syndrome Society
July 16, 2009
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Greetings!
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Summer seems to be moving a fast clip this year-- always, I guess.
Hopefully yours is going swimmingly.
Please check out the info below. It's time to think about the Step UP Walk, coming in a few months, and definitely time to register your foursome for the Annual Great Dane Golf Outing, presented by Winston & Strawn. Join us! You won't be sorry.
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Featuring MADSS' Kaethe Sigelko!
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THE LAMPPOST PLAYERS CHILDREN'S THEATER
Presents
PRINCE CASPIAN
One of seven children's fantasy stories by C.S. Lewis
Thursday, July 16, 7pm
Friday, July 17, 7pm
Bethany Evangelical Free Church
301 Riverside Drive
Madison, WI 53704
Free Admission, donations accepted
Call 256-6282 with questions.
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Action Alert
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Your help is needed to restore fairness to the IDEA! PLEASE contact your US House member today and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 2740, the IDEA Fairness and Restoration Act.
This bill was introduced in the last legislative session and now is being reintroduced. Ask friends, colleagues, clients, and family members to call too. It will only take a few minutes. If you can't make the call today, please call as soon as possible afterwards.
Dial 202-224-3121 (TTY 202-225-1904). This is Congress' main switchboard. Ask for your Representative's office. When you are connected, ask for the Aide who handles education or disability. If you get voicemail, please leave a message. Tell them you are a constituent and would like the Congressperson to co-sponsor H.R. 2740, the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act. You can find out who your Representative is by going to http://capwiz.com/ndss/dbq/officials/?command=local.
Background:
In the pursuit of a free and appropriate public education for their children with disabilities, parents and caregivers may have issues with their local school that are difficult to resolve. Sometimes, the courts become involved in settling these very difficult cases. But, this can come at great expense to parents and caregivers. When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was amended in 1986, it authorized a judge to award parents or caregivers attorney's fees if the court found that a child was denied an appropriate education by the public school. The Conference Report accompanying that law states that, in those cases judges could award expert witness fees and reasonable costs of tests or evaluations necessary for preparation of a parent's case.
Unfortunately, in 2006 the US Supreme Court decided that the expert witness fees were not specifically called out in the statute and therefore parents were not entitled to reimbursement of these fees even when they prevailed in court. Legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives to restore the IDEA to the intent of congress when they amended the IDEA.
If you have questions, please contact Ricki Sabia at rsabia@ndss.org or Susan Goodman at Susan@ndsccenter.org
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2009 Golf Outing: Register NOW
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MADSS' 2009 Great Dane Golf Outing
Thursday, August 6th
Oaks Golf Course. presented by Winston & Strawn, LLCRegister TODAY!!
www.firstgiving.com/MADSS
If you're interested in helping out during the planning of the outing or on the day of the event, please contact Sue at sue.dahlen@att.net
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Register NOW
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Registration Now Open!
STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME
Walk 2009New Name! New Location! No Rain! Saturday, October 10, 2009 www.firstgiving.com/MADSS This year's event will be held at our all new location: Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. Registration will open in August. Bucky, Brat Man, Maynard, Dottie T. Dot, & Happy Heart will all be there...Will you??? If you would like to be involved in the planning of this year's event,please contact Sue Dahlen, chair of the Special Events Committee, at sue.dahlen@att.net for more information.
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Safety Awareness for Kids 12-18
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Communication Innovations & MADSS would like to team up on a Class for kids ages 12-18 on personal safety issues such as knowing who to trust, safety in public areas and listening to your intuition.
Tentative plans include a monthly meeting.
Please contact Andrea if interested.
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Funding for Families
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 Learning Enhancement Program, v. 2009
In response to families'
needs and feedback, the Learning Enhancement program has been
revamped. To increase flexibility and ease of use, $400 per person
with DS will now be available each year. The funds can be used for
materials, conferences (including family members), program, therapies,
classes, and other disability related education. Please see
www.madss.org for the application form (front page) and more
information. |
Mark Your Calendars- MADSS Events Coming Up
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MADSS Golf Outing
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Oaks Golf Course
Registration open. www.firstgiving.com/MADSS
Annual Picnic
Monday, August 10, 2009
Kalscheur Park, Pine Bluff
DADS 3rd Annual Fall Campout
Sept 5-6- More information coming soon!
A great escape for the kids right before school takes over.
DADS-only Brewers Outing
Late Season Cubs game
Sept 22- More information coming soon!
Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center
Registration open www.firstgiving.com/MADSS
Quality IEP Workshop, in partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District, coming in Fall 2009
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Buddy Cruise 2009
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Buddy Cruise '09 will be setting sail October 17 - 22, 2009 for another memorable voyage. This year's event will take us to Cozumel and Grand Cayman! Buddy Cruise is a unique conference for individuals with Down syndrome and their loved ones. Come join families from across the globe us as we celebrate our amazing children! Currently confirmed:
Emily Perl Kingsley ~ Emmy award winning writer and author of Welcome to Holland
Sujeet Desai ~ accomplished musician
Jason Kingsley ~ author, actor, self-advocate
Beth Cooper ~ M.S., CCC-SLP; Speech-Language Pathologist
Still undecided?.................................... Well, let see if this can change your mind!!!
· A representative from METDesk who will speak on special needs planning
· A representative from Reece's Rainbow DS adoption
· A session on IEP's and navigating the educational system
We are still working on more fun filled sessions!
We also have some really fantastic events planned:
· Dance (our goal is to have 2 this year; last years was a big hit!)
· Bedtime stories sponsored by Woodbinehouse Publishing
· Talent show (stay tuned for more info on this!)
· self advocate session
Don't forget all of the fun activities that Royal Caribbean has to offer; not to mention the beautiful ports of call. Oh yeah, did I mention all of the delicious FOOD!!!!
We hope you will join us on this memorable journey. Meeting families from across the globe who share this special bond. Questions email joinus@buddycruise.com. Visit www.buddycruise.com to reserve.
Don't miss the boat...reserve your cabin today! A $100.00 deposit per person will guarantee the current rates; Final payment not due until July 15. Pre-night hotel can be booked online visit www.buddycruise.com for details.
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Challenger Baseball
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"Challenger Division" Planned at WMLL
--- baseball for children with disabilities ---
The WMLL Board of Directors has approved the addition of a Challenger Division of play, to begin this fall. Plans are to begin play as part of WMLL's Fall Ball program, with opening day set for Sept 5 for the Challenger Division. The League will run for 5 weeks with play every Saturday.
The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, ages 5-18 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. WMLL's program will begin with ages 8-16 and will be open to all children with disabilities in Dane County. WMLL is working with Easter Seals-Wisconsin staff to develop registration standards and evaluation procedures to properly place children in leagues according to ability.
Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include as many as 15-20 players. WMLL is hoping to start with two leagues based on player ability level and the league will primarily be a tee-ball program. Coach-pitch and player pitch will be options, as well.
Registration began June 15, so check our online registration system on this website and enroll now. Deadline is July 20, 2009. Click here for a brochure with the highlights of the Challenger program. If you have questions, please contact WMLL Exec. Director, Bill Battista, at eartags@aol.com.
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Sexuality & Puberty Workshops for Parents and Kids
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Workshop for Boys
This two-hour workshop is designed for parents and their sons ages 11-14. After attending the pro-gram participants will be able to:
Describe the physical and emotional changes that happen to boys during puberty
Identify societal rules related to private body parts
DATE:
Saturday, August 29th 1:00-3:00 PM
Workshop for Girls
This two-part program is designed for mothers and/or other significant female adults and their daughters ages 10-14. After attending the workshop participants will be able to:
Describe the physical and emotional changes girls experience during puberty
Use feminine hygiene products correctly
Identify societal rules related to private body parts
DATES:
Saturday, August 29th 9:30-11:30 AM
Saturday, September 5th 9:30-11:30 AM
Presented by:
Terri Couwenhoven MS is an AASECT certified sex educator who specializes in designing and implementing sexuality programs and materials for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and the professionals who support them. She is author of Teaching Children with Down syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. Her puberty workshops help families learn together in a comfortable, safe, and fun environment. Concrete teaching methods (videos, slides, pictures, games, activities) will be used to improve comprehension and help parents become more comfortable and confident helping their children understand body changes, self care, and appropriate social behavior.
Payment & Fee
Male workshop- $ 30.00
Female workshop- $45.00 (2 parts)
The cost of this workshop includes light refreshments and all handout materials. Send payment and completed registration form to the above address. Class size is limited to 12 parent/child couples per class. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Workshop for Girls
This two-part program is designed for mothers and/or other significant female adults and their daughters ages 10-14. After attending the workshop participants will be able to:
Describe the physical and emotional changes girls experience during puberty
Use feminine hygiene products correctly
Identify societal rules related to private body parts
DATES:
Saturday, August 29th 9:30-11:30 AM
Saturday, September 5th 9:30-11:30 AM
see the full brochure at MADSS Resource Page
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"Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold."
-Zelda Fitzgerald
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Andrea Wipperfurth
Madison Area Down Syndrome Society
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