Funding for IDEA

On July 21, the IDEA Full Funding Act was introduced in the Senate. The act seeks Congress's commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Since enacted in 1975, IDEA has strengthened schools and allowed children and youth with disabilities to access the general curriculum, and graduate from high school. IDEA has improved outcomes for millions of students. To learn more about funding for IDEA visit CEC's Legislative Action Center.

Report on Learning Disabilities

The National Center for Learning Disabilities has released a new report on state of learning disabilities in the United States, focusing on the educational and life experiences of students with learning disabilities. The report highlights key findings, including: 2.5 million public school students - about 5% of all students in public schools - were identified as having learning disabilities in 2009. Read more.

Board Releases Rights-of-Way Guidelines for Public Comment

On July 26th the U.S. Access Board released for public comment proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way. The guidelines provide design criteria for public streets and sidewalks, including pedestrian access routes, street crossings, curb ramps and blended transitions, and on-street parking. The specifications address all types of disabilities, including mobility and vision impairments, while taking into account conditions and constraints that may impact compliance, such as space limitations and terrain, as indicated in an overview of the rule.

Read more

Question and a link that helps explain the issues surrounding raising the debt ceiling

Q. Did Congress pass a budget that requires borrowing, and now they're arguing about whether to approve that borrowing?

A. That's right. The system goes back to World War I, when Congress first put a limit on federal debt. The limit was part of a law that allowed the Treasury to issue Liberty Bonds to help pay for the war. The law was intended to give the Treasury greater discretion over borrowing by eliminating the need for Congress to approve each new issuance of debt. Over the years the limit has been raised repeatedly, to $14.3 trillion today from roughly $43 billion in 1940. Of the $14.3 trillion, $4.6 trillion is held by other government accounts, like Social Security trust funds. Outside observers have noted that the failure to make increases in the debt limit part of the regular budget process can be risky. The General Accounting Office concluded that it would be better if "decisions about the debt level occur in conjunction with spending as opposed to the after-the-fact approach now used," adding that doing so "would help avoid the uncertainty and disruptions that occur during debates on the debt limit today."

To see other frequently asked questions about the debt ceiling:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/politics/28default.html?ref=nationaldebtus

Empowerment Scholarships

No more applications are being accepted for the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for the first semester of the 2011 - 2012 school year. Applications submitted will be held for consideration until December 1^st. Approved applicants would be able to access the accounts for the second semester (Jan - June 2012).

Arizona students must read by 3rd grade
Posted: Thursday, July 28, 2011 10:43 am
By Michelle Reese, Tribune - East Valley Tribune  

In less than two years, a group of young Arizona students must show they can read or risk being held back a grade.

That group is this year's first-graders. State lawmakers passed legislation - dubbed "move on when reading" - in 2010 that requires them to demonstrate proficiency on the reading portion of Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards in spring 2013.

There are four possible scores on the AIMS test: exceeds, meets, approaches, or falls far below the standard. Students who exceed or meet the standard, pass the test. Under the new law, if a student receives the lowest rating - falls far below - he or she will not be promoted to fourth grade, though there are a few possible exceptions and appeals.

Read more

Phoenix Taxi Program For People With Disabilities
Phoenix Public Transit adds ADA taxi coupon to current subsidy programs

The Phoenix Public Transit Department has launched a new taxi coupon program for Phoenix residents with disabilities. Called ADA Cab, the program supplements Phoenix's heavily-used Dial-a-Ride program for people who are certified in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). By working with local taxicab companies, the program allows participants to book trips at a subsidized rate, allowing for lower costs and more flexibility.
Read more

Questions and Answers On Serving Children With Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools

OSERS issues this Q&A document to provide State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), parents, advocacy organizations, and other interested parties with information regarding the requirements for serving children with disabilities placed by their parents in private schools.

Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Campus Disability Services

A link to the paper is available at http://ahead.org/resources. The white paper is on developing inclusive programs in higher education for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities and the impacts on traditional DRS services.

Children's Action Alliance 2011 legislative report card for kids

Who's For Kids and Who's Just Kidding?

In this wrap-up you will find the bills most important to the children and families of Arizona during the 2011 Arizona legislative session along with a record of the way your legislators voted on these bills.

Free Immunization Clinics

Find a list of free providers in your county/city at http://immunizations.cir.org/

Behavior Analyst BCBA Conference

9am to 4pm, November 5, 2011 Disability Empowerment Center.

Topics will include update on licensure requirements, ethics and national standards of practice, effective treatment practices, parent panel discussion, and much more. CEU's will be offered for professionals as well.

Hosted by Arizona Autism Coalition and Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AZ ABA) 

To register visit http://www.azautism.org/support/bcba-conference-2011/.

Sibshops

Designed for children ages 6-13, Sibshops are fun, lively workshops that provide siblings of children with

special needs, the opportunity to interact with peers

and make new friends.

Hosted by Ryan House and Child Improvement Through Therapy

Saturday dates: November 12, 2011; February 11, 2012; April 14, 2012

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hospice of the Valley

1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014

Contact to register today or learn more: Holly Cottor hcottor@ryanhouse.org or Karen Lukas (480) 483-1025 x 52

National website www.siblingsupport.org

Family Advocacy Day 2011
The National Association of Children's Hospitals announced earlier this week that patients, families and pediatric physicians from across the country went to Washington, DC, to advocate on behalf of their hospitals as part of the seventh annual N.A.C.H. Family Advocacy Day. The event featured LOTS of meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill. To find out more about what happened, visit the N.A.C.H. Facebook page, our policy blog With All Our Might or check out Twitter hashtag #FAD11.

Have your car seat checked-or learn how to do it yourself! - Flagstaff

• Community Car Seat check-up event on Saturday August 13th, 9am-12 noon at Target parking lot, 1650 S Milton Rd, Flagstaff, AZ. No appointment needed. Includes seats for children with special needs.
• NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) Child Passenger Certification course (training for technicians includes information about seats for children with special needs) is scheduled on August 10 -13, Coconino County Public Health Services District, Flagstaff. 3 seats left. Register on-line at www.safekids.org/certification . $75 fee includes: registration, 2 year certification and course materials

Parent Leadership Opportunities

Volunteer needed for Outreach Saturday, August 6th  9:00 am to 1:00 pm

United Healthcare APIPA and Golden Gate Back to School Health and Safety Fair at Golden Gate Community Center (39th Ave & McDowell) 1625 N. 39th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ  85009
Please call Janna at 602-242-4366, x218.