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Welcome to our weekly memo featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in the know. |
| National News | |
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
National Council on Disabilities Observes UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
People with disabilities make up 15 percent of the total global population. Saturday, December 3, marked the observance by the National Council for Disability of the 19th International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme this year was: "Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development."
Department of Education Releases Report on Post Secondary Learning Materials
The Department of Education released a report on the Disparities in Post Secondary learning materials for students with disabilities. The Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities report provided Congress with recommendations for improving the ability of postsecondary students with disabilities to obtain accessible instructional materials in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Access Board Reopens Comment Period
The Board has reopened the comment period on its proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way to February 2, 2012. The proposed guidelines address access to public streets and sidewalks, street crossings, on-street parking, and other components of public rights-of-way. Comments can be submitted or viewed through the www.regulations.gov website. Further information on this rulemaking is available on the Board's website. |
| Arizona News | |
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Barbara Brent (left) with
Joyce Millard Hoie, Executive Director of Raising
Special Kids. |
Barbara Brent honored for 10 years of DDD leadership
A reception attended by community and disability advocates, including Clarence H. Carter, Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, was hosted by Raising Special Kids in honor of Barbara Brent, former Assistant Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
As a leader in DDD for 10 years, Barbara Brent consistently spearheaded efforts to provide community based care and promote independent living for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Director Carter presented a special award from the Governor, and a book with photos of individuals and families who have benefitted from DDD programs was presented by Raising Special Kids.
Arizona Appeals Court Upholds Medicaid Cuts
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the State in a lawsuit contending Proposition 204, a voter enacted initiative, required the State to fund health care benefits for all childless adults living at or below the federal poverty level under the State's Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System ("AHCCCS"). Read more from Childrens' Action Alliance or The Arizona Republic. The full opinion can be found on the web at http://azcourts.gov/Portals/89/opinionfiles/SA/SA110204.pdf
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| Help Raising Special Kids Make a Difference | |
Born prematurely, Lainee Tassinari spent over two months in Neonatal Intensive Care until her lungs were sufficiently developed. "We thought we were out of the woods when we finally brought Lainee home," her mother Cee Cee recalled, "but that was just the beginning of our journey."
Lainee was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy and visual impairment. "I was given the number for Raising Special Kids, and they connected me with another family." Cee Cee remembers her Parent to Parent connection, "It was so wonderful to talk to someone who knows there is hope."
Help Raising Special Kids help more families like Lainee's by donating to our annual fund through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.
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| Quote of the Week | |
"When you make that first call, you are so scared and worried, and Raising Special Kids' staff are just wonderful and very caring. It makes you feel that you found the right place and that things are going to be all right." |
| Raising Special Kids News |
Holiday Break
Please note the offices of Raising Special Kids will be closed during the week before Christmas: Monday, December 19 through Friday, December 23.
Community Partnership Grant Award
Catholic Healthcare West through St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center awarded a recent grant project for NICU resources related to feeding disorders. This collaborative initiative with Southwest Human Development, POPSICLE, and Raising Special Kids provides a coordinated and integrated approach to address the needs. We celebrate this good news with two great community partners! |
| Featured Resources |
 Accessible Fitness Center
The Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) opened on October 31st, 2011. The SpoFit is one of two centers in the U.S. that is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, and the only center of its kind in the Western United States.
The center is designed to provide health, fitness and recreation programs to individuals with disabilities and their families, and will also serve as a venue for local, national and international adaptive sporting events. Spofit is co-located with the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) in Phoenix, Arizona, and both are owned and managed by Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL). The Disability Empowerment Center and the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center comprise the first co-located, universally-designed (accessible) facilities of their kind in the United States.
Individual memberships, family memberships and group rates are available. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify; scholarship applications may be requested. Various areas of the SpoFit are available for rent for programs and activities for persons with disabilities, including the sport courts, group fitness room and aquatic center once it is open. Contact ABIL about program, membership, scholarship and rental information at www.spofit.org or by calling the SpoFit at 602-386-4566 or email spofitinfo@abil.org.
Video: American Sign Language (ASL) - Medicare Basics
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an educational video in American Sign Language (ASL) to provide important information about the Medicare program to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
The video consists of an overview of the Medicare program, including what Medicare is, who qualifies, the four parts of Medicare (A, B, C, and D), new preventive services under the Affordable Care Act, and help paying Medicare costs.
The video will be available on Medicare.gov, cms.gov and the CMS YouTube channel.
To access go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskZVAg7v0o .
To download, go to http://downloads.cms.gov/media/video/ASLOverview.mp4.
Housing Assistance Information
Learn more about Federal Rental Assistance Programs in Your State http://1.usa.gov/tlJ3pU |
| Events and Activities | |
Webinar on Ticket to Work Program
Next scheduled event: 12/21/2011
Learning about the Ticket to Work Program or Work Incentives, at a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE). WISE are community events held by local organizations for beneficiaries to learn about the Ticket to Work Program and available Work Incentives through accessible, informal, learning opportunities. You can also attend a national online webinar.
http://www.chooseworkttw.net/wise/jsp/wise.jsp |
| Free Trainings and Workshops | |
Please register for all workshops. To register, click on the name of the workshop or call 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.
Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC). Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.
Raising Special Kids
5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204
Phoenix, AZ 85034
IEP Basics
December 13, 2011
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Learn about the purpose of IEP's, parents' role in the process, and how to prepare for meetings.
Positive Behavior Support
December 15, 2011
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Training on effective techniques for behavior management. |
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Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support. |
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