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February 20, 2012 

Health Coverage Expansions Will Affect Local Communities

A new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals wide variation across local communities in the share of the population that could benefit from coverage expansion in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) starting in 2014.

The analysis includes an interactive tool that allows users to enter in their zip codes and see the percentage of people in their communities who could be helped by subsidies to help pay for private insurance or determine eligibility for Medicaid starting in 2014. The zip code tool and analysis are on Kaiser's Health Reform Source, which also includes a calculator for individuals and families to estimate how much they could receive in tax credits under the ACA to help pay for their insurance in the health insurance exchanges in 2014.

President's FY 2013 Budget and disability/health issues

President Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget was released on Monday, February 13. The budget will leave Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security programs mostly unchanged. A New York Times article notes "Mr. Obama claims $3 trillion in deficit reduction from higher revenues and spending cuts, on top of nearly $1 trillion in cuts over 10 years from annual discretionary spending agreed to in a deal last August. That does not include Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, whose fast-growing costs - especially for Medicare - are driving the projections of mounting federal debt."

A Chicago Tribune article notes "President Obama's budget proposal for fiscal year 2013 may signal a murky future for a fledgling program that helps students with intellectual disabilities go to college and succeed while enrolled."

Find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit

EITC, the Earned Income Tax Credit, sometimes called EIC is a tax credit to help you keep more of what you earned. Refundable federal income tax credit is for low to moderate income working individuals and families. Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. Read more

Survey for Caregivers of Children With Neurologic Disorders
UCP will be looking at caregivers' experiences in caring for children with severe neurologic conditions that can cause chronic severe drooling. The purpose is to gain a sense of their concerns and to assess the level of awareness on how to address CSD symptoms through treatment. The results of the survey will be rolled out via various communications channels, including at UCP's national Annual Conference in April. It is a quick, 12-minute, confidential online survey (contact information will not be requested or collected) and will provide valuable insights to the community. UCP requests that all surveys be completed and submitted by March 1. Follow this link for the Survey for Caregivers of Children With Neurologic Disorders.

Accessible Baseball

The Miracle League gives individuals with any disability, ages 4+, the opportunity to play baseball. The rubberized turf makes the field 100% accessible for wheelchairs and walkers. The program is free to all participants and volunteers.

Each player receives a free jersey, hat, and pictures!

Games are played at the Maryvale Family YMCA, 3825 N. 67th Ave, Phoenix 85033.

Spring season begins April 10th for ages 13+ and ages 4 to 12 on April 12^th.

Contact Kelly Shingleton, Miracle League Director, 602.212.6149, or kshingleton@vosymca.org for information and registration.

Video Teaches Fire, Burn Safety to Young Adults with Autism

A new educational video promotes fire and burn safety in the home for young adults with autism. The "Safe Signals" project includes a video, workbook and vinyl clings with important home safety information for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living areas and utility spaces. The vinyl clings that can easily attach to windows, mirrors and appliances reinforce these safety messages, providing the quick "signals" to be a constant reminder of safety.

The Safe Signals video is available on the Autism Speaks website. Read more.

Kathy McDonald first received support from Raising Special Kids when her daughter, Allie, was four months old and in the hospital.  Kathy was supported with a Parent to Parent connection and gained an understanding that she's not alone-others are going through similar challenges and finding encouragement and hope.

When Allie entered first grade Kathy  was provided with training and assistance to support her daughter's needs in special education. "Raising Special Kids was a great resource in helping us get appropriate services in place at her school."

Now a veteran Parent Leader, Kathy helps mentor other parents, and presents training for professionals on the parent perspective and daily realities of parenting a child with special needs. She notes, "You really know you're making a difference. It's very rewarding to actually influence and change how professionals view children with disabilities and help them understand what a family is going through."

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Allie's.

Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Unlocking Language and Literacy Conference

March 1 - 3, 2012

The Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona Branch of International Dyslexia Association are co-sponsoring the Arizona State Literacy Conference "Unlocking Language and Literacy". 

National presenters and local practitioners of language and literacy will be featured. 

More information: http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/2012-arizona-state-literacy-conference/

Scholarships are available for pre-service teachers and parents either for the three days or for the Friday evening and Saturday. More information: http://www.dyslexia-az.org/

Annual Camp Fair

Check out summer camp options at Raising Arizona Kids' Camp Fair in two Valley locations:

Saturday, Feb. 25 at Tesseract School's Shea Campus.

Sunday, Feb. 26, at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler.

Times are 10am to 3pm both days.
Find out which camps are coming to which location.
 

Temple Grandin movie

Studio Movie Grill, in conjunction with SARRC, invites families and friends to an evening screening of "Temple Grandin" at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21. This event will be FREE of charge for all individuals who are interested in attending.  
Following the screening there will be a Q&A discussion focused on identifying and nurturing the talents of children and young people with autism, and learning ways help them transition into the workforce.    
Seating is limited to the first 200 registrants. If you wish to attend, you must:
1) Email your name and the number of people in your party to sarrc@studiomoviegrill.com.
2) When you arrive on Tuesday evening, mention your registration for the SARRC screening.

Voting and Access to Elections

"How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone?"

The challenge launched on January 24, and will run until winners are announced on March 28.

The purpose of the challenge is to generate ideas to improve accessibility and allow more people with disabilities to engage in civic life. Some of the winning ideas may be carried forward by the Accessible Voting Technology Initiative. Participants in the challenge will also be encouraged to apply for grant funds in the spring of 2012. Find out more.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Community Event

Central Valley Meeting for AAC users of all ages, their families, friends, therapists and mentors, using any communication device or language system.

What:  Read a-Latte

Talk about the new Dr. Seuss movie coming out just in time for Read-Across-America

Share something about your favorite story.

Cost:  Bring money for gelato and/or a drink

When: Monday, February 27, 2012; 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Where: The Gelato Spot and Hava Java  (602) 954-9080

3164 & 3166 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ  (shared seating in back)

(32nd Street and Camelback, NW corner)

Please RSVP to Deanna Wagner, (602) 684-2953 or dwagner@swhd.org 

Spofit Fitness Center Grand Opening

Join Spofit on February 24th and 25th as the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) kicks off their official grand opening celebration! Friday, February 24th will feature various adaptive sports demonstrations such as quad rugby, wheelchair basketball, and fencing. Visitors will have an opportunity to try adaptive programs! Find out more.

Phone:  602.386.4566, Email: spofitinfo@abil.org

5031 E Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 Google Map

Rare Disease Symposium
Agenda at: www.sanfordresearch.org/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/files/RDD_Agenda.pdf
Not able to attend in person? You can call-in! Register at www.sanfordresearch.org/cords
The 2nd Annual Rare Disease Symposium is on Saturday, February 25th, 2012, at the Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and community members are invited to attend to learn more about rare diseases and the challenges faced by those who are affected.

Tourette Syndrome Educational Event

Friday, May 4, 2012, 12:45pm - 6:00pm

Diagnosing and Treating Tourette Syndrome and Associated Conditions

For more information, please visit the Tourette Syndrome Website.

Register by April 20th

CME Program for physicians and allied health professionals (1:00 - 4:15): Register online here.

The CME program will be broadcast live online 12:45 - 4:15 pm  

Program for Individuals/Families and the general public (4:30 - 6:00pm):

To Register: Martie Fankhauser: martie_fankhauser@yahoo.com or call (520) 884-9091.

For more information: http://psychiatry.arizona.edu/events/TSA

13th Annual Greater Phoenix Autism/Asperger's Conference

March 30-31, 2012

MADCAP Theater

730 South Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281

More information: www.phxautism.org

Friday Keynote Speaker is Dr. Temple Grandin, a highly successful adult with autism, and one of the leading lecturers on how to help individuals with autism/Asperger's.

Help other parents, share your experience and knowledge with professionals, and learn how to advocate for improvement in our systems of care.

For information about Parent Leader Training and opportunities to make a difference, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org.

Just wanted to send you a little "Thank You." We had the IEP meeting this morning and it went very well! The information you provided proved to be our success today - Thanks again!! 

To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.

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