ACHIEVA Disability Talks
|
ACHIEVA's Disability Talks featured on KQV Radio are available online. Listen in as ACHIEVA staff explain all of the services provided by ACHIEVA and families share their experiences having a loved one with a disability and the years of services and support they have received from ACHIEVA.
Here's a link to all three of ACHIEVA's Disability Talks.
|
|
Mark Your Calendars!
|
A Sweet Gesture 2016 Casino Royale
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Fairmont Hotel, Pittsburgh
Family Life Fund is having "A Sweet Gesture 2016 Casino Royale" on February 13, 2016 at the Fairmont Hotel, Pittsburgh. Proceeds from this event will benefit ACHIEVA's Parenting Education Program, the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh and the Family Life Fund.
For more information, please contact Laura at 412.708.7882, Anju at 412.760.8184 or visit
Pittsburgh Promenade Auction Westin Convention Center Hotel March 19, 2016
Please mark your calendar for ACHIEVA's Annual Pittsburgh Promenade as ACHIEVA celebrates its 65th year.
Run for a Reason!
Dick's Sporting Goods
Pittsburgh Marathon
Who doesn't like a head start? Registration for the May 2016 Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon just opened and this year you can support ACHIEVA while you run!
|
|
Join Our Team!
|
ACHIEVA is always looking for committed and capable job candidates. ACHIEVA offers competitive salary and benefits packages.
Click here to learn more or to apply.
|
| | ACHIEVA is not just a job! |
|
|
|
| Volune 9 Issue: # 43 | December 10, 2015
| |
|
|
Free Training
| |
Healthcare.gov can screen applicants for most categories of Medicaid. However, individuals with disabilities or significant health issues who are working (or may be able to work) can't be identified through the automated Marketplace website.
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) is almost always less expensive and provides more comprehensive benefits than any Marketplace plan. Presenters from the PA Health Law Project will provide navigators and assisters with the eligibility criteria for MAWD and help them compare health insurance options for adults with disabilities and chronic health conditions. People with disabilities and their caretakers are also welcome to register to learn more about applying for MAWD.
The free training will take place on:
Friday, December 11, 2015 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Health Federation,
1211 Chestnut St, Suite 801, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Space is limited. Please RSVP to Janice Meinert at jmeinert@phlp.org
|
|
|
Future Planning for Special Needs Speaker Series
| |
From ACHIEVA Family Trust
ACHIEVA Family Trust has scheduled a series of interesting topics on future planning. All sessions are from 9 - 11 a.m. at ACHIEVA, 711 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203. A light breakfast will be served and the building and parking (free) are accessible.
Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Act Accounts on Friday, January 15, 2016.
SSI, SSDI and Representative Payees on Friday, February 12, 2016. Click here to register.
Medicaid, MAWD and Waivers on Friday, March 11, 2016. Click here to register.
Medicare on Friday, April 8, 2016. Click here to register.
|
|
|
IRS Relaxes Rules For New ABLE Accounts
| |
From Disability Scoop, Article by Michelle Diament
The Internal Revenue Service is easing up on rules for new accounts that will allow people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their government benefits. Earlier this year, the IRS laid out plans for how accounts established under the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE Act would operate. But the agency received significant pushback from disability advocates and state officials alike who said the proposed federal requirements would be overly burdensome.
Now, the IRS is backing off. In a notice, the agency said it plans to issue final regulations with less stringent reporting requirements. Specifically, individuals opening ABLE accounts will not need to submit medical documentation, but will have to certify under penalty of perjury that they have a qualifying diagnosis, the IRS guidance said. What's more, the agency indicated that ABLE programs will not be required to request taxpayer identification numbers from contributors to ABLE accounts except in limited circumstances and program administrators will not have to categorize what money in the accounts is used for.
|
|
|
Individuals with ASD Transitioning from High School
| |
The Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) is conducting a preliminary survey to help inform the design of services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are transitioning out of high school, including those who may have had justice intersections or psychiatric hospitalizations. This survey is designed to be completed by individuals with ASD and their families and caregivers. We have received a large response from family members and would also like to hear ideas directly from more individuals with ASD, of any age, including those that are older than transition-age.
If you have any questions about this survey, or if you are an individual with ASD who would prefer to provide your input through a phone interview, please contact the Bureau of Autism Services by emailing ra-bastrainings@pa.gov.
|
|
|
Surplus of Equipment Available for Eligible Kids!
| |
Children with disabilities face a host of challenges and obstacles that are often unrecognized to those without disabilities. Variety the Children's Charity strives to enable children with disabilities to live life to the fullest with a focus on mobility, communication, and social interaction / inclusion.
Because of the generous support of the Jack Buncher Foundation and other incredible donors, Variety currently has more than 150 adaptive strollers and communication devices currently sponsored and available for eligible children through its "My Stroller" and "My Voice" Programs. All equipment is presented on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please help Variety spread the word to those who might benefit from an adaptive stroller or communication devices in your community - the sooner the better!
|
|
|
New Study on Adults with Autism
| |
Recently, the University of Rochester Medical Center released a study, "Health Conditions and Functional Status in Adults with Autism: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation," which found that adults with autism are more likely to suffer serious health problems like seizure disorders and depression. "Autism is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood, estimated to affect 1 in 68 children.
Although it has been extensively studied in children, little is known about health conditions in adults with autism," said lead author Robert J. Fortuna, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in Primary Care at the University of Rochester Medical Center. "This study highlights the importance of careful monitoring of their health status and urges us to examine best practices to facilitate their access to high-quality health care," said senior author Philip W. Davidson, PhD, URMC professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine and Psychiatry.
|
|
|
Autism Cases in the United States Jump
| |
From the Washington Post, Article by Ariana Eunjung Cha
The number of autism cases in the United States appeared to jump dramatically in 2014 according to new estimates released, but researchers said that changes in the format of the questionnaire likely affected the numbers. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Center for Health Statistics shows that the prevalence of autism in children ages 3 to 17 went up about 80 percent from 2011-2013 to 2014. Instead of 1 in 80 (or 1.25 percent) children having autism -- a number that has alarmed public health officials in recent years and strained state and school system resources -- researchers now estimate that the prevalence is now 1 in 45 (or 2.24 percent).
Lead author Benjamin Zablotsky, an epidemiologist at the NCHS, and his colleagues said that in previous years some parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder likely reported it as a developmental disability instead of or in addition to autism because it was listed first. The new questionnaire flips the two categories, which researchers said made the autism estimates more similar to ones from other sources.
|
|
|
Should We Be Pushing People with Autism to Work in IT?
| |
From The Hechinger Report, Article by Ariana Skibell
When Joseph Leogrande, 18, rides the subway, his caretaker reminds him to be aware of his body and space, not to stand too close to people. Sometimes it's hard for Leogrande to concentrate on these directives-his mind is elsewhere. He likes to move to the front of the train and peer into the cab, where the driver sits. "I want to see how everything works," he said. Since Leogrande was a kid, he's collected extension cords and traffic signals from the MTA. He likes to take old things and make them work again, like a broken old-fashioned touch-tone phone he recently fixed. "It had no phone cord," said the curious young man, who is on the autism spectrum. "I had to wire one, and I had to program it. It took a little time to figure out the contacts, but in the end I figured out the proper screws and I got it working."
Leogrande said he isn't sure what he'll do professionally, but he wants to work with technology: computer programming or maybe electrical wiring. He knows he's capable, but those around him worry it might be hard for him to find a good job. Their fear is not unfounded. Advocates for those with autism estimate that up to nine out of 10 adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed.
|
|
|
Preparing Children and Youth for Success
| |
As school systems work to implement rigorous academic standards and prepare diverse learners for success beyond graduation, we are proud to announce this additional support for teachers and families of students with disabilities and struggling learners. The IDEAs that Work website is designed to connect teachers and families with resources to assist them in supporting the academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs of students as they become college and career ready.
|
|
|
Support ACHIEVA Through Your Holiday Shopping
| |
Looking for the perfect gift for the sports fan in your family.
|
Click here and shop for certified authentic sports collectibles from exclusive memorabilia, the provider for many of the top Pittsburgh sports athletes.
Ten percent of each purchase made through this link only will be donated to ACHIEVA!
|
OR
Shopping on AMAZON?
|
Shop as you normally do and Amazon will make a donation to ACHIEVA, it's that simple! Just visit
ACHIEVA will receive 0.5 percent of the total amount that you purchased. Items will have the words "Eligible for Amazon Smile donation" in the product description.
|
|
|
|
We encourage you to share our newsletter.
Privacy is important to us; therefore, ACHIEVA does not sell, rent or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe. Thanks again for registering. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us.
|
|
|
|
|
