Developmental Disability News with a Focus on NYS

NYS Rec & Entertainment Starting Nov. 15, 2024

Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here.

REC & ENTERTAINMENT

Fri., Nov. 15, 2024: Bridges Fun Friday- Create a Keychain: Free social event for youth with disabilities ages 14-24 in West Nyack.

Mon., Dec. 2, 2024: Hear Our Voices Book Club: Social group for young adults of all reading levels. Includes book-ish games, talk about favorite reads, and discover new books with all types of disability representation. There’s no required reading to join each meeting. See registration for additional dates.

Thur., Dec. 5, 2024 and Fri., Jan, 3, 2025: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Sensory-Friendly Night: Includes reduced capacity, adjusted light effects, sensory bags and more.

Sun., Dec. 15, 2024 and Sat., Jan. 11, 2024: NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show Sensory Friendly: Sensory Friendly Mornings for a calmer visit to the Holiday Train Show. Additionally,  ticket provides access to NYBG’s outdoor gardens and collections.

Fall, 2024:  Jacob Burns Film Center’s Sensory Friendly Screenings: Located in Pleasantville, N.Y.

Fall, 2024: Bedford Playhouse Sensory-Friendly Screenings: Located in Bedford, N.Y.

Fall, 2024: ReelAbilities New York Fall Lineup: ReelAbilities is a film festival and streaming service focusing on people with disabilities. All events and screenings are held at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.

Fall, 2024: Intrepid Museum Fall Access Programs: NYC’s Intrepid Museum’s programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Sun., Jan. 5, 2024: New York City Ballet Sensory-Friendly George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®: Slight modifications include adjustments to lighting and sound levels, designated break areas and additional event staffing to assist with audience needs.

Year-Round: The Boost’s Guide to the Best Museums for People with Developmental Disabilities

Photo: Holiday Train Show (Courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden)

Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Nov. 15, 2024

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights investigates the federal response to the special ed teacher shortage, disabled kids are being left behind in school shooter drills, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Nov. 15, 2024.

Spotlight

‘I’m really terrified’: Disability rights advocates concerned about return of r-word

The Boston Globe has a tough paywall, so I wanted to give this one some space. I highly recommend you read in its entirety as it speaks to a sea change in how a person heading the U.S. government speaks about and treats its most vulnerable populations.

It reports that after at least a decade of the word almost disappearing in public discourse, it appears to making a comeback “amid a backlash against woke culture and the election of a president who used it as a disparagement on the campaign trail.”

It’s been used “in many corners of the culture, including the murder trial of Karen Read, where testimony revealed that a state trooper assigned to investigate Read had mocked her in an online group chat as ‘retarded.’ It was also feeling the love on X, where, as Trump secured the needed electoral votes to win the nation’s top job, a popular tweet read: ‘you can say retarded at work now.’”

The Globe spoke with Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts, who said that “here in Mass., where less than 100 years ago, and up until the ‘70s, and even later, people were institutionalized and the language to describe these people were words like ‘retarded,’ ‘idiot’ and ‘imbecile.’ … These were diagnostic terms. These individuals were abused and experimented on.”

It’s an important article. Check it out if you can.

New York

Disability advocates rally to protest change in Consumer Directed Home Care program Read about the Albany rally. (news10.com)

Governor Hochul Announces 24 Community-based Partners for CDPAP Plan The state will continue to announce additional CDPAP partners in the coming weeks. (Governor’s office)

A crisis over special education at NYC’s Beacon High School erupts in calls for new leadership The school has struggled to provide students with disabilities with routine accommodations. (Chalkbeat.org)

Delays, uncertainty and frustration: New York system errors put infants, toddlers at risk Parents claim that the Dept. of Health’s new EI-HUB modifying Early Intervention billing is plagued with problems. (Cnycentral.com)

Ardsley, N.Y., School District Hires New Director of Special Education (Hudsonindependent.com)

Disabled New Yorkers still faced barriers at the polls this year There likely were people with disabilities who didn’t cast their ballot or faced barriers accessing the polls. (wrvo.org)

Arc education programs in Orange County will continue through Abilities First The nonprofit now operates Middletown, New Windsor programs for students with disabilities that faced closure. (Timesunion.com)

Fire hits therapy horse-riding stable in Guilderland Investigators seek clues behind the cause of the blaze at Albany Therapeutic Riding Center. (Timesunion.com)

Outside of New York

N.J. mother says restaurant denied her family service over autistic son The mom claims that a restaurant denied her request for a highchair or stroller, leading to the family being asked to leave. (Fox5ny.com)

‘I want to scream, but I can’t.’ The hidden world of special ed settlements in Mass. Over the past decade, parents have been forced to sign nondisclosure agreements in order to secure a free and appropriate education. (Bostonglobe.com)

Oklahoma slashes developmental disabilities waitlist from 13 years to two In large part it’s because the legislature approved an additional $3 million to process applicants.  (Okcfox.com)

Advocates push for cameras in special needs classrooms after arrest of Florida teacher (Foxnews13.com)

Autism

A 13-Year-Old With Autism Got Arrested After His Backpack Sparked Fear. Only His Stuffed Bunny Was Inside. (ProPublica.org)

TJ Maxx Selling Apparel Created By Neurodiverse Artists (Disability Scoop)

Education

When disabled kids are left behind in school shooting drills A school emergency or lockdown drill are especially fraught for children with disabilities. (Washington Post)

Special education teacher shortages focus of upcoming federal briefing The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will investigate the federal response to special education teacher shortages. About 70% of surveyed schools reported special education teacher vacancies in the 2023-24 school year. At the same time, the population of students with disabilities served under IDEA is increasing. (k12dive.com)

Health Care

The pathologizing of disability: Why academic medicine must prioritize accessibility Physicians with lived experience share their insights on the barriers built into medical education. (aamc.org)

Ableism

Ableism: What It Is, What It Looks Like and How To Shut It Down Among its other effects, discriminating against people with disabilities hurts their health and well-being. (Cleveland Clinic)

The Arts

Inside a Massachusetts studio showcasing the work of artists with disabilities Vinfen’s Gateway Arts was founded in the 1970s when state run institutions for people with disabilities were shuttered. (PBS.org)

New PBS Kids cartoon features main characters with autism Carl the Collector is aimed at 4-to-8-year-olds and was designed to celebrate the variety and potential of neurodivergent kids. (Washington Post)

WIHD’s Free Decision-Making for Young Adult Children Series Is Back: Aug. 21, 22, 23

This three-workshop series from the Westchester Institute of Human Development (WIHD) Community Support Network will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.

The three workshops are below:

Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives

Many parents and caregivers have questions about how best their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be supported in making decisions as an adult. What are the concerns around guardianship? What about Supported Decision Making? How do advance directives such as health care proxies and durable power of attorney factor in? This workshop should be taken before the Guardianship and Digging into Supported Decision-Making workshops.

If you have already taken this WIHD zoom workshop, please register instead for the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop.

When: Tues., Aug. 20, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making

This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended the monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and want to know more about SDM. It will review Article 82, the NY State supported decision making law, and will answer SDM-specific questions.

When: Wed., Aug. 21, 2024

Time: 12 p .m. to 1 p.m.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop

This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended the monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and have determined that guardianship is the most appropriate alternative. Since guardianship is considered the most restrictive form of decision support, it is recommended that you also attend the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop before signing up for this one. It will review the process of putting together a petition for guardianship and the documentation requirements.

When: Thurs., Aug. 22, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Your One-Stop Guide to Navigating I/DD System and Services via Webinars & Workshops

Accessing and navigating the system and services available to New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is perhaps the hardest thing families will ever have to face.

In part, it’s the ongoing nature of the job: Families and caregivers have to tackle early intervention, special education and all that entails, how to navigate Medicaid and the HCBS waiver, how to find appropriate therapies and doctors, and how to deal with the transition “cliff” that happens when people with I/DD leave school and enter the “real” world and contend with how they’ll live the rest of their lives, from housing and caregiving to secondary education and employment.

It’s also due to just how complicated, confusing and changeable the delivery system of supports are not just in New York, but nationwide.

If you’re overwhelmed and looking for some clarity, you’ll find at least some of your answers through the robust number of agencies and organizations, mostly nonprofits, that offer webinars, workshops, resource fairs and more tailored to help you understand what you need to do and how to do it.

The Boost posts many of these events in its weekly resource list, but to include them all is a nearly impossible task. Which is why we’ve put together this list of the 20 organizations that consistently appear in our round-up.

We encourage you to check out all calendar links for a better idea of what’s on offer.

If you’re an agency or organization that would like to see your name added to the list, please contact The Boost at fromtheboost@gmail.com, or via the contact page.

ADLER CENTER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS @MID-ISLAND JCC

ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN (AFC) OF NY

AHRC NYC

CENTER FOR PARENT INFORMATION & RESOURCES (CIDNY)

CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE DISABLED, NY

COMMUNITY INCLUSION & DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE (CIDA)

COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK (CSN)

DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW YORK (DRNY)

INCLUDE NYC

LONG ISLAND ADVOCACY CENTER, NASSAU COUNTY

NEW YORK ALLIANCE FOR INCLUSION & INNOVATION

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION ON INDEPENDENT LIVING

NEW YORK HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (HRC) FOR PEOPLE WITH I/DD

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPT. OFFICE OF SPECIAL ED EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

THE NEW YORK STATE PARENT NETWORK

OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOMENTAL DISABILITIES EVENTS

OPWDD PUBLIC MEETINGS

PARENT NETWORK OF WESTERN NEW YORK

PARENT TO PARENT OF NYS

SINERGIA

SOYAN

STARBRIDGE

UNITED WE STAND OF NEW YORK

WESTCHESTER INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER

NYS Webinars, Resource Fairs & More Starting Nov. 8, 2024

Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here.

Spotlight

Sat., Nov. 9, 2024: Jim Garvey Memorial Disability Resources Fair in Kingston: Workshops, local vendors, a long list of Ulster County developmental disability-related agencies and more. (RCAL and St. James)

 

OPWDD PUBLIC MEETINGS

Wed., Nov. 13: Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Meeting

Tues., Dec. 3: Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council

Wed., Dec. 4: Family Support Services Council

WEBINARS

Wed., Nov. 13, 2024: Navigating OPWDD Services Webinar: With an overview of OPWDD Eligibility and Care Management. (AHRC NYC)

Wed., Nov. 13, 2024: ARISE Adaptive Design in Central New York: During this webinar you will learn how the adaptive design effort in Central New York assists individuals who have a unique device need. (NYAIL Webinar Series)

Thurs., Nov. 14, 2024: OPWDD Self-Direction: Learn all about Self-Direction. (WIHD Community Support Network)

Thurs., Nov. 14, 2024: Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School (Mid-Hudson Family and Community Engagement [FACE] Center; NYSED OSE Partnership)

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Rockland County Transition Workshop Series, Advocating for to Advocating With: This presentation will discuss assisting you and your loved ones in advocating for themselves and building personal independence. (Rockland BOCES Student Services Division and the Rockland Transition Consortium)

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Achieving a Better Life Experience: Learn About the NY ABLE Program: RSVP by Nov. 18. (A Mid-Island Y JCC Adler Center Virtual Lunchtime Discussion)

Wed., Nov. 20, 2024: Hear Our Voices! Monthly Disability Conversations Group, Topic: Fitness: Hear Our Voices!, part of WIHD’s Community Support Network, explores relevant topics for self-advocates. Meets monthly the third Wednesday of each month. All dates at link.

Wed., Nov. 20, 2024: Positive Behavior Strategies for Neurodivergent Children (Monroe Woodbury SEPTA of Orange County and Westchester Independent Living Services)

Tues., Dec. 3, 2024: Navigating OPWDD through transition: Overview of OPWDD services including the application process, appeals, and supports and post-school. (Includenyc)

Tues., Dec. 10, 2024: Understanding Self-Direction: Learn what Self-Direction is and the many benefits it can offer. (Parent to Parent NYS)

FAIRS, SYMPOSIUMS & CONFERENCES

Fri., Nov. 15, 2024: 40th Annual Queens Family Support Research Fair (Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities)

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Resource & Transition Fair for Putnam County: Resources for education, recreation, training & employment, advocacy and more. Break-out sessions will provide detailed info on different topics. (Putnam Transition Consortium and Brewster Central School District)

 

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

2025 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards: Nomination deadline is Jan. 15, 2025: The awards from Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities® recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of young people with LD and ADHD who make a lasting impact on their schools and communities.

Photo: Adaptive design stock photo (pexels.com)

NYS Rec & Entertainment Starting Nov. 8, 2024

Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here.

REC & ENTERTAINMENT

Month of November, 2024: Omnium, an Inclusive Circus: Through Nov. 10, this circus will be at various places around NYS. It offers integrated ASL, assisted listening devices, a calming area in the lobby, ADA seating and more.

Sun., Nov. 10, 2024: Especially Everyone Concert & Dance Party!: The EE Experience will be at the Shames JCC on the Hudson. An inclusive and interactive musical experience, it encourages participation from people of all abilities. Sensory accommodations are made through sound and light design, as well as a sensory-break area. Cost: $15-$20

Fri., Nov. 15, 2024: Bridges Fun Friday- Create a Keychain: Free social event for youth with disabilities ages 14-24 in West Nyack.

Mon., Dec. 2, 2024: Hear Our Voices Book Club: Social group for young adults of all reading levels. Includes book-ish games, talk about favorite reads, and discover new books with all types of disability representation. There’s no required reading to join each meeting. See registration for additional dates.

Fall, 2024:  Jacob Burns Film Center’s Sensory Friendly Screenings: Located in Pleasantville, N.Y.

Fall, 2024: Bedford Playhouse Sensory-Friendly Screenings: Located in Bedford, N.Y.

Fall, 2024: ReelAbilities New York Fall Lineup: ReelAbilities is a film festival and streaming service focusing on people with disabilities. All events and screenings are held at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.

Fall, 2024: Intrepid Museum Fall Access Programs: NYC’s Intrepid Museum’s programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Year-Round: The Boost’s Guide to the Best Museums for People with Developmental Disabilities

Photo: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Courtesy of Jacob Burns Film Center)

Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Nov. 8, 2024

Disability protections now part of NYS constitution, 9 great books about autism, a new Down syndrome project, and more developmental disability news for week ending Nov. 8, 2024.

New York

Prop 1 approved, expanding NY’s discrimination protections Voters approved a states constitution amendment that expands protections against discrimination based on several new categories for the first time since 1938, including disability. (timesunion.com)

Colonie Central High student arrested for taking photo of student with autism in bathroom, sharing online This is an upsetting story. And, reportedly, the mother of the victim wanted the district to talk about the alleged incident publicly, but the district did not. (Timesunion.com)

Job pursuit of upstate man with autism is truly unlimited The Lifetime Assistance program is an internship that provides paid work experience. (spectrumlocal news.com)

Outside of New York

In N.J., Severe autism, frantic families N.J. is slow to help children with severe autism. Inside a mother’s desperate plea. (nj.com)

Teachers can save up to $18K by training in this new program to help fill staffing shortages in special ed and more The state Dept. of Ed approved five new programs through the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning. (nj.com)

Advocates for Tennesseans with disabilities give state ‘D’ grade in 2024 Disability Scorecard This year’s score’s the same as last year’s grade. (actionews5.com)

D.C. charter school accused of violating law for students with disabilities An audit found one of D.C.’s oldest charter schools suspended students without first holding federally mandated meetings to determine whether a child’s behavior is the manifestation of a disability or the result of an IEP, and was unable to provide records of services provided for at least three students with disabilities who had been expelled or suspended for 10 or more days. (Washington Post)

Across the Pond

UK government pledges better treatment of people with autism and learning disabilities A long-awaited mental health bill to end the use of prison cells for people in crisis and limit the detention of those with autism and learning disabilities is being introduced by the government. (Financial Times)

Education

Special education teacher shortages focus of upcoming federal briefing The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will investigate the federal response to special education teacher shortages. (k12dive.com)

9 Great Books About Autism by Authors Who Are Autistic (USAToday.com)

How iPads transformed communication for non-verbal autistic students A pre-kindergarten classroom in Florida uses technology to help kids communicate. (getthecoast.com)

Down Syndrome

New Project To Track People With Down Syndrome From Birth To Adulthood The National Institutes of Health project known as the Down Syndrome Cohort Development Program, or DS-CDP, will collect biological samples, health information and other data that will be available to researchers in an anonymous fashion. (Disability Scoop)

Employment

Opinion: Disabled Workers Deserve More Than Subminimum Wage (Time)

You Love to See It

A Test of Independence for Ultramarathon Runner with Autism A man with autism, his devoted mother and a seemingly endless race. A story of resilience and love. (New York Times)

‘Seats on the Spectrum’ Welcomes Neurodivergent People to Broadway

An exciting new initiative, Seats on the Spectrum, has launched a Broadway pilot program that provides comprehensive support to neurodivergent audience members.

Partnering with the Roundabout Theater Company and the New Victory Theater, and organized in collaboration with the Theater Development Fund (TDF), it’s already in play at productions ranging from Yellow Face at the Todd Haimes Theatre to Cirque Mechanics’ Yuletide Factory at the New Victory.

Some theatergoers might already be familiar with the concept of “relaxed performances,” which offer some modifications at select performances of a given show. Seats on the Spectrum aims to broaden the types of supports available, as well as offer training and education measures, and hopes to set standards that will be adopted countrywide. (See specifics below the Q&A, plus, this FAQ is a great resource.)

The program’s founding director, Adrienne Willis — who is also the executive and artistic director of Lumberyard Center for Film and Performing Arts — has a son on the autism spectrum. She kindly made time to speak with The Boost Editor Roberta Bernstein after a hectic Halloween dance at his school — and pre-trick-or-treaters — about his own experience attending plays, and more.

THE BOOST: Seats on the Spectrum is such an amazing initiative. I’m wondering about your own son, who’s autistic, and his experience attending plays.

ADRIENNE WILLIS: I’ve worked in theater for most of my adult life so he’s been to many performances. Live theater is one of his favorite things. He was also fortunate enough to go to schools in the city and they took the students to the theater and to things like puppet shows in Central Park when they were younger. So, he had one foot in the door.

Is he comfortable when he goes?

He’s actually never been OK with the sensory-friendly performances because the room itself is overstimulation for him. He’s very sensitive to other people’s emotions and he prefers a dark theater to a light theater and the sense of being by himself.

How do you handle this?

I advocate for him, and I think it’s easier for me to do this than it is for other parents because of my [career]. I know the tricks, like always get an aisle seat near the exit and to talk to the ushers to tell them what to expect. It makes it easier when they’re on your team to get through the performance. I also know how to talk to the patrons around me to say if there’s any problems, we’re doing this, we’re trying this, thanks for your patience.

He went through period where he had a lot of imaginary friends and he’d stand there and count them all coming into the row. The people around us were OK with that. It all doesn’t have to be so much work, but parents don’t always know that.

This brings up an interesting question about whether a component of the initiative is educating the audience itself, in addition to accommodating the neurodivergent audience members.

Audiences know that the theaters are participating in Seats on the Spectrum, and it’s on their websites. And we find especially that at the shows for children parents understand what’s going on because they’re exposed to this [through their kids]. But yes, we’ve talked about this; we do want to have an element of educating audiences. But just co-existing is a good first step.

Can you talk a little about future goals?

We’d like to learn from this what was problematic, what we should adjust. Our goal is to have it be easy to implement so, other theater not having to go through a trial period and dealing with all the challenges that come up.

[Roundabout and New Victory] are in it with us to figure out the bumps and then, when we get through that, we’ll have a great road map that not only shows how to implement it, but also how to make it financially doable for theaters. Theaters are having a hard time right now, we don’t want this to be an added strain.

New Victory Theater in New York City. (Photo: Alexis Buatti-Ramos, courtesy of New Victory Theater)

Seats on the Spectrum Elements

They include:

Pilot Program Productions

Roundabout’s productions of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face at the Todd Haimes Theatre (after the October 1 opening, through the closing on November 24) and Meghan Kennedy’s The Counter at the Laura Pels Theatre (after the October 9 opening, through the closing on November 17);

Theresa Heskins’s adaptation of The Princess and the Pea (October 19-27), Baba Bird Theater Company’s Baba Yaga and the Firebird (November 9-17), Cirque Mechanics’ Yuletide Factory (November 23 – December 29) at the New Victory Theater.

Photo: The New Victory Theater (Flickr)

More Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Nov. 1, 2024

A new report says between 2011 and 2022 the number of people diagnosed with autism climbed by 175%, the top 5 ways Project 2025 would hurt people with disabilities, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Nov. 1, 2024.

SPOTLIGHT: VOTING

‘We Need to Do Better’: Voters With Disabilities Make Their Voices Heard

The Boost has been sharing its Developmental Disability Voter Guide, and we’d also like to share the above link from YAI, a comprehensive agency for people with I/DD.

It includes this quote: “Politicians every year make decisions about how much funding our programs receive, about the wages that direct support professionals are paid, and about the services that people with I/DD are entitled to. We must empower people with I/DD to show up to the ballot box so they can choose who is making those decisions.”

New York

Two-Year Wait for Manhattan Access-A-Ride Assessment Center Ends New Yorkers with disabilities who live in Manhattan no longer have to travel as far as the South Shore of Staten Island for Access-A-Ride eligibility screenings. (The City)

Teams with disability nonprofit compete to build the most creative scarecrow The annual contest is held by Warren, Washington and Albany Counties ARC. (Times Union)

Feds urged to hold NYC Department of Education accountable for the lack of special needs services  (CBSnews.com)

With more seats added, a student with special needs finally gets to attend preschool For years, the city has failed to provide enough special education seats in its early childhood program. (ny1.com)

Yankees, MLB gift $50K ‘sensory room’ to Bronx middle school after kids give assist on stadium’s autistic-friendly space (NYPost.com)

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program

Opinion: Do not ignore NY’s rush to a single fiscal intermediary The CEO/exec director of Bridges in Nyack on the need for a minimum of two years for the transition to a single FI for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. (lohud.com)

Outside of New York

A school for children with autism in southern Vermont is under state investigation Four educators say they were forced out of the I.N.S.P.I.R.E. School for Autism in Brattleboro after raising concerns about student mistreatment. (Vermontpublic.org)

Texas is slashing $607 million in Medicaid funding from program for students with disabilities School district officials and special ed advocates are “bewildered” by the sudden changes. (Texastribune.org)

An Indiana licensing program is ‘putting a dent’ in the shortage of special educators with 600 licensed so far It allows current teachers, including those on emergency permits, to get fully licensed in special education at no cost. (Chalkbeat.org)

Podcast: Can a Coffee Shop in Utah Help Solve Underemployment for People with Disabilities? The  shop’s owners want to grow their business and structure it to ensure that it remains sustainable and financially sound. The podcast talks the case over. (Harvard Business Review)

In South Carolina, Clemson University fraternity embraces student in intellectual disability program (CBSNews.com)

Hidden Disabilities

Sesame Place Philadelphia joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program This is a terrific program (when done right) that has been offered for some time now at a growing list of airports. (Bucks County Herald) Read more about the program here: Travel Better with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program at New York-Area Airports.

Autism

Autism diagnoses rising among U.S. children, adults Incredibly large surges in new autism diagnoses among young adults, as well a rise in diagnoses for girls and young women, have driven a near-tripling of U.S. autism cases in just over a decade, researchers report. (medicalxpress.com)

Autistic Children’s Fascination with Letters Offers Learning Clues A large-scale study from the University of Montreal has some interesting findings. (neurosciencenews.com)

Election

The Top 5 Ways Project 2025 Would Hurt Disabled People The Center for American Progress, an independent nonpartisan policy institute, has analyzed The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, designed for a far-right presidential administration, and concludes it “will radically harm disabled people across the United States.” (American Progress)

Census

Convening on Disability Measurement A look at the  meeting the U.S. Census Bureau had with advocates concerned about the potential for a severe undercount. (Census.gov) Additionally, this Opinion piece from Stat published in September, 2024, Millions of people are missing from U.S. disability data, has some great context.

Essay

Not everything happens for a reason Louise Kinross, who writes the wonderful Bloom blog, discusses how the new book Fluke, helped her “understand why we assume women have so much control over the health of their unborn child.” (Bloom)

NYS Webinars, Resource Fairs & More for Week Starting Nov. 1, 2024

Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here.

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Thurs., Nov. 7, 2024: Virtual Open House for the Pleasantville Lab School at Westchester Community College: The Pleasantville Lab School is an inclusive dual enrollment program for students ages 18-21. Students engage in career planning, enroll in college classes and participate in social activities with their college peers, and gain work experiences. It serves students referred by their school districts during their final years of IDEA eligibility.

OPWDD PUBLIC MEETINGS

Wed., Nov. 13: Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Meeting

Tues., Dec. 3: Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council

Wed., Dec. 4: Family Support Services Council

WEBINARS

Fri., Nov. 1 & Fri., Nov. 8, 2024: Tinder, Grindr & More: Supporting People with IDD Who Are Dating Online: Part One is Online Safety, Part Two is Using the App. (NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation)

Wed., Nov. 6, 2024: Financial Empowerment: Small Steps for Big Results: This session provides tips and tools to help build or expand financial literacy that is inclusive of people with disabilities. (Jawonio)

Wed., Nov. 6, 2024: Waiting for an Educational Placement: What you need to know about district-provided home instruction and placement waitlists. (Disability Rights NY)

Thurs., Nov. 7, 2024: Transition – Planning Timeline for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Middle/High School to Post-Secondary Outcomes (AHRC)

Thurs., Nov. 7, 2024: Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families: To promote and encourage student and family involvement in the IEP development process and Committee on Special Ed meetings. (Lower Hudson Family and Community Engagement [FACE] Center; NYSED OSE Partnership)

Wed., Nov. 13, 2024: Navigating OPWDD Services Webinar: With an overview of OPWDD Eligibility and Care Management. (AHRC NYC)

Wed., Nov. 13, 2024: NYAIL Webinar Series 2024: ARISE Adaptive Design in Central New York: During this webinar you will learn how the adaptive design effort in Central New York assists individuals who have a unique device need.

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Rockland County Transition Workshop Series, Advocating for to Advocating With: This presentation will discuss assisting you and your loved ones in advocating for themselves and building personal independence. (Rockland BOCES Student Services Division and the Rockland Transition Consortium)

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Achieving a Better Life Experience: Learn About the NY ABLE Program: RSVP by Nov. 18. (A Mid-Island Y JCC Adler Center Virtual Lunchtime Discussion)

Wed., Nov. 20, 2024: Hear Our Voices! Monthly Disability Conversations Group, Topic: Fitness: Hear Our Voices!, part of WIHD’s Community Support Network, explores relevant topics for self-advocates. Meets monthly the third Wednesday of each month. Nov. 20th is up next. All dates at link.

Wed., Nov. 20, 2024: Positive Behavior Strategies for Neurodivergent Children (Monroe Woodbury SEPTA of Orange County and Westchester Independent Living Services)

FAIRS, SYMPOSIUMS & CONFERENCES

Sat., Nov. 9, 2024: Jim Garvey Memorial Disability Resources Fair in Kingston: Workshops, local vendors, a long list of Ulster County developmental disability-related agencies and more. (RCAL and St. James)

Fri., Nov. 15, 2024: 40th Annual Queens Family Support Research Fair (Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities)

Tues., Nov. 19, 2024: Resource & Transition Fair for Putnam County: Resources for education, recreation, training & employment, advocacy and more. Break-out sessions will provide detailed info on different topics. (Putnam Transition Consortium and Brewster Central School District)

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

2025 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards: Nomination deadline is Jan. 15, 2025: The awards from Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities® recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of young people with LD and ADHD who make a lasting impact on their schools and communities.