Looking for a night out that doesn’t come hand in hand with worrying about who’s watching the kids?
South East Consortium and Breakthrough Fit Co., are linking up for a Mom’s Night Out for those with children with developmental disabilities. While moms enjoy yoga, children are welcome upstairs for a night of fun activities and pizza.
All moms welcome, you don’t have be in the South East Consortium community.
Details
When: Friday, June 14, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Breakthrough Fit, 251 S. Central Ave., Hartsdale, NY 10530 USA
Cost: $45
Ready for a bloody good time? This zombie movie, created by YAI’s Tarrytown Dab Hab by Studio 305, screens at the Bedford Playhouse and is sure to be a blast.
Read the plot summary of Shh…They’re Coming! — if you dare: “Immediately after surviving the global 2019 novel Coronavirus the World Health Organization will soon be faced with a new emerging infection. After hearing the announcement from the CDC on the radio, Chris makes it his duty to warn a few staff members and peers at his YAI Day habilitation program in hopes to raise their level of awareness before it’s too late. But much like COVID-19; everyone said ‘it would never happen… until it did.'”
Below is a making-of video that’s a lot of fun to watch.
Details
When: Monday, June 17, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Get tickets here. (Last I heard, they were going fast.)
This virtual discussion will include information for high school for young adults with disabilities who plan to pursue a college degree. Participants can ask any questions they may have, including the process for accessing accommodations, the disability documentation needed, possible types of college-related services available through Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting 2 & 4 year colleges and universities.
Organizer is WIHD Community Support Network.
Details
When: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
You might have read about Ezra (in The Boost, in fact!), a new film co-starring William Fitzgerald, a teenage neurodiverse actor from Montclair, N.J. Well, it’s here! The movie is being released in theaters Friday, May 31, including at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, N.Y.
RELATED NEWS: Montclair Teen Lands Lead Role Alongside Hollywood Heavyweights in ‘Ezra’
The plot centers on a father and stand-up comedian, living with his father, who is struggling to co-parent his autistic son with his ex-wife. The cast also includes Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro Rose Byrne and Whoopi Goldberg. The film was written by a father of an autistic child and several other cast and crew members identify as being on the autism spectrum.
In great news, Jacob Burns is offering, for a limited time, a $5 discount on a nonmember priced ticket. Just use promo code ROBDENIRO.
For show times and ticket information, go to the Jacob Burns here.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Burns Film Center
I suspect the focus of this webinar will be mostly on people with physical disabilities vs. those who are, say, on the autism spectrum, but that’s even more of a reason for people with developmental abilities who can handle computer work to attend and have their voices heard.
STEM is a common abbreviation for four closely connected areas of study: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. And, as I’m sure you know, filling the growing number of STEM jobs has become a challenge.
The session will explore what it means to create resources, integrate approaches, and innovative strategies made with all students in mind.
Speakers:
Details
When: Thursday, June 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The New York State 2024-25 fiscal year budget was agreed to in April, but there was always some hope for last-minute changes. However, with the legislative session ending June 6, we’ve got what we’ve got. For now.
The WBFO-FM Disabilities Beat podcast with Emyle Watkins has a detailed discussion on how the budget will impact people with disabilities. It’s not great.
In a bit of good news, the budget does prioritize the national “Employment First” approach to employing people with disabilities, which in NYS means getting them competitive integrated employment, via a $6.7 million budget allocation. The details are still pending and, as we know, the devil’s in those details.
But there’s lots of disappointing news as well:
Photo: Mike Groll, Office of Governor Hochul
Recently released research confirms what all too many parents already know: Access to home health nursing is often inadequate, and families face major financial burdens.
The study defines medically-complex children as those who are supported by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation and require full-time skilled nursing care, but its findings will likely resonate with those caring for any medically complex child.
“This study is the first to focus on the in-home nursing and caregiving environment,” lead author Brian Jordan, MD, MCR, PhD, director of advanced mechanical ventilation and associate professor of pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Oregon Health & Science University, says in a press release. “While prior studies have evaluated the home health nursing shortage from the point of view of the medical community, this study quantifies its impact as experienced and reported by medically-complex families themselves.”
You can check out the report’s summary here.
Image: Freepix.com
A neuropsychologist says autistic kids flourish when taught how their brains work, Pennsylvania’s oldest high school students with disabilities are in limbo, and more news for the week ending May 31, 2024.
Pregnant? Researchers want you to know something about fluoride
I wanted to spotlight this study because it might take off on social media, where it likely won’t receive the needed context. Conducted in Los Angeles, it links prenatal exposure to fluoride with an increased risk of neurobehavioral problems at age 3, including symptoms that characterize autism spectrum disorder.
Importantly, the findings do not show that drinking fluoridated water causes autism or any other behavioral conditions. “Nor is it clear whether the relationship between fluoride exposure and the problems seen in the L.A.-area children — a cohort that is predominantly low-income and 80% Latino — would extend to other demographic groups,” reports the Los Angeles Times.
However, “the results are concerning enough” that one epidemiologist advises pregnant people to avoid fluoridated water straight from the tap and drink filtered water instead.
A State Fund That Helps Children Hurt at Birth Is Suspended It paid the medical expenses of children who have suffered neurological injuries as a result of medical malpractice during childbirth. (New York Times)
A push to end subminimum wage for people with disabilities in New York A look at the bill sponsored by Assemblymember Phil Steck and Sen. James Skoufis. (Spectrum News 1)
Mom takes legal action against New Rochelle school district, claims aide violently yanked, yelled at autistic son (News 12 Westchester)
Special needs students in PA ‘in limbo’ as court weighs plan to extend services to 22 The Pennsylvania Dept. of Ed has appealed a court’s ruling invalidating a policy entitling students with disabilities to receive special ed services until their 22nd birthday. (Phillyburbs.com)
N.J. special education teacher now accused of sexually assaulting 14 students Nightmare. (nj.com)
How One School Fosters Belonging for Students With Disabilities A look at one of the 16 schools in Washington state aiming to demonstrate that all students benefit from inclusive classes. (Edweek)
Forced sterilizations for people with disabilities decried by members of U.S. Congress A resolution was introduced to bring attention to the experiences and challenges people with disabilities face when it comes to reproductive rights. (Michigan Advance)
Americans with disabilities are at a breaking point. Are politicians listening? “Our representatives should pay attention because they could be the most undervalued voting bloc in our country this election.” Amen. (The Hill)
Neurodivergent Kids Flourish When They’re Taught How Their Brains Work (Scientific American)
‘Simon of the Mountain’ Review: Federico Luis’ Sometimes Playful, Often Provocative Debut Weighs What Constitutes Disability This feature from Argentina centers on a group of nonprofessional performances: independent-minded adolescents with cognitive disabilities. (Variety)
In collaboration with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), this webinar from Parent to Parent of NYS will discuss and describe the DSP code of ethics as it relates to the family. In addition, it will cover the specific role of the DSP not only in certified residences, but in community-based settings as well as the family home.
This presentation aims to provide more understanding of each member’s role in supporting the individual receiving services and how all parties can work together to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Details
When: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
PAUSE Events, run by Autistic Adults NYC, are for non-speaking, intellectually disabled, and/or high-support needs autistic adults.
For this event, participants will make collages that represent the participant and their personality. Attendees are not expected to follow any specific instructions. All materials will be provided.
PAUSE kindly request that members with low-support needs refrain from RSVPing to keep the priority of PAUSE events towards intellectually disabled, non-speaking, and high-needs individuals. Read more about PAUSE, which stands for Proud Autistics Unmasked Social Exchange, here.
Details
When: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 12 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Library, Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Heights Branch, 286 Cadman Plaza W., Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201
Registration: Register here. If you’re registering for an autistic adult, please be sure to include a plus 1 with your RSVP.